The La Tania Ski Blog

Latest news, snow, pics, gossip and information from the locals in La Tania – latania.co.uk

 
All the latest news from around the Three Valleys from the La Tania locals. A real blog since 2006, not just endless re-posts for search engine optimisaton! Photos, gossip, snow reports, what's on and all the latest on the Apres Ski scene... Now fully optimised for iPhone, Touch and Android Mobiles - just go to latania.co.uk/blog and view on your phone. Our other past blogs & favourites here

 


 

Gatwick to La Tania door-to-door for less than £35 but using shared/private transfers is easier and more reliable!

Even during the school holidays there were some bargain flights to be had when avoiding weekends and if you can get in to Lyon early enough there’s a cheap direct train to Moûtiers that connects with the bus service up to La Tania.

But we missed the train, had to pay again, go later and longer – another reason to use one of our recommended Private and Shared Transfer Companies to La Tania.

And yes, we had no bags, weren’t in a rush, didn’t care where we sat and certainly had no kids in tow but it would take something to beat these prices.

Wizzair London Gatwick to Lyon £16.99
Variable pricing and a ridiculous 06:05 departure time but members prices start from only £12.99 (but obviously not on a Saturday). There’s also an easyJet option at 08:20 for a more reasonable departure time but generally costs a bit more. They both stitch you up if you have any kind of baggage bigger than a handbag / laptop size case to fit under the seat in front of you.

Ouigo Train Lyon Airport to Moûtiers €10
Departs daily at 12:34 from Lyon Airport direct to Moûtiers (although still via Grenoble and Albertville with some long stops at these stations) arriving 15:38 – so takes 3hrs 4mins. The RyanAir of TGV with dynamic pricing and charges for baggage, flexibility, seats etc.

S65 Service Bus Moûtiers to La Tania €10.80
Leaves Moûtiers at 15:55 arriving La Tania at 16:49 – this one goes via Méribel hence the journey time. Buying on the bus or ticket office costs £12.

So make that 16.99 + 8.55 + 9.24 = £34.78

The alternative if you miss this train (like we did this week due to a 2 hour delay with easyJet!) is to follow this itinerary which costs around £40.

Monday to Friday times
Lyon Airport to Grenoble (TGV) 14:06 – 15:13
Grenoble to Montmélian (TER) 15:33 – 16:08
Montmélian to Moûtiers (TER) 17:03 – 18:10
Moutiers to La Tania (S64/S65 Bus) 18:25 – 19:45 (although quicker getting off at Le Praz and using Ski Bus to La Tania from there).

The various trains (2 double deckers!) and stations en-route….

A “proper” TGV
Montmélian – change here to head to Annecy, Bourg or Turin
No bridges or underpasses at rural French stations
Another double decker – we love these!
2 +1 configuration on the TGV upstairs in First Class (an extra €4) to Grenoble

ESCAPADE 2024: Ex Seasonaire Lisa and brother Mark starting in Val Thorens

11 March 2024

Congratulations to Lisa & Mark

Bonjour! 

2020 I was doing a season in La Tania and I heard about the Escapade. I planned to do it in March, but Covid put a stop to that. 4 years later I have finally come back and was determined to complete this time with my brother, Mark. 

We got the first lift out of it VT, with blue skies and freshly pisted slopes awaiting us. We took a few deviations of the current planned route, to include the 2 peaks Mont de la Challe and 3 Marches. We were very lucky with the lifts, as there were very few queues. 

The weather turned in the afternoon as we made our way back from Courchevel to VT. As we reached Point de la Masse the visibility got worse and the snow started to come in. 

In Orelle we took the black down (only being able to see a metre in front of us) from Cime Caron so that we could get to Col de Rosael which we made with 4 mins to spare.

Our GPS watches died on the last run back, getting back to Pioneers at 16:50.

All in all a great day of skiing!!

