Snow on Saulire not lasting until August

The last couple of snow patches in the Saulire bowl from last weekend look like they won’t make it in to August this year.

A few patches around Croix des Verdons and near the top of Creux Noirs remain although the patches in the gulleys down Creux and the Méribel sides have now gone.

Race up to The Bouc Blanc Restaurant above La Tania (1900m)

A cloudy, misty day for the 2015 runners at least today – not the plus 30C temps from earlier in the month luckily (and no thunderstorms to get it cancelled altogether).

The annual race take place every Summer from La Tania up to the Bouc Blanc restaurant following the vehicle access track. It’s about a 7km distance with a 600m climb. Congratulations to everyone completing the run today.

Anyone remember when one of the South African twins, Ollie, took off his kitchen apron in The Ski Lodge and ran up in a pair of cutoffs and old trainers (and won!) with Jeremy’s dog coming second! 2009 Race

Previous Year’s Races

XSCAPE 3 Valleys Charity Day 2016 – Date and Venue Confirmed

The XSCAPE 3 Valleys Charity Day 2016 will take place on Wednesday 6th April 2016 at Méribel Village.

Watch this space for updates & final details but expect the usual mix of headline acts, live music, BBQ & Tartiflette, The VIP Lounge, outside bars, DJs, Kids Zone with bouncy castle, fancy dress competition, skate park and much more…

Charity Day – More Information and History of the event

Charity Day Facebook Page

Last Year’s Roll of Honour

2015 Charity Day Pics

The XSCAPE 3 Valleys Charity Day UK Party with Bring Your Sisters and The Dominos takes place at The Horns, Watford on 8 November 2015. Tickets and further information here

Fete de la Madelon & More Mountain Biking

One of the biggest Fête’s of the Summer took place at the weekend with the Fête de la Madelon all around the streets and lake of Le Praz. Exhibitions, activities, games, competitions, parades, food, drinks and music plus Bring Your Sisters played a rare Summer gig at L’Escourchevel.

Meanwhile after some heavy thunderstorms some of the mountain bike tracks have actually improved after a good damping down – some were getting very dry and loose with traction & grip becoming harder to find. Nick out with Ken and Stu on Sundday.

Another reminder for the #BringYourDominos charity gig in Watford on 8 November. Tickets here

Cold de la Loze in Summer

More for the What’s New Page – New Building Work This Summer

The annual What’s New Across La Tania and The 3 Valleys gets updated around October time with a complete and comprehensive round-up of all the developments going on through the Summer. We’ve already had a brief update on the New Lifts for the Three Valleys for Winter 2016 so here are some updates on building work this Summer.

The new Aqua Centre near Courchevel Village 1550 (that’s Moriond or 1650 up on the hill above) is really taking shape now, as well as various pools and spa areas there are rumours of a wake boarding wave machine too! It will be interesting to know prices and season pass discounts etc. A massive kicker on the grassed over roof is already being planned by some ski bums we know – although it’s probably heated or something to stop the snow build up… Looking very impressive and opening this December.

Over near the Biollay and Coqs lifts above Courchevel 1850 (a golf course in Summer!) work continues on a large construction in front of the private chalet type building which was new a couple of years ago.

Looks like it’s a new restaurant complex similar to the one at the bottom of Mt Vallon with a huge terrace at the front looking up to Saulire (although not that much Sun there in December maybe). If similar it will have a proper sit-down restaurant, a self-service section and a snack bar to cater for all tastes & budgets. It will be a busy spot for sure – any chance of brnging back the single skier fast lane qeueu to the Biollay chair please S3V?

The Bouc Blanc has had an extension at the front (where the snack kiosk was) for a much larger bar area and new toilets are promised – those shared urinals with the ladies will be no more!

The Drop Inn in Le Praz has a new deck and seating area outside – great for this Summer to relax and enjoy their selection of Rosé Wines… The Ski Lodge in La Tania has some plans for upgrading their terrace too, stay tuned.

Over at Lac Rosière near Courchevel 1650 there is a new cafe and Via Ferrata harness rental place – not sure if this is new for this Summer or not, it’s been a while since the last visit. As stunning as ever… Lac Rosière not bad either!

The Free Ride Republic in La Tania has added a new chalet to their portfolio this Winter – The 16 bed Chalet Topaz with 8 en-suite rooms and outdoor hot tub is just above the La Tania Gondola Station.

A new hut and weather station at the top of the Col de la Loze has been spotted. Situated just near the orientation table up there and again we think it’s new – we can’t remember seeing it last Winter – but it has a tremendous view down to La Tania and will be used for weather monitoring and avalanche control we guess. It can just be seen sticking up right at the top of the Col in Summer, probably harder in Winter – definitely one for the ski geeks this…

Work continues on the La Tania to Méribel Village road – this is the view from the Méribel side. This is the second year of the La Tania to Méribel Summer Road Closure and is planned for next year too – although we hear a rumour that it may not be all Summer and some limited traffic light controlled one-way system may be available. The current diversion is via Brides Les Bains and Les Allues although there is an unofficial route on a forest track above the works – a 4×4 or at least high ground clearance is needed though and it is probably illegal.

Plenty of trees are coming out near Krab’s old place for the new road construction and there’s also been a lot of trees coming out to the (skiers) left of the Folyères La Tania Resort Run Blue Piste – possibly due to preparation for work on the new green run that is planned – no further information on that yet though.

Finally we’ve a pic of the top of the St Martin 2 new chair lift work – a big new top station going in there to take the 6 man chairs right near to the top of Tougnette on the ridge above Meribel and hopefully eliminating one of the last remaining bottlenecks (without an alternative route) in The 3 Valleys.

And (really) finally we hear there’s a new Weldom store in Moûtiers, much bigger that the previous one and will save many trips to Albertville for essential building, decorating, gardening and general DIY kit. Open from 09:00-12:00 and 14:00-19:00 every day except for Sunday when it’s closed all day.

First customers of Summer at Pub Le Ski Lodge

First pint – and it’s not Flackie? Or is that him already served at the window?

Widening of La Tania Green Piste Plan Fontaine

The La Tania green piste down to resort, Plan Fontaine, is being widened and the corners improved to make it less steep in places and easier for beginners.

Thanks to Nick Ski for the pic – seen below biking on snow near the top of Creux piste yesterday. Still a little snow left despite the hot temperatures that have been experienced across The Alps.

Another La Tania Company up for an Award – Ski Amis

Following the nomination of Snowbound Transfers in the World Ski Awards for best transfer company we’ve news of another La Tania company nominated for an award – Ski Amis.

Ski Amis are nominated for the third time at the British Travel Awards 2015 – competing with public voting in two categories this year for the “Best Ski and Winter Sport Tour Operator” and “Best Holiday Company for Customer Service” awards.

The company operates 19 beautiful catered chalets in two of the best places to ski in the world – the Three Valleys and Paradiski areas of France.

Great to see another latania.co.uk partner up for another prestigious award – Vote for Ski Amis here

You can vote for Snowbound Transfers in the World Ski Awards here

Nick Ski Mountain Biking and New Lift Report

Excellent bus service with large bike trailer from Brides to Meribel at 09:15 allows a speedy descent from La Tania first thing.

Up to top of Tougnette and good views of new St Martin 2 chair lift going in but sadly that means we can’t ride the great track down to St Martin. Blue DH track to Motterat or Meribel nice banking and good for beginners with easy jumps.

New Combes chair from Motterat well underway and piste down to Pas de Lac and Combes being re-graded again.

Still a tiny bit of snow on Creux despite hot temperatures.

Nick
Nick Ski

More on this Summer’s new lifts here

More Summer Pics in and around La Tania

Thanks to Joey at Nick Ski for the pics.

La Tania Summer Montage