Mountain Biking and Cycling in Alpe d'Huez And Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes

For years the French Alps have been the home of the winter ski crowd, leaving the summer to a handful of hikers, climbers and serious mountaineers. Even popular summer resorts such as Chamonix and Zermatt with such draw cards as the Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn have recently realised that thanks to competition from smaller resorts opening their lift systems in the summer, they too will have to modernise and adapt to current trends, to keep visitors interested. 

Alpe d'Huez

One of those emerging trends started in North America is the growth of mountain biking in the French Alps. Resorts such as Les Deux Alpes and Alpe d'Huez have realized for some time now, the potential of a summer season and in particular the downhill and cross country mountain bike scene. Les Deux Alpes in particular has the advantage of already opening its lifts in the summer to access the largest summer ski system in Europe. Opening to the growing downhill mountain bike scene meant simply adapting a few of the lifts and getting to the serious business of creating a network of specific trails, northshore and bike park. An advantage over other resorts is the sheer length of runs. With lifts open up to the glacier for skiing, riders can descend from over 3200 metres starting in the snow, through the lunar landscape of the midlevel slopes, into the fast grassy meadows on the approach to the resort before heading down the switchbacks of the run into the valley and Venosc at 700 metres. Just over the valley riders can tackle the legendary mountain bike marathon course of the mega avalanche with over 30km of almost continual downhill.

In addition the region which is traditionally known for road cycling boasts an extensive network of cross country trails for all levels. Those looking for an easy ride will enjoy the valley floor trails around Le Bourg d'Oisans, or the loop up to Venosc. For more challenging terrain the meadows of Alpe d'Huez are perfect and for those looking for the ultimate challenge, try the Traverse de l'Oisans, a three day circular routr, spending a couple of nights in mountain refuges. During this tour of the region you will take in various stunning and interesting sites such as the Lake du Vernay from Vaujany, the famous 21 hairpin climb to Alpe d'Huez, the impressive Plateau d'Emparis with views over the glaciers above La Grave and the tumbling waters of the Veneon Valley.

It is suggested that mountain biking and cycling are Britain's biggest growth sports and resorts of the Oisans region are adapting fast to encourage more and more people to the region. Combined with the growth of specialist biking accommodations such as the Ribot Lodge, improved road links and more budget airline flights into the nearby Lyon airport, it couldn't be easier to book a biking holiday to explore the region. Those interested in more information on  biking accommodation around the region should look at Bike Lodging.

Les Deux Alpes Mountain biking

Les Deux Alpe Mountain biking

Having lived close to and ridden Les Deux Alpes since 2007 I’m always amazed by how quite and undiscovered by the huge British mountain bike scene this resort is. Compared to the resorts of the Portes du Soleil which sometimes feels like a huge British trail center, Les Deux Alpes in general has avoided the invasion of the UK rider. This could have something to do with the extra traveling time from airports. However with a new motorway section from Geneva to Annecy, the transfer time from Geneva to Les Deux Alpes is now just 2.15 hours and Lyon is just 1h45. With the recent launch of a new transfer company 'Chairlift'  supplying direct transfers from these airports, getting to Les Deux Alpes just got that much easier.

Les Deux Alpes sets itself apart from Les Portes du Soleil by having incredibly long descents. With an altitude loss of 2500meters from the glacier at 3200 meters to the hamlet of Venosc at 700meters. In which there are 110km of French Federation approved trails. These range from snow pack on the glacier to technical lunar landscape, onto high speed berms through alpine meadows, before the tight technical forest sections leading on below the resort level.

In recent years, the Free Raid classic event has been joined by the world famous Crank Works event attracting some of the best riders in the world. Different to its sister and founding event in Whistler Canada, this event still remains relatively low key and spectators are still able to rub shoulders and chat with all their favorite riders right in the pit area.

The Mountain Of Hell mountain bike event takes place annually in late July and is a mass start derby bringing together professional and armatures all looking to concur this grueling race. Starting at the top of the Les Deux Alpes glacier the race descends for almost 25km with a drop of around 2500meters over glacial snow and ice, loose rock, mud and tree roots before the finish line in Venosc.

Dates for the 2014 event have cause quite a bit of confusion due to a clash with the Mega Avalanche in Alpe d’Huez. Contrary to earlier publications, the event will take place over the weekend of the 18,19&20^th July.

If you are looking for somewhere amazing to stay for this week or any other over the summer, take a look at Chalet Venosc located close to the bottom of the Venosc run. Here you can enjoy a luxury mountain bike holiday, with hot tub, sauna, games room and cinema room for an amazing price.

Chamonix Mountain biking an emerging force

Chamonix MTB

Having lived in Chamonix as a keen mountain biker for 7 years until 2007 I was always frustrated by the lack of interested the powers that be had in the sport. In fact, many of my friends would chose to take the 45 minutes drive to the neighboring resort of Les Gets to buy their summers season passes and make use of their extensively developed bike park.

Chamonix has historically has been more famous for extreme skiing and mountaineering and more recently, hiking, paragliding and sightseeing. During the summer, tourists flock to the two cable cars that whisk you from the town of Chamonix to the Aiguille du Midi at over 3800 meters to take a quick photo of the  spectacular views over the Mont Blanc and surrounding glaciers. Mountain biking in the area was limited to hiking paths which, although plentiful with some phenomenal single track, were often closed to mountain bikers during the high season.

