Tourist Office Events – Week Beginning 02 Jan 2022

Tonight Sunday 02 Jan, at the Gilles de la Rocque Auditorium at Le Jardin Alpin:
• Jazz concert Tribute to Claude Nougaro.

There is still availability, free reservations on: https://www.billetweb.fr/pro/courchevel (Health Pass required)

Activities in La Tania next week:
• Tuesday 04 Jan: Tir à l’érable (making maple lollipops). From 16:00 to 17:30 in front of the Tourist Office of La Tania.
• Wednesday 05 Jan: Yooner Trophy (friendly sledge race). From 16:30 to 18:00 on the Snow Front of La Tania.
• Friday 07 Jan: Fêtes vos jeux! (wooden board games). From 16:00 to 17:30 in front of the Tourist Office of Tania.

1650 Luge Run – Opening Postponed plus latest from S3V

The “Moriond Racing” Luge run in Courchevel 1650 was due to open on Thursday but this has now been postponed until further notice due to Covid cases rising. Announcement will be made on the opening in due course.

S3V have been in contact with us with regard to lift closures in Courchevel and their staff shortages due to Covid infections and contact cases – they’ve been desperately trying to hire new staff and get cover but this is proving to be difficult and causing them significantly higher operating costs. They also remind us that they have 97 out of 102 pistes open, so the ski area available is just about maximised even if a few lifts (most of which are duplicated in their target areas) are closed.

Previous News from Tourist Office etc

News from the Tourist Office in La Tania (open every day 09:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00)
There are no more weekly flyers issued but events will be displayed on the office window and we’ll share on latania.co.uk.

New Year’s Eve fireworks and events organised by the Tourist Office are cancelled in line with the latest restrictions.

Additional Buses for New Year’s Eve throughout the night – Timetables here

Updated Covid testing centres and information from The Mairie (finally getting their act together): https://latania.co/3sET93R

Latest Covid Travel info: https://latania.co/CovidRules

In resort Covid Info: https://latania.co/3rwTW6G

Latest relevant news from Macron and Co is that there will be no curfew on New Year’s Eve, across France table service only from 3/1 (already in place in the Savoie), limits of events to 2,000 indoor and 5,000 outdoor, home working where possible, the Pass Sanitaire will become a Vaccine Pass (just test results won’t count) and an announcement on a new isolation period for contact cases will be made at the end of the week.

No news on a review of the current travel restrictions between France and the UK (although Germany relaxing their UK ban on 4 Jan 2022).

Other borders remain open with free movement across them throughout the Schengen area.

If you can get here or already in France or another EU country – there are some bargains to be had

Special Offers: https://latania.co/specials

Self-Catering Apartments & Chalets: https://latania.co/apartments

All Accommodation: https://latania.co/accomm

Transfers: https://latania.co/LTtransfers

Finally the image below shows our “elected officials” presenting the plans for a much smaller Tourist Office in La Tania with some new Public Toilets and room for a commercial business – somewhere that sells cigarettes perhaps? The Tabac no longer sells them!

Introducing Summit Sculpture…

For the skier who has everything…

If you’ve already got the framed retro ski poster on your wall and your shelves are full of coffee table books about ‘chalet-style’ interior design, but you’re still looking for a way to bring the mountains into your home, we’ve found the perfect thing….

Made of bronze and weighing over 6kgs, Summit Sculpture has a unique sculpture of the Courchevel valleys. Created by founder and sculptor Simon Gottschalk, Verdons, uses his knowledge of the Courchevel valleys, accumulated from almost two decades of skiing the area.

The bronze sculpture that takes its name from the rolling green piste that carries skiers back home to the resort at 1850. From the rocky peaks of Saulire and the Aiguille du Fruit, to the forests that flow down into La Tania, Verdons allows you to the finest ski areas in the world into your home.

With a footprint similar to that of a large coffee table book, the sculpture combines that level of detail needed to be able to make out your favourite pistes (or chalets), whilst still feeling like a piece of art. Delicate lines sculpted into the bronze show the roads that hairpin into each level of resort, and the jagged peaks of Saulire rise out of smooth pistes.

