Get Bike Park Ready | You’re MTB Holiday Essentials

A summer in the Alps is hard to beat. Big mountains, long descents, chairlifts on tap and trail networks that make UK riding feel tiny. If you’re heading to the classic spots, a bit of prep goes a long way. The terrain is steeper, the speeds are higher and the days are longer. Your kit needs to match it.

Between the office and our stores, the team has done a lot of Alpine trips over the years. Morzine weeks, Les Gets weekends, La Thuile road trips and a few “we probably shouldn’t have ridden that” moments. After plenty of chairlift laps, broken tyres, cooked brakes and long days on the hill, a few patterns always come up. The same bits of kit make the biggest difference, and the same mistakes catch people out. What follows is a mix of experience, hard lessons and the things our staff now pack every single time.

What You Need to Bring – And Why

1. A Bike Built for Real Mountains

Alpine riding is long, fast and rough. You want:

Long‑travel suspension for support on big descents
Strong wheels and tyres for rock strikes and braking bumps
Powerful brakes for long, steep runs
Modern geometry for stability at speed

We have highlighted the bikes at the bottom of this guide that we have in stock that would be perfect. If you’re looking for something different, just make sure you’re looking for long travel, grippy tyres and full functioning, powerful 4 piston brakes.

2. Tyres That Can Handle It

Alpine bike parks destroy tyres. You need:

Double Down / Gravity / DH casings
Soft compounds for grip on dust, roots and rock
Aggressive tread like Assegai, Minion DHR II, Magic Mary, Kryptotal.

If you normally run trail casings in the UK, upgrade before you go.

Shop Tyres | Shop Kryptotal |

3. Brakes That Don’t Fade

Long descents heat rotors fast. Look for:

200 mm rotors front and rear
4‑piston calipers
Fresh metallic pads before you travel

Maven, Code, Saint and MT7 are common choices for Alpine trips.

4. Protective Gear

Bike parks mean higher speeds and bigger consequences. Pack:

Full‑face helmet (mandatory in many parks)
Knee pads (minimum)
Elbow pads if you’re riding steeper terrain
Goggles for dust and speed
Gloves with good bar feel
Body armour if you’re hitting bigger features

Shop Full Face MTB Helmets | Shop Body Protection | Shop Gloves

5. Spares and Tools

Shops exist in resort, but they’re expensive and often busy. Bring:

2x spare tyres (DD or DH casing)
2x sets of brake pads
Spare derailleur hanger (or Transmission spares)
Tubeless plugs and sealant
Multi‑tool and chain breaker
Pump and shock pump

Shop Maintenance & Tools

6. Clothing for Long Days

Weather changes fast in the Alps. Pack:

Lightweight waterproof
Breathable riding jersey
Durable shorts
Base layers for cold mornings
Plenty of socks

Shop MTB Clothing

7. Traveling With Your Bike

Transporting your bike safely is crucial to avoid disappointment when it arrives at your destination. Many riders use bike travel bags designed to fit in the boot of a car or for airline travel. These bags offer structured protection and reduce the risk of damage.

While some people opt for cardboard boxes, these require excessive extra internal packaging to protect your bike and are prone to damage during transit. A dedicated bike travel bag is more durable, easier to handle, and provides peace of mind.

When packing your bike:

Use a quality bike travel bag with padding and secure straps.
Remove or protect delicate parts like pedals, handlebars, and wheels.
Consider additional foam or bubble wrap for extra protection inside the bag.
Label your bag clearly if flying, and check airline policies for bike transport.

Investing in proper bike travel gear helps ensure your bike arrives ready to ride, avoiding costly repairs or delays.

Shop Luggage

Once you’ve sorted your bike, protective gear and spares, you’re set for some of the best riding of your life. The Alps reward good preparation, and the right kit makes every run smoother and generally a lot more fun.