About Us
Bike Alp has a new home for 2016! After a very happy 12 years in Samoens, we've found what is quite possibly the ultimate mtb destination in the world - the magnificent, singletrack nirvana of Briancon in the high Alps. The move comes after a lot of research for our guidebook 'Alps mountain biking', where I rode most of the western, central and southern alps searching for the best riding areas the mountains have to offer, and believe me, nothing even comes close to Briancon for that endless, flowing alpine singletrack we all dream about - a properly undiscovered paradise that the mtb world will surely hear much more about in the near future.
If you haven't read the book, then you may have heard of me recently in a Guardian article - 'Alps mountain biking' where I talk about some of the best standout trails in the western Alps. We really do live and breathe mountain biking and we work hard to make sure everyone goes home pretty stoked, but our success has been due in no small part to the incredible terrain we had in and around Samoens, an amazing backcountry playground in the northern alps where we could ride not only in the Grand Massif, but also in nearby Chamonix, Verbier, Les Gets and Geneva. It really was fantastic, though for those of you who thought the riding there was good - you'll simply be blown away by our new spot! It really is on another level.
The stunning walled citadel of Briancon is where we now call home, but we've been living, travelling and riding throughout the Alps for a long time - almost 15 years now and we're still passionate about the riding, the mountains and the holidays we offer, and we're both massively excited about our new venue, so I hope you choose to ride with us soon.
So do I know what i'm doing? I hope so - i've been riding as long as I can remember and am still as fanatical as always. On top of this I am a qualified MBL guide, as well as holding the French 'Carte Professionelle', so you can be sure I have all the neccessary training and paperwork to guide you safely (and legally) around the mountains.
As many of you may know, gaining equivalence in France is no easy task, and as the first (and only) guide with a foreign qualification to achieve it, I can attest that this is definately the case! It's too much to go into here, but if you're interested you can read about it in an article I recently wrote on Singletrack magazine here.
Of course the main reason anyone comes back is Eleanor's cooking - I don't kid myself, but we're both passionate about all that Bike Alp involves and are loving the riding more than ever, which is why we choose to call this place home.
The Ultimate MTB Holidays in the High Alps
Staying in our luxury chalet in the centre of the beautiful, medieval walled city of Briancon, you'll have access to a truly unique and undiscovered mtb paradise of endless, untouched singletrack in massive terrain surrounded by glaciers, huge peaks and deep canyons. Super fast, flowing singletrack litters the mountain sides around here - smooth, winding dream-like trails that twist and turn like rollercoasters through the mediterannean pines and are bathed in over 300 days of sunshine per year - so you can forget the sloppy and cold conditions of the northern alps you may have ridden before!
Here's a little teaser of what to expect:
Rides are ski lift assisted throughout the summer meaning we can ride from 1000 - 3500m and take in epic descents up to 20km in length with minimal pedal time. There's really nowhere else in the Alps that offers this level of variety and back country escapism straight off the lifts.
Our riding area is vast too, taking in the resorts of Serre Chevalier, Montgenevre, Sauze D'Oulx, Bardonecchia, La Grave, Valloire, Sestriere, Alpe D'Huez and a whole lot more, including uplift opportunities on the highest cols in the Alps, such as the Galibier, Granon and Izoard, to access the most epic and untouched singletrack you can imagine.
It's difficult to describe just how good this place is, but you need to forget what you think you know about Alpine biking - it really is on another level for those huge backcountry trails you dream about, and after riding pretty much everywhere in the Alps during research for our book - 'Alps mountain biking', we simply couldn't believe what was down here, and just how completely undiscovered it still is. In fact we gurantee you won't ever want to ride anywhere else again!
Here's some guest drone footage from summer 2018
To make sure your riding experience is a great one, we keep group sizes small and it will always be myself (Steve) who is guiding you rather than second guides and gap year types. I hold the full French qualification so there are no worries with legalities and safety on the mountain - just great riding, great guiding and small groups to cut the faff factor to a minimum. Back at our luxury chalet in Briancon, things are no less fanatical, and Eleanor will serve up a feast each night to keep you shredding all week long!
On top of our classic holidays below, we also offer mountain refuge trips during your stay for 90 euros per night - check it out here for more details
Prices and Dates
Our mtb holidays run from June until October. Prices are per person and include accommodation in our chalet, breakfast and evening meals, guiding and any vehicle support we need.
On top of our classic holidays below, we also offer mountain refuge trips during your stay for 90 euros per night - check it out here for more details
1 week - 990 euros
A week's stay with us includes 7 nights accommodation and 5 full day's guided riding. There's also the possibility of some shorter rides on your arrival and departure days depending on flight times.
