Mountain activities in summer are extremely varied, ranging from hiking to paragliding, including road cycling, white-water sports, climbing, and more. But let’s not forget another must-do outdoor activity: mountain biking!
Here is everything you need to know about mountain biking in the mountains: the different disciplines, where to find the best bike parks, the benefits of bike rental, safety equipment, and more.
The great advantage of mountain biking is that it is a mountain activity accessible to everyone, as long as you know how to ride a bike. The wide variety of trails and difficulty levels allows holidaymakers of all ages to enjoy mountain biking in the mountains. Even children can have fun on gentle trails with little elevation gain or in fun areas such as pump tracks.
Less athletic riders will also find suitable options on easy-level trails or by choosing an electric-assist mountain bike, which significantly reduces physical effort.
Mountain biking is also a budget-friendly activity: you can rent a quality bike for the day for a few dozen euros, then ride on trails that are generally free to access. Some trailheads do require a lift pass, but it is much cheaper than during the ski season.
The mountains are an excellent playground for both beginner and experienced riders—whether you enjoy climbing, downhill riding, touring, or a mix of everything. In summer, you can practice several disciplines, using bikes specifically adapted to each:
In France, all mountain ranges and resorts offer mountain biking opportunities. However, some destinations are better suited to family rides, while others are ideal for experienced riders.
Among the must-visit bike park resorts in France, thanks to their numerous trails and fun zones, are:
This list is, of course, not exhaustive, and each resort has its own specific features in terms of difficulty level, riding styles, training areas, bike services, and more. Don’t hesitate to visit the resort’s Tourist Office to learn more about the routes, pick up a bike park map, check the lift opening dates and times, and get advice suited to your skill level.
If you already practice mountain biking outside your mountain holidays, you probably own your own bike. It can be perfectly suitable for mountain riding, provided it is adapted to the terrain and riding style (e.g. a full-suspension bike, long travel, and powerful brakes for downhill riding) and that you have a bike rack on your vehicle.
Otherwise, mountain bike rental remains a very convenient option. Many Sport 2000 ski shops offer this service during the summer season, with bike ranges designed specifically for mountain use. Several types of bikes are generally available to suit everyone: children’s, women’s, and men’s bikes, climbing-oriented models, downhill or all-mountain bikes, traditional or electric-assist mountain bikes, and more.
Renting is also a great opportunity to test the latest models and ride bikes from leading brands without having to invest in a recent model that can cost several thousand euros. Depending on the type of bike and the shop, expect to pay roughly between €20 and €70 per day.
Finally, rental allows you to benefit from valuable advice on choosing the right bike size, selecting the best type of bike for the routes you plan to ride, and discovering the best spots in the resort.
It would be a shame for your mountain stay to end with an injury caused by a bad fall. To avoid this, we strongly recommend wearing a helmet on all your mountain bike outings, even for a relaxed ride—and especially for children. This equipment can be purchased or rented in the resort’s sports shops.
To complete your mountain biking gear, especially if you tackle technical descents, consider knee pads and elbow pads. Wearing cycling gloves is also recommended: they improve grip, reduce the risk of blisters and irritation, and protect against branches, brambles, as well as scrapes and cuts in the event of a fall where you need to put your hands on the ground.