Mountain Biking in Morzine provides an unforgettable experience. For a great mountain bike holiday in France, Morzine is the place to go for a mountain biking activity holiday in the French Alps.
Morzine and the Portes du Soleil has some of the best downhill mountain biking available in Europe if not the world. Morzine is the center point of the French Alps and from here you can reach other mtb resorts including Avoriaz, Morgins, Châtel, Les Gets all by chairlift and cable car. The resorts of Pila, Verbier and Les Arcs are also within easy reach with a car which gives you access to more than enough places to go mountain biking in the French alps. Day trips by minibus are also bookable via local companies at very reasonable costs.
Picture credit – Guy Bowden
Morzine offers mountain biking for all styles of riding and mountain biking holiday companies cater for all abilities, from gentle cross country mountain biking to full on downhill adrenalin pumping mtb rides on some of the best mountain bike trails in the French Alps.
The mountain biking trails in Morzine are generally single track and with varying levels of course and trail available from steep, rooty and technical to the fast open downhill tracks. There are also a small amount of Northshore available in the Chatel Bike Park area.
Morzine Lift Passes and MTB Trail Guides
Mountain biking in the Portes du Soleil area is among the best in the world. Chairlifts carry you and your bike up the mountain. Then all you need to do is choose which of the many downhill or cross-country routes to ride. Ride into Switzerland and back one day, and play around on the Morzine DH courses the next!
A single lift pass can be purchased to cover the whole of the Portes du Soleil area and are much cheaper than during the winter months and with plenty of accommodation available and again much cheaper than during the winter makes Morzine an excellent summer activity holiday venue.
Most lifts run from around 9am to 5pm. There are a mixture of gondolas and chairlifts, all equipped with hooks to carry your bike. A one day lift pass is 20 euros and 6 days is 80 euros.
The trails are graded from Green (easy) to black (very difficult). Before you head out it’s worth finding out a little more about what you’re going to ride. There’s a trail map available at the lift station but it doesn’t cover all the trails, or tell you much about them. Stay with an MTB specialist such as flowmtb and you’ll get route guides to follow, plus a personal explanation of the trails and personal help to choose something that’s the right level for you. This is invaluable to help you get the right level and length trails.
You can also book guides to show you the best of the trails and help you with skills improvement on some of the trickier stuff. They will lead you on some of the best mountain bike trails in Morzine that cater for your tastes and mountain biking skills.
Accommodation in Morzine
There are loads of accommodation options in Morzine from self catered apartments to MTB specialist chalets, such as flowmtb, where breakfast, dinner and route advice is available. Make sure that your accommodation comes with bike storage, as not all of the apartments do. Flowmtb have secure storage, plus a workshop for any repairs you may need to do. Your accommodation provider should also be able to book transfers from Geneva airport for you. These are usually around 70 euros for the return trip.
You can choose from a budget B&B chalet (evening meals optional) or a more luxury catered option with ensuite rooms. FlowMTB has two town centre chalets so you’re close to the lifts and the bars and shops. Use of the bike workshop and route advice is included as standard to make your trip run more smoothly.
Mountain Safety When Mountain Biking in Morzine
If you’re heading out without a guide make sure you take a mobile phone and that someone knows where you’re going. You’re never far from a restaurant or lift station in the Portes du Soleil so when things go wrong getting help is easier than in many other places, but make sure you’re prepared. Always carry basic tools to fix punctures etc, a first aid kit and waterproofs in case of late afternoon storms. It is also a good idea to leave details of where you are going at your accomodation.
Mountain Bike Hire in Morzine
You don’t even have to take your own mountain bike to Morzine. You can bring your own bike with you, but make sure it’s in good shape and well serviced before coming out, the trails are tough on your bike! You are going to do some serious riding all week, equivalent to a years worth of mountain biking if you were back home.
We recommend front suspension and disc brakes. Get yourself a decent flight box for your mountain bike, pack it carefully for the plane, and make sure it’s booked on in advance. Alternatively hire is available in town. Look at shops such as Francois Baud Freeride, Morz`Na Sport and Alpine Sports Warehouse or you can hire from your holiday provider such as Flowmtb or Alpine Elements.
Planning Your MTB Holiday in Morzine
The mountain bike season starts on the 6th June, with the full area being open from the 26th June. The Pass’Portes weekend on the 27th and 28th is always really popular, and a great event to take part in. Some lifts close again on the 29th August, and the Morzine and Les Gets lifts close on the 6th September.
If you want some days off the bike there are tons of other summer activities to do in the French Alps. There’s a large outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, skate park, whitewater rafting, adventure park (high ropes), canyoning, horseriding and hiking.
Morzine is a bustling town with lots of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Hit Bar Robinsons after riding for beers on the terrace with all the other bikers. And for late night entertainment choose between L’Opera and Le Paradis nightclubs which are both open until 5am!
Where to find out more about Mountain Biking Holidays in Morzine
To find out more about mountain biking holidays in Morzine and other locations in the French Alps, and to look at accommodation, Alpine Elements provides great value in alpine activity holidays for singles, couples, groups and families.