Lisa 

ESCAPADE 2024 – What’s this all about…

The 3 Valleys Escapade was the lift company promotion of visiting (originally in 2006) 14 points across the Three Valleys and gaining a certificate & badge over the period of your holiday – doing it in a day was a bit tricky though!

It all started out as a late night “is it possible?” discussion – the history and our original route from 2006 are here

Originally punch cards had to be stamped at each check point until electronic passes arrived and then the use of a lift was recorded – now we use Apps such as Ski Tracks or Relive to prove our route.

Note that the Escapade is no longer officially promoted by Les 3 Vallees from Winter 2017 but we still record successful tracks for anyone who is interested in being in the sought after La Tania Escapade Hall of Fame

The original Escapade took 30 lifts, around 13000m vertical with 70km length and by 2016 reached 34 lifts, 17000m vertical (twice the height of Everest) and around 80km skiing (140km total distance). With the newer, longer, faster lifts we’re back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE route

This is NOT a race

ALWAYS CONTROL YOUR SPEED. You do this entirely at your own risk, act responsibly, take full ownership for your own actions and all of those with you, respect other people (& the mountain), ski & ride within your limits, always obey the skiers & snowboarders code, observe all signs, pay attention to all notices, advice & instructions from Pisteurs, only ski off piste if fully equipped & knowledgeable, it’s not a race (you won’t be insured), think about the safety of others as well as yourself but above all, think of other people, take care, don’t wreck things for others & don’t even think of blaming anyone else if it all goes wrong…..

ESCAPADE 2024 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints

Changes through the years
2006 – First year and cards with hole punches stationed at lifties huts are used.
2008 – Electronic lift analysis is now used – no use hiking out the 4th Valley now!
2010 – The piste map did not include the top of the 4th Valley and the Col lift in Val Thorens.
2011 – The X-Wing Discovery was launched but only had 10 check points and doesn’t count!
2012 – Peclet included and Biollay / Vizelle used for Saulire access.
2015 – Foret used instead of La Tania gondola.
2016 – Mont Vallon is included for the first time plus the Montaulever drag lift.
2017 – Chapelets replaced by Petite Boss drag and La Tania’s Bouc Blanc chair replaces Tovets.
2018 – The new Roc de Tougne chair replaces the drag lift of the same name.
2019 – Legends replaces Roc de Fer and the Montaulever drag in Les Menuires has been removed.
2020 – Cime Caron now back in use.
2022 – New Pointe de la Masse and Orelle-Caron Gondolas (for example) could be used.
2023 – Using the new lifts, we ski all the resorts, all the perimeters and classic peaks – ESCAPADE 2023
2024 – No changes to 2023 route!

ESCAPADE 2024 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics

ESCAPADE 2024: Nick, Rory and Rupert finally get to do the challenge

7 March 2024

Congratulations to Nick, Rory & Rupert

Having followed L’escapade adventures for many years, today I finally completed it with two others.

Rory, Rupert and myself completed it despite the horrendous queues in Les Menuires. It took 7hrs 53 minutes, in blue bird conditions.

We started in St Martin de Belleville, great fun.

The website is great, keep up the good work.

Best wishes, Nick

ESCAPADE 2024 – What’s this all about…

The 3 Valleys Escapade was the lift company promotion of visiting (originally in 2006) 14 points across the Three Valleys and gaining a certificate & badge over the period of your holiday – doing it in a day was a bit tricky though!

It all started out as a late night “is it possible?” discussion – the history and our original route from 2006 are here

Originally punch cards had to be stamped at each check point until electronic passes arrived and then the use of a lift was recorded – now we use Apps such as Ski Tracks or Relive to prove our route.

