La Tania Celebrity Watch
Celebrities Spotted in La Tania and The Three Valleys
Some a lot more famous than others - but where do you draw the line...
David Walliams of Little Britain in the Ski Lodge having lunch on a bad weather day in 2004.
Posh and Becks posing outside chalets at 1850 in April 2004 but restaurant searches failed to locate them.
Victoria and the kids turned up again in March 2006, even skied a bit too.
Posh seen here outside the cable car station in Courchevel 1850 on the March 2006 trip. Full size pic here
Once again Victoria turned up in March 2007 - even lunching at the Bouc Blanc just above La Tania and tandem Hang Gliding above 1850 showing off her Channel skis.
Cricketer Dominic Cork of England, Derbyshire & Lancashire is a La Tania / Ski Lodge regular.
Pawel Pawlikowski stayed in Saboia apartments in La Tania and was awarded his BAFTA while in La Tania (he won Best Director for My Summer of Love).
Formula one team owner Eddie Jordan flew his jet in to 1850 Altiport apparently and has lunched on the Ski Lodge terrace a few times.
Meanwhile F1 drivers David Coulthard and Jacques Villeneuve have been seen in 1850 plus Alain Prost has a chalet in Méribel but sightings are rare. Michael Schumacher was spotted in Méribel in December 2006 and is reported to have bought a chalet - although possibly bought Alain Prost's one. It was in Méribel of course where Schumacher's skiing accident occurred in December 2012.
Chris Evans in La Soucoupe mountain restaurant between La Tania and 1850.
Jean Blanc, founder of Courchevel, French Resistance hero and French skiing legend who started the original L'Equipe bar then Ski Shops in 1850 many moons ago.
Jody Koenders - 3 Times Dutch Snowboard Champion worked a season in La Tania in 2000. He's now a DJ and Producer with his own Radio Show. Our interview with him back then!
Kazakhstan's president Nursultan Nazarbayev and his friends are reported to have paid £1.2million for Sir Elton John to sing at a private Christmas party in Courchevel 1850. Eminem is also reported to have played at private Russian parties in 1850 too.
Robbie Williams spotted in La Grange apparently with the Russian mafia.
The King of Spain - An Urban Myth regarding him owning one of the chalet in 1850 next to the Plantrey lift. This was spread by TC and told to many, many punters by chalet girls and ski guides over the years. The King of Morocco does holiday in 1850 though.
Brian Moore ex-England rugby star on the beers in Méribel.
Ian Botham has been to 1850 at least a couple of times and has been spotted on the Bellecote drag lift with his kids. And spotted for a third time on a snowy day in March 2007 drinking coffee in La Soucoupe.
The Feeling
The Feeling were know as Super Fly when they lived in La Tania in 2001 and have been visitors and occasional performers ever since.
Now with a number 1 and 2 album and 5 top 20 singles under their belts plus a Brit award nomination, the most air play on radio in 2006, the 21st best selling album of the year with over 800,000 copies sold in the UK, 115,000 tickets sold to the Twelve Stops and Home tour and the 2007 Ivor Novello Award for “Songwriters Of The Year” they've managed to get themselves on to this page, but are they too famous to play here now?
Watch this space we said - and in March 2008 The Feeling Came Home. Their second album "Join With Us" released on 18 Feb 2008 went straight in at No 1. They returned again with their own mini festival including Squeeze and 10cc in March 2010 and then again in 2011. Their 3rd Album Together We Were Made was released in June 2011.
Roman Abramovitch spotted eating Lobster & Champagne in 1850 restaurants with his dodgy mates. He's now a regular for Russian New Year in mid January and chatted to Saisonnaires watching football on TV in TJ's bar in 2006. In 2003 he failed to buy a chalet despite offering 20 chalet owners triple the market price.
Other mega-rich Russians in 1850 include Boris Berezovsky, Vladimir Potanin and Tatyana Yeltsin (Boris's kid). In 2004 President Vladimir Putin helicoptered in for lunch at Le Chalet des Pierres.
In Jan 2007 there was a prostitution scandal when another billionaire Russian Oligarch, Mikhail Prokhorov was arrested by 50 armed police with 25 others at dawn from his four-star hotel in Courchevel 1850. They got off though, the girls were just "friends" who just happened to have thousands of Euros on them.... Update Sep 2009: The case has been dropped more here. Seems the 8 women models in their twenties were just "accompanying" him.
