Summer Update from Courchevel Tourist Office

If you’ve never visited The Alps in Summer, there’s loads to do and the scenery is absolutely spectacular. See our Summer Life in La Tania page.

The La Tania, Praz, Verdons and Vizelle gondolas will be open from 6 July 2024 until 1 September 2024 for hikers and mountain bikers.

The Punta Bagna Custom Motorcycle festival returns to Courchevel on opening weekend from 05 to 07 July 2024. Some 20,000 visitors are expected (and a lot of them on motorcycles) with plenty of events, entertainment and live music promised.

In Summer there’s a Fête just about every weekend in one of the villages and plenty of events and activities organised to keep everyone busy (or just relax on a sunny terrace drinking Rosé). The Summer Ski Jumping World Cup event in Le Praz is another highlight – you thought learning to ski on a dry slope was hard?

A new promotional video currently being show on Eurosport has been created by Courchevel Tourism – focusing on the skiing for a change, rather than the luxury hotel palaces and Michelin starred restaurants.
Watch it here

Winter 2025 opening dates for Courchevel 1850 have been announced (usually just the main lifts up Biollay and Saulire and maybe Chênus or Plantrey too).

Courchevel will be open from 06 December 2024 to 21 April 2025

Unusually they are opening on a FRIDAY to coincide with a Spanish holiday, and the closing date is a Monday (Easter Monday).

La Tania is usually a week later (on a Saturday) so we would expect 14 December 2024 but this is not confirmed.

Falcon Goggles from Outdoor Master with ZEISS Lens

We’ve been trying out the latest goggles from Outdoor Master over the last month – The Falcon with a ZEISS lens. Astounding clarity!

Carl Zeiss AG is one of the leading lens manufacturers in the World – they started making microscopes back in 1846, developed focal imaging eyeglass lenses in 1912 and were the largest camera manufacturer in the world by 1914.

The ZEISS lens does create a super HD like effect when you first look through it – everything seems to become sharper and more in to focus. On a sunny day, the appearance through the lens is that it is even brighter when putting the goggles on (although obviously there is full UV400 protection) – I suppose you’re not squinting in direct sunlight.

The MagKlick one second lens swap is so easy to use (and they come with a spare flat light Yellow lens) so changing lenses even in bad weather with gloves on is really easy. Or even more likely – you can actually be bothered to change the lens because it is so easy and effortless. For example, that last run at the end of the day down the Saulire bowl when it is all in the shade and the light has gone completely flat – now enjoy it for the sake of a few seconds changing your lens rather than thinking I’m nearly home it’s not worth the faff!

Misting up almost seems a thing of the past with the dual layer lenses, triple layer foam for optimised air flow and a special coating that absorbs moisture. The need to go faster to clear your goggles is no longer required…

The goggles come with a spare lens, pouch and a sturdy box with several colour lens options available. They seem to fit really snugly around all the helmets we’ve tried and can be used over most types of glasses too.

For less than £90 they are excellent value for a top end goggle and if you use code Latania you can get 15% off Falcon Cylindrical Zeiss Lens Ski Goggles

More great deals on goggles, helmets, gloves, ski socks, bags etc at www.outdoormaster.com

French Long Stay Visa for UK Non-Workers – An Update

For those stuck in the 90 out of 180 days Schengen rule and not working in France the solution is the French Long Term Visa. This allows a straight 180 day stay (multiple entry & exits are allowed) as long as you can prove you have a valid passport, proof of funds, somewhere to stay and promise not to work.

Our original post from October 2022 on the application process

You could still have 90 days in a Schengen country before or after this of course and with no system yet in place, the chances of getting caught overstaying are slim (counting dates with passport stamps is not an easy task – but does happen very occasionally, England fans visiting Poland last year for example). Penalties, including being banned from the country, make it not worth the risk but of course with very limited border checks between EU countries it’s up to you to prove your are in (or not in) France.

The new ETIAS European Travel Authorisation System has now been put back yet again until mid-2025 according to the ETIAS Website (in place but not taking applications yet) plus the EU EES (Entry Exit System) is now scheduled to be introduced in Autumn 2024 following a request from France that it be delayed until after the 2024 Paris Olympics.

EES replaces passport stamping and automates border control procedures but also identifies travellers who have no right to enter or who have stayed in European countries using the EES for too long. In addition it makes it easier to detect travellers using fake identities and helps to prevent, detect and investigate terrorist or other serious criminal offences.

In December 2023 a new immigration law was passed by the French parliament with an amendment that would give UK second home owners an automatic right to a long stay visa. In January 2024 this was thrown out as being “unconstitutional” on a technicality that several amendments expanded the scope of the original bill too much. MPs say they will start again but who knows how long this will take, the Long Term Visa looks the way ahead for the moment.

France Long Stay Visa Application – The Process

• An online form to be completed on the French Government Visa Website
  • Make sure you are applying for the Long Term greater than 90 days Visitor Visa
  • Double check passport number, email address and phone number – they can’t be changed
  • You will need to put a French address where you are staying. State if second home
• Arrange an appointment at a TLSconnect office in London, Manchester or Edinburgh
  • You’ll need the reference number from submitting the online form to book
  • You pay a €55 service fee on-line (this is not the Visa fee)
  • The further in advance you can book the more available slots – Edinburgh had loads of availability in Feb 2024 compared to October 2022.
• At the TLS appointment:
  • Documentation is checked
  • If applicable there is a new second home owners form to complete (not available on-line)
  • Passport photos are stapled to a form and signatures taken
  • Photocopies of documents are inspected and put together in a folder with your passport
  • Payment for the visa is taken (contactless) for €99
  • Fingerprints (electronic scanner) are taken and a receipt issued
• Your passport and application are sent to the French Embassy in London for processing.
• Your passport is then sent back to the TLS office for collection or via courier for home delivery.

TLSconnect are a third party used to process applications, they also offer enhanced services (at a cost), such as help with filling in the forms for £15 and photo copies at 30p a sheet.

The “Express Courier” service charge is £30 even though they use the Royal Mail Special Delivery by 1pm service (worth £7.35). Also bare in mind that the London Embassy sends out to the TLS Office and then TLS send out, so collection is slightly quicker if you need it fast. 

A premium lounge (probably with no queues) is available for €100 and Saturday appointments for €60.

Note that the decision on your application is by the French Embassy not TLS

Documentation Requirements

A check list is provided once your on-line form is submitted at france-visas.gouv.fr

• Passport (issued less than 10 years ago, with 2 blank pages and at least 3 months left before expiry)
• 2 Passport photos
• Declaration that you are not going to work and proof of your status eg. retirement / second home owner / funds available etc. (write & sign a letter with the details)
• 3 months of Bank Statements / Other proof of finances
• Proof of accommodation / rental agreement / homeowner etc.
• Travel health insurance – valid EHIC or GHIC
• Photocopies of your passport (plus any previous visa) and EHIC / GHIC needed – these copies will be kept by TLS.

Timescales

TLSconnect state that the aim is to get your passport back in 15 working days, but it depends on the London Embassy ultimately. Applications in October 2022 took around 14 days, in February 2024 an appointment on Monday had the passport delivered back via courier on the following Tuesday (just over a week).

Appointments in Edinburgh were widely available in Feb 2024 with only 2 weeks notice. An 09:00 appointment is probably best to avoid queues if they overrun during the morning. In October it appeared to be primarily UK applicants sorting out working visas while in February it seemed to be 95% Japanese students applying for “normal” visitor visas!

ESCAPADE 2024: Iain J, a solo effort starting from 1650 Moriond

07 February 2024

Congratulations to Iain

Iain J completed the 2024 Escapade route on 7 Feb 24 starting/finishing in Moriond, taking advantage of the final few quiet days before the start of the holiday season.

This is the second time that I have completed the Escapade, the first being the old route in 2013.  That time, I just sneaked back in time before the last lift closed.

Since then, I think that the new fast Point de la Masse bubble, and the ability to take the Cime de Caron checkpoint by coming out of Orelle on the new bubble lift, rather than risking delay on the Caron cable car, has made a big difference to getting around the course, and I was pleased to get back with an hour to spare.

Iain

Date 2024-02-07
Start/finish 08:01:07 – 11:39:22
Duration 3 : 38 : 15
Max./min. height 2855 / 1254 m
Max. mean/top speed 55 km/h / 64 km/h
Max/min climb rate 3.48 / -3.74 m/s over 60s
Total distance 74.70 km

Date 2024-02-07
Start/finish 11:39:35 – 14:34:21
Duration 2 : 54 : 46
Max./min. height 3235 / 1593 m
Max. mean/top speed 57 km/h / 63 km/h
Max/min climb rate 3.77 / -3.37 m/s over 60s
Total distance 57.79 km

ESCAPADE 2024 – 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

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…..

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!

Masse Gondola – The Machine Room, well worth a look, great views and LEGO too!

The recently built “fastest gondola in the world” up La Masse named Pointe de la Masse has an exhibition area, machine room visiting area and an external viewing platform with amazing views.

Well worth a visit just to see the Lego models but the restaurant up there has improved greatly too!

Sadly La Masse doesn’t seem to be the secret, quiet spot it once was…

ESCAPADE 2024: A Solo Attempt – well done Roger

02 February 2024

Congratulations to Roger

I completed the escapade solo on Feb 2 following the suggested route.  On the La Tania bubble at 9:01 and finished at Foret chair at 15:34.   I have attached screen shots from my Garmin app and the clock at Foret when I arrived.  Next goal is to plot a course to do the route generally in reverse order.    

If this is worth of the hall of fame I have also included the most recent picture I have of myself from December.  Have a great day.

Roger

ESCAPADE 2024 – 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

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…..

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!

The Last Snow Train of the Season – must do better

With the Eurostar / Thalys tie up we once again have a “Snow Train” where you can book without being part of an accommodation package. Unbelievably today 4 Feb 2024 is the last one of the season with the service ending before the half term holidays.

Eurostar direct services replaced the old disco carriage trains where people used to fall out of the train on to the platform at Moûtiers after abusing the all night bar – we kid you not. Even the Eurostar overnight services eventually placed a complete ban on all alcohol consumption on board.

When things finally restarted after Covid only a travel package deal including accommodation was offered by Travelski – essentially they chartered the Eurostar service.

This (half) season’s service runs from Moûtiers (plus Aime and BSM) to Lille where a change of train, chance of platform, passport control x2, security and customs takes place followed by a standard Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

For £94 (via TrainPal booked in Sep 2023 but with no railcard concessions or Senior rates) one-way including bags & skis with a short transfer, it’s not a bad price for a weekend in February but a lot of issues remain especially the fact it arrives on a Saturday and leaves on a Sunday ignoring the 90% of week to week bookings in the Alps and people having to fork out for a hotel for an extra night.

There are many massive fans of travelling to The Alps by train (some almost evangelical) and of course the environmental consideration will always win – although 5 people in an efficient petrol car never mind an electric car is another argument. Surprisingly Eurostar only uses 40% green energy in the UK (it’s 100% in Holland).

Comparisons between Train v Plane never seem to compare like for like and me, like many others will balance cost, time, comfort and convenience when it comes to travel.

Today’s Journey

A lift at 07:30 from La Tania from Ski Hame (thanks Annie) started the journey as the bus service to Moûtiers doesn’t start until 08:20 on a Sunday, arriving at 09:00 – the train departs at 08:52.

At 07:50 there’s coffee but no croissants yet from the little shack in the station, the main cafe not open – maybe it doesn’t on a Sunday, we are in France after all.

The Eurostar rebranded Thalys train is on time and despite the decor of a cheap Indian restaurant the seats in a 2-1 configuration are wide and comfortable, WiFi is pretty decent and eventually I discover where the power socket is.

The journey is very smooth, I see us get close to 300km/h on the online info page, but not quite…

A visit to the Eurostar cafe is very disappointing – the only (luke) warm food is a goats cheese curried tart and they don’t even have any red wine… Items on the menu are covered up because they’re not available. Maybe they could cater with a little nod to their 95% UK market with an M&S sandwich perhaps? We hear the food is much better if you upgrade however.

Around 5½ hours after leaving Moûtiers we arrive in Lille, everyone (and all their luggage) gets off the train and heads upstairs to the Eurostar area (Hall D) – here we queue for 30 minutes to get through ticket checks, passport control times 2 plus security (similar to airlines) and customs procedures.

The train configuration is different to what was booked so all the chosen seat reservations are cancelled and new ones re-issued as you check-in (with no choice).

The Eurostar holding area is as poor as the ones at St Pancras and Gare du Nord – maybe worse, there’s no bar at all here, just a glorified newsagent and as usual not enough seats.

When it comes to boarding the escalators are out so everyone has to carry baggage, skis, boots, hand bags etc down a flight of stairs (or queue for the one small lift) – a pretty chaotic scene.

