Ski-Biking in Alpe d'Huez
Trade in your skis and hop on a ski-bike (snow scoot)
Alpe d’Huez is clearly the Mecca of road cycling and when the Megavalanche is on mountain biking takes over here in resort every summer.
Well why not try ski-biking (sometimes referred to as a “snow-scooter”) when you are here on holiday in Alpe d’Huez.
It may look like a kids tricycle strapped on to a snowboard, but these ski-bikes really are state of the art, including front shocks, just like those on a hard tailed mountain bike. In fact the set up is pretty similar, with steering controlled by a set of handlebars, with the front forks connected to a small “snowboard” that is independent to the rear “board” and provides steering.
You operate the ski-bike is a flexed knee standing position, using your upper body for balance.
Richard 3 Sports up at the DMC lift station (105 Rue du Pic Blanc – the top end of town) hire these really cool ski-bikes – they cost 45€ for a whole day or 30€ for a half day.
You attach your self to the ski-bike by means of a leash (similar to that on a surf board) so if you fall off you don’t have to worry about the bike hurtling off without you.
The lower slopes of the DMC (Les Jeux green run etc) are the ideal place to try this out. Firstly they're right next to the hire shop, secondly you can jump in the DMC gondola car with the ski-bike and thirdly the slopes down from the DMC mid-station aren’t too steep to begin with either.
Just remember much as they may handle and steer like a bike there are no brake levers to pull on to slow down!!!! You slow down and stop in a similar principle to that of a parallel stop in skiing, or that a normal snowboard stop, or turn up the fall line to reduce your speed.
Further information can be obtained from Richard 3 Sports directly.
