Post by Mary on January 19, 2018
The small ski resort of Praz-de-Lys/Sommand, about half an hour away from where we live, has just opened a network of trails specifically for fat bikes. Jamie and I went over last week to test ride the trails and had an awesome day of fat biking. One of the routes takes in the Tour de France classic Col de la Ramaz, all snow-covered and closed to cars. There were some short, steep sections that were pretty tough – on the nose of the saddle, hunched over the bars – but overall a very rideable gradient and so nice to be peddling alongside snow shoers and cross country skiers rather than cars! Praz-de-Lys is on one side of the Col de la Ramaz and Sommand on the other. There are several loops to explore in each resort. We also found a great value small spa hotel in the resort that is “fatbike in, fatbike out” i.e. trails from the door! I’ll be testing that out next weekend 🙂 The fatty trails and the chalet hotel got us thinking that it would be a great place to host a fat bike trip.
The trip we’ve devised will be over a long weekend, 3 nights with 2 full days of riding plus a short night ride on the arrival day and a possible morning ride on the departure day, depending on arrival and departure times. Apart from the various route options up at Praz-de-Lys/Sommand there is another great riding spot a 10 minute drive away with lovely route to the Col de l’Encrenaz including a traditional Savoyard lunch in a beautiful old alpine farm. Another option is a tough ride up to a mountain refuge in our valley and back down. Jamie and I rode this on Monday on a blue sky day and the views were breath-taking. Jamie scared a few skiers and snowshoers on the way back down! There is the option of having the 2nd night out of the hotel in Sommand staying in this mountain refuge for a more adventurous experience. There are lots of options so we can alter the itinerary to suit snow conditions and group ability.
The price (in euro) goes down the more there are of you in the group to share fixed costs like guiding and airport transfers:
4 pers – 770 euro p.p
5 pers – 695 euro p.p
6 pers – 650 euro p.p
7 pers – 615 euro p.p
8 pers – 595 euro p.p
The price includes: 3 nights B&B spa hotel accommodation, 2.5 days guided fat biking plus one guided night ride, fat bike hire, van support for getting to different riding areas and return airport transfers from and back to Geneva (1 timed per group). The price is the same if we switch out 1 night for a mountain refuge stay. This night will be half board (dinner included). All other evening meals (not included) will be taken in the hotel a la carte. You will have full free use of the hotel pool and spa.
The dates on offer are: 2nd-5th February, 22nd-25th February and 1st-4th March.
Email Mary at [email protected] if you are interested.
