La Bresse Bike Park (Vosges, France, 88250) is the French reference for downhill MTB. It regularly hosts UCI DH World Cup rounds, offers 10 marked trails over nearly 400 m of vertical drop, a dedicated chairlift (Les Bas-Rupts) and a pump track. We’ve ridden it season after season: here’s what you actually need to know.
Bottom line: serious spot, demanding black trails, parking saturates in July-August. Come early, wear proper protection, and stay in a chalet 5 min away to maximise ride time.
La Bresse Bike Park in numbers
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 650 m (village) to 1,040 m (top lift) |
| Vertical drop | ~390 m |
| Trails | 10 (1 green, 3 blue, 4 red, 3 black) |
| Uplift | Les Bas-Rupts MTB chairlift |
| Season | Late April to early November |
| 2026 day pass | ~€27 (pass only) |
| Address | Route de Vologne, 88250 La Bresse, France |
| Official site | labresse.labellemontagne.com |
The 10 trails in detail
The park runs 10 marked trails across two families. Here’s our experience trail by trail.
Technical trails (8)
| Trail | Level | Style | Our take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balade des Contrebandiers | Green | Learn | Perfect to start, rideable on a regular MTB |
| Chitelet | Blue | Flowy | Great for gaining DH confidence |
| Barrage | Blue | Playful | Optional small jumps, very fun |
| Retour École | Red | Technical | The step up before the blacks |
| L’Express | Black | Committed DH | Roots, rock gardens, real black |
| La Haute Goutte | Black | World Cup DH | Historic UCI line, respect it |
Freeride trails (4)
- Schuss Line (red): jumps and tables, great for progression
- Virolo (red): pumps and bermed turns
- Schuss (red): pure speed
- La Goutte (black): drops and gaps, experienced only
A pump track at the base completes the offer. Live trail status on the official site.
2026 prices (indicative)
| Pass | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Day | ~€27 | ~€22 |
| Half day | ~€22 | ~€18 |
| 6-day week | ~€120 | ~€95 |
| DH rental + pass bundle | from €85/day | n/a |
2025 rates carried over as a guide. Up-to-date official prices are always on the resort website, which also handles online ticketing (skip the queue).
Renting a downhill MTB
Several rental shops at the base or in the village:
- Skimium La Bresse (Route de Vologne): Commencal/Scott DH bikes, full package with full-face helmet and protection
- Intersport Rent La Bresse (village centre): wide range, enduro e-MTBs too
- Bike Shop at the lift base: short-duration rental, quick adjustments
Expect €45 to €75 per day for a recent DH bike, €25 to €40 for a protection pack. In July-August, book online 48h ahead, stock disappears fast.
Required equipment
The bike park enforces (with real checks):
- Full-face helmet (open-face forbidden)
- Long gloves
- Knee and elbow pads
Strongly recommended: chest protector, back protector, flat closed shoes (5.10 or equivalent). All listed shops offer full packages.
Access and parking
By car: Route de Vologne, 88250 La Bresse, France. GPS: 48.0133, 6.8894. Free parking at the base of the Les Bas-Rupts chairlift, but saturates by 10am in July-August. Come early or park in the village (free shuttle in summer).
By train: Remiremont station (30 min drive), then shuttle or taxi. From Paris, plan 5h door to door (TGV + road).
Where to stay to ride efficiently
The park opens early: staying 5 minutes by bike from the lift changes everything (no morning drive, home for lunch, quick evening session). Most of our La Bresse chalets are under 3 km from the bike park, with secure bike storage and garage.
→ See available chalets in La Bresse (filter “bike storage”).
2026 events to follow
- UCI DH World Cup: historic French round, typically mid-July. Exceptional atmosphere, trails closed to public 3 days.
- Enduro des Hautes Vosges: enduro format across the massif, late June
- Summer MTB night events: night descents, unique atmosphere
Official dates published each spring on the resort site.
Our honest take after 3 seasons
What we love:
- Quality of black trail design (L’Express remains a benchmark)
- Dedicated MTB chairlift, no alpine-resort queueing
- Full ecosystem: rentals, shops, express repairs, food
- DH culture of the place, pro vibe without being snobby
Watch out for:
- Parking saturates in summer (come early, seriously)
- Blacks are genuinely black, no coddling
- Vosges weather: pack a jacket even in August
La Bresse vs other French bike parks
| Spot | Strengths | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| La Bresse | Technical DH, UCI lines, 400 m drop | Confirmed riders, pure DH |
| Métabief | Enduro, gentler | Progression, families |
| Les Gets | Trail volume, festive vibe | Groups, all levels |
| La Planche des Belles Filles | Modern DH, recent | Vosges alternative, wilder |
Verdict: La Bresse is the top French choice for committed DH under 5h from Paris.
Around the Bike Park
- Enduro and XC trails across the massif
- Family trails accessible on e-MTB (see our Vosges MTB guide)
- Free village skate park and pump track
- Lac des Corbeaux swim for recovery
- Vosges tartiflette in the evening to refuel
Planning an MTB trip to La Bresse? Browse our chalets 5 min from the bike park, secure bike storage included.
Frequently asked questions
When does La Bresse Bike Park open in 2026?
Opening scheduled for late April 2026, closing early November. Weekends and public holidays in shoulder season, 7 days a week from early July to late August. Live opening status on labresse.labellemontagne.com.
How much is a day pass?
Around €27 for an adult day pass in 2025, MTB DH rental + pass bundles from €85/day. Check exact rates on the resort's official website, updated every season.
Can you rent a downhill MTB on site?
Yes: Skimium La Bresse, Intersport Rent and several shops at the base offer DH, enduro and e-MTBs, with full-face helmets and protection. In July-August, book online 48h ahead.
La Bresse Bike Park or Métabief: which one?
La Bresse for pure DH (UCI World Cup trails, more technical, 10 tracks). Métabief for enduro and easier access. La Bresse remains the French reference for committed downhill riding.
Where do I park?
Free parking at the base of the Les Bas-Rupts chairlift (Route de Vologne, 88250 La Bresse). Arrive before 10am in July-August, it fills fast. GPS: 48.0133, 6.8894.
What's the minimum riding level?
The green Balade des Contrebandiers trail is doable from age 8 on a regular MTB. For reds and blacks, DH bike required and at least a season of enduro experience. The black trails are genuinely black.