How Tom Daley and Ben Sherman Styled Team GB’s Historic Winter Games

It was an unforgettable Winter Olympics for Team GB in 2026. Finishing 15^th in the medal table represented the team’s highest-ever finish, with Matt Weston, Tabby Stoecker, Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale all claiming gold. Yet, while the triumphs in the skeleton races and snowboarding grabbed the headlines, there was another reason why the Milano Cortina event will endure in our memories. That being the ceremonial outfits developed with the help of one of Britain’s summer Olympic heroes.

Tom Daley was on hand to support long-term outfitter Ben Sherman in designing Team GB’s clothing for the opening and closing ceremonies. The five-time Olympic medallist lent his famed knitting skills to the heritage brand, designing the exclusive, heavy cable-knit hats and scarves worn by the team’s flagbearers.

Own a Piece of British Sporting History

The clothing range included a wool dogtooth topcoat and a wool-blend sweater with crew-neck and striped, repeated Union Jack pattern channelling through its centre. While Daley’s limited-edition knitted scarves and hats have long sold out, the coat and sweater are still available to buy. 

For those keen to get their hands on a piece of British sporting history, first-time online customers of Ben Sherman can claim an exclusive discount. Welcome discounts are commonplace. You may be familiar with money off after signing up to a newsletter or joining a brand’s members club. For example, in retail, there’s 15% off from Adidas for becoming a part of its AdiClub, or in iGaming, 100 free spins to play Huff N More Puff slot when depositing £100. At Ben Sherman’s official site, newcomers can claim 15% off their first order. 

It means winter Olympic fans can wear Team GB’s specially-made knitted crew-neck jumper, with its distinctive Union Jack styling, or the woollen coat with its removable gilet. Marking its fourth consecutive outing as Great Britain’s official ceremonial wear supplier, the Ben Sherman range, which also featured a knitted track jacket for the closing ceremony, heavy-duty winter boots and tailored joggers, was designed to bridge the gap between formalwear and modern sportswear. 

Alpine Mod Meets Athlete Craftsmanship

Understandably, the collection is packed with the label’s signature subcultural cues. Most notable, as recognised by fashion experts The Industry, are the iconic mod-tipped cuffs on the chunky wool-blend track jackets. It’s a look that feels distinctly British and grounded in music and street style rather than just athletics. 

This was complemented by Daley’s influence. His high-contrast designs were inspired by the rugged textures of the Dolomite mountains. They served as the creative foundation for the range as Ben Sherman sought to reimagine British tailoring for the alpine stage. 

The four-time world champion said it was a great “honour” to be involved in designing the collection for Team GB. He noted how his collaboration with the well-known brand enabled him to share one of his great passions outside of sport, with “every stitch” representing the athletes’ “dedication and achievement”. 

Daley, who won Olympic gold for the men’s 10m synchronised platform dive at Tokyo 2020, said he was able to draw on his experience of being in the spotlight as an international athlete. With his involvement, Ben Sherman has been able to elevate this collection into a deeply personal celebration of elite British sports culture.

An Enduring Piece of British Sporting Culture

Milano Cortina 2026 will be remembered as the moment British winter sports truly arrived on the world stage. The success stories of Weston, Stoecker and co made them all overnight heroes back home, their achievements undoubtedly setting in motion a new era in winter events like skeleton, snowboarding, and skiing. And fittingly, the 2026 event will also be known for its unique clothing collection created by long-term partner Ben Sherman and Olympic great Tom Daley. Together, they are responsible for giving fans a wearable piece of British sporting culture that will continue to endure.

Skiing Vs Snowboarding: What Should I Try First at La Tania? 

If you’re thinking about going to La Tania for the first time, you may be wondering what activity would be best to try: Skiing or Snowboarding? 

While both activities revolve around descending a snow-covered slope, the skills required and the apparatus you use differ dramatically. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the advantages of both, as well as some beginner tips, so you’ll be able to ride down the slopes of La Tania in confidence. 

Why Are Skiing and Snowboarding so Popular? 

Skiing and snowboarding are incredibly popular activities done by approximately 200 million people globally. Their popularity spills over from the slopes into films, books and even the world of iGaming, with players enjoying winter-themed online slot games, such as Slingo Fire and Ice, alongside opportunities to discover the 12 Pots of Gold Drums slot and similar games. 

It has been estimated that global audiences for skiing and snowboarding events can be around 5.82 billion, demonstrating just how popular these activities are. 

For watchers of the sport, they get to enjoy top athletes competing at the top of their game. For people who actively partake in skiing or snowboarding, they combine a huge rush of adrenaline with the beautiful scenery of mountain nature. 

