Latest Reports Here

26 Apr
It's all over apart from those high up people in Val Thorens - they're staying open until 9th May!!! More fresh snow last week led to some great skiing and boarding on empty pistes as those last few soles enjoyed the end of a great season. And some people were still skiing back to La Tania on the closed pistes.... Roll on December!

La Tania opens up (the pub, restaurants, shops, outdoor pool, tennis court and the ski lifts for walkers and mountain bikers) for July and August. Updates on what is happening in La Tania will continue over the Summer along with our What's New section, locals gossip & news and there's bound to be a special report on the La Tania locals visit to Euro 2004 in Portugal!

25 Apr
More fresh snow this week led to some great skiing and boarding on empty pistes as those last few soles enjoyed the end of a great season. And some people were still skiing back to La Tania on the closed pistes.... Roll on December!

19 Apr
A decent amount of new snow just as the lifts in La Tania closed on April 18th but lots of lifts around Courchevel (and now Meribel too!) are staying open for a further week until April 25th and skiing is still possible to lower areas such as Le Praz & Meribel Village. In La Tania good cover remained until the end with only one very small bare patch on the whole of the Folyeres run down to resort - Well done to the Pisteurs for another magnificent effort this season. Still good cover on most runs with fresh snow last night and some great skiing to be had in the final week.

16 Apr
Still loads of snow about and lots of skiing and boarding to be had! Good cover on most slopes remains but some heavy stuff low down is hard work in the afternoon (but it is the middle of April!). A cloudy few days with the odd snow shower high up - we need some sun to top up our tans before the end of the season!

04 Apr
Snow forecast for Tue/Wed/Thu this week right down to 500 metres! This will freshen things up nicely for Easter (along with the little new snow this weekend high up) and add to the great cover across the Three Valleys with only a handful of closed runs. Still masses of skiing available - we're talking 4 lifts closed out of nