The Riding
Travel / Location / Weather
For your return journey, they drop off at the airport typically at 11:30 (i.e. earliest flight departure of 13:00).
For large groups with bespoke or specific transfer requirements, please ask us for a quote for a private taxi-transfer.
Check out train times and costs on www.thetrainlline.com
Kit & Holiday Preparation
- Bike – We generally use bikes that have around 5-7″ (125 – 180mm) of front and rear travel, although some of our hardier guides prefer to use solidly-build hard-tails. Its really a matter of personal preference. Strength over lightness and a relaxed (slack head-angle) is ideal. Super-long enduro style bikes are great for straight line stability, but you will lose out in our very tight alpine switchbacks. (eg 26″ ‘aint dead, in our humble opinion!)
- Tyres – at least 2.3″, (2.5″ or more is recommended) DUAL-PLY / DH / DOUBLE-DOWN / ENDURO+ reinforced sidewalls & casing are absolutely essential otherwise we guarantee you will be fixing flats every run (and will quickly become the least-favourite person in your group if we all have to wait for you!) . Better still, if possible, tubeless with some kind of rim-protection-insert, at least for the rear wheel if you are a heavier rider.
- Brakes – 5000m+ a day is hard on the brakes! No brake is “too much”, and your screaming forearms will thank you for a decent investment in your braking setup. Most importantly, make sure your brakes are freshly-bled with new fluid, and new pads, before your trip. Large brake rotors are a superb upgrade (min 200mm front and 180mm rear).
- Spare Brake Pads – At least 1 complete (front and rear) set, but be safe and bring two complete sets if you can! And ALWAYS go for sintered pads since they handle the heat of long descents so much better.
- Spare Tubes – DH tubes for our lift accessed weeks, please bring at least “all mountain” tubes for backcountry weeks – we still do a lot of decending!
- Spare Mech Hanger – if it breaks during your stay, your bike will be effectively useless without a replacement
- CamelBak / BackPack with usual riding spares (pump, multitool etc), large enough to carry a jacket, water, and packed lunch.
- Packable Waterproof jacket.
- Usual summer riding clothes and shoes (i.e. shorts, short or mid-sleeved jersey).
- Helmet – for our lift accessed weeks either a full-face or a half-lid is fine, its really a case of what you feel comfortable in using, but we’d certainly recommend upgrading to a removeable-chin-bar model if you don’t have one already. For our backcountry weeks if you are bringing a full-face please also bring a half-lid as well for the days where we pedal – you’ll overheat quickly on the climbs, if you don’t!
- Gloves and any desired body armour – at least knee pads for both backcountry or lift accessed weeks.
- Riding sunglasses or Goggles for protection against both the sun and foreign objects.
- Some kind of splash-guard or front mini–mud-guard is very useful if you want to keep mud and water out of your face and eyes.
If you have your own steed that is suitable for Alpine riding (powerful disk brakes, strongly wheels & tyres, relaxed geometry) we’d always recommend to bring that if you can, rather than rent something you are not used to riding. However, we know this is not always possible especially if flying from overseas.
trailAddiction can help to put you in contact with our most reliable local suppliers, but you’ll need to contact them directly to discuss your exact requirements and to arrange collecting and returning the bike yourself.
There are additional logistical problems in renting, depending on your own travel plans (for example, if you don’t have a car to collect / return the bike to the shop).
On our point-to-point tours or refuge trips, if anything goes wrong with your rental bike during the week, you are likely to be a very long way from the hire shop (ie too far to take it back there) in order to have it serviced if needed.
In summary, its not impossible, and we’ve made it work in the past – but it just takes a little extra planning and effort!
Holiday Structure, Bookings and Payments
Booking Deposit
Your initial Booking deposit is non-refundable in all cases unless exceptional terms apply and we have specified this upon booking (eg COVID-related)
Payment of balance
Payment of the final balance must reach us 12 weeks before your arrival date. Failure to pay this amount on time may lead to cancellation charges.
For bookings made within 12 weeks of arrival, the full balance is payable at the time of booking.
Changes to bookings
Any changes made to the original details supplied on your booking form will be accommodated if possible, without charge. If we cannot accommodate your changes we reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled.
Cancellation charges
Cancellation notice is required in writing and charges may be made as listed here depending on the level of notice given:
>12 weeks – no cancellation charges. 12-8 weeks = 50% of total holiday cost. 8-4 = weeks 80% of total holiday cost. Under 6 = weeks 100% of total holiday cost*
*In most cases, we will try to offer a date deferral to the following year, or discount on rebooking for the following year.
