Video: The Story Behind the Trails in La Grave, France

Mar 18, 2023
by Dakine  

Ptor Spricenieks enjoys some airtime in a fully loaded 40L pack. Photo by Morgan Bodet
Ptor Spricenieks, a legendary ski mountaineer and La Grave trail builder, sends it with a loaded 40L Builder Pack.

Photo by Morgan Bodet
Pascal Vallin tests out his latest creation. Photo by Morgan Bodet
Pascal Vallin, the President of L'association de velo alternatif de La Grave (AVAG). He digs, he rides.

The 40L pack is ideal for big projects accessed on foot Photo by Morgan Bodet
Photo by Morgan Bodet
Ptor Spricenieks hikes into the build zone with the 40L Builder Pack.


Ptor Spricenieks with a fully loaded 40L Builder Pack. Photo by Morgan Bodet
Power tools, hand tools, fuel, food, water and more, the 40L Builder Pack is a beast.

Photo by Morgan Bodet
Pascal Vallin works on the lower section. Photo by Morgan Bodet

Pascal Vallin heads home after a long day of trail work. Photo by Morgan Bodet
Pascal Vallin enjoys the ride home in the 25L Builder Pack.

Vinny T rides the tech alpine trails of La Grave. Photo Morgan Bodet
Vinny T tests out the new zone.

The build crew rides to the zone Photo by Morgan Bodet
THIS IS LA GRAVE
Photo by Morgan Bodet

The 40L Builder Pack also has room for a baguette. Photo by Morgan Bodet
The outer fuel pockets work well for baguettes too.

25L Builder Pack
25L Builder Pack
The all new 25L Builder Pack

25L Builder Pack
25L Builder Pack
Flatbed chassis with anchors allows for multiple configurations, and the expandable, removeable floating cargo pocket fits large power tools.



40L Builder Pack
40L Builder Pack
The redesigned 40L Builder Pack

40L Builder Pack
40L Builder Pack
The 40L Builder Pack features multiple storage pockets for tools, water, fuel, and first aid and converts to flatbed for construction bucket carry

Cinematography: Maxime Rambaud
Photos: Morgan Bodet
Editing: Tyler Malay/Workhorse Collective

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12 Comments
  • 14 0
 La Grave, where steep takes on a whole new definition. I knew it on skis and crampons from my youth, tried it on the bike last summer, it makes our PNW steeps look flat. Amazing experience starting on the glacier and dropping 7,000ft to the valley. Alpine, chunky, raw awesomeness. Thanks for showing what went into building those crazy trails.
  • 6 0
 “Natural” style trails in the Alps are amazing. 220mm discs needed.
  • 2 0
 @BarneyStinson: or skills Wink
  • 1 0
 @enforce: AND skills
  • 5 0
 La grave is definitively a must to ride in the Alps. Amazing trails in amazing scenery. Not for the intermediate and beginners. To be done when it's dry because when wet some sections in the forest are terrible with peanut butter mud and very steep sections. I have a day planned over in July.
  • 3 0
 Been there a couple years ago. I've been riding all over Europe and thought I could handle some steep terrain. I was wrong. It was a wet day, I was scared shitless from top to bottom on my trail bike. Insanely steep and technical. Best scenery ever though, would love to come again on a dry day and on a bigger bike.
  • 5 0
 Legend has it that he's Stihl out there.
  • 1 0
 In 2008 I was doing a season and was in Les Deux Alpes for a week. I was chatting with the locals who recommended the 'technical' trails at La Grave. We were in for a surprise, back then with no maintenance the walking tracks we rode were super challenging due to the loose surface and high consequences.

I've been going back to La Grave every few years since then and I really appreciate the trail maintenance in recent years. I'll never forget speaking to a local who was happy to see riders enjoying the mountain, he said "Bring your friends but make sure they're good!"


This video doesn't do the difficulty justice.... www.pinkbike.com/video/417060
  • 1 0
 I Felt intimidated by these "super steep" comments, checked out a few videos... a super nice place. Hard to ride - for sure need to be a confident MTBer, but claiming this is more intense than western Canada or PNW is BS.

Also - did I just watch 5 min backpack commercial? Dakine better have lifetime warranty on this
  • 1 0
 La Grave is mental, soooo techinical and completely beyond the skills of most. love seeing this footage
  • 1 0
 Nice commercial
  • 1 1
 Had deja vu looking at this article, same bag from the Dakine article 6 days ago.







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