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After an unsuccessful attempt on Monday, we set off again on Wednesday the 19th of Feb 2025 from Airelles in Les Menuires.
We made some tactical improvements to go faster: (1) leaving our parents behind; (2) getting to Bettex super early; (3) not breaking equipment on the way.
As a result we were on the first lift up, and despite an inevitable delay at Bruyeres, and one wrong turn leading to an extra run in Val T, we made rapid progress.
We made it through all the Courchevel villages and back to Meribel with time to spare, so joined up with our parents for a more leisurely cruise to St Martin and back to Les Menuires.
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!
A great little adventure from Doug – an Escapade in a Day Veteran who used the Zip Line for the Escapade!
Doug’s story of the day – influenced by the road closure near Moûtiers due to the rock fall (which turned out to be sorted by the time of his trip but with all the planning, it had to be done!).
Lad 3 and I were flying BA to LYS scheduled to land at 10h30 CET (deplaned at 10h50). With no checked bags and luck with the car rental shuttle, we were on the road at 11h30. The “usual” time to Orelle from LYS is around 2 hours, but this was changeover day on a multicountry school holiday week, just getting to the A41 turnoff to GNB took ages, and we arrived at the Orelle parking lot (Telecabine I) at 14h40, and were in Orelle 3000 to hire kit at 14h50.
(Quick shout out for Orelle 3000: we sprinted into the shop, and with a mishmash schoolboy french I announced that we had reserved kit but needed to ski to La Tania *today*: the staff quit serving everyone in the otherwise packed shop and sprang into action like an F1 pit crew (sorry other patrons, we must have looked like nutters)).
On the gondola up at 15h00, we changed in the gondola (boots only, no time to repack, so we skied in civvies: I was in full Surrey dad uniform of jeans, button down shirt and a quarter-zip) and were at the top of Cime Caron at 15h30.
Skiing with a 30kg+ rucksack on unfamiliar skis is an experience, and it took the entirely of Cime into Val T proper to work out any semblance of form. Up and over into Méribel, then we got to TS Loze at 1659; yes this was pretty slow but once I unbuckled the hip and chest belts the bag acted as a dampner and made skiing easier. Bouc Blanc and Folyères were properly dodgy with ice, but we took it easy and made it down in one piece for a celebratory pint (or four) at Le Pub Ski Lodge at ~1715.
The rest of our syndicate (with arrivals in GVA, LYS and GNB around 10h30) had made it to La Tania around 16h15, which was a technical, but not a moral, win.
Is this a good idea? From LYS (or GNB), maybe but you need an earlier flight because it is really stressful. But from TRN? That may be a good option, only 100km away, as long as you are not very precious about your luggage.
Well done lads! Always good to have a mission on skis, very much in the spirit of La Tania, always going hard…
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!
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