Rock band Ash all drinking and snowboarding in Méribel, they didn't play a gig as far as we know though. Peter Gabriel, Bob Geldof and DJ's Lisa I’Anson and Jo Whiley are also reported to have been to Méribel - is that why The Feeling were on Jo Whiley's show very early in their career?
Jeremy Paxman drinking cheap beer in TJ's Courchevel 1850.
Mr Poma who invented those button lifts has a chalet in Méribel.
Hotel Byblos (and Les Caves nightclub) boast of a clientele including Flavio Briatore, the Arnaults, Paul Allen, the Italian oil magnet Orsi, Naomi Campbell, Karen Mulder, Giorgio Armani, David Ginola, Sacha Distel, Elizabeth Hurley, Bruce Willis, Charles Aznavour, Uma Thurman, Beyonce, P Diddy, Terence Conran, George Clooney, Gerard Depardieu, Ewan McGregor and Lionel Richie.
Ronan Keating seen on the Chenus lift, not a bad skier we've heard.
Jonno Verity (aka back-flip Jon) star of the Adidas goggles adverts and snowboard mag cover star did a few seasons in Méribel and drank lots of toffee vodka in various bars including La Tania's Ski Lodge. The infamous surviving an avalanche video here
Pat Sharples the leading British free rider, bump skier, commentator, model, cover start, TV presenter and now author with his new book The Top 50 Resorts in Europe has been a long time La Tania fan.
Seen here with TC - another La Tania veteran and Three Valleys legend. Former drinker, ski bum, video-er, ski guide, barman, lover and robot now has his own bar in Tignes, Le Lavachet - tcsbar.com
Other La Tania veterans include Bill Manson and T Wall.
The mid 90's saw DJ James Whale escaping from Le Pub in Méribel, plus Gibb had dinner with Murray Walker, Ian Botham was spotted once again and Richard Branson bought a round in 1850.
Prince Edward and Sophie attended the British Land Ski Championships in Méribel in April 2004. The popped in to Lodge du Village in Méribel Village for Happy Hour too! This looks likely to become a regular event as these championships seem to make Méribel their home and the HRH The Duke of Wessex is the patron of Snowsport GB.
The British Land boss Sir John Ritblat skis around the Three Valleys during the championships.
Footballers Didier Deschamps, Graeme Souness, Alan Brazil and Youri Djorkaeff reported to have visited 1850. Thierry Henri was seen shopping in 1850 in 1999 and David Ginola posing in Les Caves. Meanwhile the Summer beach football in Tignes usually sees Eric Cantona take part.
We ate breakfast with Arsene Wenger in our hotel in Lisbon during Euro 2004, when La Tania visited Portugal - more here
Tennis stars Yannick Noah, Henri Leconte and Cedric Pioline spotted knocking about in 1850.
Squadron Leader James Provost leader of the Red Arrows Synchro Pair. A regular visitor to La Tania, once flew a Harrier to a military air strip near Lyon got his ski boots out of the cockpit and came skiing for a couple of days to visit his brother Dan who worked at the Ski Lodge.
Original bad boy free rider from the old school and worshipped by the La Tania veterans) - the legendary Glen Plake.
Said hello to us at the Ski Show in October 2004 and promised one day he'll ride with us in La Tania once again.
He even talked about using skis less than 2m too!
Jean Michel Jarre is reported to have bought a chalet in 1850 - look out for après gigs in Winter!
Bonnie - La Tania's very own Page 3 girl worked here in 2002. There's a pic of her somewhere on this page here
Ian Hislop visited St Martin de Belleville a couple of years ago. They filmed the ITV Holiday program there too once and our friends from Brewskis made it on telly!
Liz Miller - British Adaptive Ski Champion worked in the Ski Lodge in 2003 and has necked a pint out of her artificial leg on at least one occasion - go hard girl!
Nick Ross of BBC's Crimewatch program spotted with a loaded hot chocolate in La Soucoupe restaurant above La Tania in March 2006.