However, the question is, what is the best to choose: skiing or snowboarding? 

Advantages of Skiing 

It is often stated that skiing is an easier sport to learn for beginners. This is because the forward-facing stance you have to adopt is intuitive, so people get to grips with how it works more easily.

The use of poles also makes it easier to walk through the mountain or skate across flat resort pathways. At La Tania, Plan Fontaine is the green run for beginners, which acts as an easily accessible slope, and also offers beautiful views of pine trees as you descend down to the centre of the village. 

For safety, your two independent planks give you two separate edges for better grip and safety on icy slopes, which may also suit beginners better. However, there are also many advantages to snowboarding. 

What You Should Know About Snowboarding 

While snowboarding may be more difficult to learn than skiing initially, it is actually easier to master. Learning it can also give you a lot of different transferable skills, as the balancing mechanics are very similar to surfing, wakeboarding, or skating.

There is also less equipment, as you only need to carry your board, and don’t need to use poles or two loose skis.  

Snowboarders can also begin their first snowboard run at the Plan Fontaine run at La Tania. However, if they begin to get to grips with how it works, they can start to move on to more advanced runs, such as Folyères – a Blue Run, which is wider and has a lot of natural jumps.

Skiing the 3 Valleys from La Tania: Runs, Access and Lift Pass Guide

Tucked into the forest between two of the Alps’ most celebrated resorts, a small pedestrianised village offers something rare: genuine ski-in, ski-out access to 600 km of interconnected pistes without the premium price tag. Built for the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics, this compact base remains one of the most affordable entry points into seven linked resorts stretching from 1,300 m to 3,230 m.

This guide covers everything you need to plan your skiing from La Tania (Courchevel La Tania, 73120 Courchevel, France) for the 2025–2026 season. You’ll find key runs, lift connections from the village centre, pass types and pricing, plus practical tips for buying, collecting and using your pass on the mountain.

What Does the Official 3 Valleys Lift Pass Include?

The Official 3 Valleys lift pass unlocks unrestricted access to every resort in the interconnected system: Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Orelle and Brides-les-Bains. That means 600 km of marked pistes, over 180 lifts and altitudes reaching 3,230 m at the Cime de Caron.

How does it compare to the local option? A Courchevel Valley pass covers La Tania and the Courchevel sectors only, roughly 150 km of terrain. The full 3 Valleys pass costs approximately £10 more per day on a 6-day booking, yet opens up four times the skiing. For most visitors spending a week in La Tania, the upgrade pays for itself on day one.

Children under 5 ski free when you present proof of age at collection. Veterans aged 75 and over also receive a complimentary pass. Buying online through the official website lets you skip the queue entirely, and the hands-free card activates automatically the moment you tap through your first lift gate.

Which 3 Valleys Pass Type Is Best for Your Stay in La Tania?

Solo Pass, Family Flex and short-stay options

Choosing the right format depends on how long you’re staying and who’s in your group. Here’s a quick breakdown:

The Family Flex deal stands out. From three people (at least one child), every member of the group pays the child rate. For a family of four based in La Tania, the savings add up fast over a week.

Saturday passes come with a 20% online discount when purchased by Friday at 11:59 pm. The 6-day pass offers the strongest per-day value thanks to sliding-scale pricing, so a full week’s skiing costs less per day than buying individual passes.

Season passes: Unlimited, Liberté, 2/7 and Skiflex

Frequent visitors to La Tania have four season-long options:

1. Unlimited season pass grants daily access from December to April with no restrictions. It includes summer lift access for hiking and mountain biking, and a Family Flex version exists too.

2. Liberté pass works on a pay-as-you-ski model, debited weekly. After 8 days skied, your 9th day costs nothing. Then you earn one free day for every 6 days on the slopes.

3. 2/7 pass lets you ski any 2 days per week (Monday to Sunday). Property owners and regular weekenders love this format.

4. Skiflex offers 10 lift rides per week, perfect for casual skiers who mix mornings on the mountain with afternoons exploring La Tania’s restaurants and forest walks.

How to Access the 3 Valleys Ski Area from La Tania

The 12-person La Tania gondola launches from the village centre and serves as your primary gateway to the mountain. The ride takes under ten minutes and deposits you at 2,000 m, where the network fans out in two directions.

From the gondola summit, two high-speed chairlifts open up the full system. Dou des Lanches heads towards the Courchevel side. Bouc Blanc pushes you towards Méribel. The Chenus chairlift links Le Praz, La Tania and the Méribel valley, creating a fast triangle of connections.

