Another season is now well underway at Riders Retreat in Morzine, this being our tenth year in business here. The changing vast trail network keeps us coming back year on year to ride here and we can’t see that stopping anytime soon.

This season has been largely dry with just the occasional wet spell providing a respite from the dust. However, when it rains here it really does pour, and so out come the spikes and the waterproofs. We’ve been using the Madison Flux jackets for such an occasion, which have been amazingly waterproof and cut in just the right way to cover all of the important parts without being overly baggy. The neckline is particularly comfortable, resting just under the helmet and fleece lined for ultimate comfort.

One of our favourite places to visit from Morzine is Pila, around 2 hours away. The trails here are built and maintained superbly and you can usually guarantee sunshine and dust. The Saracen Mysts have been riding well here enabling us to rail the perfectly made corners and kicking up roost on nearly every turn.

It’s not all about downhill in the Portes du Soleil. The Saracen Ariel has been brought out on regular occasions and enables you to get away from the hustle and bustle of the lift queues and to areas not many visitors to the region get to see.

The Madison Flux Delux shorts have been used for both trail riding and downhill. They are possibly slightly on the light side for downhill, but with the temperatures out here and the ventilation offered by the shorts they have been a welcome addition to the armoury.

The Flux Singletrack gloves have been used on all occasions. With a comfortable soft palm and thin back they have proved ideal for long hot days on the bike. Padding where it’s needed, but still thin and light enough to not get sweaty palms.

There’s been lots of trail development in the region this year, not so much with brand new tracks (there are one or two new ones) but a large proportion of the existing tracks have received tweaks, better corners, new jumps and generally riding well.

Chatel in particular is receiving much attention from the trail building crew and is still among the best places to visit in the Portes du Soleil.