Europe - trails with lift access

nonnac85

Im hoping to go to France / Switzerland in the summer for about 5 days MTB holiday.
I have looked at all the usual suspects (Les Gets, Morzine, Chatel, Tignes etc).

Im looking for a place that has a lot of 'flowy' trails although some easy / medium free-ride would be nice and it needs to be lift accessed.

So far Tignes looks a good option in terms of trails BUT I need to be able to get wherever I go by train / bus. I'll probably go on the Eurostar but flying is an option if all else fails.

So...does anybody have any experience getting to a European MTB centre by public transport - the easier the better.
Any suggestions appreciated.
Thanks

sara flowmtb

You would definitely get the trails you're after coming to Morzine / Les Gets, but there isn't much public transport. And I'm afraid that I don't know about Tignes. To come to Morzine you'd need to get a train to Cluses or Geneva, then either a bus or you can get a minibus transfer for about the same amount (expect to pay about €35 for a shared transfer from geneva airport). Wherever you stay with will be able to help you sort all this.

Otherwise have a look at some Swiss and Italian resorts - there's a lot more train access than the french ones. Or you can get a train all the way to Chamonix, but the trails there are a bit more full on.

Happy planning!

nonnac85

Do the buses / coaches take bikes then?
I wont be staying with anyone so that's why I'm sorting it out by myself.
Any recommendations for Swiss / Italian trails that have lift access?
Thanks again.

Fully

Les Arcs (France) - You can get a train to Bourg St Maurice.

http://www.trailaddiction.com/mountain- ... lidays.php

http://www.lesarcs.com/On-your-mountain-bikes.html

http://www.bikevillage.co.uk/

I'm off there in August, not been before, but i've not a bad word said about the place as yet.

sara flowmtb

Buses may not, but the minibuses will take bikes for no extra cost - most of their business in the summer is mountain bikers.

Switzerland it's lots of smaller resorts - Rochers du Naye, Bex, Dorena. You might want to move around a bit and/or find people that know the area.

If you're on your own you're probably better off staying with one of the Les Arcs companies above or someone like us in Morzine (or another MTB company if you choose to go somewhere else) so you'll get help finding the trails and also have a more sociable trip meeting other people to ride with.

nonnac85

Thanks Fully, Les Arcs looks great!

P-Jay

Pila's meant to be good, not the huge amount of trails you get in Les / Morzine etc but they're good ones, it's not as busy and the climate (tends to rain in the evening) means conditions are pretty much perfect all summer - But I've never been, so that's only what I read in MBUK.

As for Eurostar, unless you're doing it for environmental reasons, I'd fly. BA are currently quoting £114 for a return flight from London, it's a short flight, on a nice plane and BA is lovely, although they've revised their bike policy of late and it's gonna cost you £20 on the day or something to take a heavier bike, most of the places in Les Morzine will pick you up from the Airport.

Honest, I'd discount the train straight away, We drove once and flew once. Driving's hell, but at least you get a car whilst your there, flying was nice, but lugging around bags / bike bags is a hassle - as for lugging them on and off of trains and buses, oh sod that.

nonnac85

I'm not on my own - its just that Im doing the booking and going self-catered etc as in not with a MTB company.
If you went to Les Arcs where do you fly to with BA?