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
Team #LaTania on the Lac Rosière Via Ferrata
This year without our guide Ben!
Via Ferrata is a rock climbing traversing route where your harness with dual carabiner lanyards is always attached to a safety wire running the length of the route. There are ladders, planks, wires to walk across plus footholds and handholds attached to the rock face so nothing is too difficult.
Harnesses and helmets (and a guide if necessary) are available from the cabin at Lac Rosière. Car park is chargeable by the way!
There is a difficult graded Via Ferrata “Croix de Verdon” way up on Saulire (the highest Via Ferrata in France) with a lot of exposure plus a medium graded “Via Cavo Del Mey” facing La Vanoise Glaciers near the Col de Mey on the far side of Valley des Avals.
New Snow Cannons and Regrading of Niverolle plus work on the Loze Reservoir
New snow cannon infrastructure being installed on the Niverolle piste along with regrading and landscaping of the slope towards the bottom making it a wider and less of an incline.
This is the piste running down from the Méribel side of Saulire where you ski across the far side towards Mottaret and then comes back across to end at the Pas du Lac mid-station. It also accesses the Grand Rosière black piste which we were lucky enough to have first tracks on fresh corduroy twice last season (it it very rarely posted – probably only 3 or 4 times a season).
There is also a lot of work on the Loze snow cannon reservoir which has been completely drained.
There has been a lot of dramatic headlines in the French press regarding the stability of the whole lake and even danger to “the hamlet below” (which we think meant La Tania). However water is pumped UP to this reservoir to store water – there’s very little collection of water on top of a mountain! – so the authorities have complete control the situation. It remains to be seen if repair work is possible to allow it to be used to full capacity next Winter.
Méribel: Rhodos Top Station Upgrade & New Cannons onTruite
After the bottom station upgrade and new cabins last Summer the top station of the Rhodos gondola (top of the second stage) is being refurbed and upgraded. The tarmac road is the Summer cycle track up to (and over) Col de Loze above La Tania.
There is also some major work going on at the Truite piste that links Mottaret to Méribel with new snow cannon infrastructure being installed. Work never stops improving the largest ski area in the world…
Courchevel 1650 Moriond – New Buildings and the end for Mamamia?
A wander around the new buildings in 1650 approaching completion – some fairly brutal architecture on view will divide opinion.
Sad to see one of our favourite restaurants in 1650, the Italian Mamamia all closed up with signage removed. We knew it wasn’t opening this Summer but weren’t expecting that. There is an Italian in the new building but we doubt that will offer the value for money of Mamamia.
The Funky Fox is opening at 15:00 and Le Tigre is opening for lunch this Summer.
Fête des Bûcherons in La Tania
The annual Lumberjack and all things wood Fête taking place in #LaTania today – Fête des Bûcherons…
How Tom Daley and Ben Sherman Styled Team GB’s Historic Winter Games
It was an unforgettable Winter Olympics for Team GB in 2026. Finishing 15th in the medal table represented the team’s highest-ever finish, with Matt Weston, Tabby Stoecker, Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale all claiming gold. Yet, while the triumphs in the skeleton races and snowboarding grabbed the headlines, there was another reason why the Milano Cortina event will endure in our memories. That being the ceremonial outfits developed with the help of one of Britain’s summer Olympic heroes.
Tom Daley was on hand to support long-term outfitter Ben Sherman in designing Team GB’s clothing for the opening and closing ceremonies. The five-time Olympic medallist lent his famed knitting skills to the heritage brand, designing the exclusive, heavy cable-knit hats and scarves worn by the team’s flagbearers.
Own a Piece of British Sporting History
The clothing range included a wool dogtooth topcoat and a wool-blend sweater with crew-neck and striped, repeated Union Jack pattern channelling through its centre. While Daley’s limited-edition knitted scarves and hats have long sold out, the coat and sweater are still available to buy.
For those keen to get their hands on a piece of British sporting history, first-time online customers of Ben Sherman can claim an exclusive discount. Welcome discounts are commonplace. You may be familiar with money off after signing up to a newsletter or joining a brand’s members club. For example, in retail, there’s 15% off from Adidas for becoming a part of its AdiClub, or in iGaming, 100 free spins to play Huff N More Puff slot when depositing £100. At Ben Sherman’s official site, newcomers can claim 15% off their first order.
