TOUR OF MONT BLANC:
CHAMONIX - THE 'CLASSIC' ALPINE TOUR IN FRANCE,
SWITZERLAND AND ITALY

Mountain Bike Holidays in the French Alps - The Tour of Mont Blanc: Chamonix - The 'Classic' alpine tour in France, Switzerland and Italy.
Departing from Chamonix, France, we will ride in a clockwise direction, passing through the Martigny Valley, Switzerland, on to Courmayeur, Italy, back into France and return to Chamonix to complete the loop!


The trail brings us through alpine flower covered pastures, passes glacial lakes, skims below glaciers and snowy summits, crosses deep valleys and climbs high altitude passes. Riding around Mont Blanc, is about discovering the magic world of 'high mountain' biking...


Seven valleys, 71 glaciers, 400 summits, the Mont Blanc range is inspiring.

The Tour of Mont Blanc is dedicated to riders not afraid of long climbs or to carry their bike, downhills can be technical in places, but the scenery is breathtaking and you will soon forget the pain... We propose an original route known to us like the back of our hands.

We ride in the opposite direction to other tours, giving us the benefit of rideable ascents and fantastic descents free from crowds and close to nature, you will be awed by this legendary location.

This is more than a bike tour, it is a ride into Swiss alpine culture!

8 days - level 3/5
Click here for the trip details and availability
PRICE: 1495 €

INCLUDED

ALPSMOUNTAINBIKE cycling jersey 7 nights accommodation all meals from dinner on Saturday of arrival to breakfast Saturday of departure picnic lunches Professional guiding lift passes in Chamonix valley luggage transfer to evening accommodation (inc. mountain refuge) Pick up and Drop off at Geneva airport return transfer to Geneva airport on Saturday of arrival/departure

NOT INCLUDED

Flights/Travel etc Expenses of repair and maintenance of bikes Cancellation/medical insurances and repatriation costs Bike hire Alcohol and extra drinks All that is not included/understood in the heading 'Included'.

Warning: This itineray is given for your information and may be changed at the discretion of the guide depending on the weather conditions, physical ability of clients and the trail 'options' we decide together.

The Schedule : arrival Saturday

DAY 1 of arrival (Saturday) : Meet and great' by ourselves at the airport and transfer to Chamonix. Deposit baggage at evening accomodation with view of Mont Blanc. Unpacking and preparation of bikes. Last minute shopping requirements and possibilty to visit Chamonix town.

DAY 2 (Sunday) :
From Le Tour, top of Chamonix valley, in the mornig ,we'll take the gondola to col de Balme and start with a “Skills Clinic” and pratice on balance, braking, improve position on the bike, how to ride a tigh corner, optimization of the driving post etc... The goal is to prepare you to the alpine riding so you can fully enjoy your experience in the Alps. In the afternoon we will ride the first technical descent down to the village of Trient in Switzerland and work to improve your skills in technical singletracks. We will ride down to Martigny where our assistance van is waiting for us to drive us to Verbier Ski resort for the night.

Ride distance: 40km Uneven positive: 400m Uneven negative: 1500m Physical difficulty: 2/5 Technical skills: 3/5


DAY 3 (Monday) : Starting with the descent back to Martigny from where the views over the Swiss Alps and the valley of Martigny and its vineyards are vast. A long climb on the road towards Champex and its beautifull lake awaits us before lunch time. The afternoon is a gentle climb in the direction of the Swiss Val Ferret,skimming below glaciers and snowy summits. Arriving in La Fouly, at the foot of the Grand Col Ferret, the Italian Border.

Ride distance: 45km Uneven positive: 1500m Uneven negative: 1100m Physical difficulty: 3/5 Technical skills: 2/5

DAY 4 (Tuesday) : Climb of Grand Col Ferret, at 2500m finds us in Italy! This is one of the 3 major col passes of this Tour of Mont Blanc. Stunning scenery at the top of the col of the Italian Val Ferret and of the Italian side of Mont Blanc (or now Monte Bianco!) Descend to Arnuva and depending on weather condtions and the groups fitness levels, climb to la Lechere to arrive in chic Courmayeur by a superb singletrack. Next stop ice-cream!

Ride distance: 45 to 55km Uneven positive: 1100 to 1700m Uneven negative: 1300 to 2000m Physical difficulty: 3/5 Technical skills: 3/5

DAY 5 (Wednesday) : Warm up on the road than we hit the trail to arrive at Lago Checroui facing the Italian side of Mont Blanc. A beautiful balcony trail giving us the chance to see famous summits such as Noire de Peuterey, La Blanche and the Italian glacier of Miage and Lago Combal (one of the largest glaciers of the Mont Blanc range). The climb of the Col de la Seigne brings us to the French border and is mostly rideable, however the end is quite steep and you may have to push your bike! The descent to Les Mottets is a fanstastic, technical singletrack, where you will find Martial grinning at the bottom as it is one of his favourites! The Refuge des Mottets is a rustic old farmhouse and dairy renovated to welcome trekkers and bikers and is a true alpine experience...

