Morzine/Les Gets

evo0420
evo0420 Posts: 6
edited April 2008 in MTB general
Hi, Im looking to go to Morzine or Les Gets next summer. Im confused! is it one place or are they different places!?!?! Also, where should i be looking to stay? I dont know any websites so any advice would be good! By the way i did try searching but couldnt find what i was looking for! Cheers.

Comments

  • ChickyChick
    ChickyChick Posts: 151
    http://www.alpineelements.co.uk/

    they look good, am thinking of booking one myself, anyone used this lot before or got any recommendations for a bike holiday on foreign shores?
    Bike obsessed/adrenaline junkie/racer/idiot
    2011 orange crush
    NS surge custom build ( for sale)
    GT power series 24 bmx race bike
    2010 Verde Vex BMX
  • terra
    terra Posts: 32
    http://www.terratrailblazers.co.uk/Les_Gets2005.htm

    Morzine and Les Gets are two seperate towns, although they are only a couple of miles apart. Morzine is slightly larger than Les Gets, we stayed in Les Gets, which is a lovely place. Bear in mind not much is open early in the season, shops and bars etc.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,708
    They re in the same Ski Area but are two seperate towns

    be warned that ski resorts are dead in the off season/summer, literally nothing will be open, i had to spend 2 months there trying to entertain school kids!
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • P-Jay
    P-Jay Posts: 1,478
    They're separate towns, together they're known as Port Au Solie (sp?). They're on opposite sides of the same mountain. It's actually much quicker to take the lift up and ride down to the other side than drive between them.

    It's quite busy during the summer months as long as the lifts are running (Mid-June to Late August) aside from a few Ski equipment places everything is open, but you get the impression it would be much busier in the winter.

    I went with Alpine Element this summer, stayed in a small place in Morzine called Chalet Nyon, and it was brilliant! Don't know what the XC trails were like (other than a few between Morzine and Les Gets which were very good and happily were 90% downhill which is handy when you're tying to get about on a DH bike) but the DH trails were amazing!

    I wouldn't make the mistake that someone on here did in the summer and book a "too good to be true" cheap holiday in Port Au Solie a week before the lifts open because you can't push up these trails, they're miles and miles long. Also be warned that the last 2-week of Alpine Elements season is after the lifts close and they use an up-lift van which is really restrictive.
    Shocker Enduro
  • Splasher
    Splasher Posts: 1,528
    They're part of the Porte du Solleil, but that also includes Chatel, Champerer, Morgin, Avoriaz etc. etc.

    Great place to mountainbike and provided you go in the summer once the lifts have started for the MTB-ing most things are open.
    "Internet Forums - an amazing world where outright falsehoods become cyber-facts with a few witty key taps and a carefully placed emoticon."
  • milese
    milese Posts: 1,233
    What's the rough cost for a week?

    Once you've bought a package with flight, accomodation, bike transport, transfers, lift passes?

    I guess the food and drink it quite expensive?
  • jbford
    jbford Posts: 101
    Have a look on these links:

    http://www.portesdusoleil.com/index.php ... de7a597580

    http://www.morzine.com/

    http://www.flowmtb.com/index

    (On Flow MTB go to About Us and then Flow Links for other Portes Du Soleil Links)

    I stayed with Flow MTB last year and am going back next June to stay with them again. Guy and Sara are really awesome and know what they are doing. They are willing to do pretty much anything to make your stay as enjoyable as possible, plus the food is top notch.

    I've heard some horror stories of Alpine Elements. I must admit that I was looking to go with them last year but they were just not interested in making a sale so that put me off right away. The guides they use seem to be top guys though, we met a few of them out on the trails.
  • woody7
    woody7 Posts: 22
    Another vote for Flow MTB here. Guy and Sarah are great hosts and you'll get exactly what you're looking for whatever level of rider you are.
  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    we always stay in morzine and some days ride over the top to les gets. Staying in morzine is better for one reason alone and that is if you miss the last lift in les gets you can cycle down the road to morzine, but not the other way, its all uphill. although my favourite track is the chavannes in les gets, you can't have everything.
  • dirtbiker100
    dirtbiker100 Posts: 1,997
    I'm now thinking of flow mtb but its pretty expensive (i think so anyway :oops: stingey). Has anyone tried camping over there?
    Going next summer for sure but there's only 2 of us so chalets will be more expensive and we don't currently know where to ride.
  • jbford
    jbford Posts: 101
    If you've never been there before it is a definate to get some guiding. The first time I went I didn't hire a guide and I hardly saw any of the trails.

