Intentional competitions have been held in Morzine for the last 15 years and Morzine is considered by many to be the number one place for mountain biking in Europe. Take a tough and thrilling Black run down through the woods and over jumps, or cruise along on easier roads and trails. The Portes du Soleil is the world’s biggest MTB area located between Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva.
Twenty-four (24) MTB lifts will take you and your bike up to peaks on the Franco-Suisse border. Most of the trails begin at the top of these lifts or feel free to peddle uphill. Lift staff stands at the bottom and top of lifts, helping to load and unload mountain bikes all day long so don’t be apprehensive about diving into serious MTB.
Mountain Bike over Swiss and French borders
you and your bike will ride up lifts in Portes du Soleil area, France
Morzine-Avoriaz has Blue, Red, Black and Green Slopes for all riders, the Pleny Bike Park, two bike zones and dedicated MTB signposting for DH and trails. Signposts are numbered and show route changes. The Porte du Soleil MTB tour is also signposted with directional red markers. This tour can be done in a single day or over several days with distances that range from 60-100 kilometers/37-66 miles according to your route, with 4,500-7,000 meters/15,000-23,000 feet downhill. That is serious downhill!
mountain bike around the entire Portes du Soleil area, map
Stay in one resort or sleep in refuges. The Morzine Free Guide to MTB gives details about the following: Beginner and Advanced DH trails; 26 kilometer/16 mile Enduro Tour without lifts that crosses high mountain pastures; Cross Country Tour with panoramic views of Mont Blanc; Discovery Tour along the Dranse River. Knock yourself out…not literally…and collapse in bed each night only to dream of new trails.
Take individual or group MTB lesson for all levels, beginner to advanced: endurance, free ride, x country. Or how about a half day or full day discovery ride?
Pleney mountain bike trails in Morzine, France
Stay off pedestrian paths forbidden to MTB riders! Wear helmets, protective padding and even armor. We watched bikers who resembled Darth Vadar on one of his better days storming the trails. And remember, trails are not downhill courses or the Tour de France. Unfortunately, young riders seem to forget this point and never look to see what is below them. Steve and I kept a sharp eye out and ears open to watch for bikers on shared trails and even dedicated hiking trails.
Morzine had two bike cleaning areas and more are available at the foot of different lifts in the Portes du Soleil. Get a Multi-Pass, the deal of a lifetime. All people have to do to make extensive use of the lifts is: stay in any of the 12 resorts at one of the participating hotels, and pay 1 Euro per person per day. Ride the lifts up and MTB down as many times a day as your legs will last.
We couldn’t believe how fast this sport is growing, judging by the amount of mountain bikers taking full advantage of some seriously scary downhills!
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