Highlights

• Ride down big mountains that'll have you begging for more
• Alpenrock is all about lifts, trains, shuttles and big singletrack descents that barely see rubber
• Descend 80,000 to 125,000 vertical feet on this trip

Full Description

This is the ultimate DH trip in the Alps. Ride trails that few people know about from the Verbier area, up the Rhone Valley to Zermatt, with lift-accessed riding that's comparable to Mavericks for surfers or Alaska for skiers. We'll have days with 20,000+ feet of descending and might even hit more than 100,000 vertical feet of descending over the week. Guided by Joe Schwartz. Alpenrock DH will take you to another level.

What sets us apart in Switzerland? Our guides are skilled professionals. They'll fix your bike and tune your bike and chat with locals along the way. They are coaches and trained in first aid. They are courteous, helpful and professional. Oh, and some of them are world renowned freeriders. We know good singletrack. We design our trips with the ultimate riding experience in mind. You'll never get tired of the same of runs or ever have to wait in a lift line with 50 other people at a bike park. We are pioneers in the Alps. We are proud to say that we are the first to explore some of the best rides in the Alps, especially big bike descents. Even most locals don't know about the trails that we ride - many are untouched, unmarked and unmapped. We take care of the little things. There is almost nothing that we won't do to make sure that your trip runs smoothly.

Activity Level. The technical ability required for the Alpenrock is rated as 'very strong intermediate and above.' In other words, the trails are technically challenging at times, with hiking sections and exposure. There are very long descents each day. For fitness level, participants must be fit to very fit. All participants must train accordingly to fully enjoy this trip. Even though we will be riding many lifts and stopping quite often (to enjoy the view, eat and drink, wait for others, repair our bikes etc) - the altitude, jet lag recovery and accumulation of multiple, long days of riding will add up. The better shape you are in, the more fun you'll have. *This trip focuses on epic singletrack descents that have barely been ridden, and some bike park riding. We will be pushing/riding our bikes for up to 20 minutes to get to the top of some descents. *Note: reckless riding will not be tolerated on this trip!

Bike and equipment. This is a big bike trip that would ride well on either a 6+6, strong all-mountain bike to a full-on downhill rig. Being able to pedal your bike is helpful and useful as we'll have to ride short sections. A full-face helmet is HIGHLY recommended and body armor is mandatory. All participants are required to have their bikes in excellent working order before the trip begins. We will send you a detailed list of required equipment and clothing before departure. 2010 Kona DH bikes are available for rent for approx $50 USD per day from a local bike shop.

Lodging and Food. We spend 6 nights at a small family-run hotel in the quaint farming village of Lourtier at the base of Verbier. This hotel is warm and cozy with typical Swiss food, a small bar and fantastic Swiss hospitality. At night keep the window open and hear nothing but a rushing river outside while you cosy up under a big duvet. In Zermatt we're at a hotel that's located steps from the center of town. The food is typical of the area. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs.

Your Safety. Our trips take place in remote to very remote regions with limited evacuation options available and there are always risks and hazards on the trails that we ride. If you choose to participate in our trips, it is up to you to ride well within your limits, to ride conservatively and to be safe as mountain biking is a dangerous sport. Participants must keep their bikes in good working condition, they must be hydrated and rested and alcohol and drugs are not permitted while riding. Our guides have basic first aid training and if a serious injury is suspected they will call helicopter search and rescue at the cost of the participant. Personal medical travel insurance is mandatory.

Climate. In any big mountains, weather can change quickly and drastically. It could be 30 degrees Celcius one day and then freez ing on a mountain top the next day. Even though it's summertime it can rain and we all need to be prepared. Generally the weather is hot and sunny.

Why Big Mountain is your choice. Big Mountain Bike Adventures is the pioneer for performance XC, all-mountain, DH and freeride mountain biking adventures. We know that to find the very best trails, you have to ride with locals. All of our trips are designed in part by local riders and often guided with local riders and professional Big Mountain guides. We aim to provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our participants.