“Pleaseee! Let me try!” Your child has been begging you for weeks to sign them up for a downhill mountain biking camp during your next vacation in La Plagne. But you’re hesitating… I mean, come on, it sounds dangerous! Why would they need to wear all that gear if it were really safe?
So yes, we’ll admit it —downhill mountain biking is impressive. But like anything else, it can be learned. Entrust your dear little daredevils to a certified instructor with complete confidence: not only will they learn all the techniques to become accomplished riders… but more importantly, they’ll develop essential skills they can apply in everyday life. You’d be wrong to say no, wouldn’t you?
1. Downhill mountain biking pushes you to go beyond your limits
DH (Downhill) mountain biking is one of the most impressive disciplines in the world of mountain biking. The idea: racing down a relatively narrow dirt trail at full speed while navigating fun obstacles (sharp turns, bumps, jumps, wooden features, etc.). Not exactly reassuring for parents!
Don’t worry, though: as with any sport, you learn gradually. At first, the slope is gentle, the turns are wide, and the features are only a few centimeters high (green trails / easy level). This is ideal for gaining the confidence to give it a try and immediately develop the right posture and reflexes.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’ll be time to move on to intermediate-level runs (blue level). The slope will start to get steeper, the turns will become tighter and more upright, and the obstacles will get bigger. And so on, all the way to the red runs (difficult level), then black runs (expert level—probably not in the first week 😉).
Downhill mountain biking constantly pushes you to go beyond your limits: you have to keep taking risks, spurred on by your coach and friends. It’s the perfect way to step outside your comfort zone!
2. Downhill mountain biking is a lesson in perseverance
It’s not enough to know how to ride on safe, well-maintained forest trails to become a seasoned downhill mountain biker. At first, there are bound to be hiccups, moments of “that was a close call!”, and probably even a few falls. But when you’re having fun and want to improve, you don’t hesitate to get back in the saddle and give it another go!
Don’t be surprised to see your kids ride the same trail over and over again. For the joy of getting more precise, finding their flow, and knowing every turn by heart. Or to aim for a spot on the podium at one of the Super Kids Races held in mid-July as part of the SUPER8 family cycling event.
Because yes, downhill mountain biking is a sport of perseverance: talent alone isn’t enough—you have to practice to get good. And getting good is a real ego booster. It makes for awesome videos to share on TikTok 😉 Who knows, maybe they’ll want to stick with it in other areas too? Math, perhaps? We can dream…
3. Downhill mountain biking fosters social skills
Has your child gotten hooked on the sport? Chances are, they’ll soon be talking about nothing but downhill mountain biking! And naturally, when you’re passionate about something, you want to connect with other enthusiasts. Talking about technique, debating gear, comparing idols, convincing others that our trail is the best in the world—and that’s that.
Passion brings people together and makes you want to get moving. After all, why scroll through your phone all alone when you can go riding with friends? It’s great to see screen time slowly but surely decreasing…
4. Downhill mountain biking boosts self-confidence
The schoolyard isn’t always kind to our kids. Not average? They’re quickly labeled: the one who’s bad at English, the one who’s bad at soccer, the one who’s bad at drawing. What if, by encouraging them in their new passion, you helped them become “the downhill mountain biking whiz”? It’s so good for their self-confidence to see themselves improve trail after trail, day after day!
Downhill mountain biking—because it’s a demanding sport that requires pushing past your limits and perseverance—makes kids just as proud as their parents. And believing in yourself helps you dream big in everyday life. Believing in your ability to build a bright future—that’s pretty cool, isn’t it?
La Plagne Bike Park, kids’ edition:
- 3 easy-level downhill trails (green trails) and 5 intermediate-level downhill trails (blue trails) accessible via the Colorado and Colosses chairlifts (MTB pass rates here)
- Fun features (bumps, bridges, etc.) suited for younger riders and beginners
- Private mountain biking lessons and group courses to safely discover downhill mountain biking and progress at your own pace
- Sports shops where you can rent a downhill mountain bike that fits your size
- In addition to the Bike Park: two pumptracks for having fun “pumping” on a paved loop featuring a series of woops (bumps)
