Bucket List alpine mountain bike trips
The call of the mountains is hard to miss, especially when you're truly high in alpine areas. Here's our bucket list of locations. What's on yours?
Have you got a hankering to pick up your bike and go ride some sweet trails that have been perfectly made for mountain biking? As we're coming into summer what better time to think of some bucket list locations we'd like to tick off.
With our writers and photographers hard at work getting some epic stories for our Alpine Issue in December, here's our bucket list of awesome places to ride up high. Some for now, and some truly bucket list options.
Falls Creek
If you're in Melbourne, Sydney or Canberra visiting Falls Creek is pretty achievable if you don't mind a drive. If you're from further afield – it's a bit further. But we really think it is worth the trip.
Falls Creek has some excellent World Trail singletrack like the super popular Flow Town, but if you like being up high in the mountains, that's just the start of it. With a network of trails that form a complex tapestry of singletrack, aquaduct trails and double track over the whole high country, Falls Creek is also the perfect launch destination for a big day out or alpine overnighter.
If you're keen on heading to Falls Creek, check out the resort website. With plenty of terrain to explore up there, we'd recommend staying for a few days – especially if you want to get the most out of your trip.
Mount Buller
Just 'across the valley' but a long drive away is Mt Buller. Buller were pretty early to the party in terms of building quality mountain bike trails in their resort, to attract riders for summer. And it works. The trails are all-class, built in a demanding environment and they reward skill, fitness and finesse.
If you just want to do DH runs there are 3 gravity trails, but Mt Buller has a lot more going on than that, with classic trails like Misty Twist and Gang Gangs, the Stonefly circuit and of course the only IMBA Epic trail in Australia, the Australian Epic Trail.
With plenty of descending to do, and climbing if you don't want to shuttle, Mt Buller also has views to die for from the village. There are few better places to sit and watch the sun rise, or go down. We tend to stay at one of the lodges that Andy's Fat Tyre Bike Lodges have open for booking.
What makes Mt Buller so special is how well settled in the trails are. They've been planned, built, ridden and are so settled in it feels like they have been there forever, clear of the machine marks and top 'show' soil of newer trails.
If you need details on trails – head to the Bike Buller wesbite. And don't miss the Shimano Bike Buller MTB Festival this March!
Thredbo – the home of gravity
Have you been to Thredbo in summer? It's the home of gravity riding in Australia, with a lift running with the easiest bike attachment we've seen, plus another lift that can open when demand needs it.
Thredbo have 3 trails from the top – the flow trail, Cannonball and of course the new all-mountain trail. Down in the valley there are XC trails around the village and the ever-popular Thredbo Valley Trail which runs down to Lake Crackenback and their trails around the resort. The trails are open to the public, plus it's a great place to grab lunch or a coffee.
One of the best things about visiting Thredbo is how close it is to other riding options. Be it down in Jindabyne, or out into the National Park via Dead Horse Gap. Thredbo also hosts some of the biggest MTB festivals in Australia, like Cannonball and the Super Enduro. You can check out their events on the Thredbo MTB website.Beyond Australia
Some of our favourite bucket list alpine destinations are beyond our borders – and as such are true bucket list alpine holidays. The appeal is immense – but the reality? Who is to say, you never know what will happen in the future. But here are some favourites.
The Lower Engadin Valley
The Lower Engadin Valley runs up from Austria until the Upper Engadin Valley. It's a long, winding valley with tall peaks either side. The tiny Rhaetische Bahn train runs through the valley, linking ancient towns via a series of tunnels and viaducts. But there are plenty of trails hidden in the hills as well.
If you base yourself in Scuol, you might have the best mix of an alpine mountain bike holiday and relaxing visit. Scuol is known for it's spring water, and with 4 different public fountains in the town, each with different qualities, it is a great town to experience a European spa town – plus there is a big spa facility of course.
There is lift-assisted riding, but the real jewel is the access to the high mountains, either pedalling up towards Pass d'Costainas, or through the Uina canyon and over to Italy. You can return on a bus.
Mountain biking in this area is best suited to explorers. If you like big days of pedalling, long days out in the alpine areas, long descents, hidden valleys, secret singletrack, plus great hotels and food – you'll love the lower Engadine Valley. If you're after more information on the area head to MySwitzerland.com
St Moritz and Pontresina
Who hasn't heard of St Moritz? Recently, more images have been appearing of the excellent mountain biking there. We visited last year and can attest that yes, it's as good as social media makes it look.
WIth about 400km of marked trails, that's only the start of the story. Unless a particular trail is closed to mountain bikers, you are allowed to ride any trail – if you can.
There are classic routes through big passes, and the Bernina Express is one such epic ride. If you prefer to get some help with gravity, you should check out the Corviglia Flow Trails. Using mountain trains to get to the top, the 3 different flow trails plummet back to St Moritz. This is some serious elevation drop, so make sure your brakes are up to it!
St Moritz not only has something for gravity riders, adventurers, family riders and beginners – it is also a true summer holiday location with great food, some of the best hotels in the world (and some excellent accommodation at every other price bracket) and with over 300 days of sunshine it's rare to get bad weather for your whole visit. Plus, if you stay more than two nights your mountain transport (for you and your bike) is included!
Get more details online.
Get rad in Greenland
If you really want an adventure off the beaten path – Greenland is a bucket list option. So why not ride the mighty Arctic circle trail in Greenland! You will ride a fatbike 170 km from glacier to coast, over frozen fjords and lakes. An expedition team makes sure you will sleep comfortably under the northern lights.
Trips take place in February and March 2018. More information about an unforgettable journey through winter wonderland can be found at www.fatbike-greenland.com.
Ride to one of the Seven Summits
Are you dreaming of standing on top of a seven summits mountain and then riding down on your bike? It's a pretty high-leve goal, but one you can actually do. Be one of the first mountain biker to summit Mount Kilimanjaro on a bike.
Be the one to downhill from the 5’895 m (19’341ft) peak to almost sea level. High altitude experts will make sure you are never out of breath. The next trip starts in October 2018. Find out more about the adventure of a lifetime at www.bike-kili.com
What else?
Well there are heaps more options. What about Park City? Or Engelberg? Grindelwald? Whistler? Aspen? Check out our Travel page for more options for mountain bike bucket list destinations – alpine or otherwsie.
