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
Congratulations to Ava and Katie – Representing La Tania
2nd and 3rd place out of all of The Three Valleys (and Champagny and Pralognan etc) last weekend – Good Work Girls!
George Sanderson – New 2017 Escapade in a Day Completed
Most likely a new record time (bit it’s NOT a race!!!) – George managed it in 6 hours 17 minutes and reckons he could crack 6 hours easily in good conditions (and on a Saturday of course!).
Plan de l’eau, La Masse and across Lac de Lou were particular bad (should be ok now with the recent snow!) and he chose to do all of the Les Menuires lifts in one go instead of coming back after Val Thorens. Probably a good idea – there is no set route, you choose…
George is usually off Couloir Hunting and triggering avalanches – see below…
The 3 Valleys Escapade in a Day is our challenge of doing the Escapade Lifts (see them on the piste map) in a single, full on day out with around 34 lifts, 17000m of vertical (around twice the height of Everest) and near to 100km in total distance. You can get a certificate and badge no matter how long you take, or try the Selfies in a Day for an easier day out across The 3 Valleys with some great “selfie” footage uploaded to your phone.
The Escapade in a Day Hall of Fame
The 2017 lifts required and a possible route (PDF to download to your phone)
3 Valleys Charity Day T-Shirt Revealed
3 Valleys Charity Day is on Wednesday 12 April 2017 at Méribel Village and this years T-shirt has now been revealed.
It will be on sale at various Après Ski venues in the coming weeks for €20 and the sponsors cover all the costs of design, manufacturing, printing and delivery so 100% of that €20 goes to Charity.
After last years hugely successful Bowie inspired design anyone who saw the moving Chris Martin tribute to George Michael on the Brit Awards last night will see where this years inspiration came from (and of course there’s the recent T2 Trainspotting film connection too)…
All the usual fun and games, outside bars, BBQ, food stalls, dance tent, kids zone & bouncy castle plus the best bands in the Alps and Gentleman’s Dub Club headling… see you on 12 April!
The End of Season Party for a Good Cause
Inspired by Dan Provost back in 2002 in memory of his Mother who died from cancer.
The locals, workers, businesses & visitors have now raised over quarter of a million euros for British and French Charities including Sebastian’s Action Trust and the Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer
Contact Ralph at info@3vcharityday.org to get involved, offer assistance, donate raffle prizes, sponsorship enquiries, make a donation etc. etc…
3 Valleys Escapade in a Day – Congrats to David & Charles
Congratulations to David & Charles who completed the 3 Valleys Escapade in a Day on 10th February 2017.
The 3 Valleys Escapade in a Day is our challenge of doing the Escapade Lifts (see them on the piste map) in a single, full on day out with around 34 lifts, 17000m of vertical (around twice the height of Everest) and near to 100km in total distance. You can get a certificate and badge too no matter how long you take or try the Selfies in a Day for an easier day out across The 3 Valleys.
The Escapade in a Day Hall of Fame
The 2017 lifts required and a possible route (PDF to download to your phone)
La Tania Nordic Ski Club
The new La Tania Nordic Ski Club? Charlie, George and Lilly having some fun when the powder has been all tracked out!
A bit more sedate than Charlie and George’s usual jaunts… Couloir Hunting
La Tania Medical Centre – Good Work!
Our friend Charlie had quite a wipeout early on in the season (on the blue Folyères run by the way) and bashed her leg up quite a bit although initial X-Rays showed nothing broken. Although large bruising she continued to hobble around a bit and thought she’d be skiing in a couple of weeks.
Anyway 5 and half weeks later and several hospital visits plus another X-ray they send her for an MRI scan and discover a tiny crack in her tibia. So small it didn’t show on 2 X-rays. The good news is that there doesn’t appear to be any ligament damage and she could be skiing again in 2 to 3 weeks….
Charlie says big thanks to Doctor Aude Joncquiert-Laterjet and her assistant Jacqui – really helpful and supportive, they’re a great asset to La Tania.
