Alpine Heros Chalet – French Alps
We’ve just spent a great few days hanging out in the Alpine Heros Chalet near Alpe D’Huez in the French Alps
Alpine Heros have just taken over a chalet on the fringes of the iconic Alpe D’Huez and are offering a range of options for all sorts of bike riders. Alex and his partner Laney took over the place in June and are putting together a masterplan. Having worked as chalet hosts and bike guides in Morzine and Chamonix over the last few years they have some great ideas to make the chalet and their guests stays as good as possible.
The chalet is based just down the hill from Auris en Oisans, one of the satellite villages of Alpe D’Huez, and with Les Deux Alpes under 30 minutes away as well you are in prime position to take in two of the Southern Alps greatest bike areas. The chalet is dead easy to get to, just ten minutes from the main road from Grenoble to Briancon, or 15 if you drive in along the EPIC balcony road. A five minute drive from the chalet puts you into Auris where a lift will link you into the d’Huez bike area, as well as having its own runs – some untouched green, blue and red runs that mix smooth berms and flowing lines – a really pleasant change from dirty breaking bump ridden main lines.
From Auris, Alex our Host, showed us the home run back to the chalet – a mix of tight switchbacks and flat out open sections, all with a stunning view. The paths link together well, and add in the massive range of lift serviced DH, XC and Enduro trails in the area you could easily spend a week riding and not scratch the surface!
The chalet itself is superbly set up to cope with large groups of outdoor people – a big secure garage, plenty of parking, awesome showers and a massive communal area all make life more comfortable. With beds for 18 people, and space for 22(!) round the enormous dining table you could bring a whole gang of people, or just a few of you. Alex and Laney are really flexible and happy to put together packages to suit everyone including a few nights bed and breakfast or self catered all the way up to fully catered luxury weeks.
Further developments are planned for the chalet including a fully stocked workshop area, hot-tub on the deck and building links with bike companies to offer demo rides. If you are looking for an alternative to the (mandatory) week in Morzine, then you need to give these guys a shout.
http://www.alpineheros.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AlpineHeros
