Ultimate Guide to Storing Your Skis

There’s nothing like hitting the slopes for the first time in winter. For ski fans, enduring the hot summer has one payoff: cooling weather marks the coming ski season. Unfortunately, the winter isn’t endless—which means those skis will have to be packed up and put away once the snow starts to melt in places like La Tania.

For skiers who recently forked out a small fortune to finally purchase skis from luxury brands Foil Skis or Zai Spada, which often include carbon fiber, protecting those new items is a top priority. Depending on where and how you hit the slopes, you may not have too many options for storage.

Finding the Right Storage Area

If you’re looking for wooden storage solutions, go here to check out the latest wooden garages from Quick-Garden. The company offers dozens of unique designs, all of which are ideal for storing skis through the summer. Storage sheds offer a dry, ventilated, and shaded area for all types of sporting equipment.

Specifically, a storage shed provides the exact location to expand your skis lifespan. The higher quality of the skis, the more susceptible they are to issues like material flexing and popping. Not only does this degrade the skis, but it may also compromise their performance when it’s time to hit the slopes.

Before You Store Them for Summer…

Most skiers focus on finding the right place to store their equipment during the hot summer months. However, it’s just as important to prep the skis for their hibernation. Luckily, most skis require a short check-up—which is a great time to take inventory of all your ski gear to see which items need replacing.

From there, check for nicks and burrs on your skis—they might need to be repaired at the shop. Then you can take your time sharpening the edges of the skis, which helps decrease drag. After sharpening comes waxing—and be sure to leave an extra layer on for summer.

Finally, check the DIN screws on your bindings, then strap your skis together. Experts recommend storing your skis by laying them down on their sides so that there isn’t too much pressure put on any portion of the skis.

Tips on Prepping for Another Season on the Slopes

After months of sitting idly, skis require a bit of extra love before they’re ready for another round on the slopes. Those who checked on their gear before storing it can hit the lifts with confidence—but be sure to service those skis one last time.

Those who added wax for summer protection can strip it now, then run a microfiber towel across the planks to get them sparkling again. Some also choose to check their edges once more, along with their DIN bindings. However, be sure to check out your boots.

Just like skis, boots are subject to wear and tear during storage months. Particularly, they’re apt to stretch or shrink, depending on composition and storage conditions. For those who enjoy hitting the backcountry, don’t forget to double-check equipment like first-aid kits and shovels.

2023 Piste Maps Analysed and Latest News on The Energy Crisis & Ski Lifts

With the massive investment over the last few years (especially in relation to the 2023 Alpine World Cup) it’s no surprise that this year sees the least “new” badges on the piste maps for quite a few years.

The new Ibex black piste is really the only new addition to the 3 Valleys piste maps (we noted that the 3 Valleys 2023 map still has the Pointe de la Masse marked on it even though this brilliant new gondola that goes directly from the base to La Masse summit in no time at all was opened last season).

Full details of the new Ibex Piste here

The Méribel piste map has the kids area above the Altiport marked as new…

The Piste des Inuits area has had a revamp with both the village and the ski area upgraded with new additions and activities in this kids fun area. La Piste Animaux above is also a great place for kids (and Adults to be fair) where you can identify animal tracks and spot models of them in the forest next to the piste.

Meanwhile on the Courchevel piste map, the new den on Col de la Loze is highlighted…

A new chalet Le Nid de la Loze has been built at the top of Col de la Loze. In the words of the 3V PR machine “Welcome to a delightful haven, inviting you to switch off. Take your pick of two views: the ski area with its fresh, powder snow, or the Vanoise glaciers. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a unique experience with family or friends, or for a romantic getaway”. So we imagine you can book this and stay up there? More when we hear…

Finally, in Courchevel 1650 Moriond a new official ski touring route named Géné’Piste is now marked…

The new 2.8km Ski Touring route takes in a vertical climb of 528 metres, starting off by Les Granges drag lift up to the top of Le Signal chairlift. Ski Touring beginners can learn on the Courchevel-Moriond sector in total safety and take part in the many sociable (and tasty!) events organised by the Snowleader team and try to beat the times set by the Rebloch’team ambassadors.

All maps available on the La Tania Piste Map Page

Ski Lifts & The Energy Crisis

The latest news direct from the Operations Director at S3V which manage the La Tania, Courchevel and Mottaret sectors is that the company’s “Plan de Sobriété Energétique” required by the French Government will put forwards plans that minimise any effect in terms of the service provided and the customer experience of the ski area.

They also inform us that faced with massive increase in costs in many areas, including electricity, fuels and raw materials they have reviewed their pricing structure. Originally, the 3 year electricity contracts that some ski areas had signed up for had gone up by a factor of 10 leading to concerns of the ability of ski areas to fully operate. A government backed price cap of 15% from January 2023 is now in place to mitigate this.

The current plan from S3V is to selectively increase lift pass prices by approximately 9% on average for the 2022/2023 season compared to last Winter – this is still subject to approval by the relevant authorities, Mairie etc.

The New Path and the La Tania Swimming Pool Area is being resurfaced (again)

The new path in La Tania running down from the Hotel Montana steps to the Crêche, Medical Centre and Lift Pass office at the Gondola is getting the top surface put on it today.

Maybe it was just a temporary fix and this is permanent or maybe to match the other resurfacing work and the new pavement down to the gondola? But will be tiled surely?

They better get a crack on with it this time too before the first resort level snow of Winter when it is covered over and everyone skis across it.

Thanks to Andrea from Snow Retreat and Jon from Three Vallee Transfers for these latests pics.

2023 Alpine Skiing World Cup Info – limited impact on recreational skiing

The FIS Alpine Skiing 2023 World Championships are being held in Courchevel La Tania / Le Praz and Méribel from the 6th to 19th February 2023.

Although (unbelievably!) this is right in the middle of the main half term holidays the ski area management company and the organisers are keen to point out the limited effect on recreational skiing during the event – in fact with 15% of all accommodation being taken up by competitors, support staff, organisers, sponsors, media etc there will be more room on the slopes!

In Courchevel where the men’s events are held on the new L’Eclipse piste there is access through a new tunnel from the Forêt Chairlift and Les Arolles piste to allow access to Folyères, Plan Fontaine & Moretta Blanche down to La Tania.

S3V state that only L’Eclipse and Granges pistes in Courchevel will be closed. Granges over in 1650 is reserved for ski testing and working out the best wax apparently!

However, it’s hard to see how Lanches and Bouc Blanc will remain open during the Downhill and for preparation work (other events are further down L’Eclipse) and also the Murettes piste down to Le Praz.

Last winter during the World Cup events the top of the old Jockeys was resurrected – turned out to be not very pleasant and Arolles was obviously heavily skied with being the main route back to La Tania.

The areas closed amount to less than 1% of the 3 Valleys ski area and with amazing skiing to view (L’Eclipe downhill is something else!) and with lots of entertainment and other events on it will be a great time to visit.

Winter Olympics usually cause regular visitors to stay away from the resorts involved and organisers do not want this to happen for this 2023 event which is by far the biggest skiing event outside of the Olympics.

Unfortunately there are no Skier-cross, Half Pipe, Big Air or Freeride events (and no snowboards) which are becoming more and more popular than traditional ski racing and have more appeal to the next generation of Winter sports enthusiasts.

Meanwhile in Méribel the Roc de Fer, Choucas and Eterlou pistes will close but these are at the edge of the ski area so have little impact and again a new tunnel is in place to allow access under the race piste.

Be aware that Saturday & Sunday 11/12 Feb see the ladies and men’s downhills so traffic will be even worse than a usual half term transfer weekend! There are loads of additional traffic management, car parking and shuttle buses being put in place but please plan ahead…..

Tickets: Are on sale now from www.courchevelmeribel2023.com

For example – Prices for the Men’s downhill from €30 at the finish, €60 in the grandstands, €708 on the terrace with lunch and an open bar or €180,000 plus VAT for a private box seating 25 for the whole 2 weeks!

New Footpath, Car Park and Snow in La Tania…

The resurfacing work we reported on around the La Tania gondola is actually a new footpath going from the steps near Hotel Montana all the way to the gondola station.

This will give much easier access (presuming it’s cleared of snow!) to the Crèche, Medical Centre, Lift Pass Office and Gondola access for pedestrians. Less muddy in Summer too!

Thanks to Buddy & Betty for the modelling work.

Meanwhile on the opposite side of the main road from the first La Tania car park as you approach La Tania from Le Praz is the new car park being compressed and flattened ready for use this season.

The earth/rock for all of this actually came from the digging out of the Le Praz underground parking and Alpinium Building. It remains to be seen how much work will be going on with the Moretta Village construction this Winter, will there be any parking for Camper Vans, will the red run be skiable to the gondola etc etc? We’ve had no confirmation of it’s going to be a 3 star or 4 star hotel either – the usual Courchevel transparency…

The first snow of Winter at Bouc Blanc level was seen on Saturday morning, a bit more on Saulire below too. Winter is on its way!

Many thanks to Claire B for the pics!

“New” Piste above Méribel Mottaret under the Bouquetin Chairlift

The Bouquetin Charlift in Mottaret (new for most last year after the pandemic) replaced the old Plattieres 3 gondola “eggs” a couple of years ago and the popular off piste run practically underneath it is to be made an official piste.

This “new” black piste named IBEX will become another “Vertical Experience” area like the Grand Couloir and Couloir Tournier off the Saulire Summit complete with cameras and social media posting opportunities no doubt.

The piste descends from 2700m and is 600m long with a 300m vertical drop that makes for a fairly decent slope angle (average overall) of 30°.

The piste is actually not new and existed in the 1990s when it was named Bouquetin. This from an early 90s Méribel piste map with the run marked under the Plattieres 3 gondola.

PS. Bouquetin or Ibex (or even Steinbeck) are all names given to the wild mountain goats that inhabit the Alps.

Latest building work in and around La Tania including the new car park, fibre cabling & more piste work…

Fibre optic cabling going in to La Tania, the new car park compacted & stabilised, Le Farçon refurb (the kitchen at least), swimming pool resurfacing (again), Ferme / Snow Food work, surfacing / drainage / anti-erosion improvements around the gondola station, ESF Chalet approaching completion, roof work on Folyères Apartments and yet more piste work on L’Eclipse for the 2023 World Cup…

Thanks to Claire B for the pics!

New Chalet Road, Moretta Village Work Starts, Car Parz Saz Closed and the ESF Chalet work continues

The access road from the main D93 to the chalet area is now closed near to the bridge under the red Moretta Blanche piste. The diversion is by the new road next to the Gondola station which joins just above the bridge.

The red run now effectively ends at the new road – no information available about the impact in Winter on this despite our repeated requests.

Quite a steep narrow road now, again no idea how temporary this will be when the work starts on the Moretta Village in the Saz Car Park.

More pics…

and the new ESF chalet progress continues below…

Pizza in La Tania… Automatic Pizza?

This Summer in La Tania we have Saveurs des Alpes, our local deli, serving great pizza as usual but there is a change down at Snow Food…

Yes, an automatic pizza machine capable of working 24/7 is in place and the original Snow Food (and the Pit Stop before that) is no longer operating as it is merged in to the La Ferme / Chanterelles operation.

These machines are becoming quite popular in France along with automatic baguette baking dispensers – sadly doing away with Boulangeries in some villages! Anyone tried them?

Other options for Pizza this Summer of course include The Elephant (aka the pizzeria) down in Le Praz – pretty decent last night (it was requested to be well done!)…

Further down the hill at Saint Bon is of course the Black Pearl with their own twist on Pizzas including a duck option served in a unique old building – well worth a trip too!

Summer Ski Jumping World Cup Programme & a new footpath…

Summer Ski Jumping World Cup 6/7 August, Le Praz

A celebration of flight, attend aerial demonstrations (French Air Force Rafale Solo Display, and aerobatics with the Hérault flight patrol), live music both evenings and fireworks to close the event on Sunday evening at 22:30 (forest fire concerns allowing).

Provisional programme & times

SATURDAY 06 AUGUST – WOMEN’S COMPETITION
In the morning Official training
11.00 Ladies Qualifying
16:30 Trial jump
18:00 Competition jumps
19.00 Final
20.00 Prize-giving 
In the afternoon: Aerial demonstrations.
In the evening: 2 concerts.

SUNDAY AUGUST 7 – MEN’S COMPETITION
In the morning Official training
11.00 Mens Qualifying
16.50 Trial jump
18.00 Competition jumps
19.00 Final
20.00 Prize giving
In the afternoon: Aerial demonstrations.
In the evening: 2 concerts and closing fireworks at 22:30.