The Guiding

In our opinion, the guiding element is perhaps THE most important factor in getting the most from your holiday. Here at trailAddiction, we take this very seriously indeed. In fact, we PROMISE that we'll find you a SMALL guide group that fits well with your personal riding style and ability. If this doesn't work out for you, we'll even give you your own personal guide, just for yourself. (Yes, we really do have the capacity and resources to do this!).

You've come to Les Arcs to ride some of the best trails in Europe - and that's all very well... if your guide knows where they are. The best trails are often the ones that aren't marked out on the trail map, and this is especially true of Les Arcs. This is why we only use Guides that have already trained with us for at least one full season already - about the time it takes to impart a complete working knowledge of this extensive area. Of course, we also all know the sweetest lines, the secret hidden jumps and drops, the best spots to take in the breathaking views and the nicest cafés to grab a cheeky snack or well-earned drink at the end of the day.

Our guide groups are always small, and in that way, very personal. An average of 5-6 riders per guide means that you'll spend much more time in the saddle and a lot less time waiting for the rest of your group to catch up or to fix those inevitable punctures.

Mixed-Ability groups are no fun for anyone. This is why on the morning of the first day, we all ride local runs of easy to moderate difficulty, to give us a chance to see your riding style and ability and therefore arrange a guide group for you that will be right up your street. Of course, there are no hard-and-fast rules, if you find you don't like the group you end up in, you can swap about no problem. Similarly, if you just want to ride with your mates or partners, even if you do have to wait for them now and again, then we certainly won't be the ones to stop you. You are on holiday, after all - and the number one priority is having fun! This system works especially well for couples - allowing you to ride together some days, and other days, both in seperate groups of an ability matched to your own. No other operator in Les Arcs can offer this flexibilty of "tuning" each and every group - since the less established operators have only one or two groups to choose from. Why risk going anywhere else and getting stuck in a group that just doesn't suit you?

All of our mountain hosts know how to handle a bike, and for those that want it, bike handling tips or even informal riding skills sessions can be arranged. It really is up to you. The small groups will allow you plenty of time to chat to your host on the lifts and agree together what you'd like to do next. Of course, many of you don't want to have to think about all that - you just want to ride good trails! If that's the case, we'll be happy to lead you for days on end on the best trails you've likely ever ridden - all you have to do is shout when you've had enough!

If you are considering coming over on your own, don't worry about feeling left out - many of our guests are in the same position as you are. How better to meet a great bunch of like-minded riders? Be assured that by the end of the first day you'll have made a whole load of new friends, and be riding in a group that is well matched to your trail preference, confidence, and riding ability.

Guiding for Beginners
Riding in the Alps can be daunting at first, especially for inexperienced riders. We have lots of practise in dealing with beginners and we certainly don't just stick them in with a group of experienced riders. Please let us know at the time of booking if any of your group are a little low on confidence or trail riding experience. We organise special weeks to cater for such riders, since it is much more enjoyable to improve alongside riders of a simliar level. Our female guide, Leslie, has infinite patience and is always a hit with the ladies (and sometimes the gents too!). In the case of needing 1 on 1 tuition / guiding (because there simply isnt a group that fits your needs) we can provide this for a nominal additional daily charge of 50 euros per whole day. This is arranged as needed during your stay.

New for 2007 - Guiding available to non-package-holiday customers
Whilst we strongly believe the best way to experience the Les Arcs valley is to join us for a whole week's riding, we accept that sometimes you just don't have the time, or it doesnt fit with your other plans. We are now happy to offer a taster of the trailAddiction experience on a daily basis. We'll fit you in with riders of a similar ability, or provide you with your own guide if your standard/riding preference differs from the others.

Click here for details of non-package / Guiding-only prices

*Important note about Guiding - Any references to "Guiding" or "Guide" on this website refer to a service of detailed, dedicated, accompanied trail orientation (and skills training where applicable) by a fully qualified Guide. For Summer 2010, all of our guides will be qualified to MIAS level 3A (Alpine). This is the ONLY UK qualification currently available that is specifically valid in an Alpine environment. To clarify recent reckless claims we have seen on various websites and internet forums, the SMBLA guiding qualification (which incidently many of our guides also hold in addition to the more relevant MIAS Alpine award) is not recognised by the French Authorities nor is it tailored to an an Alpine environment (However we must stress that it is indeed a well respected valuable qualification. Its just a shame the French don't see it that way!). In actual fact, the French law on this is untested / unclear and it will be several years before a specific legal conclusion is forthcoming, if at all. As for any claims or hearsay to the contrary....well, we can only guess what motivation there might be for such scaremongering. ;-)

What we can say for certain, in the meantime, is this:
trailAddiction is the largest, most established operation in the whole Les Arcs area. Since 2002 we have arranged over 1000 lift passes via the local lift company. We have regular "trail access" meetings with the local major, the director of the lift company, the local French ski/MTB school and tourist the board. To that end, we even pay a voluntary contribution (per customer) towards ongoing "natural" trail maintenance in the area. We work hand in hand will all of the local authorities and as a result we operate nothing less than a thoroughly sustainable, professional, and fully authorised outfit. No other local operator does any of the above, as far as we know.

Finally, with regard to personal accident insurance, trailAddiction Ltd, as a responsible operator has always had full professional indemnity and liability insurance, to a limit of £1,000,000. (Not that we have ever had to use it!).