from
145.- CHF
duration
1 day
technical level
3,5/4
fit level
3/4
Highlights
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10'000 m of descent in one day
The number you never reach on a normal day, saved for the longest days of the year.
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Minimum waiting, maximum descending
Years of fine-tuning to cut transfer times: you ride, you don't sit around in the van.
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Trails that change with every run
Technical between the larches, fast on the pastures, a bit of rock to spice it up: every descent has its own character.
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The Solstice concept, by Exoride
The first MTB shuttle operator in Switzerland to run this format, refined season after season.
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Only a few sessions a year
The format only runs around the solstice, and the shuttle seats go quickly.
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Your longest day on the bike, guaranteed
60 km
100 m
10'000 m+
Back to MartignyClimb into the Exo'bus at first light, for a day of enduro shuttles making the most of the longest days of the year. The stated goal: over 10'000 m of vertical drop on the counter, which means you'll be coming down from the top far more often than you go up.
Over the years, we've refined this format, unique in Switzerland, to link even more great trails with a minimum of time between runs. The result: a day built for riding, not for waiting in the van or pushing your bike. The tracks change and so do the moods, from technical between the larches to fast and open on the pastures, with a bit of rock now and then to spice up the descent.
Your guide, a Swiss Cycling certified instructor and still an active racer, picks the sectors according to the conditions and runs the group smoothly, for maximum rhythm from the first to the last run. Whether you come alone, with friends or as a team, you'll ride with people who have the same thing in mind: making the most of the Solstice.
The day ends the way it should, around a cold beer on us before heading back to Martigny.
Ready for your longest day on the bike? Change your brake pads, get your legs ready and book your spot: Solstice sessions go fast every year.
What's included
- Local professional MTB guide, Swiss Cycling certified (fr/en/de)
- All transfers in a dedicated shuttle (Exo'bus), to and from Martigny
- Around ten rotations during the day, from sunrise to sunset
- Mechanical support and spare bike
- Riding tips
- The end-of-day beer
- Souvenir photos
Not included
- MTB or e-bike and protection rental (optional, in the registration form)
- Packed lunch, snacks and drinks for the day
- Personal insurance
- Tips
- Anything not listed under « Included »
Your bike
Over 10'000 m of vertical drop in a single day: that's three normal rides in one, and your gear has to go the distance.
The bike
- Full-suspension MTB or e-bike, 150 to 180 mm of travel, fully serviced the day before (no DH bikes or dual-crown forks)
- Mixed-terrain tyres, 2.4" or wider, reinforced casings, set up tubeless with fresh sealant
- Dropper post
- New brake pads, no exceptions, 200 mm rotors recommended
- Charged battery if e-bike
Spare parts
- 1 compatible derailleur hanger
- 1 inner tube
- 2 sets of brake pads
- 1 quick link matching your chain
No suitable bike? We offer MTB or e-bike rental, to be booked in the registration form.
Your gear
On you
- Open-face MTB helmet or helmet with removable chin bar
- Sunglasses
- Knee pads (elbow pads recommended)
- Long-finger gloves
- Bike clothes suited to the weather, plus a change of kit to leave in the van
In the backpack (or hip pack with a separate back protector)
- Back protector
- Rain-resistant windbreaker and a warm layer: we start early and finish late
- Repair kit: tyre levers, tubeless plugs, multitool, chain tool, pump or CO2 cartridges
- First-aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Packed lunch, bars and drinks for a long day: bring plenty, you'll burn far more than usual
- Charged mobile phone
We meet the Exo'bus at every rotation: you can leave food, spare kit and anything you don't need for the descent in it.
Required level
The Solstice is rated 3/4, but it's above all a question of endurance: over 10'000 m of vertical drop, from morning to evening, on varied alpine singletracks. You need an advanced level, ease on technical terrain and, most of all, the ability to stay focused and take the hits right through to the last run.
Is this your first shuttle day? Start with a level 2/4 day or a standard 3/4 day, and save the Solstice for next season.
Location and times
A very early start from Martigny and a late evening return: the day follows the sun, that's the whole point. The exact place and time, along with the chosen sectors, are confirmed with the practical details after registration.
Meals
Bring plenty: on a day like this you burn far more than usual. Packed lunch, bars, drinks and a spare stash to leave in the Exo'bus, which we meet at every rotation. Bottles can be refilled regularly during the day.
Climate
The Solstice is ridden in the best conditions of the year, but we start early and finish late: temperatures change a lot between the first and the last run. A windbreaker and a warm layer are essential. If the weather is really bad, the day is moved to another session in the period.
Safety
Small group, professional Swiss Cycling guide, checked gear, a briefing before every descent, mandatory protection. On such a long day, fatigue is the real risk factor: the guide runs the group smoothly, calls the breaks that are needed and adapts the programme if necessary.
Ready to ride?
