Verbier to Zermatt Bike Tour: MTB in the Swiss Alps

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, local MTB guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 8-day Verbier to Zermatt bike tour (6 days of biking)
    • Accommodation for 7 nights (3 nights at the guide’s bike chalet, 3 nights at quality hotels, 1 night in a mountain hut)
    • Almost all meals (as indicated in the itinerary)
      • Breakfasts
      • Daily lunch packs
      • Snacks on arrival at the hotel
      • Dinner on 4 nights
    • All lifts and transport as described in the itinerary
    • Luggage transport and technical assistance
    • Souvenir t-shirt

  Add-ons (available to add at checkout):

  • • Bike rental (Specialized Stumpjumper / Enduro)
    • Single room occupancy
    • Zermatt heli bike on Day 7

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to Switzerland
    • Dinners on 3 nights
    • Drinks
    • Geneva Airport transfers — can be arranged, let us know if interested
    • Any extra lift passes
    • Personal expenses
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Insurance — mandatory, available to add at checkout
• How fit do I need to be?

  All participants joining this Verbier to Zermatt bike tour need to be experienced mountain bikers with great fitness. You’ll cover 34.5-61 km (21.5-38 miles) daily, between 800 to 1,470 m (2,625-4,820 ft) of elevation gain. Day-by-day distance and elevation breakdown can be found in the itinerary.

  In general, this tour is for those who love technical trails and have experience in the alpine terrain. You have to be in full control of all kinds of singletracks, dry and wet, up and down. Technically steep terrain with stone drops, rough roots, and tight turns don’t hold you back. You can ride small drops (<30 cm) and occasionally try a little jump. You have to be comfortable to ride with exposure and you know when to walk if riding is too difficult or dangerous.

  This bike tour is perfect for you if you ride red and black MTB runs in bike parks. Overall, you have to be able to ride for 6 days in a row, tackle up to 1,470 m (4,280 ft) of elevation gain in a day, and cover daily distances from the itinerary.

• What if I’ve never mountain biked before?

  This Verbier to Zermatt bike tours is meant for experienced riders with great fitness. If you’ve never tried mountain biking before, then this tour isn’t for you.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Comfortable riding or athletic clothing, preferably moisture wicking or synthetic material
    • Duffel bag or suitcase for all of your items (daily luggage transfer included)
    • Mountain bike (rental available for an additional fee)
    • Daypack large enough to carry all the items you might need during one day
    • Sneakers or sport shoes
    • Breathable outside layer or jacket
    • Sunglasses
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder
    • Leisure clothing for your free time
    • Biking gloves — optional but recommended
    • Regular mountain bike helmet
    • Flexible knee and elbow pads — optional
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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• What kind of bike will I need?

  For this Verbier to Zermatt bike tour, your bike should be in excellent condition for this trip.

  • • A full-suspension setup with 130–150 mm travel and gearing suited for steep climbs is highly recommended.
    • Opt for the lightest gears possible: on 2×11 setups, a 22 or 24 chainring with a 42 cassette; on 1×11 or 1×12, a 28 or 30 chainring (most stock setups use 32 or 34, which can be too heavy). When in doubt, go easier—you’ll be glad you did.
    • For tires, choose a wider option of at least 2.3” with an all-round tread; lightweight XC tires won’t be suitable.
    • A dropper seat post is strongly recommended, or at least a simple way to lower your saddle manually.

  If you’d like to skip the hassle of bringing your own bike, you can rent one with your guides at booking—and they’ll set you up with a specialized Stumpjumper/Enduro bike!

• What about the food?

  Your guides pay special attention to food on this tour! Almost all meals are included (apart from three dinners). Breakfast and dinners will be enjoyed at the hotel each day and you’ll get a packed lunch to take with you every day. You’ll also have time to enjoy a cold drink or some snacks along the way.

  Your guides will do their best to accommodate special dietary requirements, but please let us know what you need upon booking. Your guides promote vegetarian diets from a sustainability point of view and they’ll serve vegetarian meals for 2 dinners.

  It’s recommended that everyone brings their own energy bars and powders, as you know best what you might need. This goes especially for people with certain allergies or intolerance.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this Verbier to Zermatt bike tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 7:1. That’s also the maximum group size.
    • Private tours for any date are possible to arrange with at least 7 clients.

  Verbier to Zermatt bike tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Verbier to Zermatt bike tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has bikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your Verbier to Zermatt bike tour is Verbier. To get there, most people fly into Geneva Airport (GVA), which is 2 hours away. From there, you can take a train ride to Verbier. The train ride is incredibly scenic, it goes along the shore of Lake Geneva via Martigny to Le Chable train station. A bike in a box or a bag goes with you for free.

  Your guides will welcome you at the Le Chable train station and take you to their bike chalet, which is where you’ll stay for the next 3 nights.

  There’s also the option of your guides picking you up from Geneva Airport (and dropping you off at the end of the trip). Let us know if you’re interested upon booking.

• Safety measures and insurance

  Medical/accident insurance covering medical costs and mountain rescue is mandatory. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits 

  Secure your spot either by paying in full or with a 50% deposit! The remaining 50% of the trip price must be paid 120 days prior to departure, at the latest. If booking within 120 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 120 or more days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 119 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
    • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period.