Training Camp Dates and Pricing
This Training Camp will run from April 24th – 16th May and from the 12th – 27th June.
You can choose to stay for 2 nights or for 2 weeks. Plus you can choose your level of accommodation with options between a luxury chalet or a 3-star hotel.
Chalet B&B
CHF 100 / night shared occupancy standard room*
CHF 175 / night single occupancy standard room
3-Star hotel B&B
CHF 115 / night shared occupancy *
CHF 185 / night single occupancy
*when booking shared occupancy must have travel partner at time of booking
Either email us directly or use the contact form below to get in touch to book your dates for the camp. Group discounts are available.
Overview
Prepare for the cycling season at our spring training camp based in Samoëns on the iconic Col de Joux Plane.
With guided rides leaving everyday you can come and test yourself on some classic Tour de France climbs, get some massive base miles in with a ride around Lake Geneva and hit some super steep climbs in the valley to really work your VO2 max.
With either B&B Chalet or 3-star hotel accommodation to choose from there are options for all budgets.
Highlights
- Ride famous Tour de France Climbs: Col de Joux Plane, Col de la Colombière and the Col de la Ramaz
- Cycling the magnificent dead end road to Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval
- Discovering quiet little known climbs such as the Joux Verte and Col d’Encrenaz
Typical weekly itinerary
Each day the guided ride will leave the village at 9:30am and depending on the route we’ll either be back in time for lunch in the village, or a quick boulangerie stop will be built into the ride.
Of course this is your training camp and you can decide to ride your own route - we’re always on hand to advise the best roads and routes for your specific training needs.
Once back at the accommodation your time is your own to wander around the village, shop, or simply relax and get ready for the next day. The chalet accommodation has a kitchen so you can prepare your own dinner, or there are numerous restaurants to try in the village if you’re staying at the hotel.
This is a ride that never strays too far from our home base in Samoëns but can pack quite a punch in terms of climbing.
With six climbs including the beautiful Cirque-du-fer-a-Cheval and the brutal ascent up to Samoëns 1600 this route may make you wish you’d stayed in bed.
But because you’re never to far from home it is very flexible and you can remove climbs to tailor your effort to what you feel up to that day.
A real climbing double header today – with two giant ascents back to back.
First up you’ll ride the classic Col de Joux Plane, whose constantly changing gradient will test your legs – and whose stunning views of Mont Blanc will take your breath away.
After a coffee at the top we’ll swoop back down into the valley, cross the river Giffre and head up the climb to Samoëns 1600.
This climb is the evil twin of the Joux Plane, with stretches above 11% you’ll be happy to reach the top, and you’ll be rewarded with incredible views towards the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval.
This route takes you into a hidden gem of the Haute Savoie. The Vallée Verte features a set of incredible climbs on deserted roads where you’ll feel you’ve stepped back in time.
With six hills on the agenda, you’re always climbing or descending, whilst getting glimpses over to Lac Léman or back towards the Mont Blanc massif.
The Col de Pierre Carré was most recently the site of a time trial in the Tour de l’Avenir, and is one of the longest climbs in the region. From the bottom in Balme the climb measures almost 21 kilometres at an average gradient of 6.3%. This is the route over to the ski resort of Flaine and is open year round.
We head back to the Giffre valley via the beautiful balcony road from Arâches-les-Frasses and you’ll enjoy the flat run back to Samoëns after the huge climb to the col.
Today is the biggest climbing day of the week, totalling over 2000m of elevation. The day starts with a nice warm up down the valley to Taninges and we begin the climbing with the road up to Rond which you did on Monday. From the top we pick up the main road over the Col des Gets and down to Montriond and the foot of the Col de Joux Verte. This is a beautiful, quiet climb, taking us up to the ski station of Avoriaz. We pass by the “goat village” of Les Lindarets which is always special. Dropping down again to Morzine we approach your final climb of the day.
Less climbing and more miles today as we head along the Giffre valley and drop over and down into the Arve Valley. The Arve flows from Chamonix all the way to Geneva and the section we’ll ride beside is blessed with a fantastic bike path.
We ride all the way to Sallanches (site of the 2027 World Championships) where we’ll climb up the famous Cote de Domancy before heading back down the river.
Once back in Cluses we’ll climb up and over into the Giffre valley and spin back to Samoëns.
This route takes you over to the other side of the Arve valley and up a climb that is gaining in renown.
The road up to the Plateau de Solaison has featured in recent years in both the Criterium de Dauphine and the Tour de France. It is a tough climb measuring almost 12 kilometres at 8.4%.
The route winds its way back via the foot of the Mole, and up through Mieussy back into the Giffre valley.
Sundays are often a day for an excursion in the van. We often take a trip down to Annecy, or over to Lac Leman for a Tour du Lac (180km). We can also head closer to Geneva and do a few climb of the legendary Mont Salève.
Package
Includes
- B&B in Chalet or in a 3-star hotel in central Samoëns
- Daily rides with knowledgeable guides every day
- Great breakfast
- Route files to upload to your devices
- Experienced mechanic (with full set of tools)
- Bike wash
Excludes
- Travel to Samoëns (we can arrange a transfer from Geneva airport)
- Sports massage (available at additional cost)
- Lunch, evening meals and drinks
- Travel, medical and cancellation Insurance
- Bike rental (can be arranged)
- Excursions to other locations (can be arranged at additional cost)
FAQs
General
The training camp and our guided daily rides are designed to kickstart your fitness and get you some serious altitude early in the European cycling season. Being based in Samoëns gives us the advantage of relatively lower passes meaning there’s no issue with cols still being closed in May.
Each daily route will offer good distances and elevation - and of course you still have the option of a quieter (or bigger) day if that’s what you need. Our guides are there to advise on what will best suit your objectives for the time you are with us. We can also arrange sports massage for you in the evenings for when you need that little bit of extra recovery.
You can climb classic Tour de France climbs such as the Col de Joux Plane, the Col de la Colombière and the Plateau de Solaison. You will also get to see the beautiful Cirque de Fer a Cheval in Sixt and experience super quiet local climbs where you will hardly see a car.
All in all, this is the perfect camp for those who want to train in the mountains, and profit from the surrounding valleys to get in some serious mileage.
You can choose from Chalet accommodation on the route of the Col de Joux Plane or 3-star hotel accommodation in Samoëns village.
The modern chalet (built in 2021) is situated just off the Col de Joux Plane, a 2.5km ride from the village, and has magnificent views out across the valley. It has a fully equipped kitchen, secure bike storage, and a shared bathroom. There is a bookable suite on the top floor with a double bed and ensuite shower room.
The hotel is a family run 3-star establishment with an on-site restaurant and swimming pool. There is secure bike storage and is located a minutes walk from the middle of Samoëns.
If you are looking for an opportunity to ride some serious distance and climb some alpine cols early in the season then this camp is ideal. You can come for 2 nights or 2 weeks, and ride with our guides or, if you have your own training plans, you can get our advice on the routes that would suit you best.
We always tailor our daily rides to who is staying with us and what they want to get out of the day, so whether you’re a relatively new cyclist who wants to come experience the mountains, or a seasoned rider looking to put in a good training block, this camp will work for you.
You can find an exhaustive packing list here.
Borne Cycling was established with one simple goal: to enable cyclists like you to see some of the world’s most spectacular roads.
We use our knowledge and experience to give you a cycling tour that will live long in the memory. We also make your tour as comfortable and worry free as possible, leaving you free to concentrate on the important stuff.
All you have to do is turn the pedals.
