Latest Covid Related Rules & Test Centres for Courchevel and Méribel

This is the latest information we have at time of publication, please don’t shoot the messenger! For further information please use the contact details on this page and speak to people – relying on facebook comments for accurate information is not advised. Official links at the bottom of this page.

Courchevel Tourist Office +33 (0) 479 08 00 29 and Les 3 Vallees Covid Page for more info.

Our guide to Covid Related Travel Restrictions / Testing / Forms to complete etc is here

Les 3 Vallees Association have released the following information

Health Pass (or Pass Sanitaire)

VACCINATION AND HEALTH PASS

VACCINATION AND HEALTH PASS ON THE SKI AREA

Since January 24th, 2022, the vaccination pass is compulsory for anyone aged 16 and over in order to go into the slopeside restaurants (and terraces) and to access to ski lifts (even free ones, except Magic Carpets).

The “vaccination pass” does not apply to minors aged 12 to 15. It is therefore the “health pass” – which includes the additional possibility to present a proof of negative test of less than 24 hours – which remains in place for this age group.

Random checks will be carried out at the ski lift departure points, at the start of ski lessons and at the entrance to slopeside restaurants.

REMINDER

The health pass is required for anyone aged 12 to 15.

The health pass consists of the presentation, in digital or paper form, of one of the following three health proofs:

Vaccination, provided that a complete vaccination schedule is available ;

A negative test (PCR or antigen tests) less than 24 hours old ;

The result of a positive RT-PCR test attesting to the recovery of Covid-19, at least 11 days old and less than 6 months old. Please note that you must be able to present a QR Code.

Note that the NHS QR Code from the NHS App (or a paper copy) is acceptable or you can download the French Tous Anti-Covid App to your phone and scan the NHS QR Code in to it and use that – you will then have a “Pass Sanitaire”.

For countries outside the EU – the manual form filling version to get a Pass Sanitaire is here:
Convert a foreign vaccination certificate into a french health pass

Face Masks

Wearing a mask is compulsory (from age 11) on all ski lifts, when queueing – both inside and outside – and in all sales outlets and meeting places.

It is also compulsory in all types of ski lifts during the transport – we advise you to travel with your family or with other members of your group.

Skiers are required to wear a surgical mask or a category 1 fabric mask.

Regarding neck warmers, only those that are filtering and approved will be authorized as an alternative to masks (ie The 3 Valleys one).

Testing Stations

Antigen / Lateral Flow tests are acceptable for the Pass Sanitaire (within 24 hours) or for the pre-departure return to the UK (with 48 hours). There is a test centre at Geneva Airport too.

With 12-15 year olds not being able to get double jabbed in the UK this currently means they will need to test every 24 hours to get the Pass Sanitaire to allow skiing and access to mountain restaurants etc. But also see the note above regarding 12-15 year olds being able to get a Pass Sanitaire with vaccine proof.

PCR Tests are €75
Antigen Tests are €22

Updated Test Centres in La Tania and Courchevel

After the Mairie refused to have a test centre in La Tania common sense eventually prevailed.

The La Tania Medical Centre is located in La Grandzeta building next to the Gondola Station Lift Pass Office: Antigenic tests from 8h30 to 10h30 and from 17h to 18h. By appointment only book online: https://bit.ly/3pjUD1z

La Croisette 1850
From December 23 to January 2, antigenic tests every day from 9 am to 1 pm and from 14 pm to 19:30 pm. Book online: https://bit.ly/3yNsjb4
All season, RT-PCR and antigenetic tests. Book online: https://www.pds.synlab.fr

1st floor of the Moriond House 1650
Antigen tests on Thursdays / Fridays / Saturdays. Book online: https://bit.ly/3mm3aPt

1550 Office
Antigen tests. Book online: https://bit.ly/3ErR0Lg

MERIBEL TEST CENTRES

Méribel Olympic Park.

Méribel Mottaret Tourist Office.

Test centers open from 4 Dec 2021 to 22 Apr 2022, every day, from 09:00 to 13:00 and from 15:30 p.m. to 18:30 by appointment only: Make an appointment

Message from The 3 Valleys Resorts

Our staff will welcome you in the best conditions possible, having made changes to the way we work since the start of the health crisis (training in barrier gestures, wearing a mask, etc.).

