Chamonix Activity Report: 10th September 2009
And just like that, the weather returns to summer here in Chamonix. After a cooler, slightly damper week last week, it's been great to have another spell of summer in this glorious valley, with fewer people on the trails, it made for some really enjoyable days of hiking, riding, climbing or whatever it is you choose to do in the mountains.
Yesterday started off as most days have this week with some glorious sun, a bit cool in the morning but quickly heating up as the sun comes over the mountain tops. A few of us decided to go for a downhill mountain bike at les Houches, which is located at the entrance to the Chamonix valley.
There are two sides to Les Houches; one is the Bellevue cable car which is a Les Houches pass only lift, so it won't work if you have a week pass for the Chamonix valley, but the Prarion bubble lift is part of the Chamonix lift system and if you get a les Houches pass you will access to both.
Les Houches is a fantastic place to come whether you're on foot or a bike, with many trails going up, along or down, there is a great variety to choose from, with trails ending up back in Les Houches or even over in Saint Gervais, where you can get the train back up the hill to Chamonix. As always using the services of a local guide will help keep you from being lost and confused!
We met up at the bottom of the Prarion lift, where we all got our gear together, slipped in to whatever protective wear being used for that day and gave one more blast of air in to our tyres, before setting off. Once at the top, there are many directions to choose from however (myself included in this) as a few of us where beginners to this sport, we chose the relatively easy route down which serves as a ski track in the winter and is just slightly to the left as you exit the bubble lift.
There are also many trails off of this route where you can make things a bit trickier if you fancy it. A couple of us where on bikes that you wouldn't normally see on the trails as we were lacking in suspension and brakes that actually worked. We think you will have lots more fun if you rent a fully kitted out bike from Zero G in Chamonix.
Indeed, the main trail which we were riding was fairly wide for the most part and with a lot of loose rock on the way down, it was pretty hard to keep the bike going in the direction you wanted it to. A few falls were had as a result, those who had armour on where thankful of it and those who hadn't paid the price in small amounts of blood!
Once at the bottom we were eager (even those who were still bleeding) to get back on the lift and have another go, practicing techniques to help become better riders. A good day was had by all. Some bruises and cuts were given, but all in all everyone finished the day with smiles and a few beers in Le Delice in Les Houches village centre helped to numb the pain!
Don't forget to keep an eye on our What's On Calendar for a full list of events taking place over the summer months.
