1. LA PALMA / CANARY ISLANDS / SPAIN
La Palma is our number one winter destination because, firstly, it's uncomplicated - hop on the plane and head out into the sun. Just the view of the sea and volcanic mountains and the beguiling scent of pine make any winter depression fizzle out. Secondly: the trails. The Canary Island has a high density of flowing fun trails. They wind their way through lunar landscapes, lava hills, jungles, scree slopes and pine forests. And the temperatures are just right for biking. It could hardly be better. Our tip: book an all-round carefree package, i.e. flight, transfer, accommodation, shuttle and guide. This guarantees a week of full bike action (cost: approx. 1200 euros).
> Journey: approx. 4 hours flight.
- Temperature: 21 degrees (January)
- Recommended bike: Enduro trails: undulating, alpine, flowing, technical-steep, sandy trails - it's all there.
- What else is possible? Diving, paragliding, hiking, swimming
- Provider: e.g. www.AtlanticCycling.de
2. CALIFORNIA / USA
The name says it all: California! This is the birthplace of mountain biking. The south in particular ("It never rains in Southern California") is a safe bet for bikers in winter. The scene is strong, the trail network densely woven - and many of the spots and trails can be reached without a shuttle. Some consider the coastal town of Laguna Beach to be one of the best biking areas in the world. Big names in the scene such as Hans Rey, Brian Lopes and Richie Schley live here. And many Canadian superstars seek asylum in the "Sunshine State" during the dreary winter months. Route 66, Hollywood, Santa Monica Boulevard or climbing, surfing, stand-up paddling, deep-sea fishing - "you name it!" - there are plenty of alternatives to biking in California. Side effect: English skills are polished up.
> Journey: 12 hours flight.
- Temperature: 18 degrees (January)
- Recommended bike: Enduro
- Trails: All variations
- What else is possible? Everything! ("Yes, we can")
3. FINALE LIGURE / ITALY
"Bolzano is dead, long live Finale!" we cheered after discovering the flow trails on the Mediterranean. After many years of frosty rum blocking in South Tyrol, we enjoyed the milder climate of the small coastal town and moved our FREERIDE tests 500 kilometres further south. The region is particularly charming in the off-season. The trails are quite unique in Europe. Here you will find classics such as the flowing "H-Trail". There are no cable cars, everything is organised via bookable shuttle buses. Tip: Check the weather. In crazy winters, snow falls even at higher altitudes in Finale and unfortunately it doesn't get really cosy in January either.
> Journey: approx. 7 hours by car from Munich
- Temperature: 10 degrees (January)
- Recommended bike: Enduro to Big Bike
- Trails: Challenging, fast, steep, sometimes technical downhill descents. From flowing to rough
- What else is possible? Sipping a cappuccino
- Provider: e.g. www.finaleligure-bikeresort.com
4. MADEIRA / PORTUGAL
On Madeira (nickname: "the flower island") it's eternal spring. That's a statement! No wonder that the Atlantic island off the coast of Portugal has once again been voted the number one island destination in Europe by tourism experts. Mountains and sea - an unbeatable combination. There is also wild nature, many vegetation zones (from jungle to steppe) and specially designed freeride trails (most prominent example: the "Vicious Path"). Disadvantage: Pleasure tours and discovery trips on your own are difficult due to the rough topography. Our tip: book organised shuttle packages; the locals know their way around and show you the best trails on the island. For around 650 euros (without flight), you get 7 nights in luxury accommodation, shuttle and guiding.
> Journey: approx. 4 hours flight.
- Temperature: 17 degrees (January)
- Recommended bike: Enduro to Big Bike.
- Trails: Mainly challenging, fast, steep, sometimes technical downhill runs
- What else is possible? Diving, surfing
- Provider: e.g. www.bikulture.com
5. SICILY / ITALY
It's actually strange that Sicily is so overshadowed by the attention. Yet you can freeride on the largest island in the Mediterranean 365 days a year. Impressive: the volcano Etna at 3340 metres high - covered in snow in winter! While the sun really heats up further down. Here too, an all-inclusive package is the most sensible way to ride the best trails in a short space of time. The guys from Tri-RideMTB specialise in freeriding and know the island's treasures. They also offer shuttling here, as often only shepherd's paths lead up the mountains, too winding to crank up by bike yourself.
