Is September too late for the Alps? If not - where?

joedevon
joedevon Posts: 3
edited August 2012 in Holidays
My friends and I are wondering about a trip down to the Alps to camp and go mountain biking, we are all up for a bit of everything, cross country, downhill, trails etc. Due to work, families, weddings etc we wouldn't be able to go till mid September, is this too late for the Alps? Does anyone know anywhere that is good and would still have lifts open?

Comments

  • welshkev
    welshkev Posts: 9,690
    i looked at going in september and as long as it's the first week - depending on where you go - you should be OK as the lifts shut around the 9th i think it was when i looked.

    other than that, spain? tenerife is great all year around (www.lavatrax.com), but there's loads of stuff around malaga and cheap to get there, i can't remember the name of the tour company though sorry
  • danm99
    danm99 Posts: 22
    Should be fine in September, first half certainly. The summer season has slowly been getting longer over the years
    Lands End to John O'Groats Cycle
  • delaxm
    delaxm Posts: 180
    Should be fine, this is us 10,000ft up above Zermatt in tee shirts/shorts in October - bit nippy @ night tho
    All the lifts were open & there was a bit of everything in the valley

    Picture090.jpg
  • joedevon
    joedevon Posts: 3
    delaxm wrote:
    Should be fine, this is us 10,000ft up above Zermatt in tee shirts/shorts in October - bit nippy @ night tho
    All the lifts were open & there was a bit of everything in the valley

    Picture090.jpg[/quote

    Thanks for the replies that is an awesome picture, lifts were open? That sounds hopeful. Most of the3 places I have looked the lifts say they close after the first week of September. I am not afraid of a few uphills but it would be nice to get some easy altitude!

    Thanks again for the replies
  • delaxm
    delaxm Posts: 180
    The three main lifts are open until the second week in October, Sunnegga is a kind of uphill underground train & Gornergrat is a funnicular, a peak pass ticket gets you on all transport in the valley.

    http://www.zermatt.ch/en/page.cfm/experience/peaks/rothorn_paradise
    http://www.zermatt.ch/en/page.cfm/experience/peaks/sunnegga_paradise
    http://www.gornergratbahn.ch/en/Pages/default.aspx
  • danm99
    danm99 Posts: 22
    Cracking picture.
    Lands End to John O'Groats Cycle
  • jarno
    jarno Posts: 4
    September is usually good. Less people on the trails and the weather should be ok.

    Crans Montana bike park will be open, and there are several smaller lifts that run all year round (Bex, Montreux, Dorenaz etc). There are also several tramways and trains that can take you to the top, as well as the bus lines that take bikers.
    Most french areas are closing up then already though.

    I will be doing a non serious Enduro race on weekend of the 13th - 16th September, in the Swiss Alps.
    Although quite some climbing involved, we will use some uplifts and the 'timed specials' are all down on breathtaking singletracks.

    check out more here: http://www.ridewiththelocals.com/theblast/
    283694_334492359953885_912585105_n.jpg
  • dascorer
    dascorer Posts: 6
    No definitely not too late but it will vary from resort to resort so check the details first.
    You might get some useful help here...
    http://www.worldbikeparks.com
    Happy trails.
    http://www.WorldBikeParks.com
    The Ultimate Bike Park Guide
  • Sarpullido
    Sarpullido Posts: 38
    If weather in Alps is bad at that time try Finale Ligure, Italian riviera. Van drivers are the uplifts you'll use for your rides.

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