Les Arcs and La Plagne are two of the best downhill mountain biking sites in Europe. The riding is challenging, the views are spectacular and the long tracks just keep flowing!
Probably a resort best suited to intermediate/advanced riders, you’ll find plenty of demanding technical trails and steep downhill plummets. (NB: In French, mountain biking is called VTT. (Vélo tout-terrain!))
La Plagne itself has over 200km of dedicated MTB trails comprised of 18 different routes, the longest of which offers a 22km descent from the top of the Roche de Mio (2700m) all the way down to Monchavin/Les Coches (1250m). In total there are 8 downhill trails, 6 endro and 4 cross-country routes and if you're thinking of including Les Arcs in your trip, then you'll find even more downhill, cross-country and single track routes over there.
Monchavin and Montalbert have 3 enduro trails each and you can also use the Télécabine de Champagny to access more MTB routes on that side. From the top of the cable car you will find 3 tracks leading down through the Piste des Bois to Champagny, either in the direction of the Col de Forcle or Mont de la Guerre. There are also a number of trails alongside the Doron river, ranging from 'do-able by all' to a greater challenge for the more hardcore biker.
The following lifts are open to bikers during the summer:
This pass is specifically designed with mountain bikers in mind and as such, it is possible to buy it with or without bike hire included. Giving you access to around 150km of marked trails in the area, the Pass Bike also entitles you to:
Unlimited lift access for the duration of your pass
A snack from participating sponsor (fruit or energy bar)
1 meal voucher in participating restaurants (for daily special)
10% off certain accessories in participating shops
If you only want to do an hour or so you may find it cheaper to buy individual tickets for the lifts that you would like to use. Please note that it is not possible to take your mountain bike on the Bellecote cable car.
What time of year is it best to come mountain biking?
During July and August a number of lifts serving the Paradiski area open for mountain bikers and walkers. If you're not fond of the uphill or long ascents, you should come during these summer season months when and bars, restaurants and hotels are all open and the resort is liveliest.
Weather permitting, June, September and up to the end of October are good months to mountain bike as trails are quiet and the temperature cool. Too early in June or too late in October and there is a risk some of the higher passes maybe covered in snow and are therefore unsafe to traverse. You should note, however, that no lifts are open during these periods and the resort will be extremely quiet with limited shop and restaurant openings.
Whenever you choose please remember to respect others users of the mountain, especially walkers, and control your speed!
The decision on whether to go Full Suspension or Hardtail is a difficult one.... A full suspension (FS) bike is one with both front and rear suspension that is effective at absorbing many bumps thus providing better performance and smoother ride. A hardtail refers to a bike with no rear suspension. Suspension forks may be added to the front of the bike but its back post is rigid. There are numerous makes and models of both types available to the potential buyer so when deciding on which type of bike is best, it is important to consider the following:
Your budget !!
The type of riding you and your bike will be undertaking; and
The typical terrain and angle you will be riding.
In general, hardtail bikes tend to require less maintenance and perform better on steep uphill climbs and sprints to the finish line, whereas full suspension mountain bikes are much more comfortable and arguably have more control over the rough stuff. Sadly, along with an increase comfort, FS bikes increase in price quite significantly.
Whether to go full suspension or hardtail is one which can create a lot of healthy debate amongst the mountain biking community. Inexperienced or beginner riders may prefer to start with a hardtail complete with front, lockable suspension; progressing to a full suspension bike after they have got a feel for their preferred type of riding. Although a full suspension bike will give you more options to adjust to suit the terrain, it can be more energy intensive on the uphill as unless you have a ‘lock out’ facility on the rear suspension as energy can be lost through ‘suspension bobbing' as you climb. Furthermore, you could potentially have more moving parts to repair should anything go wrong. On the positive side, it is worth remembering though you can make a full suspension bike ‘lock out’ so the experience is like riding a hard tail, but it is difficult, if not impossible, to make a hard-tail ride like a full suspension bike!
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