SUPER MORZINE

OUR ROB HEADS ALP-SIDE, INDULGING HIMSELF IN BIKE LAUNCHES, STRONG FRENCH BEER AND THE PASS’PORTES DU SOLEIL. ALL JUST A STONE’S THROW FROM HIS FANCY CHALET IN MORZINE.

WORDS ROB // PHOTOGRAPHY ELLIOTT BRODOWSKI & ROB

The distant mecca that is Morzine and the Portes du Soleil area has always been up there on the ‘list of places I need to go ride my bike’, but has somehow been repeatedly put off with responsibilities lying elsewhere. That was until this year at least, when myself, and good friend/photographer Elliott had the opportunity to get out in the mountains to cover Crankworx Les Gets, press launches, and even squeeze in a few days of riding. All this, followed by the Pass’Portes du Soleil to wrap up the trip, accompanied by our hosts from More Mountain, we were set for a packed fortnight.

An Unofficial Secret Tour.

After hearing stories of secret trails, fast and flowy singletrack and enough switchbacks to fill several pairs of boots, getting out on riding in Morzine was a must. In our first week we were lucky enough to head out on a bike launch with some pretty knowledgeable guides, who showed us the trails we’d ride more and more throughout our stay. When the rain came down, it was very similar to riding at home, with big, rutted, cut-up sections of trail, mud that would happily swallow the grippiest of tyres, and enough spray and grit in the face to get through a healthy supply of contact lenses. As two northern lads, we just settled into life in a muddy Morzine and cracked on – we were on holiday after all so nothing could dampen our spirits, just our clothes. Morzine and Les Gets are next-door neighbours and it’s only a short hop onto the Le Pleney lift from Morzine and down a flowy little descent (with an optional skills and jumps course) to find yourself in Les Gets. From here the mountains are at your disposal, with the Chavannes lift taking you further up to a plateau that has 360° of stunning views all around and trails starting in every direction you look.