HOW, WHY & WHEN: ITALIAN ALPS

The Italian Alps around the town of Aosta boast some of the most flowy natural trails you’ll ride anywhere on the planet. Not only is the Aosta Valley dotted with lift-accessed resorts, such as La Thuile, Pila and Breuil-Cervinia, but it also has a wealth of waymarked hiking paths and borders the Gran Paradiso National

Park, making this a versatile destination. As we went to press, Italy had just begun to ease its coronavirus lockdown measures. Once non-essential travel from the UK resumes, the guys to talk to about the riding here are Aosta Valley Freeride. (www. aostavalleyfreeride.com). These local experts o er all types of trips, from shuttle days to week-long mega adventures. The ride season runs from late April to November. Being a mountain environment, go prepared for changeable or bad weather.