The Mountain Bike Chalet is run by Tris, Bryony, Mansell, Lucy and Sarah.
Mansell
For as long as I can remember bikes have been a huge part of my life. Over time I learnt that not only was it the sport but the locations that really drew me in. I decided to take some time out before University to live in British Columbia, Canada. It was there in the summer that I truly fell in love with the sport and all its aspects, especially the technical and challenging side that lures so many. The following three summers I spent living between the French Alps and BC, as well as many trips to UK Downhill courses as possible. I would live out of vans or stay on people’s floors just so that I could ride and race some of the best tracks in the world with old and new friends.
Even though I have raced traditional ‘short course’ downhill and 4x I have realised that enduro style downhill events are a fantastic addition to our sport as there is simply so much more riding to be done in one event as well as a larger emphasis on fitness and skill rather than relying on adrenaline. I have raced in the Crankworx Garbonzo DH, Fort William Enduro DH, Avalanche Enduro as well as some specialist local events such as the Stella DH challenge (please ask for details!).
Having lived and worked in Peisey-Nancroix, part of the Paradiski region of the French Alps, since the summer of 2009 I have realised this is where I want to base myself due to abundance of amazing varied, natural terrain and the welcoming people who also are lucky enough to call this region home.
I am a MIAS level 3 Alpine Mountain Bike Instructor, hold my Trail Cycle
Leader (TCL), Mountain Bike Leader Award (MBLA), completed Whistler Instructor development Program (IDP), fully certified Adventure First Aid Trained and Registered with British Cycling
Lucy
Like a lot of kids, I grew up roaring around the countryside on my bike. My dad is a very keen cyclist and would always encourage us to get out on our bikes. For me, biking had been a mode of transportation as much as anything else and it wasn’t really until I got to university that I was introduced to the world of Mountain biking! It didn’t take long for me to become completely hooked. I had always been pretty sporty and had traveled the world bungy jumping, sky diving, rafting and skiing just looking for that incredible adrenalin filled buzz, so when I first tried DH it was pretty much love! With the support of my dad (and my student loan) I bought my first full suss bike and started joining the boys on a lot of the Uni trips.
I first went out to the Alps to bike in 2007 and was absolutely blown away by the beauty of the mountains in the summer. I was also pushed to my limits at that time by the steepness of the terrain and the length of the descents! It was a huge learning curve, but one that really opened my eyes to what can done on these bikes and where the sport can take you. For me the next place was Whistler. While I was recovering from a knee injury I was encouraged to get a bike and do as much cycling as possible. While I am pretty sure my physio did not mean in the bike park, I just couldn’t resist. I was lucky enough to make some really good friends and have some great tuition which helped push me and my capabilities; by the end of the summer our group of girls could rip down the likes of A line or Dirt Merchant pretty confidently.
After that summer it was back to the Alps, I spent last summer absorbed in the INCREDIBLE amount of riding this area has to offer. I rode almost everyday and still had more trails to discover. There really is an endless amount of amazing riding in Les Arc and it suits all kinds of riders. My experience in Whistler had been of beautifully built and maintained DH trails so I found the variety of completely natural single track here a great challenge. The area has some incredibly technical riding, some of the most impossibly tight switchback sections and trails so steep you can barely climb up them. However, the great things with having such a huge expansive area is that you can also find a chilled alpine meadow section and lovely flowing, open descents where it’s the views that take your breath away. I love living and riding here and am so excited to be able to share this with other people. To be able to share the excitement of the trails and the discovery of this largely untapped area is a great privilege and I feel VERY lucky
Bryony
After seven winters working and snow boarding in Les Arcs, starting off as a chalet girl and then retraining to be a massage therapist, I decided to try a summer out here and helped host The Mountain Bike Chalet for the 2010 season. It may have been the best thing I have done in years: the summer out here was amazing - this village is stunning in every way: the scenery; the community; the fun to be had both in and out of the saddle. Having been introduced to mountain biking in something of a baptism of fire and wet roots, I am now excited at the prospect of being hooked on another much more expensive hobby. My bank balance, on the other hand, is somewhat dismayed.
Tris
Ten or twenty years ago I became addicted to mountain sports and life in the hills. I spent every penny I had satisfying the craving, and at some point bought an old barn in Les Arcs. It is this old barn that I am proud to call The Mountain Bike Chalet. I hope that you enjoy your stay with us, if you don't you can let my tyres down.
Even though I have raced traditional ‘short course’ downhill and 4x I have realised that enduro style downhill events are a fantastic addition to our sport as there is simply so much more riding to be done in one event as well as a larger emphasis on fitness and skill rather than relying on adrenaline. I have raced in the Crankworx Garbonzo DH, Fort William Enduro DH, Avalanche Enduro as well as some specialist local events such as the Stella DH challenge (please ask for details!). 
