ESCAPADE 2026: James, Saba & Jon

26 January 2026

James (43, England), Saba (43, Iran) and I (Jon, 43 – England) successfully completed Escapade 2026 today from Courchevel Moriond with 7 minutes to spare.  Chanrossa (closing 16:10) and Chapelets (16:25) were the potentially constraining lifts.

The only previous attempt (failed due to contact lens trouble) was Jon 18 years ago!

First lift Arondiaz at 9am.  Perfect conditions.  Whizzed around Courchevel in no time.  Based on our v unscientific 17 mins per lift (or pair of lifts) we were 40 minutes ahead of schedule.

A little cloud and snow at the top of Col de la Loz slowed us and Jon did an involuntary 360 on some unforeseen ice as we descended into Meribel Centre around 11:00.  By the time we’d reached Bettex an hour later, the sun was out again and it remained clear for the rest of the day.

Nerves meant we hadn’t taken any photos yet.  Didn’t try to take a loo break until desperation point at the top of Masse, where they were closed!  Argh…  I don’t think we’ve ever skied so fast as we did back to Les Menuires (Reberty) where we were able to make our only pitstop to great relief.

Tiredness and complacency slowed us down around VT and Orelle.  Annoyingly just missed a téléphérique at Thorens.  By the time we reached Pionniers back in VT we were 10 minutes behind schedule.  We were hoping for a performance boost from handfuls of cola bottles and chocolate.

Felt fire in the legs descending from Mont Vallon and reached Pas Du Lac 1 around 15:45, saving time by skiing down to the stepped entrance underneath then using the single person lane.  This gondola is agonisingly long and slow, but gave us an opportunity to remember to take a photo!  Could we make it to Chanrossa by 16:10?  Yes with 7 mins to spare.  The piste down to Chapelets was empty and beautiful in the sunset.

Epilogue: someone took Jon’s skis while we celebrated at Le Tigre, but happily returned an hour later by a slightly worse for wear French holidaymaker.  The relief was so great Jon was actually happier than before he knew the skis had been taken!

ESCAPADE 2026 – What’s this all about…

The 3 Valleys Escapade was the lift company promotion of visiting (originally in 2006) 14 points across the Three Valleys and gaining a certificate & badge over the period of your holiday – doing it in a day was a bit tricky though!

It all started out as a late night “is it possible?” discussion – the history and our original route from 2006 are here

Originally punch cards had to be stamped at each check point until electronic passes arrived and then the use of a lift was recorded – now we use Apps such as Ski Tracks or Relive to prove our route.

Note that the Escapade is no longer officially promoted by Les 3 Vallees from Winter 2017 but we still record successful tracks for anyone who is interested in being in the sought after La Tania Escapade Hall of Fame

Send a pic of yourselves on the day with your successful tracker data & screenshot plus a story of your day to toffa@latania.co.uk and you’ll get your place in the HoF.

The original Escapade took 30 lifts, around 13000m vertical with 70km length and by 2016 reached 34 lifts, 17000m vertical (twice the height of Everest) and around 80km skiing (140km total distance). With the newer, longer, faster lifts we’re now at 32 lifts (depending on the route) ESCAPADE 2026 Route

This is NOT a race

ALWAYS CONTROL YOUR SPEED. You do this entirely at your own risk, act responsibly, take full ownership for your own actions and all of those with you, respect other people (& the mountain), ski & ride within your limits, always obey the skiers & snowboarders code, observe all signs, pay attention to all notices, advice & instructions from Pisteurs, only ski off piste if fully equipped & knowledgeable, it’s not a race (you won’t be insured), think about the safety of others as well as yourself but above all, think of other people, take care, don’t wreck things for others & don’t even think of blaming anyone else if it all goes wrong….. Note that setting of record times and max speeds WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED.

Changes through the years
2006 – First year and cards with hole punches stationed at lifties huts are used.
2008 – Electronic lift analysis is now used – no use hiking out the 4th Valley now!
2010 – The piste map did not include the top of the 4th Valley and the Col lift in Val Thorens.
2011 – The X-Wing Discovery was launched but only had 10 check points and doesn’t count!
2012 – Peclet included and Biollay / Vizelle used for Saulire access.
2015 – Foret used instead of La Tania gondola.
2016 – Mont Vallon is included for the first time plus the Montaulever drag lift.
2017 – Chapelets replaced by Petite Boss drag and La Tania’s Bouc Blanc chair replaces Tovets.
2018 – The new Roc de Tougne chair replaces the drag lift of the same name.
2019 – Legends replaces Roc de Fer and the Montaulever drag in Les Menuires has been removed.
2020 – Cime Caron now back in use.
2022 – New Pointe de la Masse and Orelle-Caron Gondolas (for example) could be used.
2023 – Using the new lifts, we ski all the resorts, all the perimeters and classic peaks – ESCAPADE 2023
2024 – No changes to 2023 route!
2025 – No changes to 2024 route!
2026 – Grandes Combs and Tortollet are added – ESCAPADE 2026