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As expected there has been another Escapade in a Day completed this season…
Katie, Matt, Bex and Jonas all completed the famous 3 Valleys Escapade on Wednesday 10th January 2024skiing from the first lift of the day right to the final lift with a couple of runs added onto the end of the route for fun (despite some very sore legs).
Katie had completed it once before back in 2019 and was determined to complete it again to prove she was not getting old!
The route was as follows and fortunately there were no shut pistes or chair lifts.
1. La Tania Gondola
2. Dou Des Lanches
3. Golf
4. Rope Tow from top of Golf
5. Legends
6. Olympic
7. St Martin 1
8. St Martin Express
9. Bettex
10. Pointe de la Masse
11. Reberty
12. Bruyères 1
13. Bruyères 2
14. Funitel Peclet
15. Portette
16. Thorens
17. Peyron
18. Bouchet
19. Orelle Caron
20. Pionniers
21. 3 Vallées
22. Mont Vallon
23. Pas du Lac 1
24. Pas du Lac 2
25. Chanrossa
26. Chapelets
27. Ariondaz
28. Aiguille du Fruit
29. Tovets
30. Foret
All in all a fantastic day out with Bex managing to do it all on a snowboard, not easy with a number of flat sections!
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!
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 100km. 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
The first Escapade in a Day of 2024 (as far as we know!). Well done guys, great to meet you and glad to buy you a Toffee Vodka to celebrate in The Ski Lodge.
Five of us from HORSHAM West Sussex – Tony, David, Wayne, Clint and Paul.
Started 9am first lift and finished at 4.11pm so made it by 14 minutes. Busy lift queues for a Saturday due to snow fall this week (and plenty of day trippers).
One wrong turn and one lift closure to deal with but other than this very smooth successful attempt.
Below is the Fat Map (recommended App!) of our route plus the pics and other data recorded.
The Fat Map route – a great app to show the topography of your route.
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!
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 100km. 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
All the links to the latest 2024 Piste Maps, What’s On, 3V Events, Lift Pass Prices, Resort Dates, Lift Opening, Transfers and Travel are at the bottom of this page. There’s a new non-direct snow train, over 75s get charged to ski in the Belleville Valley, Courchevel TdF 2025 and Olympics 2023 (maybe) and Pub Le Ski Lodge is 30!
La Tania / Courchevel
As soon as the ski area closes and the masses of netting, fencing, signage, crash protection and matting are removed and placed in to storage, work begins on the ski area for next Winter along with the usual developments in each of the resorts of new and upgraded accommodation, bars, restaurants, services and road improvements.
This Winter is the first time there has been no new lift or new piste in The 3 Valleys for over 25 years we reckon. There were no new lifts last year either (but there was the new Ibex piste in Méribel) following the massive investment of three long, fast gondolas (Orelle, Orelle-Caron and Pointe de la Masse) and huge amounts of work for the Alpine World Cup that took place in February 2023.
The “new” symbols on the 2024 map are very few this year…
Two “New” labels on Saulire
So on the ski area we have a new “Nid” sunbathing hut similar to the one on Col de la Loze and a new upgraded picnic room has been installed at the top of Verdons / base of Saulire with tables, chairs, microwave oven, glove dryer, free Wi-Fi and smartphone chargers.
Also at the top of Verdons and the base station of the cable car (and next to the start of Vizelle) is a new Italian Restaurant, “Il Rifugio“. They promise a “generous” menu including Pasta, Pizza and Tiramisu to enjoy on their terrace or glass roofed restaurant with superb views of Saulire.
The Saulire Cable Car is still not fixed, bespoke parts need manufacturing apparently. Latest estimation is that the cable car will reopen for December 2024.
Location of the new Summit Art and the new “Nid” hut
The Nid on Col de la Loze
Some new “Summit Art” of course has been installed. The favourite Captain America / King King statue is at the INEOS Club House remember. The Club House has the new Grenadier Bar at the front of the building with roller blind windows for an inside/outside experience – Jim Ratcliffe himself cutting a ribbon and opening the bar at the beginning of the season.
Other work we’ve seen on the piste is some reshaping around Biollay and Pralong – some drainage and erosion protection but the separation of main pistes from beginners areas has been improved.
A new slalom piste sponsored by Head has been created in the slalom park open to all (the INEOS sponsored one didn’t really get up and running last season). This is situated just above the start of the Plantrey chairlift, the video camera system used previously was outstanding, let’s hope the same happens here.
