Nick Ski La Tania Snow Report – Thursday 13 March 2014

Morning off, early start and headed for Combe de Pylon which was as good as it ever gets, fabulous conditions (photo second run on CdP about 11am still great).

After a week of sunshine you do need to plan your route especially on slopes that face the sun as these thaw a bit during the day and freeze at night consequently only ski pistes that have been groomed the previous night. We’re really lucky in La Tania as we can ski into Courchevel on slopes that have been slightly softened by the rising sun first thing (eg Chenus). St Bon piste groomed last night and believe it or not we still have more snow outside the chalet than this time last year. As far as I know 100% of the 3 Valleys pistes are open.

Nick www.nickskithreevalleys.co.uk

More Events, More Parties, King of the Hill and More… 3V Spring…

The Mountain Camps King of the Hill competition starts at 3:30pm Wed 26 March, ESF will be marshalling, Tourist Office will be commentating and there’s a BBQ on the Ski Lodge terrace. The event is only open to La Tania seasonaires (free entry) and retro onesies will be renting suits for €10 for the day and night. All people need to do is register at ESF La Tania before 12pm Wed 26/3. Last year they had 70 entrants – Last Years Video

Also on 26 March (and Thursday 27th) is the Ski4Cancer Everest Challenge. Alpine Elements, iGOSKi and the Hotel Montana have once again teamed up to stage a Ski4Cancer challenge. Individuals or teams will be challenged to ski the vertical height of either Mont Blanc (15,781ft / 4,695m) or Mount Everest (29,029ft / 8,848m) over La Tania and Courchevel in a day! With a vertical drop of 532 metres, the challenge will focus on the green, blue or red pistes which run adjacent to La Tania’s main gondola, dropping from a height of 1900 metres to 1368 metres.

Before that over in 1650 next Wed 19 March is the Huck Cancer Valley Rally for teams of 4 in fancy dress and a BBQ to finish plus live music too.

And on Sunday 6 April is the 3 Valleys Enduro team event across The Three Valleys – open to all and consisting of Freeride, Big Air Bag, Freestyle, Family schuss, Skicross, Triplette des Belleville, KL… there are countless challenges open to everyone, all topped off by a generous awards ceremony back in your departure resort!

And then to end it all is the Biggest Party of the Season on 9 April at Meribel Village with 3 Valleys Charity Day. It’s the 13th edition of this annual end of season event, the full band line up and headliners to be announced soon!

Oh and did anyone mention St Patrick’s Day next Monday? 17 March? Bound to be a massive Bring Your Sisters / Murphy’s Event at Pub Le Ski Lodge in La Tania. Rumours of Gareths BYS Return are completely without foundation…

4 Weeks to Charity Day – The Biggest Party of the Season!

The 3 Valleys 2014 Charity Day takes place in Meribel Village on Wednesday 9 April aiming to raise around €25,000 for Sebastian’s Action Trust (a hospice for terminally ill children in the UK) and the French cancer charity Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer.

Contact Ralph on ralph@thefreeriderepublic.com to get involved, offer assistance, donate raffle prizes, sponsorship enquiries, make a donation etc. etc.

Another huge day is planned with fun & games, BBQ, Curry, Outside Bars, Comedy Tent and at least 7 bands playing live – everyone is invited and welcome to join in and raise money.

The Charity Day T-Shirt has 100% of the price going direct to Charity thanks to our sponsors – available soon for €15.

Charity Day Beanies also available!

The Charity Day was originally started in La Tania by Seasonaire Dan Provost in memory of his Mother back in 2002. It now takes place in Méribel Village for a safer, more organised event with more room and security for everyone to have a great day – a separate cordoned off area with toilet facilities, security staff, marquee / beer tent, a covered stage, professional PA, security staff and transport services to Méribel & La Tania / Courchevel provided.

Nick Ski Snow Report – don’t panic Captain Manwaring

There seems to be a degree of almost panic from our guests who are coming to stay with us in the next few weeks. On looking on France Meteo there would appear to be a heatwave at the moment and for the next week or so. Do not panic there are 2 temperatures mentioned for example 13 degrees followed by 5 the 13 is referring to how it feels part of the verb ressentir but the 5 is the actual temperature in St Bon. Today the highest temperature was plus 3 against the chalet and hardly any snow was melting in the shade. It is also a shame that the lift company pay 7 million euros for a lift and do not put the temperature sensor in the shade. Nick www.nickskithreevalleys.co.uk

Sun, Sun, Sun and Beautiful Pistes – The Week Ahead

Just that one little cloud tomorrow (trying to keep change over day staff happy) stopping a full house of Sun, Sun, Sun.

As forecasted over 2 weeks ago, the high pressure continues to dominate with no let up of Sun, Sun, Sun in sight for the whole of next week and probably in to the week after – certainly no changes in the reliable timeframe. The regular systems that have been coming across the Atlantic just about all Winter are now pushed much further North – in fact North of the UK too. So make the most of it, make the most of a 3 Valleys Pass, explore those far off ends of the ski areas and enjoy some long terrace lunches – there should be some afternoon apres outside in the sunshine next week too! Don’t forget the sun screen and get those goggle tans sorted…

The meticulously groomed pistes are holding up really well despite school holidays continuing and the sun doesn’t do half as much damage as warmer, cloudy weather with humid Foen wind and rain can. It’s staying cool at night importantly and we should see some transformed Spring snow offering great skiing and boarding off piste too. Beware of unstable areas warming up though and expect the Loze Boulevard beteen La Tania and Meribel to close in the late afternoon on sunny days.

WIN Tickets to Comedy Night at Hotel Montana Wed Night 5th March

Tomorrow night, Wednesday 5th March is Comedy Night at Hotel Montana, La Tania with top Stand-Up Comics Mark Maier, Phil Nichol and Josh Howie. Tickets available from the Hotel.

We’ve a pair of tickets to give away to collect on the door tomorrow night.
Answer this question correctly and you’re in the draw to win:

“In which year did this weeks comedian Phil Nichol win the Perrier/If comedy award for best show in Edinburgh”?

Email competition@latania.co.uk with your answer (a contact email or mobile a good idea too in case you win!)

Good Luck and look forward to an outstanding night of Comedy…

Saturday Snow Report & Cloud/Sun Pics Sunday

Video Snow Report Saturday 1st March in the trees near the Plantrey chairlift above Courchevel 1850.

And on Sunday the sun gets out above the cloud in La Tania. Views from the webcams in resort and from the top of Saulire.

High resolution Saulire images well worth a click Pic1 and Pic2