It means winter Olympic fans can wear Team GB’s specially-made knitted crew-neck jumper, with its distinctive Union Jack styling, or the woollen coat with its removable gilet. Marking its fourth consecutive outing as Great Britain’s official ceremonial wear supplier, the Ben Sherman range, which also featured a knitted track jacket for the closing ceremony, heavy-duty winter boots and tailored joggers, was designed to bridge the gap between formalwear and modern sportswear.
Alpine Mod Meets Athlete Craftsmanship
Understandably, the collection is packed with the label’s signature subcultural cues. Most notable, as recognised by fashion experts The Industry, are the iconic mod-tipped cuffs on the chunky wool-blend track jackets. It’s a look that feels distinctly British and grounded in music and street style rather than just athletics.
This was complemented by Daley’s influence. His high-contrast designs were inspired by the rugged textures of the Dolomite mountains. They served as the creative foundation for the range as Ben Sherman sought to reimagine British tailoring for the alpine stage.
The four-time world champion said it was a great “honour” to be involved in designing the collection for Team GB. He noted how his collaboration with the well-known brand enabled him to share one of his great passions outside of sport, with “every stitch” representing the athletes’ “dedication and achievement”.
Daley, who won Olympic gold for the men’s 10m synchronised platform dive at Tokyo 2020, said he was able to draw on his experience of being in the spotlight as an international athlete. With his involvement, Ben Sherman has been able to elevate this collection into a deeply personal celebration of elite British sports culture.
An Enduring Piece of British Sporting Culture
Milano Cortina 2026 will be remembered as the moment British winter sports truly arrived on the world stage. The success stories of Weston, Stoecker and co made them all overnight heroes back home, their achievements undoubtedly setting in motion a new era in winter events like skeleton, snowboarding, and skiing. And fittingly, the 2026 event will also be known for its unique clothing collection created by long-term partner Ben Sherman and Olympic great Tom Daley. Together, they are responsible for giving fans a wearable piece of British sporting culture that will continue to endure.
Skiing Vs Snowboarding: What Should I Try First at La Tania?
If you’re thinking about going to La Tania for the first time, you may be wondering what activity would be best to try: Skiing or Snowboarding?
While both activities revolve around descending a snow-covered slope, the skills required and the apparatus you use differ dramatically.
In this guide, we’ll break down the advantages of both, as well as some beginner tips, so you’ll be able to ride down the slopes of La Tania in confidence.
Why Are Skiing and Snowboarding so Popular?
Skiing and snowboarding are incredibly popular activities done by approximately 200 million people globally. Their popularity spills over from the slopes into films, books and even the world of iGaming, with players enjoying winter-themed online slot games, such as Slingo Fire and Ice, alongside opportunities to discover the 12 Pots of Gold Drums slot and similar games.
It has been estimated that global audiences for skiing and snowboarding events can be around 5.82 billion, demonstrating just how popular these activities are.
For watchers of the sport, they get to enjoy top athletes competing at the top of their game. For people who actively partake in skiing or snowboarding, they combine a huge rush of adrenaline with the beautiful scenery of mountain nature.
However, the question is, what is the best to choose: skiing or snowboarding?
Advantages of Skiing
It is often stated that skiing is an easier sport to learn for beginners. This is because the forward-facing stance you have to adopt is intuitive, so people get to grips with how it works more easily.
The use of poles also makes it easier to walk through the mountain or skate across flat resort pathways. At La Tania, Plan Fontaine is the green run for beginners, which acts as an easily accessible slope, and also offers beautiful views of pine trees as you descend down to the centre of the village.
For safety, your two independent planks give you two separate edges for better grip and safety on icy slopes, which may also suit beginners better. However, there are also many advantages to snowboarding.
What You Should Know About Snowboarding
While snowboarding may be more difficult to learn than skiing initially, it is actually easier to master. Learning it can also give you a lot of different transferable skills, as the balancing mechanics are very similar to surfing, wakeboarding, or skating.
There is also less equipment, as you only need to carry your board, and don’t need to use poles or two loose skis.
Snowboarders can also begin their first snowboard run at the Plan Fontaine run at La Tania. However, if they begin to get to grips with how it works, they can start to move on to more advanced runs, such as Folyères – a Blue Run, which is wider and has a lot of natural jumps.
Summer 2026 Lift Pass Prices and Schedules
Selected lifts are open in the Summer for hikers and bikers across the 3 Valleys. In the Courchevel Valley the lifts are open from 4 July to 30 August.
The La Tania gondola (which is usually free) is getting new cabins this Summer and will be closed. However the Forêt chairlift from Le Praz will run instead and will also be free (note the lunchtime closure).
