Mountain Biking in Morzine
Mountain Biking in Morzine
Mountain biking is becoming more and more popular these days. Anyone who has visited one of the many UK trail centres on a weekend or bank holiday will know this.
Mountain biking is undoubtedly great fun and is a brilliant way of seeing the countryside while getting some exercise and an adrenaline rush. Many of More Mountain's summer guests are people who have decided to take this experience up a notch by mountain biking in Morzine.
Why Mountain Bike in Morzine?
Mountain bikers experience all of the sensations mentioned above, but on a whole different level!
Morzine is in the Portes Du Soleil, which is mountain bike heaven!
This area has trails that run for thousands of kilometers, many of which are serviced by the lift system used by skiers and snowboarders in the winter. For mountain bikers, Morzine is a great base to access the whole of the Portes Du Soleil.
Morzine has many bars and restaurants and fantastic accommodation making it the perfect place to relax after a great day in the saddle. There are also plenty of other things to do and events to keep you occupied if you fancy a day off the bike.
First time Mountain Biking in the Alps
If you have never been mountain biking in Morzine, you need to be prepared. Experienced mountain bikers will absolutely love it here. There is an abundance of enduro and downhill trails to challenge the best riders. But this doesn't mean that novices and intermediates should be put off.
There are a few things you should know to help you get the most out of your stay...
The Trails
Mountain bike trails in are rated in difficulty just like ski runs. Green is the easiest, then blue, then red and black being the most difficult. However, just like ski runs, these ratings can vary in different areas of the Portes du Soleil. Also, weather conditions can make a big difference in how technical a run can be.
If you are used to riding trail centres in the UK, you will be familiar with the difficulty ratings. But usually here in the Alps, a downhill green is similar in difficulty to the blue run at Llandegla.
The trails here are accessed by the lift system so you will need a lift pass. The lifts make the man made downhill runs very accessible from Morzine and they are seriously good fun. Some are laden with berms, jumps, drops, rocks and roots and some are relatively smooth and undulating.
If you are a first time mountain biker in Morzine we recommend trying a green run first so you can gauge what you are letting yourself in for. In the past Les Gets was a good starting point, but the runs tend to get very bumpy (think riding down a staircase). So first timers should head up the Super Morzine side of the valley. From the top of the Zore lift, there are two new green runs to get your legs in. Do those once or twice, then hit the blues and reds straight away!
There is an amazing blue run called Tutti Fruitti at the top of Zore. It is long and twisty, with a few jumps varying in size (you can avoid them if you want) that will get your heart racing and have you whooping like a redneck.
Beginner Runs and Trails
Morzine is a great destination for beginners to get started. The resort offers a wide range of trails suitable for various skill levels, including beginners. Here are some of the best beginner mountain bike runs in Morzine:
Morzine Pleney Green: This trail is easily accessible from the Pleney lift and offers a smooth and flowy descent. It's a perfect introduction to downhill mountain biking for beginners, featuring wide berms and gentle gradients.
Les Gets Blue: Les Gets is a neighboring village connected to Morzine through a network of trails. The Les Gets Blue trail provides a gentle descent with minimal technical challenges, making it ideal for newcomers to the sport.
Super Morzine Green: The Super Morzine lift gives access to a green trail suitable for beginners. The trail offers a scenic ride with gradual descents and easy sections.
Les Gets Golf: This trail starts near the golf course in Les Gets and is designed for beginners looking to improve their skills. It offers a mix of flowy sections and mild obstacles.
Le Pleney Pedal: This trail is perfect for beginners who want to enjoy mountain biking without tackling difficult features. It offers a pleasant ride with stunning views.
Nyon to Les Gets: This route starts from the Nyon area and takes you to Les Gets. It's not too technical and provides a fun ride through beautiful alpine scenery.
Keep in mind that trail conditions and availability may change, so it's a good idea to check with the local bike shops or tourist offices in Morzine for the most up-to-date information on beginner-friendly trails.
Here is a link to the Mountain Bike Trail Maps for Morzine, Les Gets and Avoriaz
Happy Riding!!