Meanwhile to the East of La Tania (that’s toward Le Praz, piste maps are upside down facing South remember) the massive Moretta Village development has started after some 15 years in discussion. This 3 star Hotel and Residence de Tourisme (or 4 star depending on who you speak to) is a 12000m² development but they are still looking for a company to manage the complex.
Plans include a Spa & Restaurant (run by the hotel) plus some shops run by the Mairie. Seasonaire beds will take up 10% of the total and around 100 places in the underground car park will be available to the public (for a fee).
Now fenced off and with the majority of work stopped for the Winter there won’t be much impact this Winter to guests staying in La Tania except for those chalets that could access the red run directly for a ski down to the gondola in the morning. Many of the chalet companies located here have transport on call for skiers to get back up to the chalets or down to the gondola.
This work has led to the closure of the bottom of the red Moretta Blanche piste at the intersection with the green Plan Fontain piste to divert traffic down to resort.
In addition a new, temporary Chalet Road starting next to the gondola station has been created for chalet traffic in the meantime. This is very steep with 90º bends – the authorities say it will be prioritised for snow clearing after many local in La Tania expressed their concerns about it. There is no pavement for pedestrians. They are completely aware of the issue so it is expected that it will be kept safe. Call Mairie 24 hour technical services on 0800 008902 if there are any issues.
With the car park near the gondola being taken out for the construction work the new €1.7m car park “Parking Combou” at the entrance to resort is nearing completion (eventually there’ll be a showers / wc / coffee / rest place for coach drivers there). Meanwhile they are charging for street parking on the way up from Le Praz. More here…
Elsewhere in La Tania, Pub Le Ski Lodge celebrates it’s 30th year with a full refurb and opens for business on Friday 01 December at 17:00. It will of course retain its atmosphere, value for money prices and great staff. A Back to The Nineties birthday party is promised!
Tim, Deb, Harriet, Luke and the team will welcome you from Friday 01 December at 17:00. Meanwhile La Taiga opens on 8 Dec, Le Farcon 01 Dec, the Sherpa 02 Dec and Bouc Blanc 9 Dec.
The Mairie promised us the the Bakery would return this Winter with Le Farçon taking it over – this has not happened. The Sherpa are doing a decent job of supplying fresh bread twice a day plus croissants and pain au chocolats and are open all day 07:30 to 20:00 in main season.
“Mach Burger” is the new outside burger place above Bistro Machet.
La Tania is getting a new bus stop with a live TV screen with the next bus due time displayed. The one you wait at in Le Praz for the bus up to La Tania is still missing as we write this though! New lighting will be installed in the village during 2024 along with CCTV monitoring.
The play area has been painted, had the ropes and accessories replaced plus new woodchip on the ground this Summer (it will be snow covered now!).
We hear that Oygene Ski School are putting there La Tania kids lessons to start from 1850 – whether this is a commercial decision or they find the beginner magic carpet lifts too restrictive is unclear. Great for the first couple of days of your skiing career – but after that… We hear that EDF have put a new off piste intro and snow park lessons in to their programme for Winter 2024.
The Tourist Office in La Tania is about a third of its size now (there may be a postal service of some kind too) with a Property Mgmt Co in one third and the other third has new public toilets installed. Interestingly these toilets cost €300k – Courchevel prices eh?
Plenty of work going on in 1850 this Summer with refurb work going on at the K2, F7 and Loze Hotel amongst others.
La Sivoliere Hotel are still trying to create some apres ski in 1850 with their Bar de Madame. Access is from Dou de Midi piste and there’s a DJ on the terrace – an 80s evening on Tuesdays is promised this year.
Elsewhere…. more building work in 1850 as the old Club Hotel comes down plus 1650 main street (the old Signal Hotel) work is on-going. Meanwhile the Pomme des Pins, an old favourite for its reasonable prices for 1850 has seen work on it stalled – nothing happening there this Summer.
Freeride Republic have got Chalet Barragiste in Courchevel Village back in their portfolio and Ski Magic have added Chalet Loden in Méribel. Pleisure Holidays have moved up from Le Praz and will be running Chalet Charmille in La Tania this season and Ski First Tracks have two more chalets in La Tania this Winter. Lots of new apartments and self-catered options available this Winter too.
There are some more shared transfer options this season but they are in demand – book up as soon as you can. Our recommended companies for private and shared transfers are below, click on the banners to reach their booking sites.
