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ESCAPADE 2025: Joshua, Matija and Ivan from Berlin
After two failed attempts last year (once we started too late, once the weather stopped the lifts), we were third time lucky, and have completed the tour around Les 3 Vallees 🙂
Since this is one of the busiest weeks of the year, long queues were our biggest challenge, especially in the morning. it was very tight: we didn’t do any breaks, and we took the last lift three minutes before closing, but it paid off!
The weather was great, as it is the entire week, and once we got out of the crowded area, we utterly enjoyed every minute of it – especially the suspense at the end.
Joshua, Matija and Ivan from Berlin
ESCAPADE 2025 – 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!
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
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 back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE 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…..
ESCAPADE 2025 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints
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!
ESCAPADE 2025 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
Joshua, Ian, Olly and Toby completed the Escapade starting and finishing in La Tania (5/2/2025). Last year we started out with all 4 and only Joshua and Ian finished after a broken ski meaning Olly had to ski back to La Tania on one ski from the bottom of Mont Vallon.
This year all 4 made it to the finish in 7 hours 43mins making the last lift in Le Praz 10 mins before closing time. Had perfect weather with clear blue sky all day.
Lunch on the lifts, 1 stop for the toilet at the top of Pointe De La Masse and then a few of the lifts stopping whilst we were on them, probably lost 15/20 mins waiting for lifts to get going again but still made it.
ESCAPADE 2025 – 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!
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
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 back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE 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…..
ESCAPADE 2025 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints
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!
ESCAPADE 2025 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
Camille and I successfully completed the escapade again today in 7h05 starting from Le Praz.
Great weather and perfect pistes albeit a little crowded in a few places. Highlight was seeing a deer directly beneath us on Fôret. A perfect start to a long day!
ESCAPADE 2025 – 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!
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
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 back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE 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…..
ESCAPADE 2025 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints
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!
ESCAPADE 2025 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
We had 1 week holiday at les Menuires and decided we must try completing the escapade. After some exploring the area on the first 2 days, we decided Tuesday was going to be ‘the’ day. Unfortunately due to a navigation error of 1 of the members this try failed. We did do 74km’s of slopes on that day.
We decided to do anonther try on our last ski day, Friday. This time with 4 skiers. Our less than ideal starting point (Bettex, les Menuires) made that we had quite heavy lift queues at ‘Bruyeres’ and a few other lifts.
With the ‘3 Vallees’ Chairlift being closed that day we had to wait quite some time at the ‘3 Vallees’ gondola lift next to it. The red Combe du Vallon slope was exceptionally hard today and our legs were getting sore.
After +-13h we got to the lower areas of the escapade tour and things were starting to look good, almost no lift queues and very quiet (but really icy) slopes. We arrived at our last lift in Saint Martin with 20 minutes spare and returned to Les Menuires, celebrating after the last lift with some Jagermeister.
All in all it was a hard, but really fun experience.
+-90km slopes. 8,5 hours of nonstop skiing. 1 toilet/eat stop of 10mins No lunch stop, eating in the gondolas.
Team: Timothy C (planner, navigator, leader, CEO) Tim S (follower) Kit G (follower) Thijs K (follower)
ESCAPADE 2025 – 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!
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
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 back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE 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…..
ESCAPADE 2025 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints
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!
ESCAPADE 2025 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
Fueled by a hearty breakfast and determined after a failed attempt the previous day, I boarded the first Legends chairlift in Méribel for a solo attempt at the Three Valleys Escapade. Conditions were perfect, and the route was meticulously planned. This time, there would be no wrong turns and no stopping for lunch.
With favorable queue lengths, quiet pistes, and strong legs, progress was promising by midday. A quick break for pre-made sandwiches on the Mont Vallon bubble lift kept the momentum going.
I returned to the starting point with enough time to enjoy a few more runs on the Saulire Lift, squeezing in an additional 15 kilometers of downhill before the lifts closed. The day concluded with a well-deserved pint of beer with friends at Le Rond Point.
ESCAPADE 2025 – 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!
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
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 back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE 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…..
ESCAPADE 2025 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints
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!