New for this Summer is that the newly installed Chenus gondola will be running – the old Chenus hasn’t run in Summer since about 2010). We hear the bike track down from the top “La Louza” down to 1850 has been greatly improved (the entry point is near to the top of the Plantrey chairlift).
Summer 2026 Schedule
- Praz 09:30 – 16:45
- Forêt 09:30 – 12:30 and 13:30 – 16:45
- Chenus 09:30 – 16:40
- Verdons 09:30 – 16:40
- Saulire 09:30-16:30
Summer Lift Pass Prices
Pedestrians, 3 Valleys (except Orelle, Caron & Masse)
| Praz Gondola | Special Fixed Price €4 |
| Forêt Chair | Free |
| 1-way up on other lifts | €10.80 (kids €7.70) |
| Day Pass | €23.50 (kids 17.60) |
| Week Pass | €65.50 (kids €49.10) |
| Summer Season Pass (including Masse & Caron) | €240 (kids €180) |
All descents are free.
Winter 25/26 Season Passes are valid in Summer 2026.
Other prices and schedules for Méribel and Belleville Valley plus group discounts and prices for bikers to folllow.
Live Streaming La Tania: Show the World Your Skills in Real Time
La Tania is loaded with over 600km of terrain to shred on skis or snowboard, with its uniquely sheltered location, thanks to the forest, allowing for visibility to remain high even on foggy days. Across the Three Valleys networks, there’s a lot of variety, making it perfect for beginners and those more seasoned on the slopes.
Many people tee up their winter sports personal cameras, or even their smartphones, to record their runs at La Tania. However, with the help of the 4G mast nearby and odd dose of 5G, tapping into one of the most popular forms of online viewing right now is very possible if you have the right kit.
The Live Streaming Revolution
Live streaming is becoming the go-to way to experience entertainment and engage with others online. Where more static video content has long been popular, it simply can’t compete with the in-the-moment appeal of a live stream. It’s because of this that over half of all adults in the UK have watched a live stream now.
Many tune into Facebook Live, YouTube, and Instagram for these live streams, while Twitch remains the all-in hub for viewing live streams of all varieties. It’s an immersive experience where anything can happen, but you have to be there to see it as it plays out. This unique appeal has even been expanded upon by some studios.
Rather than simply live streaming a studio and a host, the casino online live tech allows for users to play the games being shown on-screen in real time. The professional hosts will interact with audiences, and all while those who bet on winners in the likes of Sports Arena, Family Feud Live from Las Vegas, and Quantum Baccarat Live get their payouts immediately.
It’s the authenticity, real-time interactions, and feeling of an exclusive experience that makes a live stream that much more appealing than any other format for the same content or game. Winter sports stars have long posted their great runs and tricks in video form, but streaming them live makes them that bit more captivating.
Tech that Enables Your Thrilling Live Streams
The audience is ready, people want to watch along live, and they all want to experience the thrill of your run in real time just as you do. To make this a reality from the slopes of La Tania, you’ll need some specialist kit. The go-to brand for sports cameras, GoPro, does offer a pretty solid live streaming solution.
All of its cameras from the GoPro HERO7 Black onwards – with the exceptions of the 2024 HERO, Lit HERO, and Max2 – have the option to live stream. Instagram connections are shaky at best, but it works very well with YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. You just need a GoPro subscription to get rolling.
Alternatively, while it’s still in its Beta form, the free live streaming option with the Liveheats Video Studio has also proved to be a sound choice for many. One aspect that you’d want to cover for, however, is the connectivity. You need an excellent connection throughout, and while there’s a 4G tower at La Tania, it can be hit-and-miss.
As you’d expect, this is usually at the more popular times of the year. To get around this, devices that give you multiple connections and automatic switches to the best connections can help a lot. SIMO is a very good choice for this, as is the made-for-streamers LiveU Solo PRO.
La Tania is an epic place to explore on skis and snowboards, and now is the perfect time to pile into the live streaming trend and show the world your ability on the slopes in real time.
Work on the La Tania Gondola and Chalet Road
Work continues apace on the La Tania Gondola with some heavy duty deliveries today as the rails, brackets, pulleys, wheels and lift mechanisms are replaced in order to support the new 8 seater cabins. All work due to be completed for opening day in December 2026.
Meanwhile the chalet road from the new tunnel up to the drag lift bridge is being completely resurfaced and the pavement / path renewed. The potholes were becoming massive following Winter…
Thanks to Andrea at Snow Retreat Catered Chalets for the pics.
