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

 


 

Summer in La Tania and The Three Valleys etc. The What’s On Guide

La Tania in Summer

What’s Happening in Summer 2011….

May 27 – Bring Your Sisters, 9pm, Thornhill Arms, Islington, UK
May 29 – Bring Your Sisters, from 2pm, Victoria Public House, Oxshott, UK

Jun 18 – Tignes Summer Skiing area opens for Summer

Every Week in July & August the following activities are organised by The La Tania Tourist Office:
Sun: Welcome Drink, Gondola open
Mon: Orienteering, Cinema
Tue: Water Aerobics, Gondola open
Wed: Nordic Walk, Moûtiers Day Trip, BBQ in the Forest
Thu: Aerobics, Cinema, Gondola open
Fri: Flora & Fauna outing, Kids show

Jul 01 – Ski Lodge opening party for Summer TBC
Jul 02 – Lifts open for Summer (La Tania Gondola Sun, Tue & Thu. Verdons & Vizelle daily except Sat)
Jul 02 to 03 – Les 3 Vallées Tout Terrain. Mountain Bike Competitions across The Three Valleys
Jul 07 – Courchevel X-Trail, 32km or 55km hike
Jul 09 to 16 – Kids Week, La Tania
Jul 11 to 13 – The 18th Drive des Gourmets, Méribel. Golf competitions while enjoying top local food
Jul 13 – Fireworks (usually pretty good and well worth seeing) by the lake in Le Praz
Jul 14 – Fireworks and Party, Bastille Day, La Tania
Jul 15 to 17 – French Mountain Bike Championships, Méribel
Jul 16 to 17 – ESF Teenag’ Games for kids, lots of sports activities, Courchevel 1850
Jul 16 to 23 – Pirate Week, St Martin de Belleville
Jul 23 to 30 – Environment Week, La Tania. Hikes, bike routes, check points, games, films & lectures.
Jul 23 to 24 – La Madelon Fair, Le Praz
Jul 24 – Fête au village de Villarabout
Jul 24 – Les Menuires & Val Thorens Mountain Bike Circuit Competition
Jul 25 to 31 – Outdoor Music Festival, Méribel.
Jul 27 – Forest Contest, La Tania
Jul 30 to 31 – European Cup Summer Ski Jumping, Le Praz Ski Jump
Jul 30 to 31 – Local Heritage Meeting, La Tania
Jul 31 to Aug 6 – Well-Being Week, La Tania. Massages, spa trips, aqua gym, fitness courses, etc.

Aug 06 to 07 – Fanfoué Fête, Les Allues
Aug 06 to 07 – Fête Notre Dame Des Neiges, Courchevel
Aug 07 – Bouc Blanc Race: Running race up to the Bouc Blanc restaurant, La Tania
Aug 07 – La Bourgui Cycling Road CLimb Races, Les Menuires
Aug 07 – Fishing Fête in Le Bettaix, near St Martin de Belleville
Aug 13 to 20 – Wood Week, La Tania
Aug 11 to 12 – Summer Ski Jumping World Cup 2011, Le Praz Ski Jump (our race UP the jump too!)
Aug 14 to 19 – Magic Week, Méribel. Top Magicians with live shows and displays
Aug 15 – Fête des Bûcherons, The Lumberjack Championships, La Tania
Aug 15 – Fête des Tovets et Braderie des Commercants, Courchevel
Aug 15 – Fête du 15 Août, St Martin de Belleville
Aug 20 to 21 – Summer Fete, Courchevel 1550
Aug 22 to 27 – Golf Week, Méribel. Including international Pro-Am tournaments.
Aug ?? – Ski Lodge Closing Party TBC
Aug 26 – Lifts close for Summer

Sep 04 – Tignes Summer Skiing area closes

The Le Praz 5k…

https://i0.wp.com/www.latania.co.uk/photos/2009Summer/run/La%20Tania%20Runners%20Le%20Praz%205k.jpg?resize=400%2C326

After the (unofficial) Bouc Blanc Races last weekend some of the finely tuned La Tania athletes entered the La Praz 5km race. Andrea finished 2nd in the females, John Broadbent won his age category and John Machin & Phil also ran. John Machin’s kids entered the kids event with his daughter being the first girl in her age group too. Thanks to Andrea of Snow Retreat for the pic.


ESCAPADE 2024: Greig Lloyd, Paul Aitken and Adam Hemming

03 February 2025

Better late than never…

Having had an unsuccessful attempt in 2023 (black run in Orelle being an icy mogul field, plus a snowboarder in our midst) we gave it another go in 2024. 

Starting at Pointe De La Masse in Les Menuires with the first lift up and ending on Bettex with 6 minutes to spare. It was a fabulous day where the weather and queues were all kind and we made it to the end together!

Could not recommend the day highly enough and the beers certainly flowed at the end. 

Looking for another challenge now for next season. 

Greig, Paul & Adam

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: Regular Visitor Greg Completes The Challenge (hard luck Heather!)

22 March 2024

Congratulations to Greg

We were coming out for a long weekend and I started looking into the possibility of doing the Escapade in a day. The forecast wasn’t great on Saturday or Sunday so it had to be day one!

I noticed on Thursday that both Verdet and Ours were shut so that was two extra lifts added to the plan!

Heather and I were outside Legends at 8:55 however when we got to Olympic they said it was delayed due to the pisteurs not back from checking the Face piste. We waited 10 mins for it to open!

It was forecast to be very warm and sure enough by the time we got to Bettex the lower slopes were getting heavier.

We lost some more time queuing for Peclet but the snow over in Orelle was very good. The high path to Mont Vallon/Plan des Mains was shut due to avi risk which cost a bit more time.

My wife had new lower volume boot liners to try out and she’d not cranked her boots enough to compensate so started to suffer with shin bang. Despite drugs she took the decision to bail at the bottom of Plan des Mains.

We were now about 45 mins behind schedule but I decided to crack on and see where I got to! I was at the top of Foret at 1630 so decided to keep going, Folyeres was in surprisingly  good condition given the air temps and I made Dou Des Lanches with 5 mins to spare. I blasted down to Golf but that was shut, however all checkpoints were completed.

It was definitely harder with all the slushy bumps and cut up pistes I’d like to try it again with firmer pistes but a great day out!

Greg

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: Another Father and Son success Zen & Taiji

05 April 2024

Congratulations to Zen & Taiji

We started in Courchevel 1550 and it was me (Zen Okada, 15) and my dad (Taiji Okada, 51). 

Piste closures made it tough, especially the run from Mont Vallon to Mottaret (Ours) being closed and the Fôret lift being shut. We just about beat the slush to finish with ten minutes to spare!

Zen

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: Another Father and Son success!

14 March 2024

Congratulations to David and Charles

David and Charles Nops, father and son,  completed their fourth successful Escapade together on Thursday 14th March 2024.

First lift start from Courchevel 1650. Completion was done despite significant queues at the major lifts at Le Masse and Val Thorens, also a serious accident in the 4th valley involving the chairlift being stopped for a helicopter rescue. 3rd photograph taken from one of the highest points in the route – Cime run coming back from Orelle. 

Many thanks, Jenny.

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: 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

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