At 15:30 one hour after arrival at Lille we board (with all our baggage) on to the London Eurostar service and in 90 minutes we arrive in St Pancras. Wifi not as good, seats not as comfortable – all seems a bit dated compared to the time I used it every week for 3 months travelling to Lille from Waterloo in 2007, just before it moved to St Pancras. It still seemed modern, new and exciting back then.

More escalator trouble on arrival with only one working so it takes a full 20 minutes to get everyone (and all their luggage) off the platform.

I have a 90 minute wait for my train to Newcastle as previous Eurostar experiences have always taught me to allow at least an hour for connections – unlike linked up plane journeys you can’t book onward travel cheap tickets (that are protected against delays) using Eurostar. I consider paying up and getting the earlier train (costs double) but head to Greggs instead!

Thoughts…

My main thought is my journey door to door is 16 hours and could have been 6 if I’d flown while I’ve driven it in 15 hours. But for once, no delays, no strikes, no floods, no station or track closures or even the wrong type of snow.

The Thalys train was comfortable and smooth – easy to work, sleep or watch videos.

It could be so much better though, surely a direct service (including onward travel with protection from delays) with decent food & drink and improvements to the checkin, luggage handling, passport control and holding areas (with proper restaurants and bars) could be made and still be profitable?

But if you have kids, a lot of gear, in a big group, live near or with easy access to St Pancras, want a day on the beers or really want to show off your environmental credentials then maybe this is for you.

We hear that Courchevel (and other French resorts) really want to improve rail links including Geneva – Moûtiers in the run up to the 2030 Winter Olympics. They say that compared to the Austrians and Swiss they’re way behind – hopefully there’ll be some infrastructure improvements made like the dual carriageway from Albertville constructed for the 1992 Olympics.

There are of course options using Eurostar via Paris (a change of station required) to Moûtiers but also a not widely publicised route using Eurostar to Lille and then onwards via Lyon to Moûtiers. The price of £400 one-way via Paris next Saturday (half term) suggests this route is still very popular!

The Euros in Germany this Summer have huge discounts for match ticket holders across Europe with discounted Interail passes, caps on fares within Germany and free travel on all regional public transport on match days. A brilliant initiative and one we’ll be taking advantage of.

It will be interesting to see what the “Snow Train” offering is next year – we’d do it again for sure, probably….

ESCAPADE 2024: A second attempt with a late start – just made it!

03 February 2024

Congratulations to Chris, Lee and Tony (again!)

Yesterday Chris, Lee and Tony completed the Escapade. A late night watching the Rugby in the Ski Lodge led to a 09:22 start, missing first lift… Could the Escapade still be done…

We visited all peaks and all towns so in theory it was a successful attempt, however bitterly disappointed to make it down to Forêt the last lift back to La Tania at 16:31 just six minutes after closing.

Short bus ride home from Le Praz and in to the Ski Lodge for a pint again.

Tony

ESCAPADE 2024 – 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

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…..

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!

ESCAPADE 2024: Chrissy, Melissa & Simon – 2 days in a row (nearly)!

03 February 2024

Congratulations to Chrissy, Melissa & Simon

We did it today after my sister, Melissa, and I clocked 143km on Thursday but just missed Forêt as i’d cocked up missed Golf and were already on Legends so the detour back to rectify delayed us! 

Joined by husband Simon today and completed with plenty of time and also sneaked in an extra lift up Bouc Blanc.  

Kind regards,
Chrissy Blunt

ESCAPADE 2024 – 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

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…..

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!

ESCAPADE 2024: Reinder, Bert, Reed and Gerard

01 February 2024

Congratulations to Reinder, Bert, Reed and Gerard.

Les Menuires, February 1, 2024

Today we skied the Escapade with my brother, my American brother-in-law and a good friend. We started from our apartment in Les Menuires (Reberty 2000) and skied to Bettex to formally start the Escapade at 8:45 am. From there we skied the suggested route. The first half of the Escapade was quite busy and we lost some time on the schedule there. Fortunately, we were able to make up for this in the second part and we were also in time to take the Doron ski lift so that we could ski back to our apartment. 

Finally, a special mention for Gerard (on snowboard!) and my brother-in-law Reed (who turns 74 in April!).

Strava file: https://www.strava.com/activities/10674950897

Regards,
Bert de Jonge
Reinder de Jonge
Reed Packer
Gerard de Lange (on snowboard)

ESCAPADE 2024 – 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

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…..

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!