Switzerland
Switzerland has big mountain resorts that offer spectacular trails riding with amazing back drops. The riding in Switzerland is perhaps as you might expect from this traditional Alpine nation. Trails are mainly centred around more natural paths - although over the past couple of years... the builders have moved in! This has helped to create loads of runs and a variety for beginners through to experts.
There are new BikeParks at many of the resorts are more are popping up each summer.
Bringing your bike to Switzerland opens up a whole wealth of trail riding in some
of the most inspiring alpine settings. Just be prepared to work a
little for your pleasures, especially those XC riders, but if you appreciate great trails in magnificent settings
then this country is one hell of a place to the mountain bike.
View GravityInc - MTB Resorts, Switzerland in a larger map
SWITZERLAND MOUNTAIN BIKE CONDITIONS
As the most mountainous country in Europe - during the summer, Switzerland is typical of all other mountain bike resorts. The south of the country enjoys the warmest weather... again the weather can change pretty quickly so be prepared.
1) Arosa
The beautiful Alpine village of Arosa is situated on the river Plessur in a high glacial valley in the canton of Graubunden. They have worked hard to expand its summer offerings with free lift access through the summer!
2) Champery - Portes du Soleil
Home to the steepest and toughest World Cup competition ever - Champery returns to the World Cup circuit in 2010. Champéry is developing all the time and makes a good place to base yourself for all disciplines.
3) Crans Montana
Crans Montana is a ski resort in the heart of the Swiss Alps made famous by James Bond in the movie "For Your Eyes Only". Roger Moore was so struck by the area that he bought a property after filming in the resort.
4) Davos
Like a lot of Swiss resorts, Davos has roots. Compared to many North America resorts, its history makes it practically Precambrian, and it continues to dine out on this heritage today.
5) Grindelwald
Overlooked by the Jungfrau and the Eiger, two Swiss peaks steeped in modern and ancient folklore, Grindelwald, rich in history, should be in the same rarefied rank as Zermatt or Chamonix.
6) Laax
Laax is in the Swiss canton of Graubunden, and is part of the Alpenarena resort which combines the formerly separate resorts of Flims, Laax and Falera.
7) Lenzerheide
Near to Zurich in eastern Switzerland's canton of Grisons is Lenzerheide, a modest resort located at the end of the pretty lake Heidsee.
8) Leysin
Compared to some of the more illustrious Swiss resorts, such as Verbier and Zermatt, Leysin suffers from a lack of profile in the wider world.
9) Lugano
Lugano is a stunning city set on the shores of Lake Lugano and surrounded by mountains in the Italian speaking region of Tocino, in south Switzerland.
10) Morgins - Portes du Soleil
Morgins is a quiet mountain village on the Swiss/French border nestled in the valley between mountains with an expanse of forest and green Alpine meadows.
11) Saas Fee
Saas Fee is an insanely picturesque resort. Sitting in the next valley along from Zermatt, it is a traditional Swiss village with beautifully winding, car-free streets surrounded by towering 4000 metre peaks such as the Allalinhorn and the Dom and a glacier that appears to hang right over the town.
12) Scuol
Scuol is a small town in the Engadin Valley, a peaceful unspoilt corner of Switzerland. It is a quiet resort, but one that has had mountain bike trails longer than any of the other Swiss resorts, with it's first trails being added in 1997.
13) Verbier
Situated in the sun drenched south west facing bowl in the canton of the Valais, Verbier is perched high up on the mountainside at an altitude of 1500 m, bordered by France to the west and Italy to the south.
14) Wiriehorn
Wiriehorn is a small Alpine town and ski resort through the winter months. It's one chairlift has been used to good effect through the summer months by the resort, which has built some Downhill and Freeride trails to provide a summer season.
15) Zermatt
Sitting right beneath one of the world's most iconic mountains, the Matterhorn, Zermatt is one of the wintersports world's major players.
16) Monte Tamaro
Monte Tamaro is located in the area between Lugano – Bellinzona – Locarno... at the Lepontine Alps of Switzerland. It is easily accessible by public and private transport. Monte Tamaro sits right beneath one of the world's most iconic mountains, the Matterhorn, Zermatt.