Overview

This tour circumnavigates Mont Blanc, and we stay in a new location each night! During the week we venture into some remote areas and along the way you can expect to ride some technical, steep and committing trails. Occasionally having to carry your bike but the rewards are oh so sweet, with mind blowing trails full of flow set in the most epic of backdrops, glaciers, high alpine peaks and green mountain pastures.

You should be an advanced rider, and it is helpful to have experience riding high alpine technical single track.

• We fly into and out of Geneva (GVA), Switzerland.

• The trip runs from Saturday to Saturday, with Sunday-Friday being ride days

Trip Logistics

Booking Your Flights

Arrival: Most riders fly into Geneva, Switzerland (GVA). The drive to Chamonix is around 75 minutes. Most riders will arrive on Saturday, the first day of the tour, but it’s not uncommon for folks to arrive in Europe early to acclimate to the time zone and explore other cities.

You’ll need to book your transportation to Chamonix, but we’re here to help with any questions! We typically use Mountain Dropoffs and have had a great experience with them. They offer both shared shuttles (around $35-$40 per person per trip, or $70 with bike) and private shuttles (around $200 per trip).

Departure: Check-out time is 10am the Saturday your trip ends. You will need to arrange a shuttle to the airport, or other departure transportation if you are continuing your travels in Europe!

Airline Tips: We recommend using an incognito browser when researching flights, since prices can increase when they track you searching. We also recommend booking directly through the airline carrier's site if you are bringing your bike with you. If you book through a 3rd party, you may be charged for your bike separately for each leg of your journey.

High-Level Schedule

Saturday: Arrival day. The group will gather, meet each other, and get the party started. There will be a rider’s meeting in the evening so you can also meet our guides! Room check-in starts at 4:00pm, but you’re welcome to arrive sooner and enjoy some refreshments and beautiful scenery on the back deck until your room is ready.

Sunday - Friday: We’ll depart Sunday morning for our adventure! Each night will be in a new location as we sample the finest terrain in the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps. We’ll arrive back in Chamonix Friday evening in time to return rental bikes, if needed.

Saturday: Departure day. We’ll serve breakfast and folks will depart depending on their flight times.

What’s Included?

• 7 nights of chalet or hotel accommodation in shared rooms (private room supplement is available)

• 7 dinners served in hotel restaurant

• Buffet breakfast each day

• Packed lunch each day + trail snacks

• 6 days of guided riding by our famously wonderful and certified guides!

• All your lift passes and transport tickets

• Van support; your kit bag is moved each day

What are the additional costs?

• Airfare – typically around $950-$1200 roundtrip.

• Airport transportation - Typically $35-$40 per person per trip (or $70 with a bike), or $200 per private shuttle.

• Bike transport or rental (Generally $200-$300 to fly with the bike round-trip, but varies by airline. Rental is around $500 for the week).

• Alcohol and soft drinks

• Trip insurance that covers you for backcountry riding and bike parks in France, Italy, and Switzerland. We have had good experiences with World Nomads in the past but you are welcome to choose any carrier!

What kind of food is served? How are allergies/preferences handled?

We will offer a buffet breakfast each morning, a packed lunch, and ride snacks. Evening meals will be at the hotel or a nearby restaurant.

You will be asked prior to the trip about any allergies or food sensitivities.

What if I want to bring a non-rider with me?

As we are on the move each day, this tour does not accommodate non-riders.

Packing & Pre-Trip Prep

What should I bring?

• Your Passport, valid for 6 months+ following last day of the trip.

• Some euros to have on hand. We recommend ordering from your bank ahead of time.

• A well-tuned long-travel trail bike (or organize a rental). We ask that your bike be brought clean and in ready-to-ride condition.

• Dual-ply tires with tubeless setup. You don't need to let all the air out of your tires to fly, so leave your tire bead set on the rim. Tire inserts can be helpful as well.

• Layered clothing for changing conditions. Expect to ride in 40-100F degree weather. While it is summer, it still can get chilly. Bring layers and always bring wet-weather riding gear. Average daily high temperatures in August are 70°F.

• Enduro-style helmet or comfortable full-face helmet

• Knee pads, elbow pads, and any additional protective gear are highly recommended.

• Riding pack with the ability to carry at least 2 liters of water for bigger days, layers, snacks and other essential gear.

• Sunscreen

• Electrical outlet adapter for your computer and phone. A simple two-prong European-style adapter (type C) fits most outlets best. The big clunky ones aren’t compatible with the round-style outlets in most places.

• Phone. Having communication is helpful to you and to us. Consider a SIM card for European travel or add to your plan to prevent surprises on your bill. We have used T-Mobile around the world and have been very impressed with what they offer. They also have no-contract plans, so you can get set up with a separate travel phone just for the month. T-Mobile has great reception in the valley.

• A spare set of brake pads and derailleur hanger for your bike are also a great idea and won't take up much space.

Riding & Bike FAQs

How good of a rider do I need to be? How fit do I need to be?

We will screen all riders prior to the trip to ensure it will be a good fit and a positive experience for all! Expect to ride around 25,000ft of descent and 4,000ft of climbing through the week. There will be hike-a-bike sections and long days; you can expect some days with 8 hours on the bike! Good technical skills and the ability to pace yourself will pay off, as well as a great attitude!

What is the best bike for me?

We recommend bringing an enduro-style bike with around 150mm-160mm of travel, ideally. We also highly recommend tires with good resilience in rugged terrain, such as Maxxis Double-Downs. Tire inserts can be really helpful as well. There are lots of rocks in the valley – and roots of course, too. Please bring your bike ready-to-ride and in sound mechanical condition.

Are there options to rent a bike?

Yes! We have several great shops in the area to choose from. We recommend these shops:

• Legend

• Slash

• Sport Spirit (Les Houches location)
  

You will need to arrange your rental directly with the shop, and tell them that Wayne Coates will be picking up your bike on Saturday evening. Your rental days will be Sunday - Friday, and they should only charge you for 6 rental days (confirm this when you book!) We recommend you book in April or as soon as the bike shop turns over from ski season to bike season. Our guides will help you return your bike on the last riding day (Friday) of the trip.

Can I ride an e-bike?

Because of the hike-a-bike sections, this tour is not a good fit for an e-bike.

Travel FAQ

Never been to Europe?

To make your trip as relaxing as possible, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Upon arriving in Chamonix, we’ve got all the details covered, including your lodging and daily adventures!

Language Tip:

Download Google Translate. It’s an amazing tool for communication, as well as for reading foreign languages. Simply point your phone at text in any language and you will see it in English. (Amazing and a little eerie!) This helps for everything from doing laundry to reading road signs to knowing what’s in the food you are buying in the store or off a menu. It’s also a great tool for learning some French.

Travel Insurance:

Trip protection is required to protect your investment. We've had good experiences with World Nomads, however, you may choose who you are insured by. We recommend a plan that has coverage for the cost of the trip, airfare, and any medical emergencies that may arise. Insurance is inexpensive and covers you for more than just the purchase of your trip. We’ve had students use their insurance due to legitimate reasons for cancellation and were able to recover the cost of their trip. Please help us, and protect yourself, by taking this step.