La Tania Medical Centre +33 (0)479 08 29 60
In the morning a telephone operator will take appointments by telephone. A secretary or a nurse will take charge in the afternoon. All emergencies will be accepted but we will try to see patients with an appointment as soon as possible. The centre is situated next to the La Tania gondola station.
Fully equipped with X-Ray equipment, stitching equipment as well as oxygen, nitrogen protoxyde, ventilation appliances and drip apparatus. Plaster cast and thermo-orthésis can be performed on site. Assistance can be given in case there is a need of transfer and repatriation through your private insurance.
In the case of a skiing accident the choice of Doctor and/or Medical Centre rests entirely with the trauma patient. As a “LA TANIA” patient you are entitled to request to be taken to the Medical Centre of La Tania for treatment. Obviously in an emergency situation the immediate care of the patient is the priority and the nearest appropriate centre or helicopter is used.
Piste Rescue +33 (0)479 08 99 00
Still Smiling!
Escapade in a Day Challenge – Nic & Will in to the Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Nicola Cheshire & Will Reed on completing The Escapade in a Day on 11 Feb 2017. Seen above with their 3 Valleys Escapade certificates and what looks like a new badge…
Come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough…
The 3 Valleys Escapade in a Day is around 34 lifts, 100km and 17000m vertical (twice the height of Everest).
NB. 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), ride within your limits, always obey the skiers & snowboarders code, observe all signs, pay attention to all notices & advice from Pisteurs, only ski off piste if fully equipped & knowledgeable, it’s not a race (you won’t be insured), but above all, take care, don’t wreck things for others & don’t even think of blaming anyone else if it all goes horribly wrong…
Escapade in a Day Challenge – Andy Brown in to the Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Dr Andy Brown on completing (just about!) The Escapade in a Day on 28 Jan 2017.
A few of the compulsory lifts were closed but he made up for it we reckon and he’s included in the Escapade in a Day Hall of Fame.
Come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough…
The 3 Valleys Escapade in a Day is around 34 lifts, 100km and 17000m vertical (twice the height of Everest).
NB. 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), ride within your limits, always obey the skiers & snowboarders code, observe all signs, pay attention to all notices & advice from Pisteurs, only ski off piste if fully equipped & knowledgeable, it’s not a race (you won’t be insured), but above all, take care, don’t wreck things for others & don’t even think of blaming anyone else if it all goes horribly wrong...
3 Valleys Lift & Piste Openings + Safety in the Alps
Getting close to 100% opening across The 3 Valleys now with a see of green open symbols across the piste maps. As usual there’s always some Stade pistes closed for competition use and the odd lift closed for maintenance reasons.
Currently across the Courchevel, La Tania, Meribel and Mottaret area the only closed pistes are the lower St Bon and Villages runs plus the Carabosse piste in 1650. The Tetras free ride area at the far side of 1650 is also officially closed.
At noon today 158 out of 159 lifts were running and all 72 green pistes were open with 136 out of 140 blue runs open.
The Escapade in a Day challenge has sen a few attempts already this season – updates soon.
Or for an easier day out try the Selfie’s in a Day tour…
Avalanche Safety
Very sad news from Tignes on Monday regarding the fatalities in an off piste avalanche over there.
While The Daily Telegraph sends out crazy emails with the title “Is it safe to Ski in The Alps?” we’d like to re-assure everyone that it is safe and avalanches on to pistes during opening hours are extremely rare if ever. These are managed and controlled areas where safety is of paramount importance. In addition, in the Courchevel ski area we’ve seen pisteurs insist on checking avalanche transceivers, closing lifts that access off piste areas and standing by roped off areas to prevent skiers heading in to danger (a sign and rope is often not enough unfortunately).
Off piste skiing will always carry an element of risk, even though in Tignes there was an experience guide and the snowboarders involved were well equipped. Please take care and think – even just going one at a time through marginal areas reduces risk and increases the immediate search team and chances of finding people.
Plenty of good information is available on-line – a good starting point here