Shuttle Vehicles and Airport Transfers
Clients use trailAddiction shuttle vehicles and bike trailers entirely at their own risk. TrailAddiction cannot guarantee pick-ups and drop-offs from Geneva airport to suit all flight times. We will try to be flexible to suit all customers, but please check with us first that we will be able to accommodate your specific flight schedule before booking flights. Delayed or cancelled flights are out of the control of trailAddiction, and as such trailAddiction will not be responsible for missed airport transfers. TrailAddiction cannot guarantee arrival at the airport at the pre-arranged time. Events such as vehicle breakdown, bad traffic, adverse weather, accident, driver or guest illness and many other unexpected events can delay our shuttle service and lead to late arrival at the airport. trailAddiction will not be held responsible in any way for missed flight departure under any circumstances.
Rider responsibility and Safety
If a trailAddiction host proceeds along a trail, you cannot assume it is safe for you also to proceed. The sole responsibility is for you, the guest, to check for other trail users, and indeed any other hazards, before proceeding.
Alpine Mountain biking is an inherently dangerous sport. All riders ride entirely at their own risk and must make their own judgements on their abilities. Although we take every precaution to ensure the safety of our riders, trailAddiction staff cannot and will not be held responsible for any injuries sustained whilst riding. Riders should be aware, that due to the challenging nature of the trails, and the sheer volume of riding you will do during your stay, the likelihood of having a fall whilst biking is high. The injuries sustained can range from nothing, very minor bruising, spraining and/or grazing, to broken limbs, deep cuts or in extreme cases, paralysis or death. The extent of injuries will be reduced by wearing appropriate safety equipment as detailed below (see Safety Equipment). However, the only way to be sure of avoiding injury, is not to ride at all. By signing these terms and conditions you accept the above risks and understand that any injuries sustained are beyond the control and responsibility of trailAddiction staff and associates.TrailAddiction hosts know the mountain biking area extremely well, from years of riding and exploring. If you choose to attend accompanied rides, trailAddiction staff are always happy impart their local knowledge to guests. However, if you choose to act on this knowledge (the location of a certain trail, the condition of a piece of terrain, your ability to ride it safely) you do so so at your own risk and discretion, and as such trailAddiction cannot accept responsibility for any accident involving a trailAddiction guest which may occur during the mountain biking activity. Much of the trail-riding recommended by trailAddiction hosts is found in remote, unmaintained and natural environments. TrailAddiction staff cannot guarantee the safety of these trails from one day to the next. You must accept that natural hazards such as boulders, drops, cliffs, stream-crossings, fallen trees, uneven surfaces, flooding and severe subsidence can and do exist without warning, and that trailAddiction cannot be responsible for any loss, damage or injury caused by such hazards.
Trail Traffic
All of the trails outside of the dedicated mountain bike areas are open to walkers and other members of the public. You must give way to any other bikers, horseriders, walkers and any other path users you may encounter. More importantly, you agree to control your speed at all times, in particular at crests, bends, or other places where you cannot see oncoming traffic, such that you can stop without any danger to yourself or other trail users. The guest accepts full liability for all their actions including those that result in injury or damage to property sustained; to themselves, to other trailAddiction customers, and to members of the general public / users of the mountain.
Accidents and First Aid
All trailAddiction staff carry a basic first aid kit and emergency contact details for use in the event of an accident. If you are injured whilst accompanied by a host, the host will always act in your best interests and use their mountain experience to act appropriately. However, trailAddiction staff are not trained medics, and therefore you should not accept any medication or treatment offered in good faith without making your own judgement as to whether it is appropriate or safe to do so. You accept full responsibility for any side effect to medication or treatment offered. You must inform trailAddiction staff of any allergies at the time of booking. Similarly, if you would prefer not to be treated at all by trailAddiction staff, and wait for trained professionals to arrive at the scene in the event of an accident (noting that you may be unconscious in the event of a severe fall), please advise us accordingly before your first ride.
Safety Briefing
All guests, regardless of experience, must attend a short welcome speech and safety briefing on arrival at the chalet. This will cover a general overview of bike set-up, general terrain hazards and weather conditions you need to be mindful of whilst riding in the area.
Medical/Accident Insurance
TrailAddiction guests must have Insurance cover for their stay and sign the trailAddiction responsibility waiver upon arrival at the holiday destination. Cover must specifically include medical and accident recovery insurance for injuries gained whilst mountain biking on unmarked trails. All guests must bring a valid copy of their insurance certificate and present it to trailAddiction staff in resort, before any accompanied riding can commence.
