Ahead of the Tour de France, there are a lot of new features in the works for the virtual training world known as Zwift. The program and app continue to develop and add new features. Perhaps the writing was on the wall earlier this year when Zwift laid off more than 100 employees, but now Zwift has announced a price increase as well.
Previously, a month of Zwift subscription would run $14.99 here in the United States. That price has now increased to $19.99 per month, a 33% increase. The price of an annual subscription has also increased, from $149.99 to $199.99. You’re still getting essentially two months free with the annual subscription, though both options have gone up in price.
At that price is it still worth it? If you spend a lot of time on Zwift, it likely is. Especially when you consider all the upcoming improvements that will be rolling out later this year. Check out the details straight from Zwift below:
WATOPIA EXPANSION: THE GRADE
Launching June 2024
Rolling out to Zwifters in June, The Grade is designed to be a testing climb for Zwifters. Built on the West side of Zwift’s most recent expansion, Watopia’s Southern Coast, The Grade will start among the vibrant buildings of Ciudad de La Cumbre, and connect Watopia’s Southern Coast with the backside of the Epic KOM. The Grade creates a direct, very steep passage from Ciudad de La Cumbre to the top of Epic KOM. The expansion will launch with several new routes available for freeride exploration, training, and racing.
MY LIST
Launching April 2024
Already psyching yourself up to take on the challenge of The Grade? Soon you’ll be able to queue it up for when you next log into Zwift using the new ‘My List’ feature.
We’ve all been there – you’ve found an hour window, jump onto Zwift to squeeze in a good workout, only lose a precious five minutes choosing between a new route and a structured workout. My List helps Zwifters plan their next session in advance so they can maximize every minute.
Using the Zwift Companion app, Zwifters will soon be able to browse the full library of Zwift workouts and routes (perfect for badge hunters) and add them to their list. These will then be shown in For You on the Zwift Home Screen the next time they log in. Never waste a minute with My List!
HUD REFRESH
Launching Summer 2024
Zwift’s in-game HUD is about to get a fresh new look and provide you with more information right where you need it. One of the standout features of the updated HUD is a new ‘Climb Mode’ dynamic elevation profile display. The new display will help Zwifters better pace their climbing efforts and prepare for the road ahead by utilising the same gradient shading found in the Climb Portal.
The HUD update will also allow Zwifters to customise the data fields shown in the power tile of the HUD via the in-game settings menu. At launch, Zwifters will be able to choose from Speed, Average Power, Power-to-Weight Ratio (W/KG), Cadence and Heart Rate.
With this update, the mini-map will also receive a refresh. The updated mini-map will provide greater clarity on route progression, including elevation.
TRAINING CONNECTIONS
Launching Early Summer 2024
There are many ways to train on Zwift – whether using a flexible training plan, joining a Group Workout, choosing from the 1000+ on-demand workouts, or building your own via the Custom Workout builder. For those with very specific plans in mind – whether from a coach, or another third-party training provider – Zwift’s new training API Connection will give Zwifters greater flexibility with how they want to train on the platform by providing better integration with other platforms and coaching services.
Functionally, this new API will behave much like existing third-party connections on Zwift. Once the API Connection is set up and approved, workouts built outside of Zwift will pull directly into the Zwift platform and show in the Custom Workouts folder. The training API will launch later this spring with a few launch partners. Other providers will be able to sign up for this open-API later in the summer.
CELEBRATING THE TOUR DE FRANCE ON ZWIFT
Zwift, the Official Training Software Provider to the Tour de France is getting ready for Tour Fever to hit this July with a month of Tour-themed content.
Launched in time for the Tour de France last year, Zwift’s Climb portal is ready for a busy month with eight of the most iconic climbs from this 2024 route scheduled to bring cycling fans closer to the action. For the first time this year, Zwift will be hosting Climb Portal events, bringing another dimension to this popular feature.
The Climbs coming into the Portal this summer:
Week 1:
- Côte des Forche – Stage: 1, Elevation: 159 m, Avg Grade: 6.3 %, Distance: 2.5 km
- Col du Galibier (Lautaret) – Stage: 4, Elevation: 563 m, Avg Grade: 6.6 %, Distance: 8.6 km
Week 2:
- Pas de Peyrol/Puy Mary – Stage: 11, Elevation: 628 m, Avg Grade: 6.9 %, Distance: 9.2 km
- Pla d’Adet – Stage: 14, Elevation: 873 m, Avg Grade: 8.2 %, Distance: 10.7 km
- Col de Peyresourde (Avajan) – Stage: 15, Elevation: 555 m, Avg Grade: 7.7 %, Distance: 7.2 km
Week 3:
- Isola 2000 – Stage: 19, Elevation: 1167 m, Avg Grade: 5.8 %, Distance: 18.9 km
- Col de la Couillole – Stage: 20, Elevation: 1145 m, Avg Grade: 7.2 %, Distance: 15.9 km
- La Turbie/Col d’Eze – Stage 21, Elevation: 616m, Avg Grade: 3.1%, Distance: 15.9km
Zwift’s France and Paris maps will dressed to celebrate the Tour de France ready to welcome Zwifters looking to join the celebrations. Those looking for a social group ride will be able to join any one of the RoboPacers leading groups 24/7 in both France and Paris throughout July and August. For the competitively-minded, ‘Vive la France’ will be the theme for ZRacing events. Lastly, the Monthly Mission will be taking place in France with a Tour-themed twist. Stay tuned for more. Vive Le Tour!
WATCH THE FEMMES!
The Tour de France femmes avec Zwift returns in August for the third edition. For the first time, the race will start outside France with the Grand Depart set for Rotterdam on August 12th. To celebrate the occasion, Zwift’s Watch The Femmes campaign is set to take over the month of August – because you can’t be what you can’t see.
With the final stage of the race finishing on top of the famed Alpe d’Huez, Zwift’s very own Alpe du Zwift will be dressed for the occasion. Zwifters will also be able join the celebration in the France and Paris maps, helping them feel closer to the action. .
Alpe du Zwift won’t just be dressed for success. From August 18th, the day the race hits Alpe d’Huez, to August 25th, Alpe Celebration RoboPacer events will be taking place every two hours on Alpe du Zwift, perfect for anyone looking to secure a personal record.
For those seeking structured workouts, Zwift will also be releasing weekly Workouts inspired by Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift contenders.
Stay tuned for more Watch the Femmes content over the coming months!
SPRING TRAINING
Taking place now, Spring Training is a 6-week training series that aims to build endurance for those long, outdoor rides. Whether your goal is to lead the pack, train for an upcoming event, or keep pace on your weekend ride with friends, this Spring Training Series will gear you up for the outdoors. There are shorter and longer versions of each workout, so Zwifters can decide if they want to jump on for 30 or 50-minute workouts. Join for workout 3, Cadence and Cruise, this week and catch the sessions you may have missed in a make-up week from May 27 – June 3.
