Evolve Switzerland MTB
Mountain Bike Camp

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Overview
Itinerary
Inclusions
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EVOLVE SWITZERLAND Mountain bike camp

How much do you love mountain-biking uphill? Yeah, we're not so hot on it either. That's why we canceled Evolve Do Lots Of Stuff Uphill and launched Evolve Switzerland, an intense downhill-focused mountain-biking adventure for anyone who wants to improve their DH skills or already thinks at a 30 degree decline.

Not to toot our own horn, but we're basically boss when it comes to performance XC, all-mountain, DH and freeride mountain biking trips. We like to think it's because we're so cute, but it's probably because we recruit experienced locals to sniff out the most thrilling and unforgettable rides, and staff your trip with professional Big Mountain guides and local riders. We want this to be as awesome for you as possible, and after the failure of Evolve Do Lots of Stuff Uphill we have something to prove.

Day 1: Take off

You'll depart for Geneva, kicking your jealous friends and loved ones off your legs before you step onto the plane.

Day 2: Touch down

Arrive in Geneva straight into the arms of your Evolve Tours guide and the rest of your new friends. We'll take a train up the Rhone Valley and into the legendary Alps and Zermatt. The afternoon will be spent setting up our bikes, reviewing riding skills, and going over safety details like "do not start singing 'The hills are alive!' like the nun from The Sound of Music or it's no Swiss chocolate for you". We'll stay over at our Zermatt hotel.

Day 3: Gornergrat

We'll board the death-defyingly safe Gonergrat cog railway that hauls us up 3100 meters (10,171 feet) with sweeping views of Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn, and quite possibly Jupiter. Then we'll be heard shrieking "Wheeee!" as we ride back to Zermatt for lunch before a second ride.

Day 4: Sunnegga & Rothorn

We'll start by riding Sunnegga, the underground funicular (which is what happens when an elevator mates with a train) before switching to the Blauherd gondola (which is what happens when a porch swing mates with a telephone pole) and finally the Rothorn cable car (which is just a cable car). Now that we're ten thousand feet up again, we'll enjoy long downride rides on an incredible network of singletrack descents.

Day 5: Geibundepass

This morning we'll pedal down the valley from Zermatt through the towns of Tasch, St. Nicholas, Kapeltran and Stalden, spreading our merry cheer along the way. In Stalden we'll take a 1.5 hour lift to Gspon, one of those awesome mountain villages where you're like "no way can people actually live here without falling off". We'll then ride the Geibundepass in a long, sweeping descent all the way to bustling Brig for dinner. Bonus points if you ride right into our restaurant table. Then we'll walk all the way back while meditating on advanced mathematics - no, wait, we'll just take the train.

Day 6: Ski or Snowboard

Before man invented the wheel, he traveled the world on skis or snowboards. We think. In any case, we'll head to the mountain for a day on the snow. Note: you'll foot the tab for your rented skis or snowboard.

Day 7: Mystery Bag

Gornergrat? Rothorn? We'll choose our favorite ride and head back there for our last sweet session.

Day 8: Geneva

This trip wouldn't be complete if you couldn't casually say things to your current or future crushes like "Oh, when I was in Geneva..." so we'll spend the day exploring this beautiful city. We'll also ditch our Zermatt hotel for one in Old Geneva tonight.

Day 9: Home

We'll escort you to your flight home with a magnificent goodbye hug.

Activities Included in your trip

Mountain Biking in Zermatt

Downhill Mountain Biking coaching

Bike maintenance workshops

Expert coaching and guiding

Hiking

Accommodations:

Hotels: 3 Star Hotel

Evolve Tour Staff

1 Evolve Coach

2 Local guides

Meals

Breakfast and Dinner Daily

Snacks and other items to be purchased by campers

Transportation:

Private transportation for duration of stay in Zermatt

Local Language study

Learn basic Italian, German and French. Enough to get you by on the mountains...

Activity Level

The technical ability required for Swiss Bliss Zermatt is rated as ' strong intermediate and above.' In other words, the trails are technically challenging at times with exposed riding. There are long descents each day. For fitness level, participants don't need to be uber-fit, but just fit. Eventhough we will be riding many lifts and stopping quite often (to enjoy the view, eat and drink, wait for others, etc) – the altitude, jet lag recovery and accumulation of multiple, long days of riding will add up. The beauty about this trip is that you can elect to take a morning off, or a full day, anytime.*This trip has lots of downhills and only some climbing on a few days!

Mountain Biking

The perfect bike for this trip is all mountain dual suspension with disc brakes. As we are doing lots of descending, make sure to ask us about tips on improving your bike for this type of riding (shorter stem, fat tires etc). All participants are required to have their bikes in excellent working order before the trip begins. We will send you a detailed list of required equipment and clothing before departure.*We can source a limited number of rental bikes for approx $85 per day. Please inquire with us.

Climate

In big mountains, weather can change quickly and drastically - it could be 30 degrees celcius one day and then nearly freezing on a mountain top the next day. Eventough it's summertime and most often warm and sunny, we must be prepared for all of the above (even snow!). Generally though the weather during the summer in Zermatt is hot and sunny.

Accommodation

During Swiss Bliss Zermatt we stay at a quaint hotel near the center of town for 6 nights. Step out your door to restaurants, web cafes, spas, museums and more. We'll eat at various restaurants in town and enjoy idylic Zermatt to its fullest. We'll also spend another night in the heart of Geneva's Old Town.

TRIP AT A GLANCE

Dates: July 28 to August 5

Ages: 13 to 18 (Adult groups avaliable)

Cost: $2199 + Airfare

Length: 10 Days

Activites: Mountain Biking, Trail riding, Geneva Tour, Hiking, Expert coaching, workshops, photo and video analysis, cultural exchange, basic language workshops,

Testimonials

“Is there any words to describe the trip? Awesome, fantastic, surprising, superb, adventurous? Anyway, I loved every second of it and it will remain in my head for years to come. Thanks for guiding us into those magnificent spots. Definitely the best trails in the world. Keep up the great work!