No updates on the Bozel gondola, replacement of Creux Noirs, new La Tania green run, the La Tania gondola upgrade or the full revamp of the Courchevel centre / Chenus gondola to a 10 person cabin etc. Coqs is still at risk of removal from the 10 year old plan being modified for the future – sure to piss off La Tania clients (especially snowboarders).
And Le Casserole above Courchevel Moriond 1650 has a nice new deck for this Winter plus a refurb inside.
Meribel Valley
On the piste we have upgrades on the Element Park and Yeti Park with more jumps, bumps, waves, arches, boxes and slides. The Yeti park has a giant xylophone waiting to play out the sounds made by your ski poles plus a new toboggan area too.
Les Combes chairlift (the one with the mid-station stop) has an automated safety bar this year – uses image detection to see if the lift is occupied and the handrail needs closing/opening. Ideal for kids getting off at mid-station for the easy run down.
More photo points for the dreaded selfies and social media addicts with giant Meribel hearts including ones on Mont Vallon and Roc de Fer. We’d rather be skiing.
No news on Rhodos being replaced despite a large sign being up there for a couple of years. No news either on the upgrade of Côte Brune chairlift which was promised. Work must start soon on this though surely – one of the last main regular bottlenecks (avoidable via Bouquetin etc though).
The Cabane du Lac in the Roc de la Tougne area has now got a huge new hammock to relax with family and friends in.
More massive chalets going up on the road up to the Rond Point / 1600…
In Mottaret, Les Chalets gondola lift that connects the two different areas of the resort will now run from 7.30am to 11.30pm as an alternative to the shuttle bus. It’s free too!
Nice new signage at The Ronnie going up has been noticed!
Belleville Valley
Up on Cime Caron (the top of the 3V just about) a new platform for a 360º panoram has been created with one of those brilliant orientation tables that lets you identify the various mountain in the distance (there’s a lot from here). A new complex will be built up here for Winter 2025/2026 – that’s another 2 years away.
Val Thorens upgrades its rest areas and on the piste there are more “Insta” photo opportunities (don’t get us started!) with signs, frames, giant letters etc. Once again voted best ski resort in the world at the annual Kitzbuhel event (where the Kitzbuhel lift company win best lift company in the world) the new, massive, Le Board sports and aqua centre plus new bus station and a refurb of the famous Malaysia night club keeps Val Thorens at the top of its game.
The Malaysia night club refurb boasts the biggest dance-floor in the Alps and is located on the main square. It opens its doors every night with live music from 23:00, followed by a DJ set until 05:00 in the morning. This year they say they are bringing you the best sound quality even heard in a ski resort. The entrance is moving to the bottom of Place Caron, so the queue will be under cover.
A new Jacks Bar in Les Menuires for this season may be worth a visit – especially if they do the excellent Sunday Lunch like their Méribel outlet.
The Ski Area Mgmt Co of Les Menuires and St Martin invite you to come behind the scenes of La Pointe de la Masse’s machine room to explore the various stages, from construction to operation. This interactive museum even features a LEGO® model and guided tours led by experts to reveal the secrets of this engineering feat. Access is via the Pointe de la Masse gondola, during opening hours. Free access for pedestrians and skiers with a valid lift ticket.
Les Menuires’ rail tobogganing (formerly Speed Mountain, now La Mine) has been given a new look, with the spirit of the region’s ancient mining history blended into this exciting descent. Take your place in the wagons and set off on an immersive and captivating adventure alongside these brave miners.
Also in Les Menuires, the Roc 1 gondola lift from the Croisette now features 76 new cabins, boasting panoramic views and comfortable seats. To provide passengers with up-to-date information about the ski area, LED screens have been set up in key locations, particularly at the Croisette and at the top of the St Martin Express chairlift.
As with Ariondaz in Courchevel and Saulire Express in Meribel there are more solar panels going in at the Roc 1 gondola top station with 300 m² of solar panels providing the same production capacity as those installed at the Bruyères chairlift mid-station in 2020 (60 kW). Replacement energy-efficient compressors and snowmakers have also been installed to reduce energy consumption.
The valley’s first microbrewery, Brava Vela opened this Summer in Le Châtelard, a village in the heart of Belleville. Housed in a former goat farm, Julien and Sophie brew beers in a way which is in line with the values they uphold, namely a sense of commitment, authenticity and local expertise. Their range is appropriate to their location and the beers’ evocative names reflect their links with the mountains and the three areas which surround them. This is illustrated by ‘La Masse’, ‘La Belleville’ and ‘La Thorens’. Brava Vela a translation of ‘Belleville’ broken down into Savoie dialect.
