Winter fun in La Tania

At the bottom of a northern slope in the Alps lies La Tania, it is easily accessible via the descent that winds through the forest. Because it is a northern slope be sure to take into account that in January winter is king. To reach the other areas you need at least two lifts, the fast gondola and either of the chair lifts. With the fast chairlifts you are in Courchevel 1850 in heartbeat or you cross over to the valley of Méribel. In La Tania there are also a number of trails, it is even possible to use the cross country trails to go to Méribel Village. The friendly resort of La Tania is a great way to explore the vast Three Valleys ski area.

The village has its own ski shops, tourist office, supermarket, post office and cash machine, as well as a good selection of restaurants and bars. There is a vibrant après-ski scene and often live music in the evenings – ask your chalet hosts which not-to-be-missed bands are playing during your stay so that you’re sure not to miss out on any of the musical action in one of the many bars and restaurants that the area has to offer. As you know the French gastronomy is to die for.

After a good day on the slopes, people often get together for a good raclette or fondue and then everyone goes about their business before going to sleep: watching a film with a good hot chocolate by the fire, playing games on their mobile like Amazon Slots, Bingo. You can find useful reviews at CasinoRange.com. Or maybe play some nice and cosy board games with the family. And as a car-free village, it is ideal for children who can sled and board safely after the ski-lifts have closed at the end of the day. There is also a park with climbing and swings that are great fun in the snow, and there are plenty of walks nearby that are ideal for non-skiers and those with smaller children who don’t yet ski.

It is one of the top 2 places in the area to learn how to ski, with beautiful long green and blue runs and snow cannons to ensure good coverage all season. A collection of attractive Scandinavian-style chalets in the woods above the village adds to the cosy mountain atmosphere. The cost of lunch or dinner here is lower than anywhere else in the Trois Vallées. And who doesn’t love to enjoy a cosy après-ski with a nice glass of French warm mulled wine? We wholeheartedly agree that this is the best way to warm up after a day in the pristine snow!

What to look forward to on the Ski Area for Winter 2022…

As this strangest of Winters draws to a close it’s time to turn our attention to Winter 2022. With many holiday bookings rolling over from this Winter plus the pent up demand of skiers & snowboarders across the globe for once you really do have to book up early to get the holiday you want.

Christmas, New Year and Half Term options are already limited and many other dates are booking up fast. Check Accommodation, Special Offers and Private Apartment Availability here. Our Transfers, Flights, Driving and other Travel Pages are being updated as things start to become clearer for next Winter.

New Pistes & Lifts This Year – will be new for most people in 2022!

In our annual What’s New Guide that comes out around the end of September we detail all the changes across the 3 Valleys from new lifts, pistes, buildings, bars to road improvements and new cash machines, even new flower beds! For now here’s a preview of the ski area developments we’ve to look forward to…

The What’s New for 2021 included near La Tania the new L’Eclipse World Cup 2023 downhill piste (using the top section of the Bouc Blanc and widening Jockeys considerably), new shaping of pistes and a tunnel for recreational skier to use plus the relocation of the beginners area near the top La Tania gondola station. Loads of new snow cannons plus a huge new reservoir at the top of Cold de la Loze to feed them was built too.

Over in Courchevel 1850 the Stade area was reshaped and a huge new Club des Sports and race HQ was built.

Above Mottaret, the new Bouquetin chairlift replaced the old Plattières bubbles (which were sold off in 3 minutes in April) with a bottom to top time of only 2 minutes 20 seconds giving direct access to Les Menuires / St Martin.

New tunnels to allow skiers access around the Méribel World Cup Pistes (for the Women’s events) were completed too.

Val Thorens opened a new snow cannon reservoir near Les Deux Lacs chair – this chair lift itself is due to be replaced and upgraded to a new 10 seater gondola.

Winter 2022 – Really New Stuff…

La Tania sees a complete overhaul of the beginners Troika area with 2 new travelator (magic carpet) lifts replacing the current drag lift, a re-profiling & re-shaping of the slope, more new snow cannons and a full separation of the Folyeres Pistes and the beginners area making it an excellent spot for first time skiers.

Work begins this Summer but the Swimming Pool will be retained and work completed higher up the piste during July and August. Note that the lifts will be free and open to all with a reserved ESF training to skiers right (red arrows on the diagram below).