These days things are changing in the valley. La Tour/Vallorcine and Les Houches, both popular locations for the local rider, have developed fantastic mountain bike areas, with specially designed downhill track on the front side from the Col du Balme  as well as a track that drop into Vallorcien and others through the forests of Les Houches. Although perhaps not as well ridden in as some DH tracks in Les Gets or Morzine, what Chamonix do offer are considerably longer, wrist aching, calf burning runs with spectacular scenery.

However, were Chamonix really excels now are the enduro style, pack a back pack and get lost for a few hours, natural single track. From the col du Balme it is possible to ride a number of different trails off the back of the resost into Switzerland. Don’t forget you passport... From Les Houches again riding off the back of the resort towards and St Gervais through forests and pastures and eventually down La Fayet where you can return to the valley free with your Carte d’Hôte tourist card by tramway.

Finally Chamonix has embraced mountain biking for all the family. The valley stretches for 14 miles from Les Houches at the lower end to La Tour at the top and Chamonix has developed and upgrades a huge network of interconnected family friendly and cross country trails, linking from one end to the other. A tour to a secluded mountain restaurant in the forest of Les Bois is a must for any family.

To get the best out of the area is advisable, but not essential to take a guide.  A number of different chalet businesses provide taylor made services for their mountain biking clients.  Chalet Tissieres in Les Bosson have an extremely good professional service where they can pick you up from the airport and have your bike rentals already waiting for you at their luxury chalet and provide a local guide for the duration of your stay.  Les Houches MTB Chalet  located right next to the summer gondola and bike park, is owned and run by very keen mountain bikers who offer a discover Chamonix week, with a grogram that will introduce you to all the different areas and the best trails of the Chamonix.

Alternatively a comprehensive guide to mountain biking trails are available on the following website Chamonix Bike Book 

Will Corder - BikeLodging

La Marmotte - Le Bourg d'Oisnas, Alpe d'Huez

La Marmotte Le Bourg d'Oisans - Alpe d'Huez

Start line in Le Bourg d'Oisans

The Marmotte is the signature annual cycling event of the summer in the Oisans region, welcoming 8,000 amateur cyclists to compete in this gruelling cyclosportive. The race, which starts in Bourg d'Oisans, passes over the Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier, before finishin in Alpe d’Huez, a total of 174km and 5180m of climbing.

Descent of the Col du Galibier 

Registration for this event opens in early November after which there is a flurry of activity for competitors to find accommodation. Thankfully more and more cycling friendly businesses like Hotel Rondpoint are opening up locally, to help meet the demand. Unfortunately many of these properties will ask for a minimum of a 7 night booking.

For more information, visit the official website for the Marmotte

Cycling Le Bourg d'Oisans to La Berarde

 

Road Cycling - Le Bourg d'Oisans to La Berarde. 

Most people come to climb classic routes such as the Alpe d'Huez, the col du Galibier or the Col du Glandon. However our area futures loads of other lesser known but routes which should not be missed. In 2013 the Tour du France firmly put the Col du Serrene on the map, by featuring this challenging decent off the back of the Alpe d'Huez before climbing the Alpe for a second time. Thankfully this had two impacts. The first, to showcase this beautiful valley, which turns the alpe d'Huez climb into a circular route and secondly to force the local authorities to upgrade the road surface which historically had been in pretty bad shape.

However other beautiful rides are plentiful, like the climb to Huez via Villard Reculas and the balcony route from Gard to Freney, or the alternate climb to Les Deux Alpes via the Bois du Roy and Bons.

But of all these, in my experience as a cycling chalet owner in the area, the hidden gem really is the route from Le Bourg d'Oisans to La Berarde. It's only draw back it that it is not a circular route, as it ends at one for the more popular entrances to the Ecrins Nationa Park. However this works in its favour as it remains particularly quiet to car traffic and has the back drop of the National park to accompany you all the way.

The route starts easily up the valley from Bourg, before turning right at Le Clapier into the Veneon Valley (D530) towards Venosc. Prior to this village are a couple of short climbs to get the legs going. Venosc, a short branch off the main road is an old medieval village and well worth a visit with cobbled streets and local craft shops. From here there is a tougher climb up to Pan du Lac where you will find a popular bar restaurant for cyclists owned by a lovely couple Monique and Angelo. The final and toughest significant climb, is up to St Cristophe and other beautiful hamlet with an impressive church. From here the climb levels out a little and even descends slightly towards the end. However the views become more and more stunning as you rise out of the valley, with tumbling waterfalls, wild rivers and more picturesque mountain hamlets. 

The ride ends at La Berarde where you will find a number of local mountain restaurants.

For accommodation along this route you could try the Chalet Bourg d'Arud located in the tranquil hamlet of Bourg d’Arud (Commune de Venosc). The chalet can comfortably accommodate up to 14 people across 4 floors and 400m2 of living space. It has 14 bedrooms (many with balconies) and a total of 10 double and 11 single beds, 6 WCs and 4 bathrooms. The ground floor is composed of a fully outfitted chef’s kitchen, an expansive dining area where the restaurant used to be situated and a newly refurbished lounge area.

The living room is ideal for relaxing after a day in the mountains with its 50” plasma screen TV, multi-region DVD player with large DVD collection, and high-end hi-fi system.

The property has a large garden with table and chairs. It's also equipped with wi-fi internet and parking for up to 15 vehicles.

For the summer season, the property is very close to various campsites, hotels and restaurants, an open air swimming pool, impressive children's playground and tree-top adventure trail.