World, Olympic, European & Commonwealth 100m champion Linford Christie and former Stoke City, Bradford City, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, Luton Town, Leeds United, Stoke City, Swindon Town, Brentford, Portsmouth, Swindon Town and Portsmouth mid-fielder (and now Sky Sports presenter) Chris Kamara got collared by T. Wall at the World Cup in Germany in June 2006 - pics here. This is becoming a habit, we also met him on the train at Japan 2002 and got a picture with him in our South Africa 2010 World Cup Blog in a restaurant in Cape Town here.
Margaret Thatcher seen visiting the Les Allues fête in July 2006 and once again in July 2008 on the Verdons gondola above Courchevel 1850 heading up the mountain for lunch.
Thanks to the Machin family for the pic.
Rob Smart (certainly a Méribel celebrity) reports she is friends with Dave Allen (boss of DHL, not the comedian) who has a chalet out here.
He's been spotted in deep conversation with Rob - who's also danced on the table in Le Rastro, Mottaret with the drummer from Keane, Richard Hughes.
We're assured it was a skiing accident that made Rob miss the end of season in 2008 - not a table dancing fall...
Ruth Wilson who plays Jane Eyre in the BBC series (aired during October 2006) and was nominated for a BAFTA for the role is the daughter of Nigel & Mary Wilson from Chalet Sebastien in La Tania. BBC article on Ruth here.
Princes Harry and Wills with entourage skiing above Mottaret in December 2006 - well those who witnessed it are sure enough and absolutely swear to it, but there was no media coverage of it, so who knows...?
Token celebrity mackem Steve Cram and his girlfriend, fellow ex-athlete and BBC summariser Allison Curbishley spotted in La Tania in January 2007.
Frank Gallagher from Shameless staying in La Tania February 2007. Is this true?
Jack Tweed (one of BB Jade's hangers on) behaving badly in Cafe Caz and Bar Malaysia in Val Thorens in March 2007. Jack and his mates were caught out by the Sunday People however.
Richard Branson discussing Virgin Atlantic flying to La Tania next season (or was it the Virgin Group being taken over by Tim Wall?).
Seen at the Rugby World Cup Semi-Final in Paris in 2007.
Also in attendance was Aussie Centre Tim Horan.
More at La Tania at the Rugby World Cup
Keira Knightley - seen skiing in to La Tania in March 2007, needs confirming...
Boris Johnson, MP for Henley spotted around 1850 in early April 2007. Read his Telegraph article on skiing Grand Couloir.
Greg Dyke former head of the BBC spotted in the Hotel du Golf restaurant in Courchevel 1650 in March 2007.
Jonathan Edwards CBE the former Olympic, European, World Champion and current world record Triple Jump holder (over 60 feet) enjoying the Ski Lodge in January 2008.
Sergei Bubka, the Ukranian Pole Vaulter considered the best of all time with 6 consecutive World Championships and who broke the world record 35 times.
Seen in the pic here riding the La Tania gondola on Boxing Day 2007 with Pierpaolo D'Urso.
Jason Donovan spotted by Sarah "Oops" Adams at the Courchevel Altiport in January 2008.
Nicky Clarke again and again, cutting some fine lines... Last time locks flowing on the Biollay lift above 1850 in February 2008. Spotted by Lou and Erin.
Sébastien Chabal the French Rugby player held coaching sessions in Le Praz during July 2008.
He stopped the traffic for autograph hunters.
Thanks to the Buckle family and Pete the Plumber for spotting this one.
Harry Potter star Emma Watson is reported to have bought a luxury £1m chalet in Méribel in August 2008. She played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films and spent the cash as soon as she turned 18 and got access to her reported £10m fortune. Straight A's at A level too and a very keen skier - not spotted (yet) though.
Scottish TV and Radio presenter Muriel Gray spotted on the slopes in 2008 at the top of Saulire above Courchevel 1850.
From The Tube to standing in for the legendary John Peel and then the Munro Show to the Three Valleys....
Thanks to Anne and David McVishan who got the picture.
Austin Healey - (Ex Leicester Tigers, England and Lions Rugby Union player) visited Le Praz in January 2009 and Dennis Betts (ex Wigan, England, Great Britain and Auckland Warriors league legend) was dropped off in Méribel at the beginning of February 2009 by Ski Hame's David Cribb.
Ginger Spice, Geri Halliwell partying in Courchevel in April 2009 and back again in January 2010 staying in 1550.
Rob Bryden from Gavin & Stacey - maybe coming to Altitude Festival perhaps? We think we saw him in Méribel Valley Feb 2010.
