The La Tania Ski Blog

Latest news, snow, pics, gossip and information from the locals in La Tania – latania.co.uk

 
All the latest news from around the Three Valleys from the La Tania locals. A real blog since 2006, not just endless re-posts for search engine optimisaton! Photos, gossip, snow reports, what's on and all the latest on the Apres Ski scene... Now fully optimised for iPhone, Touch and Android Mobiles - just go to latania.co.uk/blog and view on your phone. Our other past blogs & favourites here

 


 

Tour de France Day! Stage 18 Finishing at Col de la Loze above La Tania

Tour de France 2025 – All the info & expected Caravan and Peleton timings, free parking, free lifts (extended opening), free buses, road closures etc.

Le Tour 2025 is routed up from Moûtiers to Brides Les Bains, then from Le Carrey roundabout up to Le Praz, 1550, 1650, Courchevel 1850 and upwards on to the cycle track up to Col de la Loze above La Tania for the Stage 18 finish.

Expected Timings

The expected timings from the official site are:

Le Praz – Caravan expected 15:03
Le Praz – Peleton expected between 16:30 and 17:03

Courchevel 1850 – Caravan 15:24
Courchevel 1850 – Peleton 16:48 – 17:24

Col de la Loze Finish – Caravan 15:50
Col de la Loze Finish – Peleton 17:12 – 17:50

Obviously all subject to change and are estimates – check the live Le Tour site for further info.

www.letour.fr

www.courcheveltourdefrance.fr

Free Resort Bus Service – Special Timetable

Download PDF here: https://www.latania.co.uk/resort/BusPDFs/2025/summer/tdf.pdf
Note that no bike trailers will be in use.

Free Ski Lifts

Praz Gondola 08:15 – 20:00

Verdons Gondola 09:30 – 19:30 (pedestrians only)

Saulire Cable Car 09:30 – 17:00

La Tania Gondola 09:00 – 12:30 AND 13:30 19:30 (closed for lunch!)

Local Road Closures

12:00 Road closure in Courchevel Le Praz

Closure of the RD97 and RD915 from Léchère to Moûtiers from 13:15 – 17:00

The RD915 from Moûtiers to Brides-les-Bains is closed from 13:15 – 17:15

Road closure at Carrey at 13:00

Col de la Loze Access – Finish Line

RECOMMENDED : Access to Courchevel 1850 by Praz gondola + Verdons gondola + 1 hour 20 minutes walk (228m D+ by path or passable road)

ALTERNATIVE : Access to Bouc Blanc by La Tania gondola + ~1h30 walk (422m D+ by path, for good walkers)

Road Reopening

After the passage of the sweeper car it is estimated from 18:30 in Le Praz and from 19:00 in Courchevel 1850.

Free Parking

LE PRAZ
  • Praz (West Zone / Ski Jumps)
  • The Tal
  • Jean Blanc

LA TANIA
  • Combout 

COURCHEVEL VILLAGE
  • Grangettes
  • Dou du Midi

COURCHEVEL MORIOND
  • Cimes Blanches

COURCHEVEL 1850
  • Bellecôte
  • Pralong

VILLAGES AND HAMLETS
  • Saint-Bon
  • Fontanil
  • Carrey
  • Perrière

2025 Tour de France – Traffic Restrictions Timetable for Thursday 24 July: Stage 18 Finish at Col de la Loze, La Tania

From https://savoie-route.fr/circulation

There will be traffic restrictions on the departmental and national road network. Those indicated in this press release concern the route of each stage. Other roads will also be affected by the Tour de France and will therefore not be accessible.

The timetables on the pages below are given for information only. The closure and reopening of traffic routes is left to the initiative of the gendarmerie and police services as the race progresses.

Wednesday 23 July – Advance restrictions for Stage 18

  1. No parking on the Col du Glandon at Saint-Colomban-des-Villards and the Col de la Madeleine at Saint-François-Longchamp from Wednesday 23 July at 6pm until Thursday 24 July at 8.30pm
  2. No parking and closure of the Col de la Loze road between Méribel Les Allues and the Col de la Loze from Wednesday 23 July at 6pm until Thursday 24 July at 8.30pm

Thursday 24 July: Stage 18: Vif – Courchevel (Col de la Loze)

