MTB (or VTT in French) has a long history in Les 2 Alpes and the resort has hosted the Mondial du VTT (World of MTB) since 1999. The four-day event (30th June – 3rd July 2011) gives visitors a chance to test the season’s new equipment, watch downhill and freestyle events and chat to professionals from all the major brands. Marking the start of the European MTB season, you can check out the video from 2010 event here.

Once the tents and trailers are packed away, MTB enthusiasts stay for the rest of the summer, riding the resort’s 127km of marked trails. You should be warned though, mountain biking on an actual mountain is very different from mountain biking in the UK and not everyone is prepared for the change in gradient! Despite this, Les 2 Alpes does its best to offer something for everyone in its 36 trails (20 downhill and 16 cross country), including 7 Greens, 12 Blues, 12 Reds and 5 Blacks (click here for the trail map).

The second highlight of Les 2 Alpes‘ MTB season – for amateurs and professionals alike – is the Mountain of Hell. The race starts on the glacier at 3200m, finishing in the village of Venosc 2,500m below and the course is just 25km long! Last year’s winner knocked a whopping eight minutes off the record and finished the course in 39 minutes.

The event takes place on 15th-17th July 2011 but make sure you take a look at last year’s video and coverage before signing up…

For more information and videos from Les 2 Alpes, click here.