London Mayor Boris Johnson lunching at Lodge du Village in Méribel Village in February 2010 back again after his Courchevel visit in 2007 and his Grand Couloir article from The Telegraph
March 2009 saw Prince Edward and wife Sophie once again over in Méribel for the British Ski Champs, they made it to LdV for Aprés a couple of years ago! However we do have several witnesses who swear they spotted Prince William and Kate Middleton skiing above Mottaret - in a similar place to where we spotted Prince William and Prince Harry in December 2006. No media, no publicity and just a few "security" looking guys with them - any other witnesses?
Return of The Princes, March 2010 - so now we believe we saw them back in 2005... Thanks to La Tania locals Liz & Will for the pics that we thought were lost of Harry, Will and Kate at the top of the Méribel Valley near Mont Vallon.
Winter 2010/2011 Update
The Feeling popped up in 1850 at The Hotel St Louis opening bash in December and borrowed Bring Your Sisters kit - more pics here
Also in opening week, ex Soccer AM host and now doing some cookery thing, Tim Lovejoy was 
spotted lunching in Val Thorens with his hideous Oakley Jacket (picture left from Cus). Allowed to be here 'cos Bobby Robson actually commented on his skills in a celebrity football match...
There was also a massive 50th Birthday Party for Viktor Pinchuk, a Ukrainian Steel Industry Billionaire.
Depending on who you believe the budget was between 4 and 8 million Euros. Cirque du Soleil and Christine Aguilera performed while top Michelin star collector Chef Alain Ducass from Paris sorted the food out for between 170 and 300 guests - again depending on the rumours.
Rumours also included Rod Stewart and Robbie Williams but no confirmed sightings by any of our spies. 
Ms Aguilera was spotted in 1850 by Janet M, caught drinking fine champagne on a horse drawn "sled" (right) around 1850 - she was celebrating her 30th Birthday so it was handy to do a gig to pay for it!
Over 600k was spent on the Marquee and staging on the 1550 tennis courts which was a late change of venue after Vik didn't like the remoteness of the Altiport! The organisers stayed in La Tania of course....
Eddie Jordan brought his band for a few gigs in March 2011 and La Tania regular Dominic Cork is now a Celebrity Dancing on Ice star.
Geri Halliwell aka Ginger Spice returned to 1550 again as usual at least twice (and Judi A spotted at the top of Saulire) but we didn't spot any Royals this year (a busy time for them but no doubt Prince Edward was again over in Méribel for the British Ski Champs).
The Beckhams were seen practicing at Hemel indoor slope but weren't spotted in Courchevel 1850 this year as far as we know.
Sébastien Chabal (left) spotted again in July 2011! This time in Les Peupliers down in Le Praz enjoying a beer in the sunshine. Thanks to Sarah B for the pic.
A Proclaimer watched (I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles being played by Bring Your Sisters in Lodge du Village over in Meribel Village!
Gerard Houlier the ex Liverpool and French national team manager spotted in the Soupcoupe mountain restaurant above La Tania in Winter 2011 by Steve A last season. He was suited up though, not skiing.
2012 Update
Kate just sticking out of Hendo's hat!
Easily the most famous spot was another sighting of Prince William and Kate (and Pippa & Parents) having lunch in the Bouc Blanc Restaurant just above La Tania. Sitting in the corner of the restaurant terrace and not wanting to sit in the exclusive balcony seats they chatted to a few skiers but didn't want photos taken. The family were staying in Méribel yet several celebrity mags published photos of them on a T-Bar lift (there aren't any of these in The 3 Valleys!). Luckily we got a photo of sorts from top bar person Sarah H.
TV Chef Heston Blumenthal lunched at Le Farçon, La Tania’s Michelin Star Restaurant with Nico from the Tourist office.
Heston is pictured here with Le Farçon chef Julien Machet. Heston is owner of the 3 Star (there are only 4 in the UK) Michelin Fat Duck Restaurant in Berkshire that was voted Best Restaurant in the World in 2005 and famous for his ultra modern food “chemistry”.
Nico told him about the Summer and the Friday night Ski Lodge Alpine Fish n Chips cooked from his recipe!
As well as the returning Geri Halliwell our transfer driving friends had the company of Louis Tomlinson from One Direction with his girlfriend Eleanor Calder.