Note that the Escapade is no longer officially promoted by Les 3 Vallees from Winter 2017 but we still record successful tracks for anyone who is interested in being in the sought after La Tania Escapade Hall of Fame

The original Escapade took 30 lifts, around 13000m vertical with 70km length and by 2016 reached 34 lifts, 17000m vertical (twice the height of Everest) and around 80km skiing (140km total distance). With the newer, longer, faster lifts we’re back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE route

This is NOT a race

ALWAYS CONTROL YOUR SPEED. You do this entirely at your own risk, act responsibly, take full ownership for your own actions and all of those with you, respect other people (& the mountain), ski & ride within your limits, always obey the skiers & snowboarders code, observe all signs, pay attention to all notices, advice & instructions from Pisteurs, only ski off piste if fully equipped & knowledgeable, it’s not a race (you won’t be insured), think about the safety of others as well as yourself but above all, think of other people, take care, don’t wreck things for others & don’t even think of blaming anyone else if it all goes wrong…..

ESCAPADE 2024 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints

Changes through the years
2006 – First year and cards with hole punches stationed at lifties huts are used.
2008 – Electronic lift analysis is now used – no use hiking out the 4th Valley now!
2010 – The piste map did not include the top of the 4th Valley and the Col lift in Val Thorens.
2011 – The X-Wing Discovery was launched but only had 10 check points and doesn’t count!
2012 – Peclet included and Biollay / Vizelle used for Saulire access.
2015 – Foret used instead of La Tania gondola.
2016 – Mont Vallon is included for the first time plus the Montaulever drag lift.
2017 – Chapelets replaced by Petite Boss drag and La Tania’s Bouc Blanc chair replaces Tovets.
2018 – The new Roc de Tougne chair replaces the drag lift of the same name.
2019 – Legends replaces Roc de Fer and the Montaulever drag in Les Menuires has been removed.
2020 – Cime Caron now back in use.
2022 – New Pointe de la Masse and Orelle-Caron Gondolas (for example) could be used.
2023 – Using the new lifts, we ski all the resorts, all the perimeters and classic peaks – ESCAPADE 2023
2024 – No changes to 2023 route!

ESCAPADE 2024 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics

ESCAPADE 2024: Solo Attempt from Steve

5 March 2024

Congratulations to Steve

After seeing many people complete the challenge, and having skied 3 valleys many times, I thought it was time to have a go (leaving the rest of our group for the day).

Started off in mainly sunny weather, and was making good time. But then the visibility dropped and the cloud came in just as I was leaving VT at 1330. Mont Vallon was a unique experience with zero visibility.

Tomorrow should be a good powder day after the heavy snow at the end of today

Got to Forêt at 16:17, then headed back to La Tania to get a deserved beer.

No deviations from suggested route.

Steve L

ESCAPADE 2024 – What’s this all about…

The 3 Valleys Escapade was the lift company promotion of visiting (originally in 2006) 14 points across the Three Valleys and gaining a certificate & badge over the period of your holiday – doing it in a day was a bit tricky though!

It all started out as a late night “is it possible?” discussion – the history and our original route from 2006 are here

Originally punch cards had to be stamped at each check point until electronic passes arrived and then the use of a lift was recorded – now we use Apps such as Ski Tracks or Relive to prove our route.

Note that the Escapade is no longer officially promoted by Les 3 Vallees from Winter 2017 but we still record successful tracks for anyone who is interested in being in the sought after La Tania Escapade Hall of Fame

The original Escapade took 30 lifts, around 13000m vertical with 70km length and by 2016 reached 34 lifts, 17000m vertical (twice the height of Everest) and around 80km skiing (140km total distance). With the newer, longer, faster lifts we’re back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE route

This is NOT a race

ALWAYS CONTROL YOUR SPEED. You do this entirely at your own risk, act responsibly, take full ownership for your own actions and all of those with you, respect other people (& the mountain), ski & ride within your limits, always obey the skiers & snowboarders code, observe all signs, pay attention to all notices, advice & instructions from Pisteurs, only ski off piste if fully equipped & knowledgeable, it’s not a race (you won’t be insured), think about the safety of others as well as yourself but above all, think of other people, take care, don’t wreck things for others & don’t even think of blaming anyone else if it all goes wrong…..