Over in Les Menuires, La Masse will have a brand new top to bottom gondola opening in December 2022. The current configuration is of two gondolas with a ski in between them, so it will be much quicker to get to the top and have a photo with the Ibex (or ski the off piste route down to the the Plan de L’eau chair). It is expected that the Masse 2 Gondola and the two old chair lifts will be removed although timescales are not clear.

Meanwhile in Orelle in the 4th Valley the replacement gondola from the base station and the new gondola up to the Cime Caron summit are also set to open this December. This will give an alternative exit out of the 4th Valley as an alternative to the Rosael Chairlift which can be a bottleneck after lunch on sunny days.

Finally we were sent this link to a consultation project on public transport links across La Vanoise linking up all the resorts via much more regular bus links and gondola transportation systems. Note the “Tovets Gondola” link from Bozel to 1850 via St Bon & 1550 plus a bus service link from La Tania to Méribel too – remember when we had that!

While the Bozel lift story has gone on for well over 20 years it does seem to be picking up some momentum again although in reality the pandemic must surely have an impact on the financing of this project for at least a couple of more years.

No further news on the possible link from Grandes Combes / Aqua Motion to 1650, the upgrade of the La Tania Gondola and/or Lanches chair, the promised replacement of Creux Noirs chair, a new lift around Plan de L’eau towards La Masse, timescales for the new Rhodos Gondola in Méribel or details on the new La Tania green run through the Forest to the skiers left of Folyères.

As always there’s a huge amount of maintenance, drainage improvements, anti-erosion work, new snow cannons, signage, fencing, safety measures and protection of the environment that goes on every Summer – no doubt we’ll have some pics on our Mountain Biking and Hiking adventures this Summer – Don’t forget about Summer in La Tania where the Summer lifts are open 7 days a week for the first time!

But more importantly if you are planning on skiing or snowboarding next Winter – Book Now!

Fantastic April Skiing for those hiking up and the new World Cup L’Eclipse Piste skied

Private Ski Instructor Martin Hemsley based in Méribel has been ski touring around some of our favourite pistes and sharing his efforts in his blog at: www.mh2ski.co.uk/ski-blog

Last week he made his way up to Col de la Loze and skied fresh untouched powder on Dou des Lanches just above La Tania…

At the end of March, Martin was one of the first to ski the new World Cup Piste named L’Eclipse after it was prepared for inspection by the various racing committees. Next Winter will see international events prior to the Alpine World Cup Finals in February 2023 with the Men’s Downhill, Super G, GS and Slalom events held on L’Eclipse. The women’s events are held on the Roc de Fer piste in Méribel.

Set to be one of the most challenging, fastest and steepest race pistes in the World with no respite for racers in any “gliding” areas – this will be full on, flat out lunacy… A detailed view by Martin of the new piste made up of the top section of the Bouc Blanc (with an S shaped curve) and the old, black Jockeys piste (regraded, widened and straightened) is available in his blog here

One of Méribel’s most respected Private Ski Instructors. Martin enjoys sharing his passion for the sport and mountains. Instruction is delivered whilst being patient, safe and considerate. Martin always respects the needs and requirements of his clients. More at: www.mh2ski.co.uk

Introducing Ski First Tracks Catered Chalets in La Tania

Who would be crazy enough to start a brand-new catered ski chalet business in the face of the lethal Brexit/Coronavirus cocktail that has all but devastated the ski industry?

It seems Cheryl (Chez), Moira, Melinda and Jonty are…..

La Tania is one of the best kept secrets of the Three Valleys and the four experienced chalet hosts loved it there. It is a close-knit winter community. Many of the skiers come back year after year and they had made some great friends both with their fellow seasonal workers and their guests. They were sad to think they might never go back there after their previous winter employers ceased trading.

Eventually, after sitting around for a while and feeling sorry for themselves got a bit boring, they started to think about what they were going to do. It looked like the 2020/21 season was not going to happen, but what about 2021/22?

Months of versions of “Brexit’s made it impossible”, research, false starts, and setbacks later, Ski First Tracks was born. The business has two chalets in La Tania; Melinda and Jonty will be your hosts in Chalet Jacqueline and Moira and Chez will look after you in Chalet Amber.