Convinced? Solstice sessions only come round once a year and shuttle seats are limited: hit the registration button and book yours.
Riding with us often? The Exo'Pass gives you ten shuttle days for the price of eight.
Want to ride the Solstice just with your group? We also run this format privately: send us your request.
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How is this different from a regular shuttle day?
The length and the volume: we set off at first light and finish at dusk, for over 10'000 m of vertical drop, against 5'000 on a normal day. Transfers are streamlined to the maximum and the pace stays high from the first run to the last.
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How many riders per group?
A small group, in a dedicated shuttle: enough for the atmosphere, few enough to keep the rotations quick and nobody waiting.
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Do I need a particular level?
Level 3/4, and above all endurance: the trails are varied, with gradient, roots and rock, but it's the repetition of the descents that makes it hard. New to shuttles? Start with a level 2/4 day.
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How should I prepare physically?
Arrive rested and hydrated, and bring enough food for the whole day. Preparation counts as much as technical level here: on a Solstice, it's the forearms, the legs and the concentration that give in first.
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What extra gear should I bring?
New brake pads at the start and a spare set, a bike serviced the day before, and everything to fix a mechanical. The full list is in the gear tab.
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Can I come with an e-bike?
Yes. Bring a battery in good health and your charger: recharging happens during transfers and the lunch break. As the van does the climbing, MTBs and e-bikes ride together without any problem.
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Can I rent a bike?
Yes, MTB or e-bike rental and protection are offered as options in the registration form. Give us your size, we take care of the rest.
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What if I get tired during the day?
You can skip one or several rotations and rest in the van, then set off again when you feel like it. On a Solstice nobody judges: the point is to enjoy it, not to hit a quota.
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Who is our guide?
A local professional MTB instructor and guide, Swiss Cycling certified, who has been running these days since 2010 and developed the Solstice format. He picks the sectors according to the conditions and runs the group smoothly, for maximum rhythm.
He is also an active racer, winner of major international enduro mountain bike races in recent seasons.
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How many sessions a year?
Only a few sessions, around the summer solstice, when the days are longest. Shuttle seats are limited and go quickly every year.
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I'm planning several days: is there a better rate?
Yes: with the Exo'Pass, you buy ten shuttle days and only pay for eight. It's valid on all our shuttle days in the Valais, Solstice included.
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What happens in bad weather?
The sectors are chosen the day before according to the forecast. If the day looks really unrideable, it's moved to another session in the period, at no cost to you.
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Can we book a private Solstice, with or without a guide?
Yes, in both formats. With a guide, you get what makes our open days good: trail choice according to conditions and level, management of the group dynamic and of whatever comes up, mechanicals as well as crashes. That's not for the participants to handle.
A guideless option exists, but the experience isn't the same: it's meant above all for locals who already know the trails well, along with the sensitive points on certain paths, slowing down, erosion or conflicts with other users.
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What insurance do I need?
Every participant must be covered for accidents, including on a mountain bike, and hold all the cover needed for mountain biking in the mountains: accidents, personal liability, as well as search, rescue and evacuation costs, helicopter included. For participants coming from abroad, the cover must be valid in Switzerland.
Note: some insurers apply special clauses or even exclusions for bike-park and lift-served riding. Check this point with your insurer before signing up.
Customer testimonials
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Paul Liogier
Enduro Maroc is top-notch, with impeccable organization, trails that are as challenging as they should be, and long, long, long descents in a magnificent setting. And for the foodies, the food is amazing.
It doesn't feel like an organized tour, but more like you're on the trails you would have chosen with your group of friends, with the shuttle as a bonus. Bravo, Christian!
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Dami DLP
A splendid day! Incredible trails in Upper Valais, perfectly adapted to the group's level,
Chris is super friendly and extremely accommodating! (precious mechanical help on this day when my bike didn't feel like working! :D) -
Lucien Chatelan
Haut Valais outing, perfect weather, what a pleasure.
Thanks to Chris and his organization, everything was top-notch! 🚵♂️😋🏞🤩 -
Yves Chauffaut
The Best of the Best! Insane singletracks, 6400m of vertical drop, in a superb atmosphere among riders!
Just like in Finale 🇮🇹, but in the Valais Region 🇨🇭 🇨🇭 ☀️
Can't wait for the next outing with Chris and Exoride! -
Daniela Loosli
We had a truly awesome week in Morocco with Chris. A big thank you for the top-notch organization and the superb trails. An excellent mix of biking and discovering the local culture over a delicious tajine or Moroccan tea.
This will surely not be our last bike trip with Chris. -
Moshik Zur
We just came back from a wonderful mountain biking experience with Chris. We stayed at his guesthouse, which has an incredible view of the Alps.
We started in Verbier with a day of coaching that brought us all to a new level of riding, thanks to Chris's insightful feedback.