Ride distance: 35km Uneven positive: 1500m Uneven negative: 1000m Physical difficulty: 4/5 Technical skills: 3/5


DAY 6 (Thursday) : Starting with a road climb to Cormet de Roselend, then descending to Lac de Roselend followed by a long climb on a jeep track to the Col de la Gittaz at 2320m.
The col offers vast southerly views and of the neighbouring summits. We will then descend to Col du Joly, which is technical (in places), a very short climb and a long semi technical downhill to the village of Les Contamines Montjoie: 900m of descent on a fabulous singletrack!

Ride distance: 54km Uneven positive: 1900m Uneven negative: 1500m Physical difficulty: 3/5 Technical skills: 4/5

DAY 7 (Friday) : Last day but by no means the least... From Les Contamines Montjoie we will climb to Chalet de Miage, a summer altitude mountain village at the foot of the giant french glacier of Miage, where you will feel tiny compared to the size of these glaciers! From Miage we will climb the Col de Voza above Les Houches and the valley of Chamonix with Mont Blanc back on our righthand side... A final technical downhill to Chamonix to end up back at the base of the 'Lord of the Alps'.

Ride distance: 40km Uneven positive: 1000m Uneven negative: 1200m Physical difficulty: 3/5 Technical skills: 3/5

Total ride distance: 235 to 250km !!!

Dismantle and pack bikes ready for departure the following day.
Yes I think a well earned cold beer or two is a definite!

Day 8 : departure day (Saturday) : Transfer to Geneva airport.

*Please make sure to book a late afternoon or evening return flight, due to the transfer time to Geneva airport from Grindelwald.



NB: this tour is run with a minimum of 4 clients. Lunches on Saturday of arrival and Saturday of departure are not included, but can be arranged at an additional cost.

BOOK THIS TRIP
Click here for the trip details and availability
PRICE: 1495 €
Dates 2020
From June 13th to 20th From June 20th to 27th From June 27th to July 4th From July 4th to 11th From July 11th to 18th From July 18th to 25th From July 25th to August 1st From August 1st to 8th From August 8th to 15th From August 15th to 22th From August 22th to 29th From August 29th to September 5th From September 5th to 12th From September 12th to 19th From September 19th to 26th From September 26th to October 3rd From October 3rd to 10th From October 10th to 17th
Level
MORE INFOS


Physical
difficulty
  • You ride 2-3 times a week for 1h30 non stop minimum (road or mtb).
  • You can ride at aerobic pace with short anaerobic sections without excessive fatigue.
  • You are able to cycle 4-5 hours per day.
  • You are able to climb 800 meters vertical ascent ( 2400 feet) a day for 3-5 days and can push or carry your bike uphill or downhill on short sections( few meters).
  • You like to challenge yourself


    • Technical
    difficulty
  • You can manage your balance uphill and downhill on loose gravels, rocks and roots.
  • You feel confident in riding singletrack with few roots and rocks, on dry or wet terrain.
  • You can ride short rock garden of 30 meters.
  • You feel confident riding downhill for about 20 minutes non stop.
  • You able able to go up and down a step of about 20 centimeters.
  • You can handle switchbacks.
  • You can ride with a little exposure at times and would like to improve your skills.
    		•
    YOUR BIKE
  • The best option is to ride on your own mountain bike, as it is familiar to you.
  • PLEASE NO XC bikes or short travel bikes (below 130mm)
  • A full suspension bike with at least 130 mm of front and back travel is required.
  • You need to have big grippy tires front and back, minimum 2.3 solid casing.
  • Possibility of renting a full suspension bike from 365 euros a week in the local sports stores (list on request).
    		•
    Distance : 235 km - Ascent : 7600 m - Descent : 8500 m
    Duration8 days: arrival on saturday , departure on saturday
    7 nights accomodation
    6 days riding
    Saturday to Saturday
    Terrain
    All kinds of trails !
    Cruisy 2 path trails
    From easy to technical singletracks (some very technical) 'rocky and rooty' trails.
    Location
    Starts and finishes in Chamonix, passes through France, Switzerland and Italy
    Accomodations and food
    7 nights accommodation in hotels (based on double occupancy twin bedrooms). Each accomodations has a secure bike storage, bike-washing facilities, a bar with fresh beers ( there are important things in life! Dinners are 3-courses and each hotels can cater for specific dietary requirements ( veggy, vegan, gluten intolerant etc...), please let us in advance if you have specific diet.
    Lunch
    Our gourmet sandwiches are now reknown as we love to prepare some " deeluxe" lunch for fill your biker's hungry stomchs! So we provide a different sandwich freshly prepared everyday with delicious bread ( organic or whole wheat when possible) and local specialities. In addition we propose unlimited acces to trail snack and fruits!
    Pick up / Drop Off / Meeting point
    The closest international airport is GENEVA / Switzerland, about one hour transfer from Chamonix. The pick up and drop off from / to Geneva airport are included in the price of the trip. Please let us in advance your flight details. You will meet your guide and driver in Chamonix at dinner time. Please do not assemble your bike before you have arrived in at the hotel you'll stay in on saturday evening. Dependding wich trip you ride , you can leave your bike box safely at the hotel and find it back on friday
    Lodging
    7 nights accommodation in a mix of hotels
    (based on double occupancy twin bedrooms)