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

 


 

The New Wuben X3 EDC Flashlight

Another innovative torch from Wuben – rechargeable via USB, incredibly bright & lightweight and now with a tiny lcd display showing the mode you are in, power of the light and battery status.

A charging case (with the torch still usable) for the USB connection and a clever lanyard strap…

The strap is actually a USB-C cable as well and even had a ruler on it – is there nothing they haven’t thought of!

There’s a multitude of brightness settings including a red mode, flashing and SOS signal.

A unique 180° twisting feature allows the X3 to be used in an upright position – ideal for clipping on in a body camera style for hands free use.

The X3 EDC will be available first exclusively via Kickstarter

Check out the other lighting solutions at the Wuben Official Web Store at: www.wubenlight.com

Get 10% off with the code LATANIA

#Wuben #lightok #easycarrylight

This way you protect your hands against the cold

Have you planned a trip to the mountains this month? For walking, mountain biking or cycling? In the spring, it can feel quite chilly on top of the mountain. For every 100 meters rise, the temperature decreases by 1°C. So make sure you wear layers and pamper your hands with heated gloves.

HeatPerformance Heated Gloves
Remember January when it hit -14ºC in La Tania for 4 days in a row?

Heated gloves

Not yet familiar with heated gloves? In a nutshell, these are gloves fitted with thin, flexible heat conductors. The battery that you connect to this ensures that these conductors heat up. This is going very fast. Within 30 seconds you will feel the heat entering your glove. It is not pleasant to walk around with thick ski gloves in the spring, which is why HeatPerformance® has developed the ALLROUND heated gloves. These gloves are ideal for when you go into the mountains in the spring or autumn. And the name ALLROUND says it all, this model is intended for many types of activities, such as walking, cycling and running.

As long as you keep moving, your body will feel warm, but as soon as you rest, especially after an intensive climb, you quickly cool down. This is because your heart rate drops rapidly, slowing down your circulation. As a result, the warm blood is pumped around less and is less likely to end up in the smaller vessels. You will notice this first on your hands and feet. Those cold hands are a thing of the past with the heated cycling gloves from HeatPerformance®. HeatPerformance® specializes in heated gloves in the UK.

The ALLROUND gloves work with touch screens too!

The features of the HeatPerformance® ALLROUND gloves

The ALLROUND gloves are thinner than ski gloves but thicker than thin sports gloves. The shell of TPU and neoprene provide a windproof and waterproof glove. The cold remains optimally outside thanks to the extra insulation layer. There is an anti-slip grip on the inside of the palm, so that you keep excellent control over your handlebars, even in rainy conditions. The tip of the thumb and index finger is trimmed with a conductive touchscreen fabric.

This is how the glove works

The on/off button is subtly concealed in the cuff of the glove, below the HeatPerformance® emblem. Press and hold this button for a few seconds and the heating system will turn on at the highest setting. You will see 3 bars light up on the display. Press the button again and you switch to the middle heat setting, 2 bars will burn. And you guessed it, pressing the button again activates the lowest heat setting. Use the highest setting to warm your gloves for a few minutes and then switch to the medium or lowest setting to keep your hands warm.

The battery

The gloves come with two powerful, thin 7.4V – 2600 mAh ion-lithium batteries. You can store this in the specially designated pocket in the cuff. This bag can be closed with a waterproof zipper.

This bag contains the power cable to which you can easily connect the battery.

How long you can use the battery depends on various factors. Of course in which position you have put the glove, but also of the ambient temperature. The colder it is, the more energy is required for the glove to provide the desired warmth. But on average, the battery lasts 2 to 6 hours. You can of course always take an extra set of batteries with you on the road, so you can be sure that your hands will be warm throughout the journey.

Nice extra: the gloves come in a nice storage box. This way you can store them neatly and safely for the next season. There is also a charger that charges the 2 batteries at the same time – in 4 hours. Of course, the gloves come with a clear manual so that you can get started right away.