ESCAPADE 2024 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints

Changes through the years
2006 – First year and cards with hole punches stationed at lifties huts are used.
2008 – Electronic lift analysis is now used – no use hiking out the 4th Valley now!
2010 – The piste map did not include the top of the 4th Valley and the Col lift in Val Thorens.
2011 – The X-Wing Discovery was launched but only had 10 check points and doesn’t count!
2012 – Peclet included and Biollay / Vizelle used for Saulire access.
2015 – Foret used instead of La Tania gondola.
2016 – Mont Vallon is included for the first time plus the Montaulever drag lift.
2017 – Chapelets replaced by Petite Boss drag and La Tania’s Bouc Blanc chair replaces Tovets.
2018 – The new Roc de Tougne chair replaces the drag lift of the same name.
2019 – Legends replaces Roc de Fer and the Montaulever drag in Les Menuires has been removed.
2020 – Cime Caron now back in use.
2022 – New Pointe de la Masse and Orelle-Caron Gondolas (for example) could be used.
2023 – Using the new lifts, we ski all the resorts, all the perimeters and classic peaks – ESCAPADE 2023
2024 – No changes to 2023 route!

ESCAPADE 2024 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics

Fresh Snow – Monday 4 March 2024

ESCAPADE 2024: Jacopo & Paolo from Italy complete the challenge

28 February 2024

Congratulations to Jacopo & Paolo

Paolo and I, 23 and 24 years old from Italy, completed the Escapade on the 28th of February.

We started from Val Thorens (departure of Pionniers chairlift) at 9 a.m. and it took us 7 hours and 23 minutes.

Low visibility in the morning but opened up in the afternoon. We had lunch on a chairlift to minimise time and kept the Orelle Valley until last so that we were free to decide whether to finish the Escapade or quit (in case it got too late).

Lastly, at around 4.10 p.m., we took the Funitel Péclet to hit the final checkpoint and we returned to the starting point.

Beautiful experience! Thank you very much!

Jacopo and Paolo

ESCAPADE 2024 – What’s this all about…

The 3 Valleys Escapade was the lift company promotion of visiting (originally in 2006) 14 points across the Three Valleys and gaining a certificate & badge over the period of your holiday – doing it in a day was a bit tricky though!

It all started out as a late night “is it possible?” discussion – the history and our original route from 2006 are here

Originally punch cards had to be stamped at each check point until electronic passes arrived and then the use of a lift was recorded – now we use Apps such as Ski Tracks or Relive to prove our route.

Note that the Escapade is no longer officially promoted by Les 3 Vallees from Winter 2017 but we still record successful tracks for anyone who is interested in being in the sought after La Tania Escapade Hall of Fame

The original Escapade took 30 lifts, around 13000m vertical with 70km length and by 2016 reached 34 lifts, 17000m vertical (twice the height of Everest) and around 80km skiing (140km total distance). With the newer, longer, faster lifts we’re back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE route

This is NOT a race

ALWAYS CONTROL YOUR SPEED. You do this entirely at your own risk, act responsibly, take full ownership for your own actions and all of those with you, respect other people (& the mountain), ski & ride within your limits, always obey the skiers & snowboarders code, observe all signs, pay attention to all notices, advice & instructions from Pisteurs, only ski off piste if fully equipped & knowledgeable, it’s not a race (you won’t be insured), think about the safety of others as well as yourself but above all, think of other people, take care, don’t wreck things for others & don’t even think of blaming anyone else if it all goes wrong…..

