FIRST SNOW! 31 August 2012 – Snow level around 2000m this morning!

Meribel by the afternoon of 31 Aug 2012

Bouc Blanc at Noon on Fri 31 August 2012 – a touch of snow on the terrace!

Thanks to Ralph at The Free Ride Republic for this pic of the snow above Meribel at around the 2000m mark. First sign of snow and everyone’s going a bit giddy……..

And the top of Col de la Loze with a covering of snow from the Bouc Blanc Restaurant above La Tania.

The first signs on the Val Thorens Webcam, early morning on Friday 31 August 2012.

And when the weather cleared…

August Snow – Forecast for Val Thorens today!

Today’s Meteo France forecast with a 2 snowflake forecast for Val Thorens should be some nice white mountain tops visible from La Tania when the weather finally clears… Looks like the long hot Summer is coming to an end, roll on Winter!

Congratulations to Andrea & Phil from Snow Retreat on their marriage

Phil & Andrea of Snow Retreat who met in La Tania and got married at the weekend. Congratulations!!!

Final Charity Day Total Announced

Final Charity Day Total Update from Ralph.

We are pleased to announce that the final total raised at this year’s inaugural 3 Valleys Charity Day in Meribel Village was 26,000 euros. Due to the nature of the new look improved event in Meribel our costs to stage the event were much higher than previous years. The 26,000 euros is the total raised for our charities minus all our costs so really this is a fantastic effort from everybody and means the take on the day and for other events that week connected to the charity day was well over 30,000. Euros. We will be donating 10,000 euros to the Sebastian’s Action Trust and the rest to our designated French charities that include Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer and Club Des Sports. In conjunction with the Tourist Office in Meribel we are currently working on a date for the event next season and I hope to announce something on this very soon so keep tuning in! We are aiming to improve the event even more next year and make it even bigger & better.

Once more a big thank you to everyone for your continued support and see you next year.

Ralph

Sandy’s lunchtime sneak peak of Friday Night Fish n Chips…. Live Music 5:30pm tonight

Well from a couple of weeks ago anyway…

Live Music tonight at The Ski Lodge from 5:30 with Rich and Mikey
and the World Famous Ski Lodge Alpine Summer Fish n Chips…

Alain Prost in the La Haute Route Geneva to Nice Cycle Race in 1850

Former F1 driver Alain Prost pictured competing in “La Haute Route” cycle race in Courchevel 1850 with Team No Limit – Another one for the Celebrity Watch page. Alain has a chalet in Méribel but we’ve never seen him on skis (yet).

This race from Geneva to Nice over 19 of the famous Alpine passes is called “the toughest and highest cyclosportive in the world”.

The first stage was from Geneva to Morzine (120km followed by the route to Courchevel (107km – but that last 20km is brutal). The day after this pic they started from Le Praz and then over the famous Col de la Madeleine followed by the Col du Glandon and then the long climb up to Alpe d’Huez. They finish in Nice another 500km away… Truly, Going Hard…

Thanks to Sarah B for the pics.

New Via Ferrata on Saulire Summit

Originally spotted under construction by Aiden D this is the new Via Ferrata underneath the Panorama Restaurant and top Cable Car station on Saulire. Thanks to Nick Ski who found the plans!

Shibboleth Reunion at Edinburgh Festival

All the pics here at:  http://latania.co/PqQu4v

Up to 70% off at Dare 2b on-line – ends 31st Aug 2012

If you missed the shop clearance sales in Meribel and Courchevel this Summer check out Dare2b with their clearance sale – Up to 70% off, selected lines and colours only, ends 31 August 2012. Dare2b Web Site

What’s New for 2013 in The 3 Valleys, La Tania and Courchevel

Our full (14th edition) What’s New Guide can be found at http://www.latania.co.uk/photos/2012Summer/NEW2013/

All the details of the new lifts, pistes, building work, developments, bars, restaurants, service etc right across the 3 Valleys.

New Lifts
The Courchevel Master Mountain Plan has been released detailing plans for the next 10 to 15 years. There are 16 new lifts proposed, some new pistes and many old lifts to be removed – lots more in the Courchevel Valley section.

New 3 Valleys Lifts Confirmed for 2013 Season are:
The replacement of the Biollay quad chair with a Hi-Speed detachable 6-pack in 1850.

A new access gondola in 1650 and the removal of the old 3 Vallees Chair lift.

The Saulire Express 1 gondola replacing the (Burgin) Saulire 1 bubble in Méribel to join up with the Express 2 lift completed last season.

Replacement of the Plattieres 1 and 2 bubbles with a new single 10 seater gondola. Plattieres 3 remains.

A new quad chair in Les Menuires replaces the old Reberty bucket lift for fast access from La Masse to Sunny Express & Bruyeres lifts.

Further details of all these and much much more in the What’s New in the Three Valleys 2013 guide.