    Bike Fax have a book out on the area and it's handy but (and they admit it in the intro) they only cover a small selection of what's available!

    Flow MTB are not the cheapest! By the time we had factored in everything,: Accomodation, Bike Hire(we chose mid to high end bikes), Guiding, Lift Pass, Insurance, Transfers, Flights(we were late booking flights), Spending Money, we had parted with just under a Grand p/p for the week.

    There is alot to be said though for not going with the cheapest. A good company will offer you value for money and I felt that Flow MTB did that very well, they also offer a discount for returning customers, handy if you become a Portes Du Soleil addict like me.

    I've not camped there, nor seen a camp site that would be central to either, but then I've not really looked hard for one. There is a Youth Hostel in Morzine though!!

    I agree with paulf2007 about staying in Morzine and being able to ride down at the end of the day. It does make life a little easier, plus there are more Restaurants and Bars. Oh bring me another Mutzig!! :shock: :lol:
  • dirtbiker100
    dirtbiker100 Posts: 1,997
    Well if we get a ferry (£60 return) and drive and we have our own suitable bikes, that should cut a bit of the cost I'd have thought, already got insurance through till next september (going in july)
    seems apart from the flow mtb package we'll just need to buy a lift pass, get there, lunch food and drinking money?
  • jbford
    jbford Posts: 101
    Sounds about right!

    Driving is an awesome experience, we did it two years ago to Chamonix. If there are a couple of you who can drive it means that you can blast the whole way in one go! This might not be applicable to you but don't forget Car Insurance cover to cover additional drivers and European cover if you're policy doesn't cover it. Plus RAC/ AA cover for Europe.

    We're headin out the on the 28th June for the PassPortes du Soleil Festival. When in July are you thinkin of going?
  • the mvps
    the mvps Posts: 49
    Also considering this - but it seems bloody expensive to me too !!

    Anyone used these people:-

    http://www.riders-retreat.co.uk/summer/index.htm

    Anyone any pointers with regard to beer prices etc..

    in respose to the earlier poster regarding going with a guided tour - are the trails not posted ?

    one last thing.. Are there no guiding services offered when you get there ? if so how much ?
  • dirtbiker100
    dirtbiker100 Posts: 1,997
    jbford wrote:
    Sounds about right!

    Driving is an awesome experience, we did it two years ago to Chamonix. If there are a couple of you who can drive it means that you can blast the whole way in one go! This might not be applicable to you but don't forget Car Insurance cover to cover additional drivers and European cover if you're policy doesn't cover it. Plus RAC/ AA cover for Europe.

    We're headin out the on the 28th June for the PassPortes du Soleil Festival. When in July are you thinkin of going?

    SHHHH I wasn't going to mention it as I want to make sure I get a ticket/pass :D
    We'll stay for either the week following it or before it. dunno really yet. but we're sure as hell riding it!! the 80km one for sure. yes there's always the little things like the car ins and recovery, keep forgetting those.

    as "the mvps" says it'd be interesting to know if there are any guides available for a couple/few days on their own separate from accommodation and other things.
  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    we drive every year and there are usually 4 or 5 of us in two cars. The week costs us about £500 each. Next year we are staying in the centre of morzine in an apartment with secure storage for bikes in le slalom overlooking the pleney. £650 a week. Its already booked and we are doing the port du soleil randonee the first weekend. Cannot wait. On another note I'm off to Thailand next week and will be doing some downhill in Chiang Mai, will let you know how it goes.
  • jbford
    jbford Posts: 101
    I'm struggling to remember the name of one guide company. They have a few vehicles (a Freelander is one) with yellow graphics / stickers all over them. I think they're called Ride Guides!?! They tend to hang out at / by the little snack bar adjacent to the Pleney Lift. Which by the way does awesome burgers! :D

    paulf2007 definately let us know how Thailand is! Sounds like an unreal experience.
  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    jbford, we are also doing the port du soleil and will be in morzine on 26th June onwards, maybe we can keep in touch and meet up.
  • jbford
    jbford Posts: 101
    Definately. I'll pm you my mobile number.
  • -C-
    -C- Posts: 1,168
    You don't need guides, just ask about for directions, and ask if you can tag along in exchange for some beers.