ESCAPADE 2024 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints

Changes through the years
2006 – First year and cards with hole punches stationed at lifties huts are used.
2008 – Electronic lift analysis is now used – no use hiking out the 4th Valley now!
2010 – The piste map did not include the top of the 4th Valley and the Col lift in Val Thorens.
2011 – The X-Wing Discovery was launched but only had 10 check points and doesn’t count!
2012 – Peclet included and Biollay / Vizelle used for Saulire access.
2015 – Foret used instead of La Tania gondola.
2016 – Mont Vallon is included for the first time plus the Montaulever drag lift.
2017 – Chapelets replaced by Petite Boss drag and La Tania’s Bouc Blanc chair replaces Tovets.
2018 – The new Roc de Tougne chair replaces the drag lift of the same name.
2019 – Legends replaces Roc de Fer and the Montaulever drag in Les Menuires has been removed.
2020 – Cime Caron now back in use.
2022 – New Pointe de la Masse and Orelle-Caron Gondolas (for example) could be used.
2023 – Using the new lifts, we ski all the resorts, all the perimeters and classic peaks – ESCAPADE 2023
2024 – No changes to 2023 route!

ESCAPADE 2024 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics

Still Freshies if you know where to look & Chamois on Chanrossa

A beautiful day and great skiing today in The 3 Valleys – still fresh tracks to be made if you know where to look, this from somewhere above Les Menuires….

Four Chamois spotted on Chanrossa this afternoon too, it’s Meteorological Spring tomorrow!

Some queues at peak times at the traditional bottlenecks as half term school holidays continue in France – the 30 minute queue for the Tougnette Gondola in Méribel today in the pics below.

French Skiers – A Story of Persistence, Success, and Versatility

Les Trois Vallées, i.e., The Three Valleys, is one of the most renowned ski areas in Europe. Set in the Savoie department and partly situated in Vanoise National Park, this region is close to Italy and Switzerland.

Such a geographically attractive position has been fertile soil for tourism and winter sports.

Hence, La Tania and its surroundings have served as the training ground for many successful French skiers. In this article, we’ll remember some of them and their competitive success.\

Laure Pequegnot

Laure Pequegnot has been one of the most prominent female French skiers in the last 25 years.

During her senior career, Pequegnot participated in three Winter Olympic Games, having won a silver medal in slalom at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

That same year, she won “the small crystal globe” in slalom, which was her biggest success in World Cup competitions.

At her peak, she competed against some wonderful skiers, like Croat Janica Kostelic and Swede Anja Paerson. In many World Cup and Olympic races at that time, it was almost impossible to predict the winner. Today, the competition is not that harsh but guessing the results in advance is not much easier. If you like to watch skiing and wish to place a bet or two, take a look at the results from previous races, check out the standings, and scan the web for the best odds. As the Olympics approaches, you might find certain bookmakers are offering hugely improved odds for a specified event, skiing may be included. Sometimes, the money won in excess of the normal odds is paid as bonus money, so always check the terms before placing any bets on these promotions (source: https://safestbettingsites.co.uk/).

Marielle Goitschel

Born in 1945, Marielle Goitschel is one of the most successful woman skiers in the 20th century, not only in France but also on a global scale.

The shiniest trophies in her cabinet are the gold medals from the Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck (giant slalom) and Grenoble (slalom) in 1964 and 1968, respectively. She also won a silver medal at the 1964 WOG in Innsbruck.

Even more impressive are the seven gold medals she won at World Championships between 1962 and 1968 in all official disciplines at that time: slalom, giant slalom, downhill, and combined.

 

Luc Alphand

Born in Briançon in 1965, Luc Alphand was the most prominent French skier in the 1990s and has remained one of the most notable winter athletes originating from France.

His senior career lasted from 1987 till 1997, and he has been on a constant rise during that period. Alphand won the overall title in 1997, plus the small crystal globes in super G and downhill. It was his threepeat in terms of downhill World Cup titles, as he had already won the downhill title in 1995 and 1996.

At the peak of his skiing career, Alphand decided to retire and soon started pursuing a racing career, from the European Le Mans Series to the FIA GT Championships. In 2006, Alphand won the Dakar Rally, as the first and only (former) skier with such an accomplishment.

Jean-Claude Killy

Born in a Parisian suburb in 1943, Jean-Claude Killy is one of the most awarded male French skiers of all time. Having originated from a non-mountainous part of France, he first needed to attend some intensive skiing lessons to become a competitive junior skier.