Being made out of bronze, the sculpture is big, heavy and impressive: it has a real physicality to it, and the different textures of rock, forest and snow make it very tactile. So, whether you want to use it to debate with friends which the best piste is, or simply look at it and think “I’ve conquered those mountains!”, Verdons is ideal for those whose heart is in Courchevel.

Verdons is available either direct from Summit Sculpture or via Etsy

Christmas in La Tania…

On Wednesday 22 December there will be a Christmas Parade through La Tania (time tbc) and on Christmas Day there will be a Father Christmas Village in resort.

If you go to the Courchevel 1850 Tourist Office reception desk you can enter a prize draw to win a trip to Disneyland^© Paris!

Pub Le Ski Lodge in La Tania has a special Christmas Day menu…
Book now on +33 (0)479 08 81 49

And of course live music at Après Ski on Wednesday plus Santa and his full sack will be visiting late on Christmas Eve…

La Taiga also has a Christmas Dinner…
Book now on +33 (0)479 08 80 33

And live music this week too…

Lots of new Snow across The 3 Valleys…

The new Bouquetin lift, Plantrey and a check on how the snow cannon mounds on Folyères are doing…

First Down Suisses, the “new” Bouquetin Lift and Avalanche Danger…

Out and about across the 3 Valleys this morning our special correspondents saw lots of signs of avalanches and potentially dangerous spots in popular off piste areas – Avalanche Risk remains at 4 out of 5 (High Risk) off piste.

Latest Covid Related Rules & Test Centres for Courchevel and Méribel

This is the latest information we have at time of publication, please don’t shoot the messenger! For further information please use the contact details on this page and speak to people – relying on facebook comments for accurate information is not advised. Official links at the bottom of this page.

Courchevel Tourist Office +33 (0) 479 08 00 29 and Les 3 Vallees Covid Page for more info.

Our guide to Covid Related Travel Restrictions / Testing / Forms to complete etc is here

Les 3 Vallees Association have released the following information

Health Pass (or Pass Sanitaire)

The Health Pass / Pass Sanitaire is compulsory in The 3 Valleys from 4th December for anyone over the age of 12 and 2 months to access ski lifts (even the free ones) and to go into any of the slope side restaurants (and terraces).

Systematic checks will be carried out at lift pass sales outlets, at the ski lift departure points, at the start of ski lessons and at the entrance to slopeside restaurants.

The health pass is required for anyone over the age of 12 and 2 months (UK evidence of 12-15 year olds vaccinations and proof of having had Covid via Doctors letters is acceptable and the La Tania Medical Centre and 1850 Pharmacy can issue a Pass Sanitaire for €36)

The health pass consists of the presentation, in digital or paper form, of one of the following three health proofs:

• Proof of Vaccination, provided that a complete vaccination schedule is available.

• Poof of a negative test (PCR or antigen tests) less than 24 hours old.

• Proof of the result of a positive RT-PCR test attesting to the recovery of Covid-19, at least 11 days old and less than 6 months old. Please note that you must be able to present a QR Code.

Note that the NHS QR Code from the NHS App (or a paper copy) is acceptable or you can download the French Tous Anti-Covid App to your phone and scan the NHS QR Code in to it and use that – you will then have a “Pass Sanitaire”.

For countries outside the EU – the manual form filling version to get a Pass Sanitaire is here:
Convert a foreign vaccination certificate into a french health pass

Face Masks

Wearing a mask is compulsory (from age 11) on all ski lifts, when queueing – both inside and outside – and in all sales outlets and meeting places.

It is also compulsory in all types of ski lifts during the transport – we advise you to travel with your family or with other members of your group.

Skiers are required to wear a surgical mask or a category 1 fabric mask.

Regarding neck warmers, only those that are filtering and approved will be authorized as an alternative to masks (ie The 3 Valleys one).

Testing Stations

Antigen / Lateral Flow tests are acceptable for the Pass Sanitaire (within 24 hours) or for the pre-departure return to the UK (with 48 hours). There is a test centre at Geneva Airport too.

With 12-15 year olds not being able to get double jabbed in the UK this currently means they will need to test every 24 hours to get the Pass Sanitaire to allow skiing and access to mountain restaurants etc. But also see the note above regarding 12-15 year olds being able to get a Pass Sanitaire with vaccine proof.