    It doesn't take long at all to get your bearings.
    www.nicolai.net
  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    -C- wrote:
    You don't need guides, just ask about for directions, and ask if you can tag along in exchange for some beers.

    It doesn't take long at all to get your bearings.
    ok you can get by and find some trails, however after pushing our bikes up a near vertical cliff face at avoriaz, we met up with an old mate on the pleney lift and found out he was guiding, so we hired him for a day and he showed us some great stuff we had missed and this was on our second visit to morzine.I would say get a guide to show around and then ride the stuff you like best
  • paulf2007
    paulf2007 Posts: 341
    paulf2007 wrote:
    -C- wrote:
    You don't need guides, just ask about for directions, and ask if you can tag along in exchange for some beers.

    It doesn't take long at all to get your bearings.
    ok you can get by and find some trails, however after pushing our bikes up a near vertical cliff face at avoriaz, we met up with an old mate on the pleney lift and found out he was guiding, so we hired him for a day and he showed us some great stuff we had missed and this was on our second visit to morzine.I would say get a guide to show you around and then ride the stuff you like best
  • zero303
    zero303 Posts: 1,162
    With Let Gets and Morzine the holiday companies always say something for all abilities blah blah.

    But really, what sort of level is the majority of stuff? In my mind I'm expecting CwmCarn final descent but 4km+ at a time! Is the majority of stuff about this level, or is it mostly harder?

    I'm thinking of going in 2009 and I want to take my wife, she's learning at the moment and is on course to be CwmCarn/Afan/Coed-y-brenin ready by the start of the summer judging by her progress...
  • ianpinder
    ianpinder Posts: 266
    Yeah thats about right, however there are trials for everyones standard. I am going twice this year once to morzine with about 10 guys from another forum, and then a week in les gets with trial addiction.
    Cycling the Tour D'Afrique in 2012

    www.tda2012.com
  • Bromski
    Bromski Posts: 239
    So is it mainly a DH'ers destination then?
  • liam333
    liam333 Posts: 189
    Yeah mainly downhill/freeride, but there are some xc routes.
    My steed:
    http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/2095156/
  • ianpinder
    ianpinder Posts: 266
    There are loads of xc routes, not just some, as long as you like climbing, but even for xc just take the chair lifts up and then plan your route from there. I am going on my alpine which isn't a dh machien and my friend is going on a 100xc hardtail. I would in no way say mainly downhill, as that is like saying the lake district is mainly downhill, yes there is a lot of down hill, but rideable on a 100mm hardtail, not a 10inch travel monster.
    Cycling the Tour D'Afrique in 2012

    www.tda2012.com
  • Jono_T_
    Jono_T_ Posts: 11
    I'm going to Morzine in July again this year
    I've stayed with Alpine Elements before and wouldn't go with them again I am going with http://www.ridersrefuge.co.uk who do catered chalet accommodation in Morzine got quite a good deal with them
  • Edward Teach
    Edward Teach Posts: 36
    For those of you who are interested link to the "La PassPortes du Soleil". This year 28th/29th June. http://www.passportesdusoleil.com/

    For those of you who are into camping there are a few places near "Yvoire" on Lake Leman (Lake Geneva), but you will need a vehicle to get to Les Gets/Morzine" as the French transport system around there is bad, really bad.

    But on a plus side the area "Portes du Soleil" also includes several Swiss villages, where you can rely on the Swiss tranpsort system, which is very good.
  • zero303
    zero303 Posts: 1,162
    Having looked into doing Les Gets/Morzine I've stumbled across Switchbacks in Spain. Looks pretty wicked and sounds like you only share the trails with the handful of others staying with you...

    http://www.switch-backs.com/

Categories