Another trip saw Underwear Model and TV Action Girl Louise Cole heading to Courchevel 1850 (pictured right). Pretty decent skier by all accounts too.
Rob Bryden had a pizza in LdV - Joey M nearly took a photo for his Mum....
The Summer saw Alain Prost spotted cycling in La Haute Route Geneva to Nice Cycle Race.
Dubbed the toughest high altitude cycle race in the world with 19 of the famous Alpine Cols tackled en route.
Alain has a chalet in Méribel (or did Michael Schumacher buy it off him?) and has been spotted around town but we've never seen him skiing yet. Thanks for the pic from Sarah B.
The London 2012 Olympics saw Chris Mears taking part in the Diving Competition - he was also voted 5th hottest Olympian by Heat Magazine! Chris's parents own an apartment in La Tania.
Meanwhile Andrea (a former GB Gymnast) from Snow Retreat had a role as a Games Maker and was seen regularly on TV leading and organising the gymnastic competitors.
As for La Tania-on-sea around Antibes....
From Monaco to St Tropez, La Tania locals have been rubbing shoulders with F1 racing drivers plus the likes of Bruce Willis, Elton John, Simon Cowell, Michael Cain etc etc.
Next season we hope to see Johnny Depp on the slopes and in the bars of La Tania as rumours of a romance with actress Ruth Wilson (whose parents have a chalet here) circulate. They are starring together in a remake of The Lone Ranger due for release in July 2013.
And the Paralympics will see ex-La Tania local Steve Brown captaining the Wheelchair Rugby Team (otherwise known as Murderball).
Go Hard Son...
2013 Update
We hear Peter André was back in Courchevel again over Christmas and New Year.
Somehow we forgot about these pics on the Celebrity Watch of Peter with Bring Your Sisters a couple of years ago.
They even played Mysterious Girl to him but he wouldn't join in...
There's also this pic of Bring Your Sisters Roadie Joey (aka Joadie) with KT Tunstall after the Altitude Festival Gig they supported from back in 2009.
January 2013 saw James Morrison enjoying lunch on The Ski Lodge terrace in La Tania.
The Brit Award Winner and one million album selling singer / songwriter from Rugby is enjoying a few months off including some snowboarding in France after completing his Australian & Asian Tour.
New songs are now being written and a UK & European Tour in Summer 2013 is planned.
2014 Update
January 2014 and Comedian Stan Boardman spotted drinking in The Ski Lodge.
Thanks to The Buckles for the pic and Gordon photo bombing here...
Joe Swash, Micky Miller in EastEnders and an I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner enjoyed a weeks holiday in La Tania in March 2014.
When asked the question:
"What are you dong here Joe?"
His answer:
"Skiing Holiday - What did you think!"
All round good bloke and spent a lot of time in the pub!
Ex-Radio One DJ for 12 years, Queen of The Live Lounge and now on Radio Two, Jo Whiley was spotted in Meribel last Winter. She loves coming to Meribel with the family and snowboards a bit too apparently.
Nearly forgot about these two photos from The Ski Show...
GB Olympic Skier and BBC Ski Sunday presenter Graham Bell plus that man in the fantastic onesies, it's DJ BBQ Christian Stevenson the DJ, BBQer and Actor who plays at lots of the major Ski Events, Freerides, X-Games etc..
Remember him in Chalet Girl ?
And finally, of course we have to get a picture of Gordon Ramsey on here after the Kitchen Nightmares show in the South West of France with plenty of Ski Lodge staff on view went out on Channel 4 on 30 September 2014.
2015 Update
Another mega 50th Birthday Party heads the 2015 list following the amazing bash of Sandy & Toffa's last season plus that one the Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk spent £4m on held in 1550 (where the new Aqua Centre is being built) back in 2010.
This time a venue was built on top of the ice rink in Courchevel 1850 and the rumour was it was for property magnate Bruce Ritchie, although this one attempted to keep a much lower profile. Reports of some contractors, staff, hotels and restaurants signing confidentiality agreements were heard.
Our spies spotted, noticed on social media or heard rumours and gossip that Madness, Jessie J, Pixie Lott, Joss Stone, Derren Brown, Joseline Brown, 50 Cent, Cheryl Cole, Simple Minds and Michael McIntyre amongst others were in town for the weekend, although any firm confirmation of the accuracy of this was very hard to come by (Viktor's bash had rumours of Rod, Robbie & Beyoncé but actually had Christina Aguilera and The Cirque du Soleil perform).