Long Weekends - 650 euros
Long weekends include up to 4 nights accommodation and as much riding as we can get in depending on your arrival and departure times.
Airport transfers
We offer airport transfers from Turin airport for 130 euros per person return. A 50 euro supplement applies for single travellers.
Testimonials
Here's what a few guests have had to say in the last few years...
"What a setup guys, the lads are still buzzing and can't wait to get back out there. We really weren't sure about changing from our usual trips to PDS and Les Arcs, but this was on another level - the riding, the food, chalet and swanky van for the uplifts! Will definitely be recommending you guys.- Mike M, September 2023
"What a holiday! Briancon is certainly an undiscovered gem and should be on everyone's list. The amazing trails, food and chalet (loving that hot tub!) have really raised the bar on previous trips. That epic line from La Grave was the highlight I think, a megavalanche on acid! Broken but buzzing from another great stay with you. Big thanks to Steve, Eleanor and Maeva.- Simon M, August 2018
"Another belter of a trip with Bike Alp! So many new trails every year, what a place. Cheers guys!- Chris D, July 2018
"The best mtb setup you'll find in the alps - incredible riding and incredible accommodation and food. Can't ask for any more - definitely coming back!- Rob B, August 2018
"The best biking holiday weve ever experienced, the riding is as diverse as you can possibly imagine, truly epic and endless Alpine trails. Steve's knowledge of the area is frankly astonishing. Eleanor's great cooking tops off the day! Awesome, loved every minute of it, we will be back! - Steve S, August 2016
"Amazing singletrack! - Scott G, August 2016
"Best single track I've ridden for a long time , one of my top spots in the world fantastic week guiding and top food , can't wait for next year! - Chris F, August 2016
"A huge thanks for the guiding in Briancon - we all agreed it was the best riding we've done in the Alps for real, natural terrain. - James, August 2017
"Been going for 3 years now to this beautiful location which offers a good mix of riding for DH and enduro. Steve and Eleanor are perfect hosts and dish up some super food after riding. Steve's local knowledge of the hidden trails around the mountains makes the difference. We will be back for sure!! - Shane, June 2012
"Steve showed us around some epic Alpine routes - amazing. So far, probably the best riding i've ever done!" - Tom, August 2015
"A totally amazing week. You both made our trip an unforgettable one. Our confidence has improved immensely on the bike and it has advanced us by years. Without you Steve, we wouldn't have looked and any of those jumps or ridden so fast on the trails. Eleanor, the food was unbelievably good every single day. Perfect food after a perfect day. a massive thank you for being such perfect hosts and for a trip I'll remember forever!!" - Chris, July 2013
"Absolutely Fab time - awesome riding in an amazing area. 10/10 Steve & Eleanor. Many thanks" - Joff, July 2015
"Fantastic food ;-) Great yard to tinker with the bike after a day of shredding. The guiding was spot on, especially the secret trails. Riding in Samoens with Steve has helped me progress like I would never dreamt of. Thanks to Steve I am hitting higher drops and sending it on wider gaps and overall just shredding that much harder. The personal touch and the ability to cater for all styles of riding and making it all fun is what will bring me back, regardless if I have to ride with people of different skill sets" - Oli, June 2012
"Amazing holiday guys, thanks so much. Steve provides you with great knowledge of the local terrain, along with a confidence giving calm demeanour - apart from telling us the cable car once fell, whilst we were in it! Eleanor provided superb hospitality and food, can't fault this holiday! - Kev, July 2015
"Best Bike vacation of my life... Food was restaurant quality, the best tour guide in all of France. Accommodation is excellent. It was my first time on a DH MTB. Great time! Definately I will repeat... The best... Thankx! - Luis, July 2012
"Just a quick thanks for the trip, it was awesome fun!! we will def be back next year!" - Paul, August 2012
"Hi steve had the best time of my life! I will be back when i get my new bike. Thanks guys." - Josh, July 2012
"Samoens has to be some of the biggest and best natural terrain riding in Europe. With Steve's guiding you will cover more vertical than you could imagine in the time you have. Overall Bike-Alp provides great riding and great hospitality". - Chris B, August 2012
"Great riding with a real good mix of terrain. Only outdone by the fantastic food every night! Thanks guys for a great week" - Toby, August 2012
"Just wanted to drop you an email on behalf of the boys to say thanks for a cracking week - riding, chalet, company and most importantly the food were excellent! Plus a nutty cat thrown in for good measure!" - Tom, September 2012
In any correspondance with us be sure to let us know your contact details, group size, dates required and a little bit about yourself - ie; what sort of level rider you are.
You can drop us an email here: info@bike-alp.com
Or give us a call on 0033 782 17 19 25