Calling all mountainbikers & Paraglider pilots how do you fancy a weeks holiday in the stunning French /swiss Alps just as two of the most extreme sporting Events of the year take place ?  Pass portes du Soleil  VTT (largest mnt bike event in the world ) & the Red bull Vertigo acro  competition.

Accomodation is in a First class private chalet in the picturesque Village of Chatel situated on the French /Swiss border which can sleep 16 + but for this trip a max of 9 persons so that your stay is made more comfortable.

Cost for one week accomodation plus one evening meal (mid wk ) with wine /beer , linen, local taxes is £160pp of which £10 is refundable after your return to cover any damages incurred by the group.

For those of you mtbers who have not been to the Alps before or ridden the Pass Portes du Soleil this is a must do , choose between many DH runs (world cup courses) in Les Gets , Morzine Chatel and Champery (the steepest anywhere in the world totally insane) Morgins, all serviced by cable cars , or try the new slopestyle course in Chatel with its 20ft drops, off camber slopes North shore style water crossings , The bike park with its jumps  ,sponge pit and North shore.Or for the more XC oriented riders follow the VTT sign posts which take you on a tour of Porte du Soleil zig-zagging the French /Swiss border with snow capped peaks and Mont Blanc (Europes highest mnt ) as a back drop.Plenty of places to eat and drink along the way ,bike shops for those spare parts should you need them . I will be cycling most days and will only be to happy for you to tag along and maybe explore some of the lesser known trails, i cant offer guiding as its illegal for me to do so (and most other English "guides" as it requires a 4yr course in mnt studies )The French are now clamping down and fining those that do so with out the qualification.

The Paraglider pilots amongst you will be hot footing it down over the Swiss side from Chatel to the town of Villeneuve stituated on the banks of Lac Leman(Lake Geneva) its only 33km or 25min drive from the Chalet, For the world famous Red Bull Vertigo acro comp, like me most of you will have only seen this on DVD or the internet, so seeing those guys tumbling, looping, SATs over the lake should be a real jaw dropper ! I will be giving up the mtb for aleast one day to watch the spectacle. Flying from the same take off as  the top guns  is possible I understand but a watery landing may follow !

Back in your home village of Chatel flying is possible i have flown here a few times and there is a school in the village where you can speak to the local s for the best take offs on the day, its also possible that a friend of mine who is resident (last 14 yrs) may do some guiding should he be around this summer ,he has plans to try something new this year , if not many of you will know Jacko (Wessex member ) well he has been living in the area for the past year or more and will only be to  happy to show/share all his favourite spots in Les Gets and Morzine of which there is an abundance of local schools who will give advice /lifts to take off for a few euros, just ask Jim coutts he came out couple of years ago and had a cracking time. The flying ranges from the full on Alpine flying to the early morning /late evening top 2 bottoms.

Should anyone fancy doing something different to their chosen sport then there is plenty going on white water rafting, rock climbing , hiking , Fantastic cable (a zippy wire running from one mnt to another  at 70mph crazy )Glacier skiing, swimming pool , spa baths (great if its wet , plus this is a gem of a place) canyoning, tandem paragliding (see Jacko) indoor water park (also good on wet days ) plus lots more .

Airport transfers are possible with local English guy I can find out cost once I know how many people require this service the mtbers in the group will generally have no need for a car other than to visit another resort at night, those paraglider pilots in the group will need a car and those flying into Geneva may I suggest you hire from the French side (cheaper) I can give you all the details once I know you are interested.

Some of you may wish to drive .From my house in Bournemouth to the chalet takes about 12hrs with just short breaks for fuel /food.

A £60 deposit (non refundable) is required, balance payable 6wks prior to Departure. There needs to be 9 people to take up this offer should I not get 9 people then all deposits will be returned in full i am hoping to get 9 confirmed asap as all interested parties will need to sort travel arrangements, I will be driving and may have one or two places should you require it share costs.

The accomodation will be from sat 28 June 08 - sat 5 July 08.

Any Questions please feel free to ask .

Regards

Lawrence