MTB

Morzine and the Portes du Soleil mountain biking area are among the best spots in Europe for mountain biking and are considered the Mecca in this area by a large majority of MTBikers. In Morzine-Avoriaz, it is true that everything leads you to mountain biking. The Morzine slopes lie in the heart of the Franco-Swiss region of the Portes du Soleil and its 12 interconnected resorts. Morzine's central position means you can frewheel down to the village from most of the Portes du Soleil lifts.
 
From the stunning Alpine peaks to the Europe's largest MTB Park and endless variety of terrain and trails, the vast expanse of Morzine-Avoriaz offer downhill, free-ride and cross-country riding — offering something for every ability of rider.
Here in the Portes du Soleil area, we know exactly what it takes to make your Mountain Bike Holiday epic — and that’s why we take immense pride in providing you with maps, techniques, equipment and confidence to venture out independently on trails that fit your level of riding.

SUMMER 2022 BIKE PARK OPENING DATES

(Opening dates subject to weather conditions)

Morzine (Le Pleney)

Pre-opening week-ends :

  • from Friday 03rd to Monday 06th June (Pentecôte)
  • from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th June
  • from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th June

Opening :

  • from Friday 24th June to Sunday 04th September

End of season week-ends opening :

  • from Friday 09th to Sunday 11th September
  • from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th September

 

Les Gets (Télésiège Express des Chavannes et des Nauchets)

Pre-opening week-ends :

  • from Thursday 26th to Sunday 29th May (Ascension)
  • from Friday 03rd to Monday 06th June (Pentecôte)
  • from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th June

Opening :

  • from Friday 17th June to Sunday 04th September

End of season week-ends opening :

  • from Thursday 08th to Sunday 11th September (Jeûne Genevois)
  • from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th September

 

Les Gets (Télécabine Mont Chéry)

Opening :

  • from Friday 17th June to Sunday 04th September

Mountain biking trails for all levels of skill

The Portes du Soleil area, also known as the largest mountain bike park in Europe, with its infinite variety of terrains and trails, offers descents, free rides and cross-country, for all tastes and all levels. The Portes du Soleil mountain bike trails that are marked in green are suitable for beginners and families; they are generally of a light degree of difficulty, well maintained and offer a gentle slope. For those who have much more experience in mountain biking and who want to see the best mountain bike trails in the French Alps, you can go on blue, red or even black trails – note that the mountain bike trails are colour coded in the same way as ski slopes. If you want a real challenge and think you have what it takes, you can ride on black slopes that are steep and technical; tracks that require excellent control, self-confidence and flawless technique.
 

The Portes du Soleil MTB area

The Portes du Soleil have become, over the years, a reference area for mountain bikers around the world. A summer staple for many, so why not you? You can then set off from one of the 12 linked resorts in the area. Morzine is located in the heart of the area and from Morzine, you will quickly reach Les Gets or, on the other hand, Avoriaz, in the direction of Swiss resorts. You can take 20 lifts and then travel on no less than 600 km of mountain bike trails and paths. For the more motivated MT Bikers, an 80km circuit allows you to do a complete tour of the Portes du Soleil: that's definitely a fun challenge to do with friends! 
Every year, the Portes du Soleil also host a major MTB event called The Pass'Portes du soleil MTB. It is one of the most appreciated events of the summer for mountain bikers. This is an untimed mountain bike route from resort to resort. You ride and you come to have fun on the many food stops, where snacks, drinks and entertainment await you!
The Pass'Portes du soleil MTB is a  great way to start your season, while discovering the Portes du Soleil, its landscapes and its local products.
 
Portes du Soleil MTB area Key features :
 
• 21 lifts
• More than 600 km of slopes
• 12 connected resorts
• A 80km Enduro lpa
• 50 downhill slopes
• 25 MTB schools and guiding services
• 25 hire and sale shops
 

The Portes du Soleil, a "world reference" according to Pro MT Biker Loris Vergier 

Loris Vergier, mountain bike champion, speaks of the Portes du Soleil in these particularly positive words: “Pioneers in mountain biking, the Les Portes du Soleil area has imposed itself during recent years as a world-wide reference. Many competitions are organized every year, demonstrating that those 12 connected resorts are a dynamic and unique destination during the summer. The countless paths and downhill tracks will be enjoyed by enthusiasts, from beginners to experienced pilots, who come in large numbers every summer to find a perfect training field. 20 cable-cars will allow you to explore this unique area of the world, between France and Switzerland. Everything is possible: enjoying a great view of Mont-Blanc and les Dents du Midi, or filling up on sensations on slopes specially designed for downhill biking: the variety of fields will allow everyone to find their happiness. Thanks to this “mini guide”, you’ll find all the  information you need for your trip at Morzine. It was put together thanks to the collaboration of all the contributors to the resort (cable cars, tourist office, town hall, sports retailers and providers), who all share the same passion: mountain biking. Looking forward to seeing you on the tracks of Morzine and Les Portes du Soleil."  
 

The Morzine-Avoriaz MTB area

Halfway between Mont-Blanc and Lake Geneva, Morzine-Avoriaz is in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, one of the largest mountain biking areas in the world. In the 1990s, Morzine-Avoriaz was one of the first resorts to rethink its winter ski area as an MTB summer area (opening of the Pléney downhill slope in 1996). In summer, 24 ski lifts are equipped for the transport of MTB to reach the summits between France and Switzerland. Hit the slopes, hike or just relax… All mountain bikers can find a path or trail that matches their level. The central position of Morzine makes it possible to reach the village by gravity from most of the Portes du Soleil ski lifts. Here, we find a real MTB culture with an adapted infrastructure, specialized stores and a friendly “après-MTB”.
 
Mountain biking in Morzine-Avoriaz offers :
 
• Black, red, blue and green runs accessible by the Pléney gondola and the Super Morzine gondola;
• Specific signage on the tracks and trails, for better legibility of the mountain bike routes;
• New routes to improve the link between Morzine-Avoriaz and Les Lindarets, in the Super Morzine, Zore and Col de Joux Verte sectors;
 

Morzine, Syndicate Santa Cruz's favourite playground and training ground

Since 2016, the legendary American brand Santa Cruz has chosen Morzine to set up its European HQ. The collaboration between the resort and the brand has never stopped evolving: between the showroom, the Bike Patrol, the development of trails, and MTB-themed events, there is no shortage of ideas. Thanks to the work provided by the resort and Santa Cruz, in 2020, Morzine was voted the best Bike Park in Europe and 8th in the world by the readers of Vital MTB, one of the most followed American sites dedicated to MTB
Many riders of Syndicate Santa Cruz have also chosen Morzine as a base for their summer training. On the Morzine slopes, we can regularly come across big names, like Greg Minaar (the most successful MT Biker, with 21 World Cup victories, 3 world championship titles and many podiums), or the Coach, the legendary Steve Peat (52 World Cup podiums, 17 wins and 3 series titles).
A collaboration between the Pléney team and the Santa Cruz ambassador, Romain Paulhan, former French downhill champion, has also enabled the re-shaping and redesign of the red slope, freshly named Super 8. A beautiful reference to the first model of Santa Cruz descent, whose dominant colour was red.
 

Rules on the MTB

Morzine-Avoriaz and the Portes du Soleil are working together to publish a “code of good practice”. We thank you for applying these few rules for good understanding between all the users of the mountain. You will also find all the advice on the Mountain Bikers Foundation website.