Post by Mary on March 26, 2026
As I write, I’m watching the snow falling steadily outside the window at an elevation of 700m. A soft, white layer covers everything. My view yesterday was completely different: crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths in the garden, birds in full song making preparations for spring, and the snowline pushed back above 1600m. It’s that time of year in the Alps when one week you reach for your skis and the next you get on your bike. One of the many joys of living here is the beauty of the changing (and often overlapping) seasons.
It’s been a good year for snow, with very large snowfalls throughout the season, including today and in recent weeks. I’m sure many of you will have seen or heard the weather reports of big snow storms and high avalanche risk across the Alps in February and March. The snow report for yesterday, today and tomorrow predicts a fall upwards of 50cm above 1800m. The impact of these heavy snowfalls towards the back end of the season is that the cols and trails above 2000m are probably going to remain snow-covered until the early summer at least. Those of us mountain biking in June and early July will definitely encounter a lower snowline than in previous years. The higher cols will have significant snow-coverage. It’s possible that some will remain impassable in June.
If you’re going to be riding a self-guided adventure this summer, please do bear these snow conditions in mind when planning your route. You can often get information on the depth of the snowpack from ski resorts and tourist information offices in the places you are planning to ride. There are also apps that provide visual information on snow conditions, for example, PeakVisor.
A guided mountain bike trip is an excellent option for those of you with limited experience of dealing with mixed alpine conditions in the summer months. With an experienced mountain bike guide alongside you, you benefit from their knowledge, skills and experience of not only snow and weather conditions but also trail knowledge and the best route alternatives to take.
We have 3 remaining weeks available for guided trips this summer if you’re yet to plan your mountain biking adventure. 18th-25th July, 5th-12th September, 27th September-4th October. Start and finish dates are flexible. Not all dates are suitable for all trips so please do get in touch to discuss options if you have a group and an idea in mind.