Areches-Beaufort ("Destination X")
A HUGE NEW PLAYGROUND OF WORLD-CLASS ALPINE SINGLETRACK, FINALLY UNLOCKED.
New from Summer 2011, and in full operation in Areches-Beaufort as of 2012: we bring you groundbreaking, huge-scale, gravity-fuelled backcountry epics on hundreds of kilometres of untouched (and unknown about!) singletrack in the vast Western foothills of Mont Blanc.
As many of you know, we've been riding the legendary singletrack of Les Arcs and the Tarentaise Valley since Spring 2003; that's 9 full seasons. We love the place because we don't think it can be beaten for the quality, quantity or variety of the trails on offer, nor for the trail accessibility (i.e. how good the lift system is!).
Despite this, our own trail-scouting curiosities as well as demand from 2, 3 and 4-time trailAddiction past customers to ride even newer, even less known-about trails was enough to set us off sniffing out new places to rival Les Arcs a couple of years back. As such, we've been beavering away over the past few Springs, Summers and Autumns to compile an all-new Les Arcs-equalling experience for the seasoned Alpine singletrack veteran. Finally in Summer 2011, it was time to peel the wrapping paper off the "Destination X" project, ARECHES-BEAUFORT.
We think Destination X is about as good as it gets, but don't just take our word for it, see what SINGLETRACK MAGAZINE had to say about the area after their recent visit (feature in Singletrack Issue 70, Winter 2011/2012)
Watch the videos for a taster, and see the "Q&A" details below for more information about the area...
Q&A
So where is it?
Areches-Beaufort (or simply "The Beaufortain") is a basin and surrounding Massif, situated to the Western side of Mont Blanc in the French Alps. It is a huge area which is, as yet, largely unknown about for mountain biking.
What are the trails like? how do they compare to Les Arcs?
Honestly: mind-blowingly good. Hugely exhilerating natural singletrack trails which wind down through the pastures and pine forests, and seem to go on for a very long time! It could be argued that Areches-Beaufort is slightly less rocky and slightly more rooty than Les Arcs. Either way, it's very fast, and a massive amount of fun.
But is there really as MUCH riding as in Les Arcs?
So far, whilst our Areches-Beaufort trail repertoire is comfortably enough for about 3 weeks worth of riding without really repeating a trail, it's of course not quite up to the volume of what we have to show for our 9 seasons in Les Arcs. Scanning the 1:25000 maps though, we're confident that it's going to keep on giving for a very long while yet. What's really exciting about Destination X's location is that it's situated half-way between two quite well lift-served areas, giving huge scope for longer "gravity backcountry" daytrip missions.
Are there lifts? How much pedalling is there compared to Les Arcs?
Whilst there are number of very useful chairlifts which we use to gain height and access singletrack in Areches-Beaufort area, there isn't fully integrated Summer lift network (like e.g. in Les Arcs). This arguably enhances the unspoilt nature of the area. One advantage of Areches-Beaufort over anywhere else we've previously ridden is the area's well organised and innovative coach shuttle system. This service which provides four daily pickups from the valley floor (as low as 350m!), subsequently serves the main villages (750m and 1000m respectively) and then the top of one of the main peaks (2000m), giving HUGE vertical and endless "gravity backcountry" possibilities.
Due to there being less operational lifts than in Les Arcs, Areches-Beaufort does require more human-powered ascent than on a typical lift-assisted Les Arcs week. However, the above mentioned regular bus service is extremely useful for sweeping us up from the huge rides to the valley floor which, overall, results in less pedalling than on, say, one of our Les Arcs Backcountry Special weeks.
How much do the lifts and buses cost?
A flat rate of €80 for the week (€16 per day of guided riding).
What's are the accommodation and meal arrangments?
We eat and sleep at a clean, comfortable and above all very friendly hotel in the centre of the main village. The food is excellent, varied and plentiful and there's lots of space to store your bike and equipment safely.
What's the price of a week?
See full price and package details here. As per our Les Arcs packages, the price includes 7 nights of ensuite accommodation (2 people per room), 3 meals per day (EVERY day, no staff night off!), and 5 full days of trail guiding. As with Les Arcs, airport transfers are an additional £20 each way, if required.
When do I arrive and depart? What are the 2012 dates?
As per trailAddiction Les Arcs, Arêches-Beaufort weeks are Saturday to Saturday. The dates for 2012 are identical to trailAddiction Les Arcs lift-accessed weeks, see here i.e. the first week of the the 2012 season commences Saturday 30th June 2012; the final week commences Saturday 20th August 2011.
How does one get there?
Arêches-Beaufort is 2 hours' road transfer from Geneva Airport (so a bit closer to Geneva than Les Arcs is). So, if you plan to fly, book a flight arriving between 11:00 and 15:00... for your departure Saturday, book a flight leaving Geneva after 12:00 noon.
For those planning to drive, it's 8-9 hours from Calais, and driving directions will of course be provided by email.
If there's something else you'd like to know about our Arêches-Beaufort ("Destination X") operation, please don't hesitate to get in touch!