Enduro/Cross Country
If you fancy a pedal, the Portes du Soleil is fantastic. There are many routes ranging in distance, whether you want a morning pedal or a two day bike packing adventure there is something for you. This book has some great routes, a good one is the "chapel run". This route takes you to the Chapelle de Jacquicourt, a small chapel in a forest that acts as a great pit stop after a pedal with incredible views. After lunch, bikers enjoy a superb downhill ride back into Les Gets, with some great techie sections.
What you need
Helmet and goggles
A helmet is a must, as you will not be allowed on the lifts without one. We recommend a full face helmet. I know some enduro riders think that full face helmets are uncool, but walking around with a mouth that looks like a broken piano is a lot less cool.
Leg protection
At More Mountain we all wear knee and shin guards while biking. After sliding down a rocky trail on my knees a few times, my hard plastic leg protection has become my favourite biking accessory.
Gloves and Elbow pads
Elbow pads and gloves are also a great idea. Normally your hands are the first to hit the ground when you go over the bars. Gloves also help with grip on the handle bars.
Backpack with spares, water, snacks and suncream
Spare inner tubes, pumps and mini tools are all things to consider taking on the mountain. You really don't want to be stuck in Switzerland with a technical fault miles away from Morzine. A water bottle or hydration pack is essential, no matter how long you plan to be out for. You can usually refill them from any of the water troughs around the mountain fed by natural springs.
Although most of you is covered up, suncream is still important to remember if you want to avoid sunburn and dodgy tan lines!
Mountain Bike Trainers
Although not essential, if you are using flat pedals these make a huge difference to your grip. They are almost like being clipped in, but you can easily put your foot down or jump off quickly if necessary.
Bikes
My first experience of mountain biking in Morzine was on a hardtail. Although my old Kona Hoss was great for trails in North Wales and the Lake District, as soon as I took my bike off the chair lift I knew I was very unequipped for the task ahead.
Unfortunately I couldn't get a new bike in time for the Pass'Portes du Soleil event, so I was shaken to bits on the 85km ride (I did get some jibes (and kudos) from some of the lifties on the way round). However my trusty old bike finished without so much as a puncture. There were a few new squeaks and rattles though.
A good hardtail will get you by (but will shake you about), make sure you have decent tyres and brakes.
There is no substitute for a proper full suspension bike though. It will be more comfortable and give you more control over the bumpy stuff, making it more fun.
Bike Hire
Some of the bikes you can hire in Morzine are fantastic. They have to be, as the terrain is pretty tough on bikes. There are many hire shops, but our favourite is Torico, located opposite Bar Robinson.
Book well in advance online as Torico are very popular and bikes get hired out quickly. They also have experienced bike mechanics to fix any problems you will have with your own bike.
We also recommend Intersport, Pleney Sports and Bike Academy who all offer adults, kids, and e-bikes.
Bringing your own bike
Lots of our guests drive to Morzine, but you can still bring your own bike if you are flying. When booking your transfer from Geneva airport, tell the transfer company that you have bikes to take to resort so they can make sure they have a big enough vehicle or a trailer. Contact one of our recommended transfer companies if you're bringing your bike to Morzine.
Mountain Bike Lessons
For beginners or family groups we suggest that you book a mountain bike guide or instructor who will be able to take you onto the trails most suited to your abilities, and teach you the essential skills necessary to progress your riding.
RideAbility are our recommended mountain bike coaching and guiding company.
The Bike Academy is a great option for families as they offer a half day package which includes bike hire, tuition, helmet & protection and the lift pass.
Trail Maps
Although the trails are signposted, it's always worth looking at the map to plan your day and make sure you don't get lost or stuck somewhere when the lifts close.
Just Get Out Here!
When we arrived in Morzine I knew next to nothing about mountain biking. To start off with I was petrified every day on the mountain, but confidence is growing and I have definitely caught the bug.
I don't profess to be an amazing mountain biker, but riding in Morzine has taught me a lot. I will never be a steezy downhiller that will do the river jump in Chatel, but it goes to show anyone can have an amazing time here...and that's why we live here.
Have a look at our bike friendly properties, all in great locations near the lifts or Morzine town centre.
By Tom Fortune
Summer in Morzine
About the author
More Mountain