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.