Verbier/La Tzoumaz Bikepark 2011 season recap

If you have a lift, there is potential for a bike park. Take a look at what Verbier has been up to with their lift access area over the past few years.If you have a lift, there is potential for a bike park. Take a look at what Verbier has been up to with their lift access area over the past few years.
Since 2010 the organisation Promobike Verbier/St-Bernard, under the direction of Fabrice Tirefort aka "Trifon", is in charge of the mountain bike development in the area. The responsibility covers XC, Enduro, Downhill and Dirt. Trifon took over the task of managing and developing the Bikepark four years ago and during this time has had a number of obstacles to overcome from Communal to State level before he was able to start building DH trails. Fortunately the hard work and patience has paid off as he has seen three trails built in 2010, two more in 2011 and has big plans for the next few years. The Bikepark currently has five trails of three different levels; two red, two black and one blue. Hopefully four new trails will be built for 2012, three red and one blue. These are still in the planning stage, keep an eye on the Bikepark site for updates.

The existing trails are enjoyed and appreciated by the advanced and expert riders who visit the bike park. However they are quite a challenge for the less experienced rider, this is all set to change from 2012 when all abilities will be catered for.

In the following movie, you can get an idea of the trails and their individual characteristics:



01. "Tire's Fire" - Yellow trail - advanced/expert - Start : 2'108 m. / Finish : 1'535 m. / Elevation : 573 m. / Length : 2,29 km / Feature : This trail is the official downhill race track used for the European DH cup. It is very long, with all kinds of terrain and challenges. It is very hard physically and has very good grip in muddy conditions. Headcam video



02. "Tsopu" - Blue trail - beginners - Start : 2'188 m. / Finish : 1'780 m./ Elevation : 408 m./ Length : 2,45 km / Feature : Perfect for beginners this is the easiest trail in the Verbier Bikepark. It features lots of berms and little jumps. This trail still has small challenges, but without the need for a full dh bike. The trail is fun for all levels to ride smoothly, do some fun jumps and to ride in a train with your friends. Headcam video


03. "Tu çuci" - Red trail - advanced - Start : 2'160 m. / Finish : 1'520 m. / Elevation : 660 m. / Length : 1.06 km / Feature : This is the track for the Freerider/Freestyler with two long jumps series and a big northshore section including a big 180° wall ride. Headcam video



04. "Wouaïy" - Red trail - advanced - Start : 2'147m. / Finish : 1'623 m. / Elevation : 524 m. / Length : 2,23 km / Feature : Our longest trail in "ride time". This track looks like a walking trail with all biking elements such as berms, jumps and shore. It starts off steep with some tight switch-backs then is flatter with jumps, shore and then ends with a ski slalom style berm section. Headcam video


05. "Woooohhh" - Black trail - expert- Start : 1'705 m. / Finish : 1'575 m. / Elevation : 130 m. / Length : 0.6 km / Feature : This trail makes the most of all the best elements of the natural terrain. Is a slower more technical track through rocks and roots in the middle of a beautiful forest landscape. Headcam video


Trails 01, 02 and 04 have a timed section using the Freelap system. These timed sections are good for training or fun to do as challenges with friends. The Freelap watches are available for sale or for rent at the Téléverbier ticket counters at the gondola station in Médran.

Also new this year is the Verbier Mountain Bike School offering downhill biking courses for those wanting to get into downhill biking or for more experienced bikers seeking to improve their skills. Courses go from half-day group initiation courses to private lessons. Also on the menu are competition courses taught by a World Cup riders to teach you the ropes and improve your performance of competition biking : tweaking your bike, finding the ideal line, training technique, etc.

The other developments planned are on the enduro trails It is a main point of the future work, to have a some enduro trails around the valley of Bagnes and Entremont.

You can follow us on Verbierbikepark Pinkbike's page, on our webite: verbierbikepark.ch or on facebook.com/verbierlatzoumazbikepark

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