Approved Bicycle Helmet
A helmet is an absolutely essential item of mountain biking kit. trailAddiction staff will do everything in their power to prevent riders without a helmet from setting out on a ride. Many guests choose to use a traditional half-lid cycling helmet which is appropriate for backcountry riding, however for more aggressive downhill riding it is recommended that guests use a full-face motocross-style helmet for added protection in the event of a heavy fall onto the face. trailAddiction staff will refuse to accompany any rider who is not wearing a cycle helmet in apparently good condition.
Additional Safety Equipment
Gloves – Suitable strong biking gloves are an essential item and must be worn at all times whilst riding. They protect against cuts and grazing in the event of a fall.
Protective Pads – Whilst forearm-elbow and knee-shin pads are not usually seen as an essential item of mountain biking kit, trailAddiction strongly recommends for all of its guests to use pads. Protective pads are proven on a regular basis to reduce the potential severity of external wounds and can also reduce the likelihood of broken bones in the event of an accident. We usually stock a selection of arm and knee pads on site which are for sale to customers.
If you have your own steed that is suitable for Alpine riding (powerful disk brakes, strongly wheels & tyres, relaxed geometry) we’d always recommend to bring that if you can, rather than rent something you are not used to riding. However, we know this is not always possible especially if flying from overseas.
trailAddiction can help to put you in contact with our most reliable local suppliers, but you’ll need to contact them directly to discuss your exact requirements and to arrange collecting and returning the bike yourself.
There are additional logistical problems in renting, depending on your own travel plans (for example, if you don’t have a car to collect / return the bike to the shop).
On our point-to-point tours or refuge trips, if anything goes wrong with your rental bike during the week, you are likely to be a very long way from the hire shop (ie too far to take it back there) in order to have it serviced if needed.
In summary, its not impossible, and we’ve made it work in the past – but it just takes a little extra planning and effort!
Accommodation & Food
Booking Deposit
Your initial Booking deposit is non-refundable in all cases unless exceptional terms apply and we have specified this upon booking (eg COVID-related)
Payment of balance
Payment of the final balance must reach us 12 weeks before your arrival date. Failure to pay this amount on time may lead to cancellation charges.
For bookings made within 12 weeks of arrival, the full balance is payable at the time of booking.
Changes to bookings
Any changes made to the original details supplied on your booking form will be accommodated if possible, without charge. If we cannot accommodate your changes we reserve the right to treat the booking as cancelled.
Cancellation charges
Cancellation notice is required in writing and charges may be made as listed here depending on the level of notice given:
>12 weeks – no cancellation charges. 12-8 weeks = 50% of total holiday cost. 8-4 = weeks 80% of total holiday cost. Under 6 = weeks 100% of total holiday cost*
*In most cases, we will try to offer a date deferral to the following year, or discount on rebooking for the following year.
Shuttle Vehicles and Airport Transfers
Clients use trailAddiction shuttle vehicles and bike trailers entirely at their own risk. TrailAddiction cannot guarantee pick-ups and drop-offs from Geneva airport to suit all flight times. We will try to be flexible to suit all customers, but please check with us first that we will be able to accommodate your specific flight schedule before booking flights. Delayed or cancelled flights are out of the control of trailAddiction, and as such trailAddiction will not be responsible for missed airport transfers. TrailAddiction cannot guarantee arrival at the airport at the pre-arranged time. Events such as vehicle breakdown, bad traffic, adverse weather, accident, driver or guest illness and many other unexpected events can delay our shuttle service and lead to late arrival at the airport. trailAddiction will not be held responsible in any way for missed flight departure under any circumstances.
Rider responsibility and Safety
If a trailAddiction host proceeds along a trail, you cannot assume it is safe for you also to proceed. The sole responsibility is for you, the guest, to check for other trail users, and indeed any other hazards, before proceeding.
