Top 5 downhill mountain biking holidays in the Alps

Planning a summer mountain biking adventure this year? Then without doubt, the Alps are the place to go. But before you book anything just yet, check out our list of the top 5 downhill mountain biking holidays in the Alps.

Whether you’re a veteran of the summer season, or you’ve just come down with a serious case of mountain bike fever, these are the places you need to check out.

Top 5 downhill mountain biking holidays in the Alps

Val di Sole, Italy

Situated on the very edge of the Italian Alps, just south of the border with Switzerland, this is a resort geared up for some serious downhill riding. There’s a free ride trail which helps with some of the steeper sections on the downhill track, ideal for beginners. And if you’re in the mood for trying something else, there are some nice lift-accessed cross-country trails too. And if you’re wondering, Val di Sole means ‘Valley of the Sun’ and it really is as nice as that sounds.

Schladming, Austria

The Bikepark Planai at Schladming has a nice selection of downhill runs for all ability ranges. Perfect for downhill mountain biking holidays. Newcomers might want to steer clear of the fearsome black-graded World Cup Track but there is more than enough to keep them busy too. The World Cup Track, as you might expect, is rocky, steep and nasty and only recommended for serious riders and even then not at high speeds. Also at Schladming you’ll find a four-cross track, a dirt jump area and another pump track.

Morzine, France

More or less like Mecca for summer mountain bikers and it’s easy to see why. It is essentially a collection of a dozen or so resorts on the border with Switzerland and is a big draw for riders from all over Europe. Its place in the middle of all these resorts makes Morzine an ideal base for exploring. Take the Pleney and Supermorzine lifts on either side of the valley and you have access to loads of tracks, graded from blue to double-black.

Morgins, Switzerland

A smaller, almost boutique-feel mountain biking resort, Morgins has runs for all ability levels. The emphasis here is on technical ability rather than speed, although there are some steeper parts for the speed freaks amongst you. It’s a relatively quite town which means that the resort remains relatively undiscovered, so expect to have some runs all to yourself. Isn’t that the dream for most downhill mountain biking holidays?

Les Deux Alps, France

Like most of the top 5 mountain biking holiday in the Alps, this destination is more famous for being a winter ski resort. But when the snow melts there is still plenty of fun to be had on the mountainside. The town itself is already at altitude and the top of the mountain reaches almost 3,600 metres, so there is some serious downhill riding here. The sheer variety of runs is impressive with something for every ability and preference. And with loads of lifts, it’s pretty convenient too. Go and see for yourself.