Bike Park Tignes and Val d’Isere: World-Class Downhill

The French Alps are famous as one of the most impressive mountain landscapes on earth. Home to soaring, jagged mountain peaks with glaciers still clinging to the tops, the French have built superb singletrack up and down the slopes of these steep-sided mountains, making the French Alps one of the best places in the world to ride your mountain bike.

"The winter ski resorts of Tignes and Val d’Isere, in the heart of the French Alps, have teamed up to produce an incredible and expanding summer bike park” that spans both ski areas, according to Cece Moore. With over 35 trails of varying difficulty, ranging from easy to expert, and from cross country to enduro to downhill, the bike park offers everything you’d expect, and more.

"This bike park isn't as well-known as other bike parks in the Alps, but that results in quieter and less blown-out trails, for your delight,” writes Moore. "The lift pass allows access to both areas, and although many trails can be covered in a day, it is worth spending a couple of days to get the best out of the park.

“This zone is home to some of the finest trails known to man or woman! Tignes and Val d’Isere’s purpose-built mountain bike trails are some of the best you’ll find anywhere,” writes Moore.

The window to ride in the Alps is short, so plan accordingly—the lifts are only open from the end of June to the end of August.