Alpine holiday company Mountainbikeholidays.co.uk has teamed up with Bikemagic’s sister site SheCycles (can you see what we did there?) to run a pair of Dirtgirls women-only MTB weeks from its base in Morzine.

There’s one week commencing on 1 July and another on 26 August. Both will benefit from the experience of 2005 Dragon Downhill Series winner Emily Horridge and are aimed at “women keen to progress with their biking but feeling left behind in the male-dominated world of mountain biking”.

Sara Burdon of Mountainbikeholidays.co.uk says: “Many women suffer from a lack of confidence with their biking. Partners and friends often get too carried away to properly teach the necessary techniques.
Our dirtgirls week will re-address this imbalance and give women the know-how and confidence to really enjoy some of the best trails in the Alps.”

Emily will teach general trail skills, dirt jumping and downhilling to girls of all abilities. Seasoned bikers can brush up on skills, while those new to the sport can learn the basics and quickly progress beyond. Other specialists will be on hand to offer sessions on stretching, nutrition and sports massage. A rest day is planned mid week with options from visiting a local spa to trying wakeboarding. The weeks will also feature various other attractions, including and evening mountain-top BBQ and Solidlights-supported night descent.

SheCycles is particularly involved in the July week, with a bunch of women-specific bike gear being on hand for a try-out. And Dorset bike shop Torico will be stumping up various prizes to be awarded during the week. Accommodation is in a proper Alpine chalet and breakfast, packed lunches and three-course dinner with wine or beer are all included. A week will cost €675 including transfers, lift pass, guiding and tuition. Find out more at mountainbikeholidays.co.uk or by calling Sara Burdon on 0208 123 5654 or +33(0)631461859.