Top 5 Reasons La Tania is the Perfect Ski Destination for Students

Students can take a break from their academics and get some much-needed rest during the exciting winter break. La Tania is the ideal location for skiers who love the snow and want to have an outstanding skiing experience. The French Alps’ lovely ski town of La Tania is the perfect destination for students to spend their winter vacation.  It provides a variety of skiing and snowboarding chances in addition to many other entertaining activities for students to enjoy. La Tania provides everything that students need, from superb skiing and snowboarding to inexpensive lodging to enjoyable après-ski activities.

Why La Tania Is A Ski Destination Students Will Love

Students can take a well-planned holiday to La Tania during their winter break. In addition to planning the trip itself, students must also plan to complete their holiday assignments and writing work. They can outsource some of this work to custom essay writers so that they needn’t worry about their assignments while they are on holiday, and they can truly relax during the vacation. 

The top five reasons La Tania is the ideal ski resort for college students are listed below.

  1. Budget-Friendly Accommodation

The affordable housing choices available in La Tania are ideal for students. Chalets and self-catering apartments are widely available for rent and are very affordable. These choices are ideal for students who want to cut costs and stay away from excessive housing expenses. In addition, the region is home to numerous hotels that are both comfortable and reasonably priced.

  1. Fantastic Snowboarding And Skiing Opportunities

Excellent skiing and snowboarding options may be found in La Tania. The resort is located right in the middle of Three Valleys, the biggest ski region on Earth. There are more than 600 km of ski runs available, accommodating skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Both more difficult routes and beginner-friendly slopes are available for experienced skiers and snowboarders, as well as those who are just learning the sport.

  1. Having a Good Time After Skiing

Due to the abundance of après-ski events available in La Tania, it is the ideal ski resort for college students. Students can go ice skating, snowshoeing, tobogganing, relax at the spa, or swim in the heated indoor pool while having fun at the resort. The resort is the ideal place to relax with friends because it has several bars and restaurants that serve inexpensive food and drinks. For those who wish to take advantage of the nightlife, there are numerous options available, including nightclubs and live music. La Tania is the ideal location for students looking for an exciting and enjoyable winter break location because it has something for everyone.

  1. Easily Accessible

Trains, buses, and cars all make it simple to get to La Tania. There are frequent shuttle services available from Chambéry Airport to the resort, as the former is around 100 km away. Students may easily get to and from the resort thanks to the resort’s good train and bus connections. Students may easily explore the area on foot or skis because of the resort’s lack of cars. Students who wish to visit the resort without having to worry about driving or parking should definitely consider it.

  1. Excellent Atmosphere

The atmosphere in La Tania is fantastic and ideal for students. The town is renowned for its vivacious après-ski scene and its warm and inviting inhabitants. Since local youths are taking advantage of their winter break, students will feel right at home in La Tania. Students may relax and enjoy their vacation without worrying because the resort is highly safe and secure.

The resort also has a friendly atmosphere that welcomes students from all nationalities who may or may not speak French. Non-native speakers of French can seek services from translation agencies to translate the different documents around the resort into their native language so they can understand them. The article by Newsdirect does a great job of reviewing the different translation types and agencies that provide these services.

Concluding Thoughts

La Tania is the ideal ski resort for college students looking to have a fun and reasonably priced winter break. The resort provides students with a variety of enjoyable activities in addition to fantastic skiing and snowboarding options. The resort also boasts a fantastic environment that is ideal for young people and is conveniently accessible. La Tania is unquestionably a ski area that students should think about visiting because of its inexpensive lodging options, welcoming inhabitants, and exciting après-ski scene.

A note about the author – Olivia Evans

Olivia Evans is a highly skilled tour operator that specializes in offering tourists one-of-a-kind and spectacular European vacation packages. Over the course of her years in the travel business, Olivia has developed a reputation for her extraordinary attention to detail and her capacity to design unique travel experiences that go above and beyond. Olivia has a passion for assisting others in having amazing travel experiences, and she likes to document her expert travel advice.

