Alpine bike arenas: The 6 best bike arenas in comparison
EMTB
· 07.05.2023
We have checked out these 6 bike arenas for you:
Bike Kingdom - Lenzerheide / Arosa
What the arena can do
It all started with the legendary Bike Attack race down from the Rothorn, and the two Graubünden towns of Lenzerheide and Arosa have now declared themselves the "Bike Kingdom". With World Cup descents, flow trails and epically long high mountain laps. Info www.bikekingdom.ch
Must do!
The park in Lenzerheide primarily attracts experienced bikers, as two of the three main routes are very challenging, e.g. the Primeline freeride line (360 metres in altitude/ 2.1 km) or the deep black DH World Cup descent (405 metres in altitude/1.7 km). The blue alternative is easy, but only moderately fun. For our number 1 trail combo (990 m/6.8 km), you have to go higher. The Great White awaits at 2579 metres: an alpine trail that starts on slate slabs and ends more gently at the mountain station of the bike park. Flow trail fans are in good hands on the other side of the valley (Piz Scalottas). With a lift pass, excursions to the Chur bike park are possible.
EMTB assessment of the Bike Kingdom
- Tour network: >400 km
- Park runs: 34 km
- Lifts: 9
- Downhill action: 5 out of 5 points
- Flowtrails: 2 out of 5 points
- Touring fun: 5 out of 5 points
- Landscape: 5 out of 5 points
PLUS: World Cup flair and huge trail network between Chur, Arosa and Rothorn
MINUS: Unfortunately, Switzerland is not exactly cheap. Day ticket for the Bike-Kingdom: 52 CHF (48 Euro)
Conclusion on the Bike Kindgom:
In Arosa Lenzerheide thereʼs plenty of single trails with a first-class panorama and guaranteed adventure. The park trails are challenging. Families will find flow descents on Piz Scalottas.
Statement from Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor:
Pure bike park shredders will find more choice elsewhere. The attraction here lies in the epic trail tours with plenty of adventure and panoramic views.
3-country enduro trails - Nauders am Reschen
What the arena can do
In the border triangle on the Reschen Pass, a huge number of trails wind their way down into the valley. Most of them are rooty and technically demanding - ideal for enduro riders. There are now also beginner lines. Info www.3-laenderendurotrails.com
Must do!
Nauders is known for its 3-country enduro race, and the terrain is correspondingly rough. The Mutzkopf chairlift takes you up to an altitude of 1820 metres. From here, the Green Trail and the more challenging Elven Trail (450 m/1.8 km) lead down into the valley. On the other side of the mountain, the Bergkastel cable car (2172 m) takes you to the start of the red Bergkastel Trail (630 m/ 5.5 km): a mixture of enduro trail and easy flow descent. There is also the beginners' line Hofratseck Trail (2.2 km), which leads into the Bergkastel Trail. Our favourite is the Plamort tour, which combines the Alm, Plamort, Bunker and Etsch trails (675 m/6 km in total). On the other side of the lake, the cable car provides access to the fabulous enduro descent Schöneben Trail (590 metres in altitude/ 3.4 km) and the root massacre of the Haideralm Trail (630 metres in altitude/3.8 km).
EMTB evaluation of the 3-country enduro trails
- Tour network: >400 km
- Park runs: 26 km
- Lifts: 5
- Downhill action: 5 out of 5 points
- Flowtrails: 2 out of 5 points
- Touring fun: 4 out of 5 points
- Landscape: 4 out of 5 points
PLUS: No crushed sand marble runs, but the finest forest floor feeling
MINUS: You should like roots. After rain showers, they emerge quite nicely from the forest floor.
Conclusion on the 3-country enduro trails:
First-class descents, mostly unspoilt. Ideal enduro terrain. Beginners and families have limited choice in the rough terrain. Touring bikers can let off steam in the direction of Vinschgau and Val Müstair.
Statement by Dimitri Lehner, FREERIDE magazine:
No country for old men! The rough trails around the Reschen Pass are tough, but offer a lot of riding fun - provided you have a big-stroke bike.
Dolomiti Paganella Bike
What the arena can do
The region around Lake Molveno is divided into three zones and offers natural rocky descents as well as flow routes - with super panoramic views!
>>Read also our articles "MTB tours in the Dolomiti Paganella" and "New MTB flow trails in the Paganella".<<
Must do!