A competing contemporary of Marielle Goitschel, Killy won three gold medals at the 1968 Winter Olympic Games in Grenoble (downhill, giant slalom, and slalom) and won another six golds at the Alpine Skiing World Championships between 1966 and 1968. Note down that at that time, medals from the Olympic Games counted together with medals from World Championships (the same goes for Ms. Goitschel above). Despite these overlapping medals, Killy had one of the most impressive skiing careers in the 1960s and has been remembered as an all-around alpine skiing specialist.

The Best Of The 3 Valleys – All Year Round

The Three Valleys, also known by the fancy moniker Les 3 Vallées, this spot is a dream come true for winter sports fans and nature buffs. Right in the middle of the French Alps, this place is famous for not just a humongous ski field—the biggest on the planet, might we highlight—but also it’s cool culture. From the snowy peaks to the vibrant green valleys, let’s start a year-round tour, shall we?

The Cosy Wintertime

When winter visits, the 3 Valleys become a wondrous snowy retreat. Skiing and snowboarding rule here, with miles of well-kept tracks and cool non-track options for all skill levels. But it gets better; expect unique winter experiences like upbeat snowparks and peaceful snowshoe paths. 

And, don’t forget, no ski day ends without diving deep into the après-ski lifestyle, it’s filled with snug mountain huts and fun events, including the exhilarating Casino 3 Vallees, home to the most popular slots games and classic tables. It’s fun for all (who are of age!) and adds a dash of excitement to the mountain feel.

The Beauty Of Spring

When the snow slowly leaves, the valleys show off their lively spring faces. This season is awesome for late skiing, with softer snow and sunny days. But, when the final snowflake disappears, the mountains buzz with the sound of celebrations and the start of walking and bike paths. Watch the rebirth of plants and critters, a pure display of nature’s strength and beauty.

Summer Activity

The 3 Valleys in summer is an adventurer’s paradise. You’ll find endless hiking and biking trails in the mountainside. Up in the sky, paragliders can take flight. Live events such as music festivals and sporting events pump up the atmosphere, while serene alpine lakes provide a calming respite.

Autumn Vibrance

Autumn colours the mountainside with a blend of burnished shades, setting a picturesque outdoor scene. This season is great for a hike among the vibrant foliage or cycling in the sharp mountain air. Foodies will enjoy seasonal food and wine festivals that highlight local tastes.

All-Season Attractions

The 3 Valleys offers year-round activities. You can explore local history at museums and historical sites, or try out regional cuisine. For relaxation, you should check out the thermal spas and nature retreats. The Casino 3 Vallees presents an exciting diversion amidst the varied attractions, where visitors can play slots and traditional casino games in a truly alpine environment.

Need-to-Know Info

3 Valleys is a must-visit, whether you love adventure or peace. Accommodations, from luxury chalets to functional flats, cater to everyone’s needs. With a close ski area and environmental-friendly transportation, journeying through the valleys becomes a breeze.

Final Thoughts

The 3 Valleys are a one-of-a-kind mix of fun, history, rest, and thrill, making it an unmatched spot anytime. Be it white with snow or under warm summer brilliance, the valleys call guests to check out the various features of the resort. Time to pack and start your adventure to uncover the best of the 3 Valleys—where each season narrates a fresh chapter, and every trip leaves you wanting more.

ESCAPADE 2024: Half Term and Soft Snow, but Kev and Josh Succeed

20 February 2024

Congratulations to Kev and Josh

My son and I are staying in La Tania with my wife and daughter. My wife and I have skied all four valleys in a day several times (normally at quieter times such as January), but never quite to the extent of the Escapade with all the lower villages – normally we’d try to stay high as we worked our way across. 

I’d seen the Escapade online before we came out, so after a couple of days to rediscover our ski legs today seems like the day to try as the forecast seems worse for the rest of the week. 