La Tania sits at 1,400 m yet gives rapid access to slopes reaching 2,740 m and beyond. Absolute beginners can start on the free Troika drag liftin the village centre before venturing higher. From La Tania, you’re only two lifts away from either Courchevel 1850 or Méribel centre. That central position makes it one of the best-connected bases in the entire ski area.

One practical tip: watch last-lift times carefully when you ski across to Val Thorens. Missing the final connections back means a taxi ride through the Tarentaise Valley.

Best Runs and Routes to Explore from La Tania

Three pistes wind back down through the trees into the village. A gentle green suits beginners. The blue Folyères run, a favourite among intermediates, rolls through the forest like a natural roller coaster. A red with a consistent gradient challenges stronger skiers without any nasty surprises.

The northeast-facing slopes above La Tania hold powder for days after a storm. The three Gazex couloirs off the Col de la Loze reward early risers with untracked snow long after the rest of the 3 Valleys gets scraped clean. This sheltered forest sector also makes La Tania the best bad-weather option in the entire ski area, offering visibility and wind protection when exposed ridges shut down.

Intermediate skiers should dedicate a full day to crossing the 3 Valleys to Val Thorens via Méribel. The journey takes a couple of hours each way, passes through wildly different terrain and delivers an unforgettable sense of scale. Snow cannons cover the blue and green runs back to La Tania, so reliable return skiing lasts throughout the season.

Freestyle riders with a 3 Valleys pass can access DC Area 43 and Elements Park in Méribel, plus terrain parks in Val Thorens and Les Menuires.

Where to Buy and Collect Your 3 Valleys Lift Pass in La Tania

Buy online through the official 3 Valleys / Skipass Courchevel website. Prices match the resort ticket offices exactly, except for the exclusive 20% Saturday pass discount available only online. You also get free cancellation up to 24 hours before your start date and zero queuing on arrival morning.

La Tania has a dedicated pick-up kiosk beside the ski lockers and the village sales outlet. It opens daily from 8:35 am to 4:45 pm throughout the season. Alternative collection points nearby include:

• Le Praz (Alpinium building)

• Courchevel 1850 (La Croisette)

• Courchevel Village (bottom of Grangettes cable car)

• Moriond (Maison de Moriond)

Your pass arrives as a rechargeable hands-free card. It activates at the first lift barrier, so you never need to visit a ticket desk. Bring your order number and the buyer’s full name for collection. Photo ID applies only to free passes (under 5s, over 75s) and season passes. For any issues, contact backoffice@s3v.com, staffed seven days a week during the season.

Should You Add Carré Neige Ski Insurance to Your Pass?

Mountain rescue in France carries a hefty bill. The average evacuation costs over €620, and your travel insurance or bank card cover might not include on-slope rescue. Carré Neige fills that gap directly.

The daily insurance covers:

• Rescue and evacuation costs on the slopes

• Reimbursement of lift passes and ski lessons (for absences over 3 days following an accident or serious illness)

• Medical and hospitalisation expenses beyond standard national healthcare cover

Expect to pay around €3.50–€3.70 per day, added at purchase for the same duration as your lift pass. A full-season Carte Neige licence costs approximately €90. Check your existing policies before you travel, but for most British skiers heading to La Tania, Carré Neige offers peace of mind at a fraction of potential rescue costs.

Why La Tania Is a Smart Base for Skiing the 3 Valleys

La Tania packs a surprising amount into a small footprint. A supermarket, bakery, restaurants and bars all sit within walking distance of the gondola. The pedestrianised village centre means no car traffic, and the ski-in, ski-out layout removes the morning shuttle scramble that plagues larger resorts.

Accommodation prices run noticeably lower than Courchevel 1850 or Méribel, yet you access the same 600 km of terrain with your 3 Valleys pass. The sheltered forest setting keeps conditions skiable on days when exposed resorts suffer. Geneva and Chambéry airports serve as the nearest arrival points, with Moûtiers roughly a 25-minute drive away.

FAQ

Can I upgrade from a Courchevel Valley pass to a 3 Valleys pass for just one day?

Yes. Purchase a 3 Vallées Extension Day at any lift pass office to unlock Méribel, Val Thorens and the other resorts for individual days during your stay.

Is a lift pass required for beginners in La Tania?

La Tania’s free Troika drag lift in the village centre requires no pass at all. Several beginner lifts in the wider Courchevel area, including the Bellecôte and Jardin Alpin magic carpets, also operate without a pass.

What happens if the lifts close due to bad weather during my multi-day pass?

If closures last more than 5 consecutive hours and affect at least 80% of the lifts covered by your multi-day pass (outside low season), the lift company may offer a refund or compensation.