Social distancing rules must be respected at sales outlets, on all ski lifts when queueing, in picnic rooms and public toilets… in all meeting places.

Hydroalcoholic gels are available in all public places, such as enclosed buildings for ski lifts, points of sale, viewpoints, first aid stations, public toilets, picnic rooms, etc.

Public spaces will be cleaned daily and windows will be kept open as far as possible.

Our ski lift hourly flow will be increased to reduce queues and the ski lifts remain at full capacity.

As is the case for all public transport in France, this winter we will maintain the same passenger flow but are adapting the ski lift rules to ensure peace of mind for both users and employees.

The rules are straightforward: when you get to the top you can remove your mask and make the most of the fresh air, breath-taking views and stunning landscapes.

Courchevel Tourist Office on +33 (0) 479 08 00 29 can provide further information.

Travel Information

This La Tania Blog Page tries to keep up to date with the latest information (always only from official sources). As always the best (and only) info that is reliable is from government sources – but check that both countries information match for confirmation…

Covid Safety Measures & Rules plus Testing Stations in Courchevel & Méribel (and now La Tania)

UK Government travelling to UK

UK Government travelling to France

France Government travelling to France

UK Government travelling to Switzerland

Swiss Government travelling to Switzerland (& link to Swiss PLF)

Swiss Government Transit to France information

French Sworn Statement Link

EU Digital Passenger Location Form (dPLF)

UK Passenger Location Form

Swiss Travel Check Site

Les 3 Vallees Covid Information Page

Opening Night at La Taiga

After 623 days #backstronger

Outdoor Master Ultra Goggle Reviewed

Outdoormaster have released their new ULTRA XL Snow Goggles + Lens Bundle which has a super high definition, colour optimised, wide angle, anti-fog lens, but the special part is the easy magnetic lens changing system for those sunny mornings and the cloudy late afternoons when flat light descends and a change of lens is required (but 90% of the time you can’t be bothered with the hassle and just put up with poor visibility until you get home).

We had the pleasure of trying these out on Val Thorens opening weekend a few days ago. Even though it was a glorious day the light first thing was quite flat on the shaded Lac Blanc / Béranger pistes from the top of the Funitel Peclet.

A little later of course we were bathed in bright sunshine for the entire run as the sun got a little higher in the sky but at this time of year it’s always pretty low – for example the terrace outside Jack’s Bar in Méribel is in the shade from 14:20 as the sun goes over Tougnéte!

So a perfect chance to switch lenses and hammer down the shaded pistes being able to clearly see the rutted edges of the piste where cannoned snow had been groomed a bit over enthusiastically! Later when we were mostly in bright sunshine a very quick 10 second change over – here’s how easy it is to change lenses:

The clarity with a new pair of goggles is like having enhance vision – it really is a game changer (lens changer!).

Opening Weekend at Val Thorens: 19-21 Nov 2021

After 615 days it’s absolutely fabulous to be skiing again! Everyone was smiling, accepting masks being worn in queues and enjoying the skiing. Limited to the prepared pistes, but no stones or bare patches – a tremendous job once again from the Pisteurs.

Winter Olympics 2022: what you need to know

The timer is ticking down as the excitement goes up in preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Beijing hosts the world for what will be a memorable games running between the opening ceremony on 4th February and the closing ceremony on 20th February. The Beijing National Stadium features as the main arena, and it’s there the hotly anticipated 2022 games will be opened by President Xi Jinping as the eyes of the watching world focus on Asia.

Followers will witness a piece of sporting history as we see the first-ever Winter Olympics held in China and the last of what will be three consecutive Olympic Games staged in East Asia. Following the success of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, the pressure is now on China to live up to the high standards set there.

Preparations are well underway, with organisers putting the finishing touches on the stadiums and security while the athletes and coaches hone their skills before performing on the big stage. Fans of winter sports have also been busy making their predictions at Las Vegas online sports betting websites and smartphone apps. Pick the nations you expect to shine in your favourite events and place your bets early to secure the best odds.

How to watch Beijing 2022

This will be the most-watched Winter Olympics ever, with more major television stations around the world showing the events. Each sport and fixture from the games will be shown to a global audience, from the early rounds all the way through to the medals. You can keep pace with the strong starters and the grandstand finishes. It promises to be a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and you can keep up to speed with the best of the best.

The TV coverage is boosted by live streaming, which brings HD quality streams to your smartphone or mobile device. Watch the Winter Olympics from the comfort and warmth of your own home using a desktop computer or when on the move through an Android or iOS device. Turn everyday situations into a chance to watch live sports. You can follow the action on your commute home from work, on a lunch break or when out shopping. If you have a modern smartphone with a reliable Wi-Fi connection, you can even keep tabs on bobsleigh, downhill skiing, snowboarding and all your favourite winter sports at work.

There’s now no reason for you to miss the events and results you love most. Unlike past winter Olympics that have taken place at awkward times in your daily schedule, you don’t need to rely on a results site or the highlights when you return home from work. You are always just a click away from a live stream that has perfect quality, crystal clear sound and no buffering or loading interruptions.

How to get the best live stream

Many live streams are available on the Winter Olympics, and more will pop up between now and February. Some are better quality than others, and some are more secure than others. It’s crucial that you choose a free and reliable site to live stream the Winter Olympics. It must be available and legal in your region, have HD quality and cover all the sports you are most interested in.

Online betting apps offer the best live streams, and there’s a reason for this. Bookies have live streaming Winter Olympics features that are head and shoulders above the competition as it helps attract new customers to their app. Sign up for an account with a bookie that offers live streaming, and you can watch every event free of charge. In addition to the live stream, there’s updated stats, pre-match predictions, live scores and in-play betting.

If you place a wager on the outcome of an event, you can watch the play live and for free. This allows you to not only cheer on your favourite teams and athletes but also your bets. Bookies know the better their live streaming tab is, the more likely you are to sign up and gamble on the outcome of a match. Take advantage by creating an account, placing a small wager and watching for free on your smartphone.

First Tracks on Saulire – Winter 2022

A bit keen? Spotted on the Saulire webcam yesterday 4th November 2021 – A lone figure skinning up the Saulire bowl.

And then putting down those first tracks of the season… Congratulations! Your name is safe with us…

Tips that will Help you to Stay Entertained While Travelling

Many people look forward to going on holiday every single year. It doesn’t matter whether it is a beach trip or whether it is simply going skiing on fresh snow. That being said, travelling is usually the worst bit about going on holiday. If you want to make sure that your holiday is the best that it can be, then this is the guide for you.

Rent a Movie

Whether you are travelling by car, plane or even public transport, there is now a huge range of portable devices that you can use to watch your movies. The great thing about them is that they don’t break the bank. If you can stay connected to the WiFi or if you can use streaming services such as Netflix or even Amazon then this will give you plenty of options when it comes to your viewing experience. Many long-haul planes also give you the option for in-seat viewing. You have the option to download whatever shows you want before you go as well so you won’t have to worry about a thing when you’re off the grid.

Learn a New Language

Why not try and be productive when you are on the road? There are many things that you can do when you are out travelling. The benefits of learning a new language are endless and they can really help you to enhance your cognitive abilities. It can also boost your confidence, allowing you to make bigger and better decisions. If you are travelling to a new country then you may even find that you can practice whatever you are going to say when you get there and this will really help you out. You may even find that you can expand your reading ability and this can work in your favour far more than you realise. Why not see what language apps there are out there, if you want to boost your chances of success?

Play Online Games

The great thing about travelling in this day and age is the fact that there is a host of tech out there. It’s great if you want to stay entertained. Even though some people grew up trying to play noughts and crosses in the back seat, travellers today now have the option of many different online games. If you want to play online slots then the casino NetBet is a fantastic example of the casino genre. Then again, if you love ‘shoot-em-up’ games, Fortnite and Assasins Creed may be more up your alley. Technological developments from various online providers mean that you can now have the best graphics and the most immersive experience while you are on the go.

Travel Games

Nothing beats you having a classic board game. The great thing about travel games is that they are often available in smaller, travel editions. If you love Scrabble then you may want to play Bananagrams. This is a way more compact version and it comes in a pouch so you can even take it on the train if you want. Another favourite would be Monopoly. The great thing about Monopoly is that it is available in a Grab and Go edition.

2022 Three Valleys Piste Map Analysed

All the “NEW” labels reviewed and the new beginners lifts in La Tania are detailed!

Although this is the 3 Valleys Map and not as detailed as the individual valley maps we note that the green Plan Fontaine piste appears to joint the beginners area rather than intersect the blue Folyéres piste. The 2 new magic carpet lifts are clearly marked (no names yet) with the blue piste going around them.

Update: It looks like this is incorrect and you can ski from green to blue and around the lifts. More info and pics here

The Piste des Animaux above the Méribel Airport is a great interactive experience for kids (and adults) spotting the models of animals with interactive questions on the notice boards near them. This was ready for last season and we had some fun testing it out (the questions were quite competitive) this Summer on the footpath that winds in between the animals.

The refurbed Bride-Les-Bains Olympe gondola will be running from this December with 6 seats face to face in new more comfortable cabins.

The Bouquetin Chairlift was actually ready for December 2020 but hasn’t been used in anger yet. Replacing the Plattieres 3 bubbles, the 6 seater chair takes you up to the Mont de la Challe plateau for direct access to Les Menuires or Saint Martin de Belleville.

Opening in December the 3km long Pointe de la Masse 10 seater gondola takes you direct from base to summit of La Masse in 8 minutes. The Masse 2 Gondola,  Lac Noir and Rocher Noir chairlifts were removed this summer but all the pistes they served are still accessible.

Finally, over in the “4th Valley” are 2 new gondolas.

From the base station up to the Plan Bouchet area, a brand new 10 seater gondola, Orelle, one of the longest gondolas in Europe nearly 5km in length with a 1462m vertical climb in 13 minutes.

From Plan Bouchet to the Cime Caron summit there is another 10 seater gondola, Orelle-Caron, covering the 2235m length and 820m vertical in just 7 minutes. From the Cime Caron summit at 3200m there are wonderful runs down to Val Thorens at 2300m (and a great black down to Plan Bouchet too!).

The 2022 Three Valleys Piste Map is available for download here (and the individual valley maps will be there as soon as they are available).

All Courchevel, Méribel & 3 Valleys Lift Pass Prices for Winter 2022

Confirmation that as is stands now, there will be no workers or residents discounts and no Aquamotion options. According to the lift companies these discounts are now deemed illegal across France as they are discriminatory as lifts are ”public transport” so the treasury can expect full VAT on every pass. Discriminating against 31 year olds is allowed though it would appear – it will be interesting to see if all resorts follow…

After plenty of incorrect information on social media we can confirm that La Tania lifts are scheduled to open on Saturday 11 December 2021. There had been some speculation that lifts may have opened a week earlier when the Courchevel 1850 lifts open on Saturday 4 December.

A 3 Valleys adult 6 day pass in the main season is €330 (2.8% increase) with a Courchevel 6 day pass €295 (up 3.1%).

A 3V day upgrade from a single valley shoots up to €40 (a 14.3% increase) so they’re really pushing you in to the 3 Valleys option.

A couple of new 3 Valleys flexible season pass options and a huge 30% off season pass prices for those under 30 have been added.

Although aimed at season workers the flexi passes are open to anyone and have either a 2 day a week or 20 lifts a week option (but hefty penalties if you go over this – the full €66 a day or €10 per lift). Priced at €665 they will work out for some people but some keen skiers can do more than 30 lifts in a day and many workers like to get out for a few runs before work or for an hour or two when on a split shift – the 20 lifts a week pass is only 3 lifts a day!

For comparison a full adult 3V Season Pass is now €1404 (up 2.5%) and Courchevel Season Pass €1190 (up 3.3%) with under 30s paying €982 and €833 respectively.

Duo and Tribu discounts continue when buying 2 or 3 passes of the same type and duration saving around 3 or 4% and the pay as you go Liberty Pass with its limited discount structure is as before.

Family passes continue with all the family from 2 adults and 2 kids paying the same under 13 child price but on a family pass kids are classed as under 18 – you don’t have to ski together!

There’ll be further analysis and breakdown plus news of other passes on our ski pass page at: latania.co.uk/skiing/passes