  • From Grand-Maison dam to Glandon pass (RD 926). Traffic closed in both directions from 10am to 4.30pm.
  • From Col du Glandon (Saint-Colomban-des-Villards) to Saint-Etienne-de-Cuines (RD 927). Closed to traffic in both directions from 10am to 4.30pm.
  • From Saint-Etienne-de-Cuines to Saint-François-Longchamp (RD 213). Closed to traffic in both directions from 10am to 5pm.
  • Col de la Madeleine at Saint-François-Longchamp (RD 213). Closed to traffic in both directions from 12 noon to 5pm.
  • Col de la Madeleine to La Léchère (RD 213 and RD 97). Closed to traffic in both directions from 12 noon to 5pm.
  • From La Léchère to Moûtiers (RD 97 and RD 915). Closed to traffic in both directions from 1.15pm to 5pm.
  • From Moûtiers to Brides-les-Bains (RD 915). Closed in both directions from 1.30pm to 5.15pm.
  • From the Carrey roundabout in Courchevel to the Col de la Loze (RD 915, RD 91A, RD 91E). Traffic closed in both directions from 1pm to 8pm.
  • Rue de la sous-préfecture at the Moûtiers ‘Les Cordeliers’ exit from Aime-la-Plagne. Closed to traffic in both directions from 1.30pm to 5.30pm.
  1. Other disruptions to be expected
  2. No parking between Celliers and the Col de la Madeleine (RD 213)
  3. La Léchère: the police will take the initiative to close the RD 213 at the intersection with the RD 97 in the event of saturation
  4. Exit 26 from the A 43 at Sainte-Marie-de-Cuines will be closed from 10am to 4.30pm.
  5. Exit 37 on the RN 90 at La Léchère will be closed from 1pm to 5pm
  6. Exit 38 on the RN 90 at Aigueblanche will be closed from 1pm to 5pm
  7. Exit 39 on the RN 90 at Moûtiers Nord will be closed from 1pm to 5pm
  8. Exits 41 on the RN 90 at the Giratoire de l’Europe will be closed in both directions from 1pm to 5pm.

New Chenus Gondola Construction

Construction work on the new Chenus gondola from 1850 over to #LaTania continues this Summer and it’s due to open this December.

The gondola is a POMA 10 seater with SIGMA Evo2 cabins (pictured by our spies last Winter at the factory – see below).

  • 54 Cabins
  • 11 Pylons (instead of 15)
  • Capacity 2,400 skiers per hour
  • Bottom station 1760m
  • Top station 2240m
  • Vertical rise 480m
  • Length 1674m
  • Speed 5m/s
  • Journey time 5 mins 49 secs

Punta Bagna Custom Motorcycle Festival Pics

Good to see plenty of bikers made it over to La Tania for better value food and drink than 1850!

Why Music Hits Harder on the Slopes

Music has the incredible capability to elevate experiences, even ones that you already love, like skiing and snowboarding. But while it adds another layer of enjoyment and personalisation, it delivers a few unexpected benefits too. The combination of an exhilarating run down the mountain paired with your favourite soundtrack is unlike any other experience. Let’s take a look at the impact music can have while you’re on the slopes and why it seems to hit harder in these moments. 

Music Enhances Performance
The connection between music and athletic performance has been studied across various types of physical activity and been shown to enhance performance in a variety of ways. These impacts are both psychological and physiological, ranging from improved mood to better endurance.

Boosts Mood and Energy
The right soundtrack can boost your mood and energy, which can help you push through challenges, fear, and fatigue. This translates to a stronger performance and a more enjoyable experience. Music can leave you feeling empowered as you glide down the mountain, take on jumps, curves, and any terrain in your path. If you’re a more cautious or nervous skier or snowboarder, it can also help you manage any pre-run jitters or worries, allowing you to get into the zone and feel more confident and capable as you take on a run.

Better Concentration, Rhythm, and Flow
The steady tempo of music can help you zone in and find a steady rhythm and flow that will enable you to respond to the run with fluidity and ease. Part of this is because your movements synchronise with the music, improving your efficiency and performance. Another part is that music helps you focus on the task at hand by engaging your brain’s attention systems, which is why it can also enhance mental tasks like studying for an exam.

Better Endurance
In addition to enhancing focus and boosting moods, music can also improve physiological responses to exercise, resulting in better endurance. Music can regulate your heart rate and breathing, allowing you to perform better for longer periods—and when you’re trying to maximise your time on the slopes, it’s hard not to appreciate this benefit. 

Music Forms a Deeper Connection to the Run
The physiological and psychological benefits of music while on the slopes enhance your physical capabilities, allowing you to push your limits and enjoy a run (or multiple runs) to the fullest. But music also has another profound impact when you’re on the slopes: it helps you stay alert and tuned into the moment, deepening your connection to the run. 

This connection also carries through once you’re off the slopes. Every time you hear the playlist that accompanied you on your run, you’ll be transported back to the slope and the adrenaline of making it down the mountain. This is because music, in addition to stimulating your attention, stimulates the memory centres of your brain. So not only will music enhance your time on the slopes, it will also transport you there when you want to relive the joy of gliding through fresh powder. 

The connection people form to activities through music is what makes it popular and essential in so many different experiences. It contributes to the experience of the ski resort’s après ski atmosphere, fosters relaxation at a spa with nature sounds and gentle melodies, and even fuels a whole subgenre of popular music-themed online slots that put music right at the front and centre of the gaming experience.