The most noticeable feature was the fleet of smart vehicles bringing guests to the resort - unlike the Ukrainian gig there didn't seem to be so much Courchevel Altiport traffic generated.
The 9.90 Restaurant in 1850 seemed a popular lunchtime hangout for models and contractors working on the gig...
Back in La Tania again this Winter and drinking in The Ski Lodge was comedian Stan Boardman with his mate Berni Flint.
Bernie is the record holder for the longest continuous run of wins on the ITV talent show, Opportunity Knocks.
Tania Bryer the former weather presenter who replaced Ulrika and now works for CNBC reportedly skied in Courchevel this Winter.
On the reality TV front, Gaz from the iconic Geordie Shore was in Courchevel but politely refused our invite of watching a Toon game in The Ski Lodge!
Also, a few of the Made in Chelsea cast turned out in Courchevel for some filming.
We hear that the Courchevel episode will have its first air on Bank Holiday Monday 25 May 2015 at 9pm on E4.
There were lots of Gordon Ramsey's as expected this season too!
This year we managed to collar La Tania regular and former England Cricketer Dominic Cork to join Tim Wall on the snow report...
Spotted at The Three Valleys Party at the London Ski Show was former French International Rugby Union Star Serge Betsen enjoying the party for Tour Ops and Ski Industry representatives at Broadway House, Fulham.
They even had snowfall in Fulham especially for the event!
We also saw Richard from The Feeling (the ex La Tania resident band Super Fly) and his now more famous wife Sophie Ellis-Bextor
On Charity Day we had the Dub Pistols and Jo Whiley come to play- good to see Pistolero Barry tucking in to Pizza at The Pit Stop, living the dream and all that...
Jo presented the latania.co.uk Band of the Season 2015 Award to Natasha of The Dominos
We should also have a mention for Sunset Sons who rose from Alpine cover band The Cheerleaders to being signed by Polydor in the last year - but still came to play a couple of gigs in Méribel & La Tania in January 2015.
An amazing 2014 saw them playing many festivals, a couple of UK Tours, getting Radio One play listed (favourites of Zane Lowe and Fearne Cotton) and included on the BBC Music's Sound of 2015, MTV's Brand New 2015 and XFM's Great X-Pectations 2015 (which they won) lists of bands to watch out for in 2015.
In 2015 their EPs hit number one in the iTunes Rock Chart, the debut Album was recorded in Nashville& Hossegor with Grammy award winning producer Jacquire King, they played nearly every major UK festival and supported Imagine Dragons on an arena sized tour all over the UK and Europe. Their debut album Very Rarely Say Die is released on 1st April 2016.
2016 Update
Over the Christmas and New Year holidays leading in to 2016 we heard Naomi Campbell was in Courchevel 1850 but we didn't get a photo. Also Ed Sheeran was spotted by Sophie & Kyle in Rhodos mountain restaurant on the 2nd of January 2016. A few other sports of him around Méribel too. Louis from One Direction was back in Méribel too - we first spotted him back in 2012 (see above).
Also spotted over the holidays was The Royle Family's Ralph Little with his girlfriend tucking into a chicken burger while watching the Barcelona v Real Betis game on the big screen in 1650's Funky Fox bar.
Thanks to Mike & Dawn for the pic - last season they also spotted 'Homes under the Hammer' presenter Martin Roberts trying to get discount in a Courchevel 1650 ski shop on a new jacket (which was already in the sale) and around 7 or 8 years ago, Ben Elton getting on a transfer bus when leaving 1650.
The first week of January also saw Ruth Wilson back in La Tania eating at La Taiga restaurant.
Ruth's parents have a chalet in La Tania and she's a regular visitor through her rise to frame from appearing in Jane Eyre (BAFTA & Golden Globe nomination) to The Lone Ranger, Luther and the brilliant US TV series The Affair (Golden Globe Best Actress Winner) with Dominic "The Wire" West.
February saw entrepreneur Duncan Bannatyne OBE and star of Dragons Den bringing the snow to La Tania.
We've some Dragons off the Pic Bleu piste down to Méribel where The Den bar/restaurant is situated above Dicks (O'Sullivans)...
