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.

Shop Full Suspension Mountain Bikes

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)

We shouldn’t need to say this but head safety is something we should all take seriously. Prepare for the worst and ride in a way that you won’t need to find out how important it is.

Knee pads (minimum)

Taking a tumble without knee pads is unpleasant, pack them, wear them, appreciate them when you come off.

Elbow pads if you’re riding steeper terrain

Similar to the above, Elbow pads, if you’re hitting big features or tackling terrain you aren’t used to could prevent your trip from ending early but some of us here at Wheelbase don’t run them daily.

Goggles for dust and speed

You have to be able to see where you’re going. There’s more dust in the alps than you might think.

Gloves with good bar feel

You wear them at home, you’ll need them abroad. Long descents, overhanging trees, mixed weather… pack some gloves. Arm pump is real.

Body armour if you’re hitting bigger features

If the pros wear chest and back protectors, chances are you should be too. It’s unfamiliar terrain, you’ll want to be sending it. Prepare for the worst. (Probably not needed if you’re cruising flowy single track though)

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)

You’re favourite contact point choice might not be available in the limited shops available to you. Pack a spare.

2x sets of brake pads

You might think you’ll be flying down the tracks but chances are your brakes will be on more than they won’t be, you’ll burn through pads in no time. Keep some spares on you to avoid not being able to stop.

Spare derailleur hanger (or Transmission spares)

This one is a bit more technical and not a must have BUT if you hit the deck, your derailleur is the component most likely to cause you issues when you start riding again.

Tubeless plugs and sealant (inner tube as a last resort too)

It’s inevitble that you’ll pick up a thorn or brush a sharp rock, plugs for the mountain side to get you down with some fresh sealant at your accommodation to ensure the trips not over too soon.

Multi‑tool and chain breaker

Basic bike maintenance tools are important in the U.K, let alone abroad. This one is a no brainer.

Pump and shock pump

You’ll want/ appreciate the best set up possible. You don’t want to be 10 mins in to a run and find out your pressures are all off. Take them up to the top or leave them at your accommodation, just make sure to set your bike up right. The air pressure from flying will be all over the place.

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6. Clothing for Long Days

Weather changes fast in the Alps. Pack:

Lightweight waterproof

Weather higher up can be different to where you’re staying, a lightweight waterproof will be handing at the top of the chairlift when you start your descent in the clouds.

Breathable riding jersey

Riding all day can be taxing, the heat, mixed with the physical output of tackling these routes means you’ll get sweaty. You’ll appreciate the airflow a breathable jersey offers.

Durable shorts

Branches and twigs, dirt, carrying your bike, you’ll encouter it all, a strong pair of shorts designed to be ridden hard is a must. Your football shorts won’t cut it.

Base layers for cold mornings

Similar to a lightweight waterproof, a base layer will keep your core warm before the riding starts. Windchill up high is a real thing too.

Plenty of socks

Dust, puddles, dare we say chain lube? Just pack plenty of socks, your feet are going to be under pressure and a fresh set for dinner will feel amazing.

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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.

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8. BONUS TIPS

If you’ve made it this far then you deserve a few bonus tips, provided by our MTB Guru, Chris.

Wrap all your riding gear around your frame for transit, this will protect your frame and drop the weight for those pesky airline fees.
Consider an airtag in your bike box, if your bike has frame storage – whack it in there! This is also nice for peace of mind when you’re enjoying a cold beverage.
Don’t forget to deflate your tyres and remove CO2 cartridges. – You can’t fly with CO2. (Consider this pump instead)

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.

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