Mountain biking and road cycling are very popular in the Alps and Valmeinier offers both with a good range of challenges for all abilities.
Mountain biking
There are three chairlifts open during the summer to take bikes (and people) up the mountain and one runs on each day, giving access to a wide uncrowded area and a couple of good mountain restaurants. You can also cycle or drive over to Valloire where there is a cable car that takes you up to another bike park. We chose to cycle over, ride the parks and then cycle back to Valmeinier – however we were on e-bikes so the climbs were easier. The trails vary from easier green runs to more technical red and black runs, whichever you do remember to bring your helmet and protective equipment!
We took a group of friends on e-Mtbs to the Alps, using our apartment as a base. The area around Valmeinier is lovely and they found many trails through the woods and down the mountain as well as riding in Valloire’s bike park. We also travelled to Morzine and Bardonecchia in Italy to experience their bike parks and made great use of having a relatively central base to branch out from.
Road cycling
This is even more popular and the road up the mountain from St Michel will often host cyclists that enjoy a challenge. The Tour de France has run through the nearby Col Du Galibier on various occasions. That is when you can see elaborate chalk messages drawn on the road to encourage riders. There are other road bike events through the summer and this years the 100km Marmotte race went by.
You can hire electric, road and mountain bikes in Valmeinier, along with scooters and mountain boards. We use Top Ski at Les Carrettes who we have found provide good service and well looked after bikes and equipment.