Swiss MTB Tour

Saw this little gem on Pinkbike: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

It got me thinking how close this area was and how epic a 3-4 day ride would be. They have an enduro style and XC/enduro option, anybody done this before? Anyone up for this? 4-6 seem to be the min.

JR

I want to do it. I have been wanting to ride in the alps. When do you plan on going.

I emailed them lasted week and they are pretty flexible on dates.I'd be good for anything spring through summer. Just need to find a few more interested in a trip.

This sounds truly incredible. Early summer, like late May would be fantastic. I'd be up for the XC/Enduro option. Keep me posted; unless the wife has something planned and I have enough time to say "I'm gone this weekend to Switzerland", I'm in. Lead time of 2 months probably would be best (we're planners!)

If you coordinate this, I'll buy you a couple $15 beers in Switzerland

Yup me too the sooner we can firm a date up the better it is for me and the fam. Now we just need 1-2 more people to show interest :-)

Rad. (German) pun intended.

Any idea how many km we'd cover per day? Seems like you could easily cover 70 or more km with the lifts they're speaking of and a guide.

349 pounds ($570) for 5 days half board w/a guide is IMHO a smokin deal. That's $115 a day and I can safely say that I don't know another venue where I'd have that much fun for that little price.

I know right? Just need to find 2-3 more.

Bueller?

Bueller?

Bueller?

I'm interested...

keep talking, i am interested.

I am interested, but need a date a couple months in advance

OK we have 5 so far, 6 is ideal but I think 4 was the min. As for dates, this is my first year in Germany, best month to do this? May/June?

i have another cyclist who is interested too so that'd make 6.

what about mid-late may?

That works for me. My inital info request to OTB was for the last week in May or first week in June (using this as a Fathers Day Gift/Gateaway, falls on June 15th) as a selling point to the spouse.

I'm out (wife is teaching theater classes for kids) from 16 Jun - 25 Jul. So early Jun would work too.

I am in just let me know when

OK so the last week of May first week in June looks best. I contacted OTB and they are looking at a proposed itinary on a mixed XC/Enduro type trip. Is 4 days of actual riding with (riding F-M) 1 travel day on each end sound good?

Ding ding. I'm in!

Directly cut from their email:

Thank you for requesting information about our mountain bike holidays.

You indicated that you would like to travel on a mini Valais tour the week commencing 31st May 2014, 6-persons.

VALAIS, with fantastic mountain bike trails and a wide range of activities to suit everyone – also the largest summer ski area in Europe – skiing 365 days a year

We have even been featured in MBUK, WHAT MOUNTAIN BIKE and MBR (click to view the articles).

You will have your own personal mountain bike guide for your group, so as to ensure that you get the very best out of the trails and gear them to your personal likes and preferences.

An example of the itinerary on the mini OTP Valais Tour is shown below, remember, we can change any itinerary to suit your group's preference, ability and stamina

Day 1:
Arrival in Haute Nendaz, Les 4 Vallées, Switzerland. Meet up with your guides, and settle into a very nice hotel with stunning views across the Rhone Valley. Bike checks and any adjustments required, on hand we have bike mechanics as required. Warm up ride for those who wish it and depending on arrival times.

Day 2:
Tracing part of the descent route of the traditional Grand Raid Cristalp race down to the Rhone Valley floor. From Sierre you take the amazing funicular cable train takes you overland from 540m to just under 1500m in just 12mins. You will be in the famous resort of Crans Montana and we will cross-country to Leuk and a lift to Leukerbad where 22 Thermal Baths await you in the evening to soak away the aches of the day. Overnight in a nice and very bike friendly hotel

Day 3:
The famous Gemi Pass awaits, with stunning, flowing and fast trails across the pass to Kandersteg and through the tunnel and descent to the valley floor. A cable car and chair lift take you to Brandalp and flowing trails to the valley floor and Kalpetran. You get lifted up to Zermatt and overnight in the hotel.

Day 4:
The BIGGEST day of the week: The Downhill Club! For the dedicated and hard-core trail riders it is an early start: We take the 1st lift up to Rothorn (3103m). We quickly descend, heading north, turning onto the Europa-Weg, before the hikers have had breakfast! It is a switch-back-fest down to Tasch at 1440m. The late-starters can join us here. We descend the ZERMATT valley to Stalden at 800m. 2 cable cars lift us to Gspon at 1900m. After a quick snack we climb on forest tracks to the Gebidum Pass at 2201m. The 13kms descent to Brig at 680m completes a ride that you will remember for years. Departure from the valley floor back to your airport.
   
Our prices include:
• Good quality and spacious hotel accommodation (based on twin bedrooms), 3-nights
• Comprehensive breakfasts
• 3 full days of expert & personal mountain bike guiding
• Tourist taxes, VAT etc...
• Minibus support crew, transport of luggage between points
• Airport Transfers on Swiss Rail
• 50% discount on most mountain lifts
and would be (based on 6 persons): £429pp inclusive

Some other stuff from a different email indicates that 6 is the Max for 1 guide, so no reduction in price with more than 6. If we have more intrested we may have to look at another hiring another guide (more greenbacks). Price is a tad higher due to te extra day but still a smoking deal! Thoughts?

429 british pounds. Is that right?

Road_Rage wrote:429 british pounds.  Is that right?

Yup, it's a british company.

Yup

Still pending final approval from higher. Getting some vibes that 3 days of biking is more likely to get approval than 4 (did 4 days boarding the Alps last month and the kids were incorrigible for her).

Throwing this out there: what about driving down on Sun, 25 May and then coming back 29 (or 30) May?

Sundays are a lot less traffic and the Army has a 4 day that wknd, so that'd be less leave burned. That also would help with anyone that has kids--being a single parent on a school day is easier than a single parent on the weekend!

George

I cool with 3 days. I can submit back to the company to see what the cost delta is. As for the dates those look good to me as well. Anyone else have issue with cutting it back a day? Iss ue with the dates?

What's the details on the rooms and stuff. Not a problem to go for me, my only problem is there is no way I'm going to be able to go to Switzerland without my wife. She doesn't ride but she'd be off doing her own thing while I go play on bikes all day.