This mountain biking weekend sees cyclists of all abilities tackling the VTT routes of the Portes du Soleil. There are 3 designated categories to enter: 75km, 50km and 30km as well as a special 'Rando Kids' track. You can start from a number of resorts throughout the region and each trek takes just one day so you can enter on either Saturday or Sunday (or both if you're a bit keen!)
Refreshment points and marshalls ensure that everything runs smoothly so turn up and get muddy!
Participants can register in advance on this website.
Pass'Portes du Soleil
Stunning views on the Pass\'Portes
The Pass’Portes du Soleil is a hugely popular two day mountain bike festival held at the end of June each year and which heralds the official opening of the Portes du Soleil (PDS) summer season and the summer lift network. Running since 2004, the event regularly attracts in the region of 3500 mountain bikers to the area and it really kicks the summer off with a bang.
Riders have a choice of 3 circuits – 30km Discovery route, 45km Intermediate route and the 75km Classic route - starting from seven of the twelve resorts that make up the Portes du Soleil (depending on the route chosen). Each circuit can be completed in a day and gives riders a taster of the fantastic scenery and MTB terrain that the PDS has to offer. The trails range in altitude from 2250m – 1000m and take riders through both France and Switzerland.
All routes use the areas comprehensive lift network meaning that much of the uphill work is done from the comfort of a chairlift and all you have to do is enjoy the downhill. Riders tackling the full 75km circuit are rewarded with a whopping 6500m of descent! However, if you prefer to earn your descents with a bit of uphill pedalling, then each route has an alternate section enabling you to get your head down and get a bit of a sweat on. Likewise, for hardcore downhillers, options are available to deviate off the main drag onto some steeper, more technical sections where you can really put those downhill bikes through their paces.
Before setting off, each rider is issued with a “Rider Pack” that comprises of:
A number plate for your bike (which also doubled as your lift pass)
A Road Book to help you find your way around the circuit
A bracelet that allowed you access to the refreshment areas en route (very important!!)
A token for a free Portes du Soleil day pass (winter or summer)
A Pass’Portes surprise gift!
Refreshments en route
To ensure that everyone makes the most of the day, the lifts operate extended opening hours from 8am – 6pm both days, allowing ample time to complete even the 75km circuit at a reasonable pace. It seems the secret to completing the full circuit in good time is to get on that first lift, otherwise you can get a little snarled up in the lift queues, as each gondola or chairlift can only take a maximum of 2 bikes at a time.
With 6 refreshment points en route serving produce typical to the area – smoked hams, sausage, cheese, raclette, Swiss chocolate etc – you are never too far from a pit stop should your legs begin to flag. The other excellent thing about the Pass’Portes is that there are two fully equipped Mavic workshops on the circuit, offering mechanical assistance to anyone that needs a gear tweak or a squirt of oil. In addition, there are also roving mechanics on motorbikes to assist you throughout the circuit should you hit a problem. It goes without saying that you still should be equipped with the usual spare inner tubes and puncture repair kit of course, but at least you can rest easy that help is never too far away if you really get stuck.
Trial riding demo at the Bike Show
For many people, one of the highlights of the Pass’Portes is the Bike Show – a MTB exhibition, where around 30 of the biggest brands in mountain biking (Kona, Sunn, Shimano, Scott etc) all flaunt their latest kit and trends for the following year. The location of the show changes yearly as each resort on the main Pass’Portes circuit takes a turn to host it, although there are also entertainments and activities available in each participating resort. At the event, you can check out the very latest in bike technology for yourself courtesy of the numerous free bike tests, putting them through their paces on terrain appropriate to your ability and preferred type of riding (cross country, downhill etc). As well as bike tests, you can also marvel at the skills of the pro riders in various competitions and demonstrations, such as Dirt Jumping and Trial Riding that take place during the event. Film screenings, music concerts and nocturnal activities also take place in the evening ensuring that when you do finally go to bed, you’ll definitely be dreaming of bikes!
Since 2007, the organisers of the Pass’Portes du Soleil have arranged special routes for children and women riders in a bid to encourage more people, especially girls, to get into the sport from an early age. Girls signing up for the event get 15% discount on the entry fee (€30 instead of €35) and then benefit from “girls only” guided treks and free tests of the latest MTB kit specially designed for women. The “Pass’Portes for Kids” is a sign posted circuit ideally suited to children aged 9-15 years with MCF bike instructors to lead the way.
Enjoying the ride
Whether you’re an experienced rider or just getting into the pleasures of mountain biking, the Pass’Portes du Soleil is a great opportunity to ride some fantastic terrain, check out some new toys, eat raclette and mingle with fellow mountain bikers in truly stunning surroundings. All riders must register in advance on the official Pass’Portes du Soleil website and subscriptions go on-line early February. If you want to set off from Avoriaz or Les Gets, the two most popular departure points, you need to get in quick as these places fill up very fast!
When we last did it, a couple of us were riding hardtail mountain bikes and although it’s perfectly possible to complete the ride on a front suspension bike, as the organisers suggest, full-suspension makes the experience much more pleasurable especially towards the end of the day when your getting tired and you’ve still got a few kms of bumpy trails to ride. Helmet and gloves are compulsory for all riders but some sections of the trail are quite loose and rocky so you may want to consider additional protection too. However, the event is not about who can get round the fastest, it’s to encourage everyone who enjoys riding to get out and explore some of the incredible biking terrain that the Portes du Soleil has to offer. Get yourself signed up for next year!
last updated 2-Jul-2008
Videos from Avoriaz - Pass'Portes du Soleil
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The Pass'Portes du Soleil is an annual event that marks the beginning of the summer cycling season in the Portes du Soleil. Over the last weekend of June, 25 lifts throughout this huge area open their doors to cyclists looking to enjoy the beautiful scenery, trails and high speed thrills of the downhill courses on offer in the Portes du Soleil. There are bike testing and activities in all the villages involved in the weekend and 3 courses are set out to allow enthusiasts to take in as much of the area as possible. If you missed the action this year then enjoy our video of the event and make sure you're there next year.
