Thinking about a 3-4 week speed riding holiday in France in Feburary or March. I will be travelling alone or maybe with my wife. Will be travelling from New Zealand and would like to do as many days as possible so any advise or suggestions would be apprieciated from locals or anybody that has done a similar holiday. I have been speed riding for 2 seasons in NZ and done 30-35 days and am hanging out for some long runs with good terrain. I have never been to France and would like to get 20-25 days riding in weather permitting. 2 or 3 different resorts and was thinking Tignes and Chamonix. Are these the best resorts? Have been doing a bit of research on the net but some info is hard to obtain so ive got a few questions. Here goes:
I have a paragliding lisense but is there any thing I must have to speed ride in France. eg Insurance?
Whats the weather like round this time of year? Whens the best time with regards to weather, crowds and holidays etc?
What resorts are the best in terms of terrain, length of run, and vertical descent. Good nite life with reasonable cheap accommadation. Is there back packer type of accomadation at these resorts and if not what are the best options? Is it better to book accomadation or can you just rock up and there would be plenty of budget accomadation available? Any rough esstimates on accomadation prices per nite per person?
Do multi day lift passes have to be used on consecutive days. For example, can you use a 6 day pass over 10 days if weather is shite?
Would I be wise to explore more resorts if in france for 30 days or so and any suggestions on other good resorts that allow speed riding and things to do and see if weather is no good?
I will be arriving and departing via London. What is the best way to get to the alps and by which city from london is the most conveinent?
Any suggestions on good long intermediate type of runs to begin for first couple of days?
Well thats about it for now. As said at the top, and advise or suggestions would be very much apprieciated.
Hamish