Morzine may have a reputation as a Downhiller’s resort, but there’s a lot more to the trails here, a secret the French have been keeping quiet, until now.
Morzine is a paradise for Enduro and AM riders, and has hundreds of kilometers of mostly descending singletracks to explore. An enormous investment has been made in the Portes du Soleil area and is still ongoing. This huge effort is paying dividends now. If you are happy to pedal a little, as well as use the enormous lift system, the possibilities are endless. The Morzine MTB representatives in resort will give you lots of advice, but here’s a little taster of an average week’s riding.
Here are a few suggestions to whet your appetite…
Day 1: Stay local in Morzine & Les Gets
Get to know the resort, the trails and the lift system. Make use of the Club Giraffe representatives in Morzine to pick their brains on the best routes to try for your level and the current conditions. Stay local on the Chavannes and Nauchets in Les Gets and Pleney in Morzine. A great loop descending round Nyon is the perfect warm up ride.
Day 2: The Lindarets Valley
Head up the Super Morzine gondola- and the Zore chair and ride towards Avoriaz. Try one of the graded DH trails heading down into the Lindarets bowl. Head up the Pointe de Mossettes, the highest point in the area, for a long run back down, and then go up the Chaux fleurie lift for the wonderful Panoramique run.
On the way back descend on a fun singletrack under the Zore chairlift - choose between blue, red or black trails. We recommend taking the cable car down Super Morzine, or the rocky zigzags if your hands can still take it!
Day 3: Tour des Portes du Soleil - into Switzerland
Head towards Lindarets and onwards through Champoussin, Morgins, Les Crosets, Châtel and back to Lindarets. A long loop with some pedalling but lots of lifts to help with the ascents. Check the route info before with one of the Club Giraffe reps.
From Lindarets you can ride back over Super Morzine or roll down to the beautiful Montriond lake for a swim to finish the day, or a fun easy pedal along the river track back to Morzine.
Day 4: Les Gets
Ride around La Rosta or even to Chapelle de Jacquicourt. The pretty little chapel and fun rooty descent make the pedal worthwhile!
For an interesting alternative take the fun singletrack descent to Samoens, and maybe even buy a lift pass to try some of the trails down there. It just requires a lift back to Morzine, so talk to us first!
It’s also worth trying the Les Gets Bike Park for some fun bermed flow trails and even jumps if that’s your thing.
Day 5: A trip to Champéry
Ride to Lindarets and take the lift up Mossettes to the highest point in the area with an amazing view, and the French/Swiss border. Ride down to les Crosets and on to the Champery single, a fun descent to the pretty Swiss village, that’s as technical as you make it.
Take the téléphérique back up for a ride down to les Crosets and a trip back up Mossettes from the other side. From there you can either take a rocky descent down or the more pedally way round lac vert for some fun techy singletrack rewards.
Day 6: More Swiss sightseeing
You’re fully warmed up and ready to get to Torgon, the furthest reaches of the Portes du Soleil. Passing through Avoriaz, Lindarets, Châtel, pedalling up away from Super Châtel and away from the Bike Parks for some superb natural singletracks and stunning views. You can return via Les Crosets or Châtel, our local representatives will help advise you.
If you’re still not sure, have a look at the reviews page where riders have left their impressions on riding in Morzine.
A little friendly advice to help you plan your trip:
If you’re an all out kind of person and wanting to get in as much descending and Bike Park riding as possible, then consider hiring a suitable bike. Longer travel and bigger brakes mean you’ll get more out of your trip. You’ll be riding downhill a lot more than you’re used to and a suitable bike will absorb the shocks better, giving you better safety and security, and most importantly enough energy to ride all day!
You may be able to hire part way through the’ week, but we recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
After your trip get in touch to tell us what you loved most and what you loved less. What should other bikers coming to the area make sure they don’t miss out on? Your feedback will help other riders coming out to get the most out of their holiday.