Other Stuff
3 Vallees Explorer A new App promises to guide you to 7 zones across the ski area: SUN DRENCHED LANDS, ICONIC DESCENTS, FUN FORESTS, TRANQUIL ALPINE PASTURES, SNOW-CAPPED PEAKS, WILD LANDSCAPES and ARCTIC VIEWS. Along this journey of discovery, you will be rewarded: discovering points of interest and completing challenges earns you points and takes you to a higher level, working your way up through the overall ranking. If you reach a certain level, Les 3 Vallées will give out free skipasses!
Brides Gondola Brides Les Bains are running there gondola from 07:30 for access to Méribel. Helping keep cars off the road, has to be applauded.
Workers / Residents Passes To get a discount on season passes you need to belong to an “Association” like Saison Fun, Courch’Acitv, ALB Bozel, Les Allues Loisirs etc. Early bird discounts for purchases between 6 and 19 November 2023 are available for the adult unlimited 3 Valleys Pass at €1085 instead of €1550, a full 30% saving if you have an association membership. It would appear anyone can join ALB Bozel without having a work contract, tax number etc.
Courchevel discounted Season Passes can be upgrade for the day with the 3V Extension (€46) for Winter 2024 (this was not available for Winter 2023). Season passes are valid in Summer for the same area and with no supplement required for Mountain Bikes. More here…
More Parking in La Tania There are plans to create a 2 storey car park in the parking area next to La Taiga with some Seasonaire accommodation on top and possibly some shops/commerces.
Major Events Courchevel are looking to host the Tour de France in 2025 and some of the Winter Olympics in 2030 (France is now confirmed as the only bidder).
As always thanks to all the businesses, visitors, workers, Tourist Offices, S3V, Mairie etc for all the information and photographs etc. All information provided in good faith and correct as far as we know. Please get in touch for any updates or corrections to toffa@latania.co.uk
Along with a couple of mates, we’ve been talking about doing the Escapade for a few years and finally got round to it!
We started and finished in St Martin. Ski Tracks and photo attached, along with GoPro edit!
Route was pretty much as suggested, with a couple of slight adjustments due to lift closures: Praz & Plantrey lifts in place of Foret (closed); Tougnette 2 in place of Olympic (Verdet and top of Jerusalem closed).
Technically you should have visited the top of Olympic – but it’s end of season so we’ll give it to you!
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!
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 100km.
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 2023 – 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
ESCAPADE 2023 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
After many years thinking about it Chris & Clare with friends Guy, Ollie & Ted finally got their collective fingers out and did the 3 Valleys Escapade in a Day.
With the end of the season approaching and lower runs starting to close it is becoming more difficult.
Forêt lift is now closed so Praz gondola and Plantrey had to be used for example. Also Brigues piste down to Le Praz is now closed so more creative thinking is needed (Murettes is currently still skiable).
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!
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 100km.
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 2023 – 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
ESCAPADE 2023 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
Five intrepid Méribel chalet hosts, a day off that would hopefully have (a) enough snow and (b) decent enough weather, and the alarms were set to make first lifts in Chaudanne. That was the first challenge, as we were spaced across Les Allues, Morel and Mussillon and let’s face it, we’re not exactly known for being up and way so early!
As others have noted, Verdets was closed but the first tracks down to Cherferie chair were more than rewarding. We had fabulous runs across the first part of the morning, but noted the snow was softening rapidly and by the time we’d completed La Masse, the slush was starting to develop.
Val Thorens was very nearly our undoing. The lift queues were awful, we waited around 15 minutes for Peclet, the same for Thorens, and everything was stop start once we were on board. As we finally headed to Mont Vallon we had all downgraded our expectations of completion, and the moguls of Vallon tried to kill it off all together!
On mogul weary legs we skated along Ours and made our way to our favourite ski areas in Courchevel. We knew this part of the route well and although the snow was now pretty ropey, it was fun to be there and the mood picked up. We hit La Tania at 4pm and figured we could actually do this, so long as we didn’t have any more lift issues. The ‘soupe’ down Lapin was our final chairlift dash and we were travelling back up to Altiport with 15 minutes to spare – phew!
Thank it was a leisurely mooch down to Chaudanne and we were done and well ready for a pint (or two).
The day was a success, we were all pretty tired but having the exact route written out on a scrap of paper, and marked on a piste map, and having pack ups ready to devour on the lifts, enabled us to crack on with the skiing. We think we could shave over an hour off our time with the co-operation of the lifts, but all told, we’re just thrilled to have completed the Escapade during our 3V season! It was an excellent day!
