Pila was the first resort in the Aosta Valley to build a downhill track, located just 30 minutes through the Mt Blanc tunnel this one is a must. There are now some serious tracks here from the World Cup track to the European IXS track. Both are steep, fast and rocky with the ability to challenge the very best of riders.
Pila is also famous for its Rientro trail, an 11km monster that drops 1200m that runs from mid station down into the town of Aosta itself. With varied terrain from mud, dust, berms, roots, steps and so on this is one of the longest and most fun tracks we have ever ridden. Go to Pila, It’s rad.
There are some big hucks and big turns!
Key Facts
- 1 Telecabine & 1 Chairlift open all Summer
- 1 Chairlift open for access to Couis Ridgeline 4 weeks late *July - late August
- 8 Full time official downhill trails
- 3 Epic freeride trails*
- 2 hours from Morzine
- 7am depart Morzine
- 26€ daily lift ticket
- 60€ per person Day Trip public price
- 55€ per person Day Trip price if you are an Atlas Ride Co client
- 5 person minimum number to run a trip
- 16 person maximum capacity (advance booking required)
- Possible to stay for Pizza and a beer in Aosta!
Pila Trail Map
Not every trail is marked on the map. Though it's not necessary to hire a guide to ride the bike park. But if you want to ride all of the options outside of the park, and more a guide can definitely add to the awesome day out and make it really memorable. Our friends at Three Seasons Bike are on hand, drop us a message in the contact form below.
The views and trails beyond the bike park are just as amazing
What's the riding like?
The trails in Pila are fast, flowy and a lot of fun for most abilities and all types of riders. There are jumps and berms but they are not the purpose of the runs, every trail follows the natural flow of the hill and any feature is there to help this rather than show horned in. How many jumps? Not many, there are a few spots to go big but this is not Super Morzine. Please, unless you are as good or better than George Brannigan, don't send his berm-to-berm gap, the attempt-to-hospital ratio is high!
Speed is definitely a top characteristic of riding here, the trails are well maintained and have very few slow or awkward moments so it's balls to the wall most of the time!
The dirt is fine and breaks down into dust very quickly, it can be tricky to grip when it's been dry for a few weeks and spike tyres aren't the worst idea! This makes it slippy after fresh rainfall but it does dry out fast. Most of the rocks and roots are concentrated on the black runs, specifically on IXS track, which is a technical monster!
If you are a beginner, Pila is not the best place to come, the blue trails are good and you'll have fun. The long ride to town on the Rientro trail will be very hard work for you.
The Downhill tracks are wild!
Off Piste? Freeride? Ridgelines?
Yes, though there are not any 'off-piste' trails as everything is official, but the natural high alpine runs and the Rientro trail are awesome!
There are 2 features that are only accessible when the Couis 1 Chairlift is open, July 17th - August 18th. The famous ridgeline from the Couis peak at 2662m is a photographic opportunity and bike riding highlight not to be missed! The Desarpa zone and trail is a technical masterpiece that crisscrosses its way back to the main bike park through every type of terrain you could think of, open alpine turns, technical rocks, roots and loamy forest. All-time!
There is another awesome trail up past the lake (lago di Chamole) and toward the Col de Replan, quite easy to find. It's technical and you must be mindful of walkers but it is a really cool enduro bike route, not one for the downhill bike, as it has some pedalling to get to.
Rientro is the name of the trail that runs to the valley floor from the mid-station. It's famous and rightly so. With multiple options varying in difficulty, it's one you'll want to hit up again and again and is, without doubt, one of the best 'home run' trails in the world. Do it top to bottom and well, you're a hero.
Pila is our most popular day trip destination. It's often remarked as the best day clients have had on their bike, the memories don't go away fast!
Check out some of the action we've had here over the years
Check Ben Deakin's day with us in Pila Circa 2018
Pila Track Check - Rossa 2
Pila Track Check - Desarpa
We have been shredding Pila for as long as we've been in Morzine and have loved every single visit, it's been host to numerous end-of-season parties with the Atlas Ride Co crew for good reason! If you need any more convincing;
