ESCAPADE 2026: Jake, Ben, Tom & Carlos (Really First of 2026)

14 January 2026

It was only a matter of days after the 2026 Escapade Route was posted with “We’ve made the route harder” and there we were once again on our lads Ski trip pouring over the 3 Vallees piste map, checking the route and planning our adventure!

There was more than completion at stake, we had to improve on our 2023 effort when we made Foret with only 5 minutes to spare

We were a sharp and organised unit this time, we each had a role, Ben on the navigation, Jake tracking timings, Tom setting the pace, and Carlos a new member of our team advising on route choices based on piste conditions!

We were absolutely flying, hitting St Martin around 10am, Masse around 11am after some complex navigation around Les Menuires, dropping into VT shortly before 12am. The progress was hard to believe, we were wondering where the catch was. Completing Vallon at 2pm, we were now confident we had it in the bag but didn’t rest on our laurels. Heading back into Courchevel we were greeted by the rest of our group cheering us on, in slight disbelief that we’d skiid over 25kms in the time it took them to eat their burgers!

Finishing the final lifts in 1550, we carved our way down to Foret to finish at 3:39pm, an improvement of ~40 minutes on our previous attempt!!

But our day didn’t end there… our ‘fall line’ approach meant we’d only skied 88km and we felt somewhat under accomplished! So a quick Folyeres run, a bubble, and a chair later, we were lapping Pic Bleu to get the km’s up before heading to the Bouc Blanc for a celebratory beer (followed by a celebratory few in the Slodge!).

We loved the route changes this year and the addition of lifts in Les Menuires and Courchevel, as well as a reversed approach to Väl Thorens and Orelle!

Can’t wait to do it all over again when we’re next in La Tania!

From Ben, Tom, Jake and Carlos

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