Given the very “Easter” snow conditions, and the half term queues, we were not confident we’d manage it but wanted to give it a try. We were aiming to get to the first lift for 8:45 but at breakfast our chalet host warned us the queues would be awful for half term, so we got there earlier…. 8:25. Nobody else arrived until 8:45! We chatted to another group in the queue who were also attempting (unfortunately they ran out of time – trickier as they had 2 skiers and 2 boarders). 

We got the first lift at 9:01 and were please to find 2-3cm fresh snow. We got to St Martin at 10:07. Big queues for La Masse, but we got to the summit at 11:15. Again, big queues for Reberty chair. I think we were on Bruyers2 at 11:55.  Queues were bad again for Funitel Peclet in VT, but not as bad as La Masse. After that, things went well until Mont Vallon, which was poor visibility and very chopped up. Creux also pretty similar with poor light and chopped/bumps. From there onwards it is just determination. Sometimes you think there is no chance to make it, then an lift or run goes well and it seems achievable again.

We had a good run from Altiport to Courchevel Villages, but then the red down to La Praz was truly awful (like Easter). We got to the bottom of the Forêt lift at 4:23pm. So then it was a relaxed zoom down Folyeres for a very welcome beer or two back at the pub!

Thanks again for the detailed maps and lift lists. 

ESCAPADE 2024 – What’s this all about…

The 3 Valleys Escapade was the lift company promotion of visiting (originally in 2006) 14 points across the Three Valleys and gaining a certificate & badge over the period of your holiday – doing it in a day was a bit tricky though!

It all started out as a late night “is it possible?” discussion – the history and our original route from 2006 are here

Originally punch cards had to be stamped at each check point until electronic passes arrived and then the use of a lift was recorded – now we use Apps such as Ski Tracks or Relive to prove our route.

Note that the Escapade is no longer officially promoted by Les 3 Vallees from Winter 2017 but we still record successful tracks for anyone who is interested in being in the sought after La Tania Escapade Hall of Fame

The original Escapade took 30 lifts, around 13000m vertical with 70km length and by 2016 reached 34 lifts, 17000m vertical (twice the height of Everest) and around 80km skiing (140km total distance). With the newer, longer, faster lifts we’re back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE route

This is NOT a race

ALWAYS CONTROL YOUR SPEED. You do this entirely at your own risk, act responsibly, take full ownership for your own actions and all of those with you, respect other people (& the mountain), ski & ride within your limits, always obey the skiers & snowboarders code, observe all signs, pay attention to all notices, advice & instructions from Pisteurs, only ski off piste if fully equipped & knowledgeable, it’s not a race (you won’t be insured), think about the safety of others as well as yourself but above all, think of other people, take care, don’t wreck things for others & don’t even think of blaming anyone else if it all goes wrong…..

ESCAPADE 2024 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints

Changes through the years
2006 – First year and cards with hole punches stationed at lifties huts are used.
2008 – Electronic lift analysis is now used – no use hiking out the 4th Valley now!
2010 – The piste map did not include the top of the 4th Valley and the Col lift in Val Thorens.
2011 – The X-Wing Discovery was launched but only had 10 check points and doesn’t count!
2012 – Peclet included and Biollay / Vizelle used for Saulire access.
2015 – Foret used instead of La Tania gondola.
2016 – Mont Vallon is included for the first time plus the Montaulever drag lift.
2017 – Chapelets replaced by Petite Boss drag and La Tania’s Bouc Blanc chair replaces Tovets.
2018 – The new Roc de Tougne chair replaces the drag lift of the same name.
2019 – Legends replaces Roc de Fer and the Montaulever drag in Les Menuires has been removed.
2020 – Cime Caron now back in use.
2022 – New Pointe de la Masse and Orelle-Caron Gondolas (for example) could be used.
2023 – Using the new lifts, we ski all the resorts, all the perimeters and classic peaks – ESCAPADE 2023
2024 – No changes to 2023 route!

ESCAPADE 2024 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics