We chatted to the team on the ground in Morzine to get up to speed on the plans for managing Le Pléney and the trails further afield.
There’s been plenty of hearsay going around about what is actually happening with the infamous Le Pléney off-piste trails.
The situation is complex. Private landowners, overcrowding on the trails and the increase in off-piste riding (singles), access for the mountain security team in the event of accidents, and a huge increase in popularity is causing issues with water run-off, landslides and conflict with the trails spilling directly onto the road.
Riding off the marked trails has always been forbidden in France. A blind eye approach has been taken previously, however the situation has come to head where something needs to be done to protect the forest / mountain floor and keep it safe for everyone involved…
Whilst an official press release is inbound, below is what we know, direct from the management group that includes the director of the bike park.
A major campaign is being prepared to regulate mountain biking in our mountains. It is being carried out across the region, in consultation with the tourist offices and leisure centers of Morzine and Avoriaz, as well as the neighboring municipalities of Les Gets, Montriond, and Verchaix.
The overarching message is that we must respect The Mountain to ensure the future of Le Pléney and the trails beyond.
Objectives:
- Preserve the forest
- Allow emergency services to intervene
- Protect private land
- Encourage sharing of trails between pedestrians and mountain bikers
- Organize traffic in the village
The lowdown.
Whilst lots of riders love to go off the main marked trails and find their own singles down the mountain, across all the regions, this kind of activity can have quite strong adverse effects. Prolonged disruption to the forest floor creates a looser base that enhances landslides and water gushing when it rains… have you seen the displacement on the roads due to this?
Many riders have also taken to riding the off-piste singletrack and then dropped into the road from Les Gets to Morzine, which we all know is incredibly dangerous. So… the teams that manage the area have started to plan a campaign to ensure we stabilise the mountain and ensure its future is great for everyone.
Take a look at the new Summer Trail Map here. You can see clearly the marked areas where riding off-piste is forbidden. We ask you all, as awesome mountain lovers, to respect this.
The future.
The Bikepark officials are working to develop new official trails that are diverse and well-maintained to meet riders’ expectations while limiting off-piste riding. A site visit took place on Wednesday, June 4, at the Pléney Ski / MTB area, attended by elected officials and representatives from the Haut-Chablais Community of Municipalities, the municipalities of Les Gets and Morzine, and representatives from the leisure area.
“We want to build a sustainable future for mountain biking, ensuring respectful coexistence between all users while protecting our environment. So that our mountains remain an exceptional playground for everyone, today and tomorrow.”
The new campaign will be rolled out this season with the support of freeride ambassadors and tourism stakeholders. More info to come as soon as we hear it, we will report it to you.
Together we will secure the future of Le Pléney. Thank you to the Morzine Avoriaz Office Tourisme and the Morzine Mairie for updates.