> Journey: approx. 2 hours flight
- Temperature: 14 degrees (January)
- Recommended bike: Enduro to Big Bike
- Trails: Mainly enduro descents, but there are also technical downhills
- What else is possible? Culture, stand-up paddling, swimming, Dolce Vita
- Provider: e.g. www.tri-ridemtb.com
6. ISRAEL / WEST BANK
Culture, history, contrasts and flowing trails through a barren landscape that has remained virtually unchanged for thousands of years. You have to see Israel - and the bike is the best "medium" to experience the Holy Land (Israel Report ). You can go on your own or easily via tour operators who put together individual packages.
> Journey: 4 hours flight
- Temperature: 18 degrees (January)
- Recommended bike: Enduro
- Trails: Flowing, sometimes technical desert trails
- What else is possible? Culture, swimming, nightlife
- Provider: e.g. www.sababike.com
7. LATSCH / VINSCHGAU / ITALY
Ingenious: The Vinschgau Valley seals off rain clouds with a high wall of mountains - just like the spaceship Enterprise defends itself against Klingons with its protective shield. There's no getting through. To put it plainly: it rarely rains here and the sun shines all the time. When the rest of the Alps are drowning in snow and mud, freeriders (already or still) surf in the Vinschgau Valley, e.g. on the St. Martins Trail - and at moderate temperatures, as the sunny slopes heat up quickly. Tip: Check the weather and shred trails when others are moping!
> Journey: 3.5 hours by car from Munich
- Temperature: 8 degrees (January)
- Recommended bike: Enduro
- Trails: Challenging with much more flow than Lago or Bolzano
- What else is possible? Wellness at the Jagdhof, Laces
8. CORSICA / FRANCE
All-round carefree? Not here. Corsica is a wild island, the trails are hidden and want to be discovered. In the off-season, Corsica is particularly unadorned and harsh. Many restaurants and hotels are closed, so you'll find yourself on your own in places that would be packed in summer. You have to like that, just like the mostly very demanding, often blocked trails in the north. In the gentler south, on the other hand, there is more trail flow and many a "tuned" descent with jumps and drops. If you don't want to use the trail and error method on site, you should do some research on the internet before travelling.
> Journey: approx. 7 hours by car from Munich to Livorno or Savona, then ferry
- Temperature: 10 degrees (January)
- Recommended bike: Enduro
- Trails: Rocky, stony, sometimes very technical
- What else is possible? Windsurfing and kitesurfing, surfing
9. MALAGA / SPAIN
The English downhill stars swear by it. Steve Peat, Danny Hart, Gee Atherton etc. regularly flee the English rain and fog and head to Andalusia to train in winter. It rarely rains here and the sun shines most of the time - a desirable contrast to the weather forecast at home! The trails are challenging, often stony and rocky.
> Journey: approx. 22 hours by car or 3 hours flight
- Temperature: 16 degrees (January)
- Recommended bike: Enduro to Big Bike
- Trails: Rocky, stony, sandy - technical downhill descents throughout
- What else is possible? Bathing for the hardy, nightlife
- Provider: e.g. www.switch-backsdh.com
10. LAKE GARDA / ITALY
Yes, it's true: We usually diss the good old Lago. Too steep up, too bumpy down, no flow etc. And yet we're happy every time we see it lying there, so beautifully blue below and the Bella Vita smiling up at us. Eating ice cream, sipping a cappuccino, squinting in the sun and doing a bit of biking - that's how the bike season can end or begin. It's also easy: you can get there quickly and everything looks familiar in Europe's oldest biking region. That's why we had to put Lago at least at the bottom of our list! Two more reasons: If you've never ridden the "601", you can't call yourself a freerider, and if you don't know the descent from Tremalzo, you can't say anything!
> Journey: approx. 4 hours by car from Munich.
- Temperature: 7 degrees (January)
- Recommended bike: Enduro
- Trails: Blocky, bumpy
- What else is possible? Bella Vita
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