More on Duncan's interesting rise to fame and fortune here
And yes - we had to get him on the Video Snow Report...
Another returning visitor was Stereophonics bass player Richard Jones and his family.
Richard has visited La Tania quite a few times but still yet to join Bring Your Sisters on stage when they cover the anthemic Dakota.
March saw crime thriller novelist and producer Peter James lunching at La Boulotte. Very charming and took it on the chin when Auntie Mary told him off for killing off one of her favourite characters!
Rising star Isobel Steele - Aaron's sister in Emmerdale, made her first appearance on the show on 25 February 2016. We reckon she must have been to La Tania although we've not seen her yet - we've heard her parents have a place out here.
We also had Craig Bellamy in the Ski Lodge several times in March - as Toon fans we had to thank him for that last minute goal v Feyenoord to progress to the second stage of The Champions League (after losing the first 3 games).
Oh, and we hated Souness too...
May have been a controversial figure on the pitch sometimes but check out the Craig Bellamy Foundation he set up in Sierra Leone - top work.
And of course La Tania hosted Jo Whiley and family during the week of Charity Day where they stayed at a Free Ride Republic chalet. The Dub Pistols also stayed in La Tania, which meant special mid-week breakfasts at the Ski Lodge!
2016/2017 Season kicked of with a video snow report with Olympic Gold Medallist and MBE, Chris Mears joining in Tim's report...
Wacaday! Timmy Mallet got all over the place in January it seems - plenty of spots and Bring Your Sisters caught up with him at La Boulotte in Courchevel 1650.
2017 included the return of Craig Bellamy, Jo Whiley and Sunset Sons plus Gentleman's Dub Club headlined Charity Day. Eddie Jordan stopped for a chat in the Ski Lodge and Kate & Pippa turned up again for a hen do...
Winter 2018 - a little quiet on the Celebrity front in La Tania, maybe everyone focusing on all that snow... The real Gordon Ramsey was spotted in 1850 and Dominic Cork once again joined in on a snow report. Alison (aka Ruth Wilson) was back again with a group of mates and we're fairly sure we spotted Thierry Henry! Lots of Winter Olympians about of course this season too.
Graham Bell posed (again) for a photo with some of the La Tania locals at the London Ski Show.
The Ski Sunday presenter represented Great Britain at 5 Winter Olympics from 1984 to 1998 and continues to be involved across the Ski Industry with lots of TV work too.
2019 seemed to be very short of celebrities once again - have they even been priced out of 1850? Some "Reality Stars" and "YouTubers" were reported on in March but to be honest we didn't have a clue who they were... A bit more of One Direction were spotted and David Guetta was knocking about clubs in Courchevel 1850 but that was almost about it - unless you know different...
Winter 2020 so far..
Georgia Toffola (aka Toff) spotted en route to Courchevel 1850 in December (not that one).
Best known for Made in Chelsea and becoming Queen of the Jungle in I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here in 2017.
Became mates with Stanley Johnson (Boris Johnson's father) in her time in the jungle. Of course Boris has visited Courchevel before - this classic article here.
Brendan Rogers spotted in Hotel Courcheneige in February (during the Premier League Winter Break).
Actually spotted by Leicester City fans staying in La Tania but they were too scared to ask for a pic from their manager!
Coleen Rooney spotted in Courchevel 1850 in February.
No sign of Wayne, who's now playing for Derby County (no Winter Break for the Championship).
Spotted by ex-Ski Lodge staffer Sam who's from.... Derby...
Rory Stewart lunching on The Ski Lodge terrace during February Half Term.
Could have been the next Prime Minister (see Boris in Courchevel in the Toff entry above) but finished 5th in the 2019 Conservative Party leadership contest.
Little known fact: In 2012, The Daily Telegraph reported that Brad Pitt bought the rights to make a film about Stewart, particularly his time in Afghanistan where he spent 3 years working to restore historic buildings and infrastructure to the old city of Kabul.
Luke Verway spotted in the centre of resort taking Instagram pics of La Tania in January 2020.
Luke and brother Kade confirmed as Kawasaki factory riders for the 2020 British Super Bikes Junior Superstock 600 series. They will be with the Kawasaki Team Green factory Kawasaki squad, MassingBerd-Mundy / Affinity Sports Academy.
