And what about if one weekend every year, all the trails chairlifts opened up to a big ‘grand fondo’ style event, with no timing or racing, just a wristband that gets you food, drink and chairlift access.
It gets even better. Imagine doing a 30 minute flat out descent and arriving at a big tent, with cheese fondue, cold meats, beer, wine, chocolate, bread… Oh yes this does exist!
This may be impossible to happen in Australia, but this goes on in France and Switzerland, and is called the Passportes du Soleil and Flow was there again this year, basking in the sunshine of the alps with a myriad of trails at our glove tips.
80 km – 15 ski-lifts – 6000m of total downhill!
9 different resorts to start from :
– In France: Avoriaz, Châtel, Les Gets, Morzine and Montriond-Les Lindarets.
– In Switzerland: Champéry, Morgins, Torgon and Les Crosets.
1000 m of total uphill climb
8 refreshment points. Start at any time between 7.30 a.m. and 9 a.m. from each resort.
Our start point was Les Gets, France and we made it back there as the last lift closes after hours and hours of descending. A truly life changing experience with the highest speeds, biggest views and cherries Euro dudes ever.
The two main centres; Chatel and Les Gets turn into a mountain biking festival with a huge bike demo system, night racing, expo’s, trials demos and live music. It’s a real buzz!
Flow’s tips for Passportes success:
– Set up your bike with meaty tubeless tyres.
– Take a real camera, it’s eye boggling out there.
– Start early, aim for the complete loop.
– Eat and drink everything within sight.
– Talk to everyone in the lift lines.
www.passportesdusoleil.com
Cheers!