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
Update on Snow Conditions and Weather Forecasts
We should get a video report up later today, in the meantime an update on condition and weather.
The dominant high pressure centred on the UK blocking new weather fronts coming across France is breaking up and it’s looking increasingly likely that by Tuesday next week there could be some fresh snowfall. The Rain / Snow level forecasts are a bit all over the place at present but certainly cooling down compared to the last few weeks and could be snow down to resort level.
As for the current snow, most runs are still holding out well despite warm temperatures – those facing the sun and/or heavy traffic areas do deteriorate in the afternoon but still masses of excellent skiing available and great Spring Snow off piste in the right areas. Pick your runs carefully and there’s still some top riding out there.
The green and blue runs are still all open to ski down to La Tania – but the bottom section of the red run has officially been closed today – in fact there are only a few runs officially closed in the whole of the Three Valleys, must be still over 95% of the area open. The La Tania bottom Gros Murger drag lift is still operating (bare in mind that this didn’t run at all last season!).
In the Courchevel Valley all runs are open except some minor lower tracks, the run to St Bon (lower than Le Praz) and Murs (faces the sun for most of the day and always one of the first to close – but alternative routes are plentiful). Some Stade runs are closed for competition use / preparation too.
Over in Meribel the runs down to resort are fine, including Meribel Village which is in excellent condition. The black Tetras runs from the top of the Col de Loze is closed (a very sunny slope) and the routes down to the lower villages below resort (Raffort etc) are closed.
Looks like just about everything is open in Mottaret including the Ours & Truite runs in the bottom of the valley and 100% open in Val Thorens. Some minor runs are closed in the sunny areas around La Masse and the Verdet blue piste is the only major route closed down toward St Martin – but again there are alternatives available.
All in all there will still be masses of skiing available for Easter – enjoy…
La Tania lifts open until Sun 22 April, Courchevel 1850 until 27 April and Val Thorens to 7 May.
Full Metal Contest Heavy Metal Gig in Les Menuires Tonight
The Full Metal Contest event in Les Menuires this week ends with a Heavy Metal gig Friday night featuring Vera Cruz, Crucified Barbara (pictured), Kvelertak and Dog Eat Dog.
The final snow event, the Final of the Freestyle Skiing takes place on Saturday.
Bouc Blanc entertains Royality
Kate, William, Pippa and Mr and Mrs Middleton had lunch at the Bouc Blanc today!
Details of the 2012 La Tania Charity End of Season Ball, Hotel Montana, Mon 9 April
The Mad Hatters Tea Party at The Hotel Montana from 7:30pm on Monday 9th April 2012.
3 Course Meal including Wine 35 Euros per head or tables of 8 for 250 Euros.
There will be music and dancing, awards and prizes, singing and much merriment…
Nickski Snow and Marmotte Report
Glorious conditions this week. For a perfect days skiing; first lift, straight down Chenus the surface of which will have just softened, next ski the groomed slopes around Saulire and 1650 until 11am then hunt the spring snow in 1650 or the meadows above St Martin until 1pm. After lunch ski Bouc Blanc, Launches and Dou du Launches which will have softened by now.
I spotted the first marmottes below the St Martin 2 chair Monday 26th March and managed to get this picture today of one outside a burrow about 200m below the top of the chair. No marmottes out in 1650 yet.
Nick www.nickskithreevalleys.co.uk
3 Valleys Charity Day Méribel Village Wed 11 April – All the latest details, bands to follow
The 3 Valleys Charity Day 2012 is on Wednesday 11th April.
The massive 3 Valleys Charity Day is in aid of Cancer Charities in the UK and France. The event has now been relocated to be bigger, better, safer & friendlier than ever. The new event will take place in the ski resort of Méribel Village on Wednesday 11th April. All proceeds from the entire day are split between the Sebastian’s Action Trust and the Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer.
Entry fee to the event of 5 Euros per person covers your first drink ( Beer or Wine ) free with an eco cup & wristband and access to the 7 live bands that will be playing throughout the day. Special edition T shirts for the event will also on sale for 15 Euros on the day and before the event.
There will be fancy dress, live bands, a BBQ, an outside bar, raffles, auctions, silly games, Harley Davidson rides, a VIP lounge area with hot tub , the annual egg eating competition, a Miss Charity Day beauty contest and plenty of other cool stuff.
It all takes place from around noon in the Méribel Village car park next to the ski lift and will finish at 19:00pm. There will be a bus from La Tania at 10.15am and 14:15pm to Méribel Village and one back at 17.40pm & 19:40pm. Announcement on the line up of bands and the Charity Ball at the Hotel Montana on April 9th to follow very shortly..
Snow depth high up still massive – pic of the top of Saulire
In case people are wondering how the hot weather is taking its effect on the snow pack – as usual at this time of year it’s becoming very heavy on sunny facing slopes lower down in the afternoon but there’s still plenty of brilliant skiing high up and on sheltered, North facing slopes. The pistes are particular good above 1650 and relatively quiet too.
This pic is the Pierres Plates Restaurant at the top of Saulire – those stairs lead to the roof and you can normally stand under the sign – so still a couple of metres depth up here!
http://www.pierres-plates.com/