The Dolomiti Paganella Bike Arena in Trentino is still considered an insider tip. Yet there are 20 routes and nine lifts here! The whole area is divided into three zones. The Molveno zone directly on the lake: easy flow trails lead from the mountain station, e.g. Big Hero, Blade Runner (210 m/2.1 km). There are more challenging routes in the Andalo zone: the combination of the red Hustle & Flow (310 m/ 2.8 km) and the red Willy Wonka (420 m/4.2 km), a creative flow line with lots of berms. Enduro skills are required on the Ribs Trail and Giada Line with roots, rocks and steep descents. If you stay on the Giada Line, you come out at the bottom station of the third, the Fai Zone: This is where you want a downhiller, because these descents (390 metres in altitude) are steep and angry. Info www.dolomitipaganellabike.com
EMTB rating Dolomiti Paganella Bike
- Tour network: 260 km
- Car park departures: 90
- Lifts: 9
- Downhill action: 4 out of 5 points
- Flowtrails: 4 out of 5 points
- Touring fun: 3 out of 5 points
- Landscape: 5 out of 5 points
PLUS: The supercracks cavort in the Fai zone. The two easier zones are all the more relaxed.
MINUS Tours outside the park are limited to the back of the Paganella.
Conclusion on the Dolomiti Paganella Bike:
The trails on Lake Molveno are varied. There are many easy and many challenging trails. There is something missing in between. The panorama is first-class and the vibe on the lake is brilliant.
Statement from Emily Siegenthaler, former downhiller:
I like the mixture of built and natural, challenging trails that merge seamlessly into one another. Perfect for downhill training!
Superarena Portes du Soleil
What the arena can do
Europe's largest network of bike arenas: In the Western Alps, Châtel, Morzine, Avoriaz, Dents du Midi and Les Gets offer World Cup downhill runs, flow lines and alpine trails that can be combined into a cross-border big mountain tour thanks to 22 lifts. Info www.portesdusoleil.com
Must do!
Châtel is known for crisp park runs with tests of courage, big jumps and complex wooden constructions - perfect terrain for freeriders. But there are also easy turns for beginners. In Morzine, wide park runs await on one side of the valley and angry downhills with roots and stone fields on the other. The most prominent location, however, is Les Gets, where international races are regularly held. Including the Mega World Cup with almost all MTB disciplines, dates: 6 to 17 September. The selection of park runs for all skill levels is correspondingly large. Similar to the fourth park in the group, Avoriaz. A must: the complete circuit around the Portes-du-Soleil region with the help of the 22 lifts and the adventurous nature trail connections. You will get to know all twelve spots, including the Swiss bike regions of Morgins and Champéry.
EMTB rating Portes du Soleil
- Tour network: >400 km
- Car park departures: n.a.
- Lifts: 22
- Downhill action: 5 out of 5 points
- Flowtrails: 4 out of 5 points
- Touring fun: 5 out of 5 points
- Landscape: 4 out of 5 points
PLUS: With just one day pass (33 euros!) you can use 5 bike parks, 12 regions and all 22 lifts in both countries.
MINUS: There is so much on offer that it's easy to lose track and: The season is short (10.6.-10.9.23).
Conclusion on Portes du Soleil
More offer is hardly possible. Each region has enough trails for one day and satisfies almost all preferences. Plan at least a week!
Statement from Max Schumann, Enduro pro:
Every biker has to go to Portes du Soleil. I've been there many times, but I still only know a fraction of the routes.
Bikepark Mottolino - Livigno
What the arena can do
The village is located in the main Alpine ridge at over 1800 metres and has two bike parks. The trails leading to Engadin and Bormio alone are enough to last for weeks. Info www.mottolino.com and www.livigno.eu
>>Read also our articles "The Federia circuit in Livigno - a short e-MTB adventure" and "The most beautiful MTB tours in Livigno".<<
Must do!
It's a long journey, but it's worth it: two bike parks in Livigno offer fun with built trails. The Mottolino bike park offers a range of 560 metres in altitude and accommodates five main trails and a dozen branches. Clientele: freeriders, downhillers and enduro riders. Families and beginners have more choice in the Carosello 3000 bike park opposite. Here, the trails undulate more gently into the valley, with lots of berms and waves. For a full flow shower, fork the Tutti Frutti tour (45 km/3500 metres in altitude). In short, the parks offer a wide range of options. Nevertheless, the sheer endless touring options around Livigno are even more exciting. One of our favourites is the flowing Val Federia tour (19 km/950 m/approx. 2.5 hours). More challenging are the Epic tours into the Swiss Engadin and Val Poschiavo, or the high alpine trail classics over Passo Gallo, Passo Trela, Passo Chaschauna and Val Mora.