Participants: Aaron Brooks-Thornett; Violetta Mihhailova; Ela Kucharska; Shay & Rick Boyfield
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!
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 100km.
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 2023 – 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
ESCAPADE 2023 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
With blue skies forecasted on 22nd March 2023 father and daughter, Sean and Annie Frankham, along with good friend Neil Milne set off on the Escapade Challenge.
The trio met at 8:50 at the Praz lift (because Foret was closed) with a clear plan and edible supplies. Conditions where brilliant across all four valleys, so were all the people who asked what we were up to and wished us luck as we carried on our way.
After 7hrs:27mins, at 16:17 the team returned and headed straight to the Les Peupliers Hotel in Le Praz Courchevel for a celebratory drink!
Annie
ESCAPADE 2023 – 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!
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 100km.
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 2023 – 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
ESCAPADE 2023 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
Escapade 2023 – Successful completion by Paddy, David, Sean and Toby on Saturday 25th February
Taking advantage of the great weather and the fact that it was changeover day Paddy, David, Toby and Sean started the 2023 Escapade route in Courchevel Village at the Tovets lift at 08:58.
lift and a couple of runs later they reached the official start point in La Tania. Good progress was made until we ascended the Olympic chair to the Roc de Fer only to find that the Verdet run down to St Martin De Belleville was closed due to lack of snow. Undeterred, we descended back towards Meribel catching the Cherferie chair and then picking our way down to St Martin.
The rest of the day went smoothly (despite having a boarder in the group!) and the team was grateful for some remote support from the team captain Tony who was unable to attend having sustained a nasty ACL/MCL injury dismounting a lift a few weeks earlier.
The group reached the last lift (Aguille du Fruit) in Courchevel before descending to 1850 and completing the challenge at 16:06 just over seven hours after starting. Not content with finishing there we proceeded to do a few more runs before descending to Pub Le Ski Lodge in La Tania for some celebratory beers and some motivational words from the owner who told us that we hadn’t done badly for a group of old guys!
Their route
Tovets
– Amoureux
Foret
– Folyerres
La Tania
Dou Des Lanches
– Pic Bleu
– Blanchot
-Lapin
Golf
-Foret
-Doron
Legends
-Gelinotte
Olympic
-Roc de Fer (Verdet shut)
Cherferie (bonus)
-Cherferie (top of Jerusalem shut)
-Jerusalem (lower)
-Biolley
St Martin 1
St Martin Express
-Gros Tongue
-La Violette
-Bettex
Bettex
-La Violette
Point de la Masse
-Masse (Toby and Sean)
-Fred Colvilli
-Les Enverses
Reberty
Bruyeres 1 and 2
-Goitschel
-Plein Sud
Funitel Peclet
-Christine
-Moraine
Portette
Thorens
-Lory
Peyron
Ors Bouchet
-Coraia
-Peyron
Orelle-Caron
-Cime
-Fond
Pioneers
3Vallees (VT5)
-Lac de la Chambre
Mount Vallon
-Combe de Vallon
-Ours
Pas du Lac 1 and 2
-Creux
Chanrossa
-Roc Merlet
-Pyramides
-Lac Arondaz
-Cepes
Arondiaz
-Bel alt
Chapelets
-Roc Mugnier
Aguille de Fruit
-Altiport
-Biollay
Chenus
-Lanches
-L’Eclipse (bonus black)
-Moretta
ESCAPADE 2023 – 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!
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 100km.
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 2023 – 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
ESCAPADE 2023 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
This was actually my third attempt over a few years. Previous navigational blunders and the drag lift had been my downfall.
I picked changeover day as the queues were very small relative to the rest of the week.
I did wonder if it was actually possible so I was very surprised to complete with so much time to spare.
There were two lift breakdowns, plus some board maintenance. Other than that I was either boarding or on a lift 100% of the time.
ESCAPADE 2023 – 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!
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 100km.
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 2023 – 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
ESCAPADE 2023 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
Despite the Verdet run down to St Martin from Olympic being closed they made it (never duck the rope here even if it looks fine – just out of sight from the ridge the piste turns and faces direct sun for most of the day and can mean a 100m walk down mud – it’s closed for a reason!).
A detour via Cherferie chair rewarded them with a trip down the terrific Jerusalem piste and then onwards down to Saint-Martin-de -Belleville).
ESCAPADE 2023 – 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!
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 100km.
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 2023 – 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
ESCAPADE 2023 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