La Tania Summer 2023 – Dates of the main events & activities

Summer 2023

Update on Summer Lifts in Courchevel:
Lifts are open every day from 01 July through to 27 August CONFIRMED
Confirmation that lifts are free for last Winter Season Pass holders.
The 2 out of 7 day Winter season passes are also included for use the same way in Summer.
The La Tania lift will once again be free to all this Summer.
La Tania Gondola 09:30-12:30 and 13:30-16:45
Praz Gondola 09:30-16:45
Verdons Gondola 09:30-16:40
Vizelle Gondola 09:30-16:30

All events, dates and times subject to change.

June 2023
30 Jun to 02 Jul – Punta Bagna, Custom Motorcycle Festival

July 2023
03 to 07 – Festivols
08 – Altifest, Music around the Le Praz Lake
08 – Fête du Fontanil
13 – Spectacle son et lumière
14 – French National Day, Bastille Day
16 – Fête des bûcherons: The LumberJack Fête and Competition, La Tania
16 to 18 – Events and activities on the run up to the the Tour de France
19 – Tour de France through Le Praz, La Tania, Meribel, over Col de Loze to Courchevel Altiport finish
22 to 23 – Fête de la Madelon, Le Praz
23 – Millet XTrail Ultra Marathon with races of 11km, 22km, 33km, 44km, 55km and 66km!
23 to 28 – Festival des 3 Coups
26 – Symphonie Lumière – Sound and Light Show, Le Praz Lake
29 – Fête de Notre Dame des neiges, Courchevel 1650 Moriond
29 to 30 – Meetings and workshops around the Heritage of the local area

August 2023
5 to 6 – Summer Ski Jumping World Cup in Le Praz
7 to 12 – Magic Festival
13 – Mizuno X3 Mountain Triathlon
14 to 15 – Fête des Tovets, Courchevel 1850
17 – Figure Skating, Courchevel Ice Rink
18 to 20 – The Cycling Event
18 to 20 – Courchevel Village Féte
25 – Fête du lac du Praz TBC
26 to 28 – Rencontres des 5 sens, Well Being Weekend, Le Praz

Wuben X2 Lightok Flashlight Reviewed

The Wuben X2 Lightok Easy Carry Light is an extremely powerful, rugged, waterproof torch – perfect for outdoor adventures.

On full power it pushes out 2500 lumens with a beam reach of nearly 150 metres.

It uses a USB-C port to recharge the internal battery pack and delivers on full power for well over an hour – in low mode it can last over 80 hours with a full recharge taking 3 hours.

Measuring just 8.5 x 3.9 x 2cm and weighing only 115g, X2 is a must-have easy carry torch that fits in the palm of your hand.

The intelligent switch systems supports Low, Medium, High and Turbo beams plus 2 flashing modes: Strobe and SOS.

A very decent bit of rugged kit in a titanium case which comes with a lense cover, lanyard and a 30-day return & 5-year warranty.

Order now from the Official Wuben Store and get 10% off with the code LATANIA

#Wuben #lightok #easycarrylight

Favourite Skis Winter 2022/2023 – What were yours?

Back in the late 90s it was simple “Salomon X-Scream please” until they broke – especially if abused by a Seasonaire. Their weapon of choice became the original Dynastar PowerTrack 4×4 which was a bullet proof, go anywhere, all mountain ski.

Roll on to 2023 and there’s a multitude of manufactures from huge corporates to small independents with masses of models of skis – everything becoming more specialised and less and less of a one ski can do all (moderately well) type of ski.

Plenty of Seasonaires and keen, regular, commuted skiers now have more than one pair of skis and use them as conditions dictate.

So I’ll stick my head up and say the Elan Wingman is the closest I’ve come to this season as a one size fits all ski.

I’ll not get in to turn radius, double side walls, dual wood cores, reverse rockers etc etc – it’s just how they feel. At the end of March we had ice, packed pistes, soft pistes, powder and slush (sometimes all in one day) – they just excelled and you didn’t even think about what you were skiing on – just enjoyed it!

“You’re not getting these back!” I said to Charlie at Ski Higher probably the best complement I could give them.

More manageable than the Elan Rip Stick in all conditions and more all round than the Elan Amphibio (but you can write underwater with both hands with those!).

Remember our hero Glen Plake rides Elan these days too! Spotted in Chamonix in March by ex Ski Higher Tracy.

Got to mention the Völkl Deacon – another amazing ski especially on fast pistes but it should be at over €800. We reviewed this back at the beginning of March and it was all over an amazing (proper) review on the#LaTania edition of The Ski Podcast).

The Völkl Deacon 7.2 is expensive but immediately stands out as soon as you roll it on to an edge, the more you work it, the more you love it, you can feel the acceleration out of a turn.
Incredible grip (never skied anything close to it) and good skiers will really get the most out of it. Definitely not the cruisey lazy carve / skid turns home after a long lunch type of ski (maybe too much of a skiers ski for me then!). We nicknamed it the Deacon Blue…. (for older seasonaires).

Finally a mention for these Movement rentals…

Skied the orange ones in December and one of the first skis I’ve just put on and never even thought about when it comes to the first turn – it just worked.

The wider green version I enjoyed in April and it was very enjoyable on the off piste on the sides of Biollay and Pralong. Really felt effortless in soft snow and performed superbly in the cold, soft snow in Tignes at the end of the season.

Of course all reviews are subjective, personal opinions and while some people are obsessed with sidecut, radius, width under foot etc etc – for many recreational skiers, you know by that second run if you like your skis. Remember the best skier on the mountain, is the one having the most fun!

The Dynastar display at the World Championships in Le Praz in February – some great old models there.

Check out the corridor to the toilets underneath the L’Altigel Restaurant at the Bruyères Gondola mid-station in Les Menuires for a great selection of older skis (but recognisable) skis.

So what was you favourite ski this season?

Many, many thanks to Charlie, Phil and all the staff at Ski Higher in La Tania for putting up with me this season. Remember, they Deliver (but not kidneys)!

Winter sports in casino games

Casino games have long been a favorite pastime for many, but now there is an exciting new way to enjoy them – winter sports in casino games! Winter sports bring the thrill and excitement of outdoor activities indoors, allowing players to experience the thrills of skiing or snowboarding without leaving their homes. With realistic graphics and animations that mimic real-life movements, these virtual winter experiences are sure to provide hours of fun. Whether you’re looking for some friendly competition or just want a unique way to pass the time winter sports-themed gambling is something special!

Winter sports-themed slot games

Winter sports-themed slot games are becoming increasingly popular as they offer players an exciting way to experience their favorite pastimes from the comfort of home. 

From skiing down mountainsides to shooting hoops on frozen ponds, these slots will transport you right into your winter wonderland dreams. Whether you’re a fan of ice hockey or figure skating, there are plenty of options out there. The graphics often include realistic animations featuring athletes in action. Also, they include iconic symbols such as skis which can trigger bonus rounds when matched up on reels during gameplay. 

All of the above mentioned things make the gambling experience quite exciting. However, do you know what else does? The short period of time of getting your winnings. In this case, one of the best payments to choose from while gambling is PayPal. PayPal is both safe and fast when it comes to withdrawing winnings. If you like winter sports-themed casino games and want to get an exclusive experience you can find PayPal casinos on Gamblizard. These casinos provide gamblers with a myriad of promotions and bonuses. So, if you want to upgrade your gambling experience to the next level this might be something you should definitely try out.

In addition to being visually stunning experiences, many winter sports-themed slots come packed with several features. These features include free spins and multipliers designed specifically for those who love playing longer sessions at higher stakes. However, if you aren’t among the players who want to risk too much money for getting winnings, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Nowadays gambling companies offer their clients several incentives, especially for winter sports-themed games. For example, you can enjoy £5 deposit casino promotions in the UK and around the world and make your gambling process more thrilling. And if that’s not enough, you should know that some developers have even gone far. They’ve added mini-games within certain titles where players can take part in virtual competitions. For example, curling tournaments or ski jumps – taking the online gaming experience one step further than ever before! 

So whether you prefer downhill racing or biathlon events, snowboarding halfpipes, or cross-country trails – why not give one (or two!) of these amazing winter sports-themed slot games a try today? 

Winter sports-themed table games

Winter sports-themed casino table games are a great way to bring the excitement of winter sports into your gaming experience. 

Blackjack is one game that never goes out of style when it comes to gambling at casinos. But why not add some extra flair by playing in a Winter Sports theme? Try freezing up the deck with Snowball Blackjack where players must draw cards until they reach 21 without going over. Or take on Avalanche Roulette where each spin has an increased chance for massive payouts.

For those who prefer card games, there’s Ski Baccarat. It puts a unique twist on traditional baccarat rules while still maintaining its fast pace and high-stakes action. 

So whether you’re hitting up your local casino this season or enjoying online gaming at home, make sure you check out all the amazing Winter Sports-themed table games available today.

Virtual Reality winter sports casino games

Virtual reality casino games are becoming increasingly popular. In addition to providing a realistic gaming experience for fans of traditional winter sports, there are also many other types of casino-style virtual reality experiences available today. Players can try their hand at roulette or blackjack. In the meantime, they can enjoy stunning visuals that transport them right into the heart of a luxurious Las Vegas casino floor. 

The best thing about these virtual reality casinos is that they provide gamers with an opportunity to win real money. This means no more long drives out into rural areas looking for casinos. Instead, players have access 24/7 wherever there’s an internet connection! 

So if you’re looking for something new this year why not give virtual reality winter sports casino game a try? You’ll be amazed by how much fun you could have while still staying indoors!

Conclusion

Casino games featuring winter sports provide an ideal way for players to get in on the action and enjoy a unique twist on traditional casino entertainment. From ice hockey-themed slots and snowboarding table games, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of extreme sports or just looking for something new and exciting, consider giving one of these wintry-themed games a try! 

Fantastic Piste Skiing & Lots Of Marmottes – 17 April 2023

Absolutely fabulous skiing today on empty pistes.

Yes, lower down it gets a bit thin and the last 30m in to La Tania requires you to remove skis (we also had a little walk in to St Martin after foolishly ignoring the Piste Ferme signs!).

An unprecedented 12 Marmottes spotted this morning! Sunbathing, sniffing around and fighting – or were they flirting?

Cheers to the first lift crew for a brilliant day.

Dou des Lanches was our Piste du Jour at 09:20 this morning!
Biollay also magnificent this morning – seriously as good as it gets for piste skiing.

ESCAPADE 2023: Tom, Phil and Jonathan

04 April 2023

Along with a couple of mates, we’ve been talking about doing the Escapade for a few years and finally got round to it!

We started and finished in St Martin.  Ski Tracks and photo attached, along with GoPro edit!

Route was pretty much as suggested, with a couple of slight adjustments due to lift closures: Praz & Plantrey lifts in place of Foret (closed); Tougnette 2 in place of Olympic (Verdet and top of Jerusalem closed).

Technically you should have visited the top of Olympic – but it’s end of season so we’ll give it to you!

Well done everyone in tough conditions – you’re now in the La Tania Escapade Hall of Fame

ESCAPADE 2023 – 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 100km.

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 2023 – 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

ESCAPADE 2023 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics

Closing Time… Pub Le Ski Lodge Closing Party

The magnificent Bloc off the Wall playing the season out as Pub Le Ski Lodge closes until Summer.