EMTB rating Livigno
- Tour network: >400 km
- Park runs: 75 km
- Lifts: 3
- Downhill action: 3 out of 5 points
- Flowtrails: 5 out of 5 points
- Touring fun: 5 out of 5 points
- Landscape: 5 out of 5 points
PLUS: Duty-free zone: live cheaply, eat pizza and shop!
MINUS: The village is difficult to reach: via the Ofen Pass or the single-lane tunnel (opening times!). Short summer season from June to September
Conclusion on Livigno:
No matter which category of biker you belong to - everyone will be happy here. Especially touring bikers with fitness and a desire for freedom.
Statement by Gitta Beimfohr, travel editor:
Even the big mountain tours over the high mountain ridges show perfect curve radii here. Trail builders have helped out here.
Saalbach - Leogang - Fieberbrunn
What the arena can do
Leogang and Saalbach-Hinterglemm are probably the best-known bike destinations in Austria. A network of lifts connects the two high-calibre destinations and makes them a mega offer for bikers. Info bike.saalbach.com, bikepark.saalfelden-leogang.com
>>Read also "Flow trail for pure MTB enjoyment".<<
Must do!
Created in 2001, it is Austria's first bike park, which is why its creators here in Salzburger Land have plenty of experience. For a long time, the descents were only aimed at experienced park riders and downhillers (e.g. Flying Gangster, 448 m/3.2 km and the really good UCI downhill descent), but now there is also a wide range for flow and singletrail fans (Steinberg Line, 8 km/929 m). Enduro fans choose the Matzalm Trail with root passages and Northshore elements.
The Kohlmais lift takes you to the neighbouring valley of Saalbach-Hinterglemm, where five lifts take you up in all directions and various trail options. While the descents in the park appeal more to freeriders, less experienced riders are more likely to be drawn towards the flow routes, Bergstadl and Hacklberg Trail.
EMTB rating Saalbach - Leogang - Fieberbrunn
- Tour network: >400 km
- Park runs: 80 km
- Lifts: 9
- Downhill action: 5 out of 5 points
- Flowtrails: 4 out of 5 points
- Touring fun: 3 out of 5 points
- Landscape: 3 out of 5 points
PLUS: A large pump track and the trail extensions in nearby Fieberbrunn also make the region interesting for families with small children.
MINUS: Austria: There would be such great trails around the arena - unfortunately not officially permitted.
Summary of Saalbach - Leogang - Fieberbrunn:
In combination, the two regions are almost unbeatable. Flow routes, World Cup downhills and singletrail fun. More variety is hardly possible.
Statement by Stefan Frey, BIKE editor:
The BIKE Festival will be stopping off in Saalfelden-Leogang from 15 to 17 September. Here you can test brand new 2024 bikes for the first time!
The alternatives to the big bike parks
To the complete Bike Arena their offer is not yet sufficient, but they definitely offer trail material for a fun weekend: Sölden in Ötztal and Schladming on the Dachstein.
Bike-Republic Sölden
You can't build more flow trails into a high mountain slope. The Ötztal valley has spent millions on its 70 kilometre trail project. The easy but fun Gahe Line and the natural descent Leiterberg Trail are considered a must. If you are in Sölden for longer, you should try out the ten-kilometre epic ride Long-Trail-Ferner (experts only). However, there are hardly any classic park trails with high stunt density or classic downhill runs here. There are natural trails on the other side of the valley, but without a lift. Info bikerepublic.soelden.com
Schladming-Dachstein
The former hardcore downhill park in Styria was successfully relaunched in 2020. In addition to the selective World Cup downhills, there are now also challenging jumplines and creatively designed flow trails for beginners. Even us e-mountain bikers have been thought of: an almost seven-kilometre-long uphill trail winds its way up the mountain flanks (483 m difference in altitude). Enduro riders and single trail fans should definitely try out the trails on the Reiteralm, around 15 minutes by car from the bike park. What the arena is missing: trail laps around it. Info www.schladming-dachstein.at
You can find more articles on bike arenas and bike parks here:
