Winter 2016 lift pass prices released

10-20cm of fresh now – snow just down to resort

A snow update on a powder day… Never. The terrace left out and the tables just about get a covering of snow. High up 10 to 20cm of fresh light snow although poor visibility first thing. Saulire snow depths now above 2m – very good cover high up for the time of year.

Congratulations to these fine young Escapaders….

Congratulations to Evie 7, Kit 7, Ruffus 10 and Felix 14 on completing the 3 Valleys Escapade.

They had a few lift closures but got there in the end. Here they are with their certificates and snow reporter Tim Wall.

Easter Weekend Weather Update & Snow Update

Two forecasts this morning from Snowforecast.com & Meteo France – and these are the professionals…

It does look increasingly likely that we will move out of the low pressure areas and have much clearer skies  over the weekend and certainly into next week. 

However the nature of the weather patterns this season has  seen clouds bubble up from almost nowhere yet defined frontal systems break up as they hit the Alps.  This is the case for Saturday & Sunday evening where some models have snow reaching us and some don’t.

Temperatures dipped to -4°C last night at resort level but set to be around average by  the weekend just touching zero overnight in La Tania.

While recent snowfalls higher up have led to improved conditions and healthy snow depths the lower slopes have suffered somewhat.

That said, the Folyeres run down to La Tania still has good cover and although becoming thin in places the S3V lift company are working hard to keep the green run open to resort too.

While lower runs such as Muretta, Jockeys & the bottom section of Jean Blanc are closed – which is almost expected by now – the Pisteurs have managed to keep open Murs & Cospilot for example which are prone to closing early.

On the Meribel side of the Loze Pic Bleu is suffering as usual (very exposed to the sun)  but remains open althought the Tetras black is closed. Note the the Loze Boulevard is often subject to closure for avalanche safety work – it can often close on sunny afternoons for example – there’s a lot of snow above the piste, always obey any closed signs.

So in summary, lots of great skiing available especially higher up and of course on those North facing slopes (remember the piste map points South at the top!) plus there are runs open down to all resort levels with well over 90% of all lifts & pistes open.

Have a great Easter everyone and don’t forget the La Tania Family Charity Fete kids & parents fun day on Easter Monday and the XSCAPE 3 Valleys Charity Day with The Dub Pistols, Jo Whiley & up to 12 live bands on Wednesday 8 April at Meribel Village. Please give us your support. 

New developments in La Tania get the go ahead

Larger image here

Confirmation last night from the La Tania Mairee local council / commune meeting minutes that the proposed Muretta Village development will not go ahead and that the 5-Star Four Seasons resort has been proposed instead.

This will finance renovation work around the village (now nearly 25 years old) including paving, staircases, lighting, parking, roads and 2 new covered escalators for access to the higher accommodations.

Removal of the ESF beginners area, swimming pool and some shops will be required initially plus an access road is to be built with underground car parking so no run in skiers left down to the centre of resort will be available. Some kind of covered area between Le Farcon & the hotel is planned too.

The Troika lift will run above the development and a chairlift with access to Meribel and above Le Plantin development is also proposed – no confirmation of a new piste through the forest yet though.

Other commercial units will be available around the front of the village and a full pool / Spa complex is expected in the new hotel plus an ESF office. Work is not expected to get underway until 2017 at the earliest and a full consultation period of 3 days must take place first.

Meanwhile fresh snow and some sunshine this morning as we head in to April today…