France

13) Montgenevre

Montgenevre offers great riding at altitude for all levels and could be described as one of the original Alpine ski resorts.  Just a few hundred feet from the Italian border, Montgenevre celebrated its 100th year as a ski resort in 2007 and is one of the oldest in the area. 

On the mountains there are many trails leading to different areas for all levels of cyclist.  Jumps have been installed all over the mountains which are just waiting to be tested.  The terrain is varied with courses taking in open grassy pistes and meadows, rock, dirt, dust, rooted wooded sections and also cutting through rivers.  Every level of rider will be comfortable in this resort with graded runs from green to black and it is a great place to learn with local instructors.  There are 2 gondolas and chair lifts that operate alternately through the summer to get riders up to  the 2500m.  Carrying bikes and people, they take you up above the treeline to the bare beauty of the mountains, part of which is a world heritage protected geological site.  Both sides of the mountains, from Mount Janus to Mount Chaberton, can be used.

Nearest Airport: Torino is just under 80 km.

What does Montgenevre have to offer?

DOWNHILL
For the Downhill rider, Montgenevre often hosts international competitions and recently hosted the French National Downhill championship which shows its downhill pedigree.

The majority of the downhill runs are fed from the Chalmetters lift with the bike park being split into 2 halves containing a selection or black, red and blue runs. Many of the runs in the upper half of the park containing north shore bridges, drops and jumps. Also there are  blue and green downhill runs under the Gondrans chairlift, and a short dual slalom course.

CROSS-COUNTRY
Cross Country riders have the choice of many routes exploring the resort and also the surrounding terrain where you can follow in tracks of Le Tour.  You can cross borders and have a day riding in Italy or a day up the unspoilt Valléernde la Clarée, following the winding river to Chalets de Laval where you can experience the waterfalls and the charm of the high valley.  The resort has track supervisors who are there to look after you and make sure that you are safe. 

For an easy start cross-country loop take the Chalmetters gondola up and ride across to the Gondrans chairlift.  Take this chairlift and cycle along the top of the ridge before descending down through the bowl, (source of the River Durance) back to the resort.  Moving onto the more difficult ride, take the Chalmettes Gondola up and cycle across to the Gondrans chairlift.  Take this to the top to the Fort Du Gondrans and cycle through the Col Du Gondrans and onto the Fort Janus.  You can head straight down from the top taking in the end of the lower part of the bike park.

FREERIDE
Most of the trails are Cross Country tours or more technical downhill runs but the resort had been working hard to make fun skills zones and bikepark areas so now there are more freeride areas appearing each year with wooden kickers, drops and northshore balance pieces.  Suitable for freeride beginners.

 Directory:
Tourist Office: T+33 492 215253

Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: 0033(0) 4.92.21.91.73 

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