Choosing the Right Music and Audio Equipment
How can you maximise the influence music has on the body and mind? By choosing the right music and equipment for the experience. The good news is that music can have these positive effects regardless of genre, meaning you can listen to your favourite artists and still reap these benefits. Tempo is the most important factor when choosing music, so you’ll have a great deal of flexibility to craft a playlist that’s ideally suited to your speed and music preferences.

The most challenging part of adding music to skiing and snowboarding comes down to audio equipment. Finding options that work with all your gear can be tricky, especially when factoring in helmets and layers. You’ll also want to be able to control your playlist with ease, and most systems aren’t designed for use with gloves and bulky clothing. Because of this, you’ll want to experiment with different options to find ones that work best for you. 

Some tools, like jacket-mounted remotes with enlarged buttons, can be operated even when you’re dressed in multiple warm layers, helping address some of these challenges. Then there are also different types of headphones to consider, and these are where experimentation is most important. Some people prefer the flexibility of wireless headphones since they’re easy to connect with your phone through multiple layers, but others worry about how easily they can be lost if you fall on a run. There is an increasing number of options that combine wireless control and secure fit or seamlessly integrate with helmets to add ease and convenience to enhancing your runs with music. Assess your comfort level, budget, and reviews to determine which will work best for you.

Important Safety Considerations
While music can enhance your skiing and snowboarding experience, there are some important safety tips to keep in mind on your runs. It may be tempting to blast your playlist so that you can immerse yourself in the moment and forget the rest of the world, and while this instinct is understandable, it can leave you unaware of the environment around you, putting you in danger. Ensure you can still hear the environment around you, asthis will help you stay aware of other skiers and snowboarders and other potential hazards. It will also protect your hearing. To address these concerns, keep one ear free and avoid noise-cancelling headphones. By following these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of music on your next run down the slopes while staying fully aware of your surroundings.

New easyJet Routes To The Alps For Winter 25/26

New easyJet routes for Winter 25/26 – On Sale from 16 June 2025.

London Southend to Grenoble will operate once a week on Sundays from 14th December with fares starting from £19.99.

Birmingham to Grenoble will operate once a week on Saturdays from 20th December with fares starting from £30.99.

More Gondola Cabins For Sale!

More gondola cabins for sale! This time La Plagne with 121 Poma Cabins from the 6 seater
Télécabine de Roche de Mio for auction.

The sale is on Saturday 28 June at 14:00 in person at the Cinema Les Ecrins in La Plagne or on-line live auction at www.interencheres.com

This follows the auction of the old Chenus and Ariondaz gondolas and the “buckets” used on the Jardin d’Enfants being advertised for sale at €800.

The Chenus gondolas went for around €2700 to €3000 each in the auction (the second one sold made only €1900 and a pink one nearly €4500). The new Ariondaz ones sold at about the €2000 price point.

Jardin d’Enfants “Buckets” For Sale €800

Following the auction of the old Chenus and Ariondaz gondolas the “buckets” used on the Jardin d’Enfants are being sold. The lift is being replaced by the easier to use magic carpet type lifts.

The Chenus gondolas went for around €2700 to €3000 each in the auction (the second one sold made only €1900 and a pink one nearly €4500). The new Ariondaz ones sold at about the €2000 price point.

These “buckets” are being sold for €800 inc tax (not being auctioned). There are 22 for sale and they date back to 1980.

The units are 1m in diameter and 4m high (the suspension unit is not removable).

Purchase deadline is 21 July and they can be viewed at the old Praz gondola station in Courchevel 1850 from 7 July and purchased items have to be collected on 22 July.

Full notice from S3V below:

  • Diamètre de 1m et hauteur totale de 4m (Suspente non démontable)
  • Tarif unique de 800 € TTC par benne (Chèque à l’ordre de S3V à envoyer à S3V  – 110 rue de la Croisette – 73120 COURCHEVEL ou à remettre à l’accueil du Domaine Skiable de Courchevel 1850 à la Croisette) Non remboursable.
  • Date limite d’achat le lundi 21 juillet 2025
  • Les bennes sont visibles du 7 au 20 juillet 2025 à l’arrivée de l’ancienne télécabine du Praz – 135 rue de Plantret à Courchevel 1850 (se garer au parking de la Croisette ou dans la rue principale de Plantret (vers Radio Courchevel) puis accès à pied)
  • Récupération des bennes : le mardi 22 juillet  à l’arrivée de l’ancienne télécabine du Praz – 135 rue de Plantret à Courchevel 1850

Ne manquez pas cette occasion unique de posséder un morceau d’histoire de Courchevel ! Les premiers acheteurs seront les premiers servis, alors dépêchez-vous !

Contact s3v:
accueil.cou@s3v.com
0479 08 04 09

La Tania Seasonaires Winter 2023/2024