PCR Tests are €75
Antigen Tests are €22

Updated Test Centres in La Tania and Courchevel

After the Mairie refused to have a test centre in La Tania common sense eventually prevailed.

The La Tania Medical Centre is located in La Grandzeta building next to the Gondola Station Lift Pass Office: Antigenic tests from 8h30 to 10h30 and from 17h to 18h. By appointment only book online: https://bit.ly/3pjUD1z

La Croisette 1850
From December 23 to January 2, antigenic tests every day from 9 am to 1 pm and from 14 pm to 19:30 pm. Book online: https://bit.ly/3yNsjb4
All season, RT-PCR and antigenetic tests. Book online: https://www.pds.synlab.fr

1st floor of the Moriond House 1650
Antigen tests on Thursdays / Fridays / Saturdays. Book online: https://bit.ly/3mm3aPt

1550 Office
Antigen tests. Book online: https://bit.ly/3ErR0Lg

MERIBEL TEST CENTRES

Méribel Olympic Park.

Méribel Mottaret Tourist Office.

Test centers open from 4 Dec 2021 to 22 Apr 2022, every day, from 09:00 to 13:00 and from 15:30 p.m. to 18:30 by appointment only: Make an appointment

Message from The 3 Valleys Resorts

Our staff will welcome you in the best conditions possible, having made changes to the way we work since the start of the health crisis (training in barrier gestures, wearing a mask, etc.).

Social distancing rules must be respected at sales outlets, on all ski lifts when queueing, in picnic rooms and public toilets… in all meeting places.

Hydroalcoholic gels are available in all public places, such as enclosed buildings for ski lifts, points of sale, viewpoints, first aid stations, public toilets, picnic rooms, etc.

Public spaces will be cleaned daily and windows will be kept open as far as possible.

Our ski lift hourly flow will be increased to reduce queues and the ski lifts remain at full capacity.

As is the case for all public transport in France, this winter we will maintain the same passenger flow but are adapting the ski lift rules to ensure peace of mind for both users and employees.

The rules are straightforward: when you get to the top you can remove your mask and make the most of the fresh air, breath-taking views and stunning landscapes.

Courchevel Tourist Office on +33 (0) 479 08 00 29 can provide further information.

Travel

This La Tania Blog Page tries to keep up to date with the latest information (always only from official sources). As always the best (and only) info that is reliable is from government sources – but check that both countries information match for confirmation…

UK Government travelling to UK

UK Government travelling to France

France Government travelling to France

UK Government travelling to Switzerland

Swiss Government travelling to Switzerland (& link to Swiss PLF)

Swiss Government Transit to France information

French Sworn Statement Link (UK is an Amber Country)

UK Passenger Location Form

Swiss Travel Check Site

Les 3 Vallees Covid Information Page

Opening Night at La Taiga

After 623 days #backstronger

Outdoor Master Ultra Goggle Reviewed

Outdoormaster have released their new ULTRA XL Snow Goggles + Lens Bundle which has a super high definition, colour optimised, wide angle, anti-fog lens, but the special part is the easy magnetic lens changing system for those sunny mornings and the cloudy late afternoons when flat light descends and a change of lens is required (but 90% of the time you can’t be bothered with the hassle and just put up with poor visibility until you get home).

We had the pleasure of trying these out on Val Thorens opening weekend a few days ago. Even though it was a glorious day the light first thing was quite flat on the shaded Lac Blanc / Béranger pistes from the top of the Funitel Peclet.

A little later of course we were bathed in bright sunshine for the entire run as the sun got a little higher in the sky but at this time of year it’s always pretty low – for example the terrace outside Jack’s Bar in Méribel is in the shade from 14:20 as the sun goes over Tougnéte!

So a perfect chance to switch lenses and hammer down the shaded pistes being able to clearly see the rutted edges of the piste where cannoned snow had been groomed a bit over enthusiastically! Later when we were mostly in bright sunshine a very quick 10 second change over – here’s how easy it is to change lenses:

The clarity with a new pair of goggles is like having enhance vision – it really is a game changer (lens changer!).