Les Arcs, 3 days of mountain biking for beginners

On the first day, or the day before if you don't want to waste a minute going downhill, you'll need to hire your mountain bike.

Mountain bike hire:

If you're in Bourg Saint Maurice, you can go to Gravitylab, it's a bike shop that offers sales and hire as well as all the equipment to protect you during your outing. Skiset if you're based in Arc 1600 or Arc 1800 and Evolution2 if you're in Arc 1950.

You'll also have the choice of taking mountain biking lessons at a school or trying it out on your own on the dedicated beginners' trails.

Once you've had some advice and hired your bike, you can start learning. You can start pedalling at the bottom of the resort to get to know your new companion for the next few days.

You'll then need to pick up your PASS VTT for half a day, a day or even a week before you can finally hit the slopes.

Where to start?

It's time for your mountain biking session in Les Arcs, starting with the Practice Park fun zone in Arc 2000. You can reach this area by taking the Transarc or the Arcabulle. It's ideal for children and adult beginners alike.

Once you've spent enough time getting comfortable with your bike, it's time to hit the trails with the two beginner trails:

• Kids Rock at Arc 1800, an easy enduro route (green trail) 1.4 km long with 110 m vertical drop. (Note that this is not an area reserved exclusively for mountain bikes: you may come across pedestrians and mountain kart enthusiasts).
• Easy Rider in Arc 1600, at the top of the Cachette chairlift, a 6.1km route with a 550m vertical drop that takes you to the bottom of the same chairlift. This will allow you to practice the run several times before mastering it. You'll really start to get that downhill feeling that riders love.

Where to stay in Arc 1800?

For this second day, you're going to have some fun at Arc 2000. At the top of the Arcabulle chairlift from the Col de la Chal, you'll take the green "Trank's" piste. It's reserved for mountain bikers, so it's a great opportunity to test your speed downhill. You can enjoy the view of Mont Blanc and pass the Adrets des Tuffes lake. In between descents, you can grab a bite to eat at the rest area next to the lake.

You'll also be close to the Practice Park, where you can return and see how much progress you've made after just two days' practice.

Where to stay in Arc 2000?

No need to take a plane to go to the United States, the Arc 1950 resort also has its Route 66, and it's on a mountain bike that you're going to take it.

It's a great half-day outing for the whole family, on a 23km blue trail with 1058m of downhill and 170m of uphill (so expect a few climbs, and be prepared to push your bike). Still leaving from Arcabulle, this is definitely the mountain biker's lift, so follow the signs that take you into the forest with a view of Bec Rouge, and then along the Isère. Be careful, you'll have to do a bit of climbing when you get to Bourg Saint Maurice. You can then take the funicular back to Les Arcs if you are based at Arc 1800 or Arc 1950.

This enduro descent is also accessible to E-MTTs.

Where to stay in Arc 1950?