The next day, we did shuttles in Valais and had a lot of fun.
Chris's enthusiasm for mountain biking is contagious.
As a coach, he understands your limits and helps you progress, while making you feel safe.
As a host, he provides a very attentive service to make your stay comfortable.
You won't find a better mountain biking experience than this! -
La K-Verne de K-Ro
Magnificent 3-day discovery shuttles in the Aosta Valley.
Top-notch guiding!!!
Awesome team, great atmosphere, hotel and restaurant pico bello... wonderful trails and panoramas...
I've improved so muchThank you very much Chris
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Fabrice Cagnazzo
I had a great stay in Aosta, the trails were truly magnificent and the team was super nice and cool. We were a great team. We had a good laugh.
I recommend it.Thanks again for this day. Schwalb at the red light.
Stats 10,600m D-; 3,300m D+, 153 km -
Guillaume Audoux
Everything was top-notch! It was a pure joy to discover the trails of Valais by shuttle to enjoy the downhills under the sun, in a good mood and stress-free.
And Chris was top-notch! 🙏🏼
See you soon 👋 -
Chantal Fragnière
Thank you Christian for this wonderful experience and your very valuable advice! The progress in one day is impressive, I'm looking forward to my next e-bike outings.
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Gauthier Wislez
Great guide! Beautiful trails!
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Cyril Deburaux
Great team, great bus, and great atmosphere. Chris knows all the best trails in Valais and is super professional (there's even a spare bike in the shuttle...). I've taken shuttles in many countries, and this Swiss experience is really a bargain for this quality of service.
Don't think twice: sign up for their next sessions.
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Francois Fanch
Thank you Christian for your good humor, your humility and above all for the knowledge of your region! Even in... Breton weather?
You found us some beautiful, beautiful lines!
And thanks also to the driver, discreet but just as friendly and who takes care of our bikes!To be done again without a doubt!
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Vincent Héritier
Chris and his team are top-notch, Chris knows Valais and its trails like the back of his hand, he is friendly and a good teacher when needed.
He's a top rider and takes great photos too. Sore eyes because the mountains are so beautiful, and sore arms too, because the trails are so tempting.
In short, pure happiness!
See you soon Chris, for sure ;) -
Daniel Fehl
I spent a week with Christian exploring the Valais region between Orsières and Zermatt.
It was an incredible experience: the mountain biking challenges, the mountain views, the mountain huts for lunch, and the homemade dinners.
Each day, we took a shuttle to a new location and used the lifts as much as possible, then the e-MTB for additional climbs.
He adapted the descents/traverses according to my abilities and desires. He knows the local trails, huts, and access points very well.
I end this week with gratitude, a sense of wonder at the Alps, and the desire to return for more adventures. -
Cédric Monnet
Awesome day!!! Whether you're a beginner or comfortable on the MTB trail, Chris guides you with great technical advice, patience and happiness..!!!
A great new feature at EXORIDE: e-MTB courses, with tips on how to handle these latest-generation machines and use them to their full potential on the terrain, downhill and.... uphill..!!!
Have fun with EXORIDE !!!
F.A.Q.
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How to privatize a guided MTB tour or trip?
In order to offer an adequate outing, it is essential that we know the technical and physical level of the participants, the desired date for the event, the location, and the style of practice.
You can of course draw inspiration from our different mountain bike tours and stays for your private outing project, but we are obviously delighted to offer you a completely personalized itinerary with the characteristics and accommodation of your choice. -
What is the profile of your guides and instructors?
The experiences offered by Exoride are supervised by extremely qualified guides and instructors, with more than 30 years of mountain biking practice, most of them former competitors, certified, and above all carrying out this activity 100% professionally.
We pay particular attention to safety and you are assured of being surrounded by true mountain bike guiding professionals.
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What are prices for a MTB guide in Switzerland?
Each request responds to needs specific to the chosen activity, such as location scouting or the organization of possible logistics alongside your event.
However, here are some examples of applicable guiding and rental rates:
1 person
2 people
3 people
4 people
5 people
6 people< br />7 people & +1/2 DAY
240 CHF
260 CHF
300 CHF
360 CHF
400 CHF
420 CHF
460 CHF1 DAY
450 CHF
480 CHF
510 CHF
520 CHF
600 CHF
660 CHF
700 CHFBike & E-Bike Rental
Full suspension Bike & E-Bike70 CHF90 CHF -
How many people maximum?
We can organize mountain bike or E-Bike tours for 1 to 100 people. For stays abroad, the number of participants generally does not exceed 20 maximum depending on the destinations.
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What other services are available?
We offer turnkey tours and stays. Take advantage of our solid network of partners for an exceptional event.
In addition to the cycling part, we also take care of:
- Meal, restaurant or buffet in nature
- Travel by private minibus
- Seminar room
- Hotels or shelters
- Photos and video
- ...
