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Swiss Epic 2025 Survey Recap | Where Adventure Meets Perfection in the Heart of the Alps

The Numbers Tell the Story — But the Riders Tell It Better

•    Overall Satisfaction: 89.5%
•    Net Promoter Score: 75 (a big leap from last year’s 68)
•    Planning to Return Next Year: 41.8% (up from 27%)

Those numbers reflect one thing: riders didn’t just race they lived the experience.

What Made Swiss Epic 2025 So Special

Ask anyone who crossed the finish line, and you’ll hear the same thing the organization, atmosphere, and scenery made the week unforgettable.
•    Scenery: 97.7%
•    Route markings: 95.4%
•    Post-event atmosphere: 93.9%
•    Start line experience: 93.9%
•    On-route marshals: 93.2%
•    Finish line experience: 90.1%
•    Medical services: 91.0%

From the opening countdown to the last medal handed out, everything ran like Swiss precision clockwork.
One rider put it perfectly: “It felt like a world-class production where we just had to show up and ride. Everything else was taken care of.”

The Heart of the Experience: Trails, Teamwork & Emotion

The Swiss Alps delivered a symphony of mountain biking perfection. Riders raved about the trails challenging yet rewarding, technical but rideable, framed by views so stunning they made you forget the burn in your legs.

“Riding in the Swiss Alps, with those views and trails, was something unforgettable the scenery alone made it worth it.”

Stage 3 was a clear favorite, especially the legendary Bernina Pass start riders called it “pure magic.” The mix of flowing singletrack, thrilling descents, and high-alpine passes struck the perfect balance between challenge and fun.

And while the trails were the stage, it was the volunteers and staff who gave the event its soul. From marshals handing out rain ponchos at Scaletta Pass to mechanics working late into the night, every smile and word of encouragement mattered.

“The volunteers made the event feel human always smiling, helpful, and genuinely caring. They’re the heartbeat of the Swiss Epic.”

What Riders Loved Most

Across hundreds of quotes, five themes stood out loud and clear the essence of what makes the SPAR Swiss Epic truly Epic:

Swiss Precision Meets Mountain Passion
“The perfect blend of world-class organization and breathtaking nature everything worked seamlessly so we could just ride and enjoy.”
Trails That Take Your Breath Away
“Technical, varied, and surrounded by the most stunning landscapes in the Alps.”
People Who Make It Personal
“The volunteers and staff were incredible it felt like family.”
Electric Start Lines & Emotional Finish Lines
“Every morning had goosebumps energy music, anticipation, and that feeling of being part of something bigger.”
More Than a Race. A Complete Experience
“It’s adventure, community, and Swiss precision, all wrapped in one unforgettable mountain journey.”

On the Trails: Challenge, Flow & Discovery

Riders had plenty to say about the course and most of it was glowing.
“The descents were a great mix of challenge and fun some right on the edge of my ability, others pure flow.”

The Scaletta Pass descent stood out as a fan favourite technical, wild, and true to the alpine spirit. Even in wet weather, the trails held up beautifully.

Still, riders offered thoughtful feedback to make future editions even better:
•    A wish for more singletrack and fewer long gravel connectors.
•    Some suggested slightly less technical sections in the later stages for better balance.
•    A few wanted clearer markings on steep or technical descents.

Overall, though, the verdict was clear:
“The variety, the challenge, the balance this is what mountain biking at its best feels like.”

Where Comfort Meets Recovery: Accommodations & Services

When the riding stopped, the hospitality took over. Riders praised the bike services (100%), massage teams (95%), and service stations (98%) for their professionalism and care. Optional upgrades like deluxe massages and mechanic support also scored a perfect 100% satisfaction.
But when it came to accommodations, opinions were more nuanced some highs, some lows.
Hotels in Davos and La Punt received mixed reviews, ranging from world-class warmth to areas that could use improvement.

While places like Hotel Castell and Donatz were called “exceptional,” others like Hard Rock Hotel Davos and Waldhuus were criticized for slow service, limited food options, and lack of athlete-oriented amenities.

Key takeaways from riders:

1.    Hotels need better preparation for cyclists’ early breakfasts, and clearer logistics.
2.   Food consistency matters from excellent buffets to dinners.
3.   Personal touch makes a difference riders loved smaller, locally run hotels with warmth and personality.
4.   Comfort counts for recovery some rooms were hot or noisy.
5.   Overall coordination could be improved to ensure every rider enjoys the same “Epic standard” across all hotels.

As one rider summed it up:
“The hotels were nice, but the best ones felt like home. That’s what riders remember.”

The Spirit That Keeps Riders Coming Back

More than 40% of participants said they plan to return next year and that speaks volumes. It’s not just the race itself that draws them back, but the feeling of belonging, the sense of shared adventure, and the magic of the Swiss mountains.

“You ride as a team, you suffer as a team, and you celebrate as a team and that makes it unforgettable.”

The SPAR Swiss Epic 2025 reminded everyone why this race stands among the world’s most iconic mountain bike stage races: it’s where precision meets passion, where organization meets emotion, and where riders from every corner of the world come together to live something truly extraordinary.

Because in the end, the Swiss Epic isn’t just about finishing it’s about the journey, the people, and the moments that remind us why we ride.