Mountain Biking in the French Alps

The French Alps boasts an unparalleled network of tracks, making it a premier mountain biking destination in Europe. With convenient flights to Geneva, Grenoble, and Chambéry, accessing the resorts is a breeze often allowing you to hit the trails on the same day you arrive. Alternatively, embarking on a scenic drive offers the chance to connect multiple resorts for an epic biking holiday, all while bringing along your own gear for the ride.

The opening dates for all the summer lifts vary and are subject to change due to weather conditions and snow coverage. As a general rule, they're usually open from early June to the end of August.

As on the ski piste, the downhill piste are color-coded:

GREEN: beginner level. Going with an instructor is recommended: a green level in mountain biking is not comparable to a green level in skiing
BLUE: initiated level
RED: advanced level
BLACK: expert level

If you would like to know more, including where to stay and rates, find inspiration below and call our friendly team of experts on 023 9283 9310.

Jump to mountain biking in Portes du Soleil | Les Deux Alpes | Tignes

Mountain biking in Portes du Soleil

Open at varying point from June to September 2025

Discover one of the largest mountain bike playgrounds on Earth! With just one lift pass, you can access the entire area and its amenities.

Discover the 12 resorts of the Portes du Soleil and enjoy 600km of trails and 22 mountain bike lifts! All disciplines are practised, cross-country, enduro and downhill mountain biking.

A score of Bike Patrols work daily on the facilities to ensure the safety and quality of the trails. There are also many mountain biking schools and equipment rental shops.

There are 5 bikeparks:

Avoriaz 1800: with its 4 sectors (Seraussaix, Proclou, Lindarets (Lindarets + Chaux Fleurie) and Super Morzine (Zore)).

For the more adventurous, there is an E-VTT course. There are linked enduro trails, DH trails, fun zones, hiking trails and picnic areas with BBQ's available.

Chatel: developed on the Pré-la-Joux sector and accessible by the Pierre-Longue and/or Les Rochassons chairlifts.

There are about 20 downhill profile tracks as well as several fun areas. There is a kid’s shore, 2 slopestyle (including a pro) and a pump track.

Les Gets: the resort of Les Gets has been a pioneering destination in cycling since 1992!

Bikepark with 128km of marked trails, including for e-bikes.

Morzine: Morzine bike park was voted in 2020 as the best Bike Park in Europe.
Dents du Midi: Enduro, E-Bike or downhill fans.

Located in the Swiss Chablais.

A date for the diary: The 21st Pass'Portes du Soleil will be held on the 27th-29th June 2025! This is an organised mountain bike ride in both France and Switzerland where you can discover the Portes du Soleil terrain! There's an 80km route taking in 15 lifts! Find out more on the Pass'Portes du Soleil website.

Mountain biking in Les Deux Alpes

14th June - 31st August 2025

Les Deux Alpes is brilliant for mountain biking, with its huge mixture of trails for both those wanting to give it a go and pros. Highlights include family-friendly areas, green trails and more challenging red and black trails - experienced and more daring riders will enjoy Fury, a competition-level trail and the renowned piste de Venosc. You can buy your bike park pass in resort.

Going from altitudes of 3,200 metres to 900 metres in one fell swoop makes it one of the largest bike parks in the Alps with 103km of marked trails and 4 lifts. There are also 4 E-bike itineraries for all levels. You will find a dedicated beginners area on Vallée Blanche sector.

A date for the diary: 20th - 22nd June 2025 sees Mountain of Hell return to Les 2 Alpes. It's a freeride downhill mountain biking competition open to international downhill experts as well as amateur riders! The event (minimum age 15 years old) attracts up to 700 riders annually and consists of two races plus a children's race (9-14 years old). The highlight of the event is 25km of downhill riding from the top of the glacier - there's snow, rocks, single tracks, steps, and sheer descents (2,500 vertical drop). Find out more and register on the Les 2 Alpes Tourist Office website.

The 2nd edition of the Urban DH 1800 will take place 26th-27th July 2025. Riders ready to do battle on a technical course in an urban area. Downhill profile with obstacles. This discipline offers a unique spectacle for the general public!

Mountain biking in Tignes

28th June to 31st August 2025

Tignes is situated high above the tree line and known for its fast, open, rocky trails. Part of the Tignes Val d’Isère mountain biking area and access to the 6 mountain bike lifts and slopes are included with the My Tignes activity card! Otherwise you can buy a day pass for the bike park in resort if you don't want the My Tignes card.

MTB in Tignes is for all levels of riders. You will find beginner and family trails, practise areas, full-on downhill and freeride tracks and miles of singletrack - all very well signposted.

There's also a bike park, a water jump and an airbag that you can practise on too, depending on how brave you're feeling, plus you can link up to neighbouring Val d'Isere really easily and make the most of up to 220km of great riding!

E-bike is the solution to make mountain biking accessible to as many people as possible. Equipped with your E-bike, you can explore the Tignes Natural Stadium in the heart of the mountain pastures. There are 5 circuits, of 3 progressive levels will allow you to evolve at your own pace.

Lifts:
In the Tignes area, the following lifts are open to mountain bikes:

Tovière gondola: access allowed to all
Palafour chairlift: access authorised for child bikers from 1.10m
Tufs chairlift: access authorised for child bikers from 1.10m
Fresse chairlift: access authorised for child bikers from 1.10m

You can rent your mountain bike and the necessary protective equipment on site. If you wish to be accompanied by a professional, several mountain bike schools are able to offer you an instructor who will teach you the right reflexes to adopt when practicing downhill mountain biking. He or she can also help you perfect your technique in this sensational sport.

The Alps on two wheels - Mountain Biking

Summer Activities Tignes Mountain Biking

Ready to book your mountain bike holiday? Need some advice? Have a look at our summer offers, browse our Alpine resorts, then call our team on 023 9283 9310 or request a quote and we will help you get summer sorted!