Some questions have a different answer depending on whether you’re coming on a Backcountry Les Arcs trip, or one of the other trips (Cathedral of Flow and the Temple of Tech trips). For all other questions, the answers are the same regardless of which holiday you choose.
For any questions not answered below, please get in touch via the Contact page, or on email: [email protected]
Whilst a holiday with us is not suitable for beginners, you need not be the fastest rider in the world to enjoy a holiday in the Alps. A good level of technical ability (or being happy to get off and walk with your bike on the harder sections) will ensure you do have fun. You’ll encounter plenty of technical trail features, including steeper sections of trail, big and small rocks, roots, and of course switchbacks, so being happy to tackle these and rise to the challenge of riding long engaging singletrack descents is a must. For a Les Arcs week or the Cathedral of Flow tour you should be a strong Intermediate standard, or above (i.e very comfortable on red trails in the UK).
On the Tour du Mont Thabor we will encounter very technically demanding trails, therefore you MUST be ADVANCED or above.
Ability levels are classified as follows:
- Beginner: You prefer riding on wider paths such as farm tracks and fire roads. You sometimes ride narrower trails/singletrack as long as it's not too steep, rocky or rooty. Your favourite trails are the green and blue trails at a trail centre. A holiday with us is NOT SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS.
- Intermediate: You enjoy riding singletrack, and would always pick that over fire roads or farm tracks given a choice. You're at ease riding rocky and/or rooty sections. If you find it too difficult, you'll walk through those parts, although you do relish a challenge. You stick to the red trails at a trail centre, occasionally tackling a black.
- Advanced: You are keen for technical challenges, you'll always head for the hardest routes at trail centres, and you can't remember the last time you got off to walk a section - it's that rare. Chances are, this isn't your first trip to the Alps.
- Expert: You're capable of reading tricky terrain on-sight, and as such you can pick good lines and hit technical sections with finesse and style. You love a good challenge!
- Pro: You're an accomplished racer, guide or coach and can ride literally anything.
| Backcountry Les Arcs | We will make use of the funicular and chairlifts when riding right in Les Arcs, but the rest of the time we'll take the sting out of the ascent with a van uplift. You need to be comfortable to do up to 500m of ascent (1-1.5h climbing) on the bike during each day. The fitter you are, the more energy you'll have to enjoy every last inch of the great singletrack on offer! |
| Other trips | Wherever we can, we’ll take the sting out of the ascent with a van uplift, but you’ll also need to be happy with up to 500-1000m of on-bike ascent each day as some trails cannot be reached by vehicles. There will be some sections of hike-a-bike. You’ll need to have a decent level of fitness to get the best out of the week, but we never rush the ascents – our focus is on enjoying the long singletrack descents down the other side. |
| Les Arcs | We will have basic spares such as tubes, gear cables, brake fluid etc available for purchase in the chalet, as well as plenty of tools for you to use. There are two good bike shops down in Bourg St Maurice. If you’re prone to breaking things, consider bringing a few spares of your own to cover as many eventualities as you think appropriate. Emergency spares in the shops here are typically quite expensive compared to prices back home. |
| Other trips | We will have a few basic spares such as tubes, gear cables, brake fluid and bleed kits, and a basic tool kit. We’re pretty handy at bike fixing too, but due to the remote nature of the area, we won’t be close to any bike shops. If you’re prone to breaking things, consider bringing a few spares of your own to cover as many eventualities as you think appropriate. |
| Les Arcs | Geneva Airport. Book flights arriving and departing between 10:00 and 16:00. Get in touch for advice about transfers. |
| Other trips | Geneva Airport. Book flights arriving no later than 14:00 and returning home no earlier than 16:00 due to the transfer time to and from the airport. Airport transfers are included on this trip if you fly within our recommended times. |
Yes. You need insurance which covers you specifically for mountain biking in the Alps. You should in particular make sure that it covers you for rescue from remote areas (for example, by helicopter) and repatriation back to your home country. Please do not rely on your EHIC (or equivalent) card as it will not cover the cost of a mountain rescue.
| Point of Cancellation | Charge |
|---|---|
| over 8 weeks before travel | Deposit |
| 4-8 weeks before travel | 50% of holiday cost |
| 0-4 weeks before travel | 100% of holiday cost |