The big event every summer in the Portes du Soleil is the PassPortes du Soleil. An annual event that showcases the fantastic mountain biking on offer in the area as all the resorts (Les Gets, Morzine, Avoriaz, Chatel, Morgins, Le Crosets, Champery and Torgon) open their lifts and the whole area becomes accessible from the end of June to the middle of September.

The Passportes route uses 15 of the 24 available lifts and covers 80km through France and Switzerland.  The route takes you down 6000m of decent with just 1000m of climbing.  Using the chair lifts to take out a lot of the hard work and get you to the top in no time.  The Passportes route is set up to showcase the best tracks and views the area has to offer and it is a truly stunning ride.  There are refreshment stops along the way with drinks, snacks, meals and entertainment making the whole day not just a great mountain bike ride but a fantastic experience with a great atmosphere.

Chris is now a seasoned ‘Passporter’ and Beth took part in the 2011 Passportes du Soleil ride for the first time.  Beth’s favourite part was the food stops, of which there are several along the route.  She took it upon herself to see if she could consume enough of the free Milka Chocolate to cover the cost of her entrance fee! 

It is a fantastic day out for all levels of biker.  For the more experienced like Chris right through to someone like Beth who enjoys the scenery, atmosphere and a more sedate pace of mountain biking!  By cutting off some of the more tricky sections, we stayed together with our guests for most of the ride until it was time to get back to the chalet to start preparing the evening meal.  To complete the whole circuit takes a good level of fitness and determination, but with the emphasis being on a fun day out, you’re guaranteed to want to come back again next year.

The 2012 Passportes du Soleil mountain biking event will take place on the 29th June, 30th June and the 1st July.  This will be the 9th Edition of the event and its popularity just keeps growing from year to year.  The 2011 Passportes saw nearly 6000 riders taking part!  If you want to join in then you can either book to stay with us and we can sort out your entry, or you can apply online through the PassportesduSoleil website.

Chatel Mountain Style Mountain Bike Competition

This massive annual Freeride event features some of the best riders and sponsors in the world! The event is held on 'The Face' trail. This 300 metre decent is more an area to get down than a track. Riders pick their own line over rocks, roots, northshore and steep ground. Both of us (Chris and Beth) can testify that walking down pushing your bike is a significant challenge and to ride it is bordering on complete madness, but ride it they do. Watching the competing guys fly down this track over the obstacles and throwing in a few tricks along the way is just amazing!

It's an easy ride over from our chalet to get to 'The Face' so if it's just spectating you're after we're more than happy to join you. If you're keen to take on 'The Face' we can definitely get you there and we are more than happy to take photos!

2012 French Mountain Bike Championships in Les Gets

Les Gets is back on the Mountain bike high profile events calendar. After playing host to the 2004 World Mountain bike Championships, then the 2010 French Mountain Biking Youth trophy, Les Gets has just been announced as the host for the 2012 French Mountain Bike Championships.

Bringing together the very best French Mountain Bike riders, the competition will be on to see who can gain the title of French Mountain Bike Champion. The event will take place in Les Gets on the 13th July, 14th July and the 15th July 2012. Book into our Chalet now to be part of the event and watch the best French riders battle it out.