ESCAPADE 2025 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
Job, Henriette, Stefan & Merle from The Netherlands
Hello there! Better late than never…
February, 2nd, 2024 – Job, Henriette, Stefan & Merle (from Rotterdam, the Netherlands)
Awesome BIGGGG day! We started with the first Legends lift from Meribel and finished with only 3 minutes to spare at our last lift (Golf). Free tip: bring lunch, you really don’t have time to buy lunch or even a snack-to-go (thanks to the big queues in ValTho).
Shoutout to Maria and David, who joined us half the day and supported us from the air on their paragliding adventure. And also a special mention to Annemiek, Ewoud, Cynthia and Koen, who cheered us on while enjoying drinks on a sunny terrace ;-).
ESCAPADE 2025 – 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!
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
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 back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE 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…..
ESCAPADE 2025 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints
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!
ESCAPADE 2025 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
Last year in March 2024 I made 2 consecutive unsuccessful attempts with Andy Langley (name checked for the epic failures).
Scuppered by zero visibility on day 1 and then high winds closing Mt Valon on day 2.
So this year I substituted Andy for Seb Philips and tried again.
The weather forecast was for light snow and cloud, but it actually turned out with clear blue skies and sun.
Starting from the Tovets lift in 1550 (our hotel is opposite) we set off with a meticulous plan of route and timings.
Once at Orelle we knew we were ahead of scheduled, but it was only once hit Aiguille du Fruit at 16:15 that we knew we were safe
(it closes at 16:35 this early in the season).
Interestingly, the successful route was 52.9 miles, but last year’s unsuccessful attempt was 57miles (I guess I turned more!).
ESCAPADE 2025 – 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!
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
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 back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE 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…..
ESCAPADE 2025 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints
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!
ESCAPADE 2025 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
It was an early start to the day as the group three Irish, one Swiss and one Irish/American (three skiers, two snowboarders) set out and were on first lifts for 9:15 am (strategic decision and not laziness). The first section in Val Thorens went well and a few top speeds of the day were achieved early on before the fatigue set in. Queues were on our side as we managed to traverse over the valley into Maribel.
Having scouted the Maribel and Courchaval section of the route on Monday we managed to navigate the two towns and make good time as we started the turn back to home.
Quick 5 minute rest at the top of the golf lift to refresh and refuel, highly recommend as a pit stop when trying to complete the loop.
By the time we were skiing into Saint Martin all eyes of the group were on trying to finish and make last lifts back into Val Thorens.
None of the group had managed to check out the Pointe de la Masse yet so we were unsure what to expect. Run down was fairly icy but managed to reach the Bruyeres lift with 10 min to spare and all members that started the day successfully completing the entire route on our first attempt.
Macroom Ski Club Race Team Members: Steve Hannon (Top speed of the day) Josh ‘JPS’ Coyne (Chief Navigator) Fabien Zellweger (Motivational Strategist) Laura Murphy (Team Matriarch) Tadhg Murphy (Team Captain)
Lastly thanks for maintaining the website and this tradition as it added a lot to our trip having something to aim for and to keep the challenge alive!
ESCAPADE 2025 – 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!
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
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 back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE 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…..
ESCAPADE 2025 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints
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!
ESCAPADE 2025 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
Hendrik from South Africa on a snowboard, completed the Escapade on 20 January 2025 with no time to spare. Starting in Bruyeres, Les Menuires, managed to finish just in time, catching the second-to-last lift (Pont de la Masse) with the last group allowed on.
The morning began with wind and cloud cover, but conditions improved as soon as we made our way toward Courchevel. Spent 100% of the time on lifts and pistes, with only a slight delay in Méribel due to a busy lift – otherwise, it was smooth carving.
The challenge was tough so early in the season, since had less time to finish but it was incredibly fun and rewarding. Shout out to my wife Fran who almost completed but took the wrong lift at lift 29 after a skier crashed into her and we lost each other!
ESCAPADE 2025 – 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!
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
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 back down to 30 lifts and the age range for successful completion is from 8 to 76 years old! The latest ESCAPADE 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…..
ESCAPADE 2025 – The 12 villages and 12 perimeters/peaks used as checkpoints
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!
ESCAPADE 2025 – A suggested route. Click on the images for the full size pics