Alpine Mountain biking is an inherently dangerous sport. All riders ride entirely at their own risk and must make their own judgements on their abilities. Although we take every precaution to ensure the safety of our riders, trailAddiction staff cannot and will not be held responsible for any injuries sustained whilst riding. Riders should be aware, that due to the challenging nature of the trails, and the sheer volume of riding you will do during your stay, the likelihood of having a fall whilst biking is high. The injuries sustained can range from nothing, very minor bruising, spraining and/or grazing, to broken limbs, deep cuts or in extreme cases, paralysis or death. The extent of injuries will be reduced by wearing appropriate safety equipment as detailed below (see Safety Equipment). However, the only way to be sure of avoiding injury, is not to ride at all. By signing these terms and conditions you accept the above risks and understand that any injuries sustained are beyond the control and responsibility of trailAddiction staff and associates.TrailAddiction hosts know the mountain biking area extremely well, from years of riding and exploring. If you choose to attend accompanied rides, trailAddiction staff are always happy impart their local knowledge to guests. However, if you choose to act on this knowledge (the location of a certain trail, the condition of a piece of terrain, your ability to ride it safely) you do so so at your own risk and discretion, and as such trailAddiction cannot accept responsibility for any accident involving a trailAddiction guest which may occur during the mountain biking activity. Much of the trail-riding recommended by trailAddiction hosts is found in remote, unmaintained and natural environments. TrailAddiction staff cannot guarantee the safety of these trails from one day to the next. You must accept that natural hazards such as boulders, drops, cliffs, stream-crossings, fallen trees, uneven surfaces, flooding and severe subsidence can and do exist without warning, and that trailAddiction cannot be responsible for any loss, damage or injury caused by such hazards.
Trail Traffic
All of the trails outside of the dedicated mountain bike areas are open to walkers and other members of the public. You must give way to any other bikers, horseriders, walkers and any other path users you may encounter. More importantly, you agree to control your speed at all times, in particular at crests, bends, or other places where you cannot see oncoming traffic, such that you can stop without any danger to yourself or other trail users. The guest accepts full liability for all their actions including those that result in injury or damage to property sustained; to themselves, to other trailAddiction customers, and to members of the general public / users of the mountain.
Accidents and First Aid
All trailAddiction staff carry a basic first aid kit and emergency contact details for use in the event of an accident. If you are injured whilst accompanied by a host, the host will always act in your best interests and use their mountain experience to act appropriately. However, trailAddiction staff are not trained medics, and therefore you should not accept any medication or treatment offered in good faith without making your own judgement as to whether it is appropriate or safe to do so. You accept full responsibility for any side effect to medication or treatment offered. You must inform trailAddiction staff of any allergies at the time of booking. Similarly, if you would prefer not to be treated at all by trailAddiction staff, and wait for trained professionals to arrive at the scene in the event of an accident (noting that you may be unconscious in the event of a severe fall), please advise us accordingly before your first ride.
Safety Briefing
All guests, regardless of experience, must attend a short welcome speech and safety briefing on arrival at the chalet. This will cover a general overview of bike set-up, general terrain hazards and weather conditions you need to be mindful of whilst riding in the area.
Medical/Accident Insurance
TrailAddiction guests must have Insurance cover for their stay and sign the trailAddiction responsibility waiver upon arrival at the holiday destination. Cover must specifically include medical and accident recovery insurance for injuries gained whilst mountain biking on unmarked trails. All guests must bring a valid copy of their insurance certificate and present it to trailAddiction staff in resort, before any accompanied riding can commence.
Approved Bicycle Helmet
A helmet is an absolutely essential item of mountain biking kit. trailAddiction staff will do everything in their power to prevent riders without a helmet from setting out on a ride. Many guests choose to use a traditional half-lid cycling helmet which is appropriate for backcountry riding, however for more aggressive downhill riding it is recommended that guests use a full-face motocross-style helmet for added protection in the event of a heavy fall onto the face. trailAddiction staff will refuse to accompany any rider who is not wearing a cycle helmet in apparently good condition.
Additional Safety Equipment
Gloves – Suitable strong biking gloves are an essential item and must be worn at all times whilst riding. They protect against cuts and grazing in the event of a fall.
Protective Pads – Whilst forearm-elbow and knee-shin pads are not usually seen as an essential item of mountain biking kit, trailAddiction strongly recommends for all of its guests to use pads. Protective pads are proven on a regular basis to reduce the potential severity of external wounds and can also reduce the likelihood of broken bones in the event of an accident. We usually stock a selection of arm and knee pads on site which are for sale to customers.
If you have your own steed that is suitable for Alpine riding (powerful disk brakes, strongly wheels & tyres, relaxed geometry) we’d always recommend to bring that if you can, rather than rent something you are not used to riding. However, we know this is not always possible especially if flying from overseas.
trailAddiction can help to put you in contact with our most reliable local suppliers, but you’ll need to contact them directly to discuss your exact requirements and to arrange collecting and returning the bike yourself.
There are additional logistical problems in renting, depending on your own travel plans (for example, if you don’t have a car to collect / return the bike to the shop).
On our point-to-point tours or refuge trips, if anything goes wrong with your rental bike during the week, you are likely to be a very long way from the hire shop (ie too far to take it back there) in order to have it serviced if needed.
In summary, its not impossible, and we’ve made it work in the past – but it just takes a little extra planning and effort!
