20 of the best places to ride on the Planet

The wildest geography lesson you'll ever take!

1 PORTES DU SOLEIL FRANCE

THE LOWDOWN

TRAVEL

Flights from London to Geneva start from around £70 return (outside of school holidays and not including any extra fees for luggage and/ or bikes). From there.. many accommodation providers can arrange a shuttle. Alternatively. It's driveable from the UK in a day.

STAY

We'd recommend Morzine (busier) or Les Gets (quieter). There are lots of chalets and hotels to choose from. either self-catering or half-board. Morzine has camping, too.

TRY

The annual Pass Portes du Soleil event takes you on a tour of the area, with amazing food stops along the way.

INFO

https:// en.portesdusoleil.com

This network of 12 resorts straddling the FrenchSwiss border has been a firm favourite with British riders seeking downhill thrills since the early 2000s. Between them, the bike parks of Morzine, Les Gets, Châtel and Champéry-Morgins have more than 50 DH runs on offer, from beginner blues to World Cup tracks. Beyond the well-worn descents, however, there's a massive network of wilder trails waiting to be explored, from classic alpine singletrack to hand-cut enduro lines. One lift pass gives you access to all 12 areas and hundreds of kilometres of trails, linked by 22 chairlifts and gondolas. Just don't overdo it on the Mützig (strong lager) in Morzine's Bar Robinson or you won't be able to make the most of the riding!

2 LES DEUX ALPES FRANCE

THE LOWDOWN

TRAVEL

The nearest airport is Grenoble, but flights from the UK in summer are limited. You can fly to Lyon (from £70 return) and then get a shuttle, or drive from the UK.

STAY