They promise you a ’great value, home-from-home holiday’. But what does that mean? “A really warm welcome, great food and a friendly, companionable atmosphere. Our job is to make you feel completely at home as soon as you walk in the door – without the chores, of course!” says Jonty. “We’ve been on a few chalet holidays and some can be a bit pretentious and make you feel slightly awkward – they did me, anyway! That’s not us. When you stay with us, you’ll feel like you’re staying with friends for the week.”

Looking at the feedback they’ve had from previous guests, you won’t be disappointed:

 “What fantastic hosts! The food is of a restaurant standard. We will definitely come back if you are hosting.” (Melinda and Jonty);

“Well looked after every day with fantastic food (WOW!) and I can cook! The entire stay from start to finish was amazing.” (Moira);

“What a fantastic week and it is you who have made it so! In 30 years of chalet holidays this has been the best food yet!” (Chez).

Ski First Tracks was introduced to the skiing market in February. “The support and goodwill we’ve had from people desperate to get back on the slopes has been incredible” says Jonty, “but more important is the optimism of the people who have already booked, despite Covid still being a big issue. In fact, we have been so overwhelmed with the response that we wanted to say ‘thank you’, so everybody that has booked with us by 31st May will be included in a draw for a free, full Three Valleys lift pass.

What if Covid is still an issue by December? “Our main concern is that everyone (including us) is safe. We have taken the decision that all guests must be fully vaccinated when they come and stay with us. This means that guests must be able to show us that they have had their full two doses of the COVID‑19 vaccination at least 14 days before their holiday departure date. And, if our guests are prevented from travelling because of national or local restrictions, or Courchevel or the lifts are closed, then everyone will be offered a full refund or the option of booking the same week in 2022/23.”

For more information about Ski First Tracks, have a look at www.skifirsttracks.co.uk

Also, you’re welcome to join the Ski First Tracks community at www.facebook.com/groups/skifirsttracks

Winter 2022 Opening Dates & Lift Pass Prices – Let’s Look Forward!

A bit of positivity and we can start looking forward to Winter 2022 with the opening dates and 3 Valleys lift pass prices released. La Tania is not included in the below generic Courchevel date but almost certainly will be Saturday 11 December 2021 – unless of course they’re thinking (correctly) we’re desperate to ski and opening everywhere a week earlier…

A 3 Valleys 6 day pass rises by 2.8% to €330 for Winter 2022 to ski in the largest ski area in the world and the one day pass is up from €64.50 to €66, a 2.3% rise.

3 Valleys Season Passes and the 3V one day extensions from a single valley pass have not yet been released and we’re still waiting for the Courchevel prices too.

All the lift pass prices and downloads will be available at www.latania.co.uk/skiing/passes.htm

Main Season 18 December 2021 until 15 April 2022

Low Season 04-10 Dec, 11-17 Dec & 16-22 Apr

Good News! Col de la Loze Cycle Track opening for Ski Bus access for Skiers & Snowboarders

Despite new lockdown news there’s more downhill skiing available in Courchevel from this weekend. With private car and taxi access / parking already enabled for downhill skiing on the pistes down from the Altiport above Courchevel 1850, the next logical step was to run shuttle buses up to Col de la Loze.

This will allow downhill skiing from 2304m down to Le Praz (including using the brand new L’Eclipse World Cup Piste) – A vertical descent of over 1000 metres!

A huge operation clearing snow from the cycle track that was used from the Méribel side in last year’s Tour de France has taken place to allow skiers to enjoy a decent amount of downhill skiing over the Easter Holidays (for the few who are already there or allowed to travel as new lockdown measures come in to play from Saturday).

On the Méribel side the Pic Blue piste will be the only maintained piste. Due to the additional avalanche risk and control measures required (especially at this time of year in warmer weather on this sun facing slope) the Boulevard will remain closed off – there is a large amount of snow above this piste and it often has to close in the afternoons anyway at this time of year. In addition the black Tetras piste will be closed as it is suffering from inadequate snow cover due to the warm temperatures of the past week.

The new electric, autonomous, driverless Shuttle Bus / Snow Plough from Navya (and trialled in Val Thorens but currently in dispute with unions over the loss of driver jobs) will run from 09:30 until 12:00 and after lunch from 15:00 to 16:45 for €10 per person per trip payable on-line via the Apr App. There are no reductions for kids or OAPs but ski instructors, ski guides, ski area workers, public relations reps, media organisations, mountain restaurant staff, ski patrol, medics, coaches and those training travel free.

Hikers / Snow Shoeing passengers are allowed but strictly no sledges are to be taken on board.

Pistes down to La Tania, Le Praz and 1850 will be maintained in this controversial move with critics pointing to the fact that for example, single use chairlifts (currently not allowed) would be a great deal safer and Covid Secure than people packed on to Shuttle Buses…

How to Bet on Ice Hockey

Although ice hockey doesn’t enjoy the same level of popularity in the UK as sports such as football, rugby, and cricket, there is a section of the population that is dedicated to following ice hockey domestically and in the US and Canada. The Elite League is the UK’s premier ice hockey competition, and thanks to many betting websites found on sites like Find Betting Sites or Google, punters can follow high-profile ice hockey matches from the NHL online. This post will show you how to bet on ice hockey and let you know about the things you should understand before wagering your money.

Understanding ice hockey: the basics

Before betting on any sports online, you should ensure you have a basic understanding of the sport before you bet, to make sure you aren’t wasting your money. Ice hockey is competed between two teams of six, and matches last one hour, which is divided into three twenty-minute periods. Each period starts with a face-off, from which the players try and outscore their opponents, much like many of the other team sports we enjoy. When placing bets on ice hockey, there are many markets to choose from, including:

League/Tournament winners 

As with many sports, perhaps the most common bet you can place on ice hockey is an outright bet on a particular league or tournament winner. Internationally, you can bet on The World Championship of Ice Hockey, which is held annually. You can also bet on your favourite nations at the Winter Olympics, held every four years.

Domestically, there are many tournaments and leagues to choose from, the most popular being the NHL in the US. The NHL is split into conferences so that you can bet on the divisional winner of each conference. The top teams in each conference then compete in an exciting playoff tournament, and you can bet on the winners of the playoffs each season once the standings have been announced. The winners of each conference then go on to compete for the most coveted prize in all of ice hockey: The Stanley Cup.

Match results 

If you don’t want to see a season through and just fancy a bet on a specific match, then you can place a bet on the result of a particular match. But be careful! In ice hockey betting, you need to stipulate whether your bet is for the end of regulation time or including overtime. It’s essential to recognise that draws don’t exist in professional ice hockey, so you will need to pick a winner. If you think a golden goal might settle a match and it’s tight to call, you will be better served betting on the match result after overtime to ensure you don’t miss out on your winnings!

Puck line handicaps 

Puck line handicaps are unique to ice hockey, as the title suggests. However, in essence, they are a form of spread betting, and the same logic can be applied. A point spread is applied to the favourite and the underdog, the latter usually receiving a puck line handicap of +1.5 goals. This means that they must not lose by more than two goals if you are to win, and vice versa if you bet on the favourite. Spread betting is an excellent way of mixing up your betting card, and in ice hockey, if this interests you, be sure to look for puck line handicaps.

Goal totals 

This is a common betting market in football and gives you the option of predicting how many goals are scored in a particular match. If you fancy each team’s offense, then you can bet that more than six goals will be scored, for example, by marking +5.5. Of course, you can predict that each team’s defense will come out on top, and you can bet on less than a certain amount of goals scored. Either way, this can be a great bet if you want to keep a neutral interest in the fixture but still fancy a wager.

Correct score 

This is a popular team sports market and can provide some big odds. If you feel confident that a particular scoreline will occur, you can make a bet that the score will prevail. Again, just be careful that you indicate whether or not you think this result will be the case after regulation time or after overtime. This is essentially one of the only ways you can bet on a tie in ice hockey, as you can predict a draw after regulation time and bet on this market if you desire.

Courchevel to stay open until at least 18 April and activities & services confirmed to continue

IMPORTANT RESORT OPENING INFORMATION
The resort will remain open until at least 18 April, the date of the X3 Triathlon.

The following activities and services (managed by Courchevel Tourism and The Mairie) will be maintained:
• Alpine Skiing, the downhill piste from the Altiport.
• Millet Ski Touring and Biollay hiking routes (open everyday).
• Loze, Signal and Plum KV routes (open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays).
• Cross-country ski tracks, pedestrian & snowshoe trails and sledging runs.
• Free bus shuttles between the resort villages all day.

Events on 20/21 March:
Millet ski touring final.
Millet everest challenge 2021.
Mountain Day at Courchevel 1650 Moriond.

For all activities offered by private providers, please consult the relevant websites.

Fresh Snow in and around La Tania today