Alpine Club Châtel
Mountain Sports Holidays in the French Alps

Mountain Bike riding in Châtel and the Portes du Soleil

During the summer months several of the chair lifts and cable cars in the Portes du Soleil ski lift system are operated to provide easy access to the mountains for mountain bikers. This includes several of the principal lifts in Châtel and La Chapelle, many of which are specially equipped to allow mountain bikes to be conveyed safely and securely.

If you still have a "hands free" ski pass from last winter then recharge it for use in the summer and earn points towards a free day use of the lifts.

The summer lift system allows everyone young and not so young to enjoy fully the breath taking mountain scenery stretching along the border between France and Switzerland.

The beautiful scenery makes the entire area a haven for walkers and mountain bikers. With over 200km of marked trails covering forests and high pastures, and more than 50 peaks to climb in a region stretching from Lake Geneva to Mt Blanc you will not be short of new places to explore.

Maps of the local footpaths and cycle trails are available from the Tourist Office. They also have a list of qualified guides able to help you explore the spectacular mountains and see the best of the local wildlife. Don't forget these are serious mountains which deserve respect all year round so take sensible precautions, carry a mobile phone and let someone know where you are going and when you should be back.

There are of course several local mountain bike companies and experienced guides, who will be happy to provide a well maintained rental bike and safety gear and then guide you along a route chosen to match your standard. They can offer trips to suit those just happy to enjoy a gentle downhill descent along well prepared trails right through to those keen to take on the seriously challenging and often precipitous routes dropping right down to the shores of Lake Geneva. Either way the scenery is breathtaking.

Better still some local guides arrange all day mountain bike tours starting with a cable car ascent, you can enjoy a downhill run to Lake Geneva, followed by a restful barbecue by the lake shore until the minibus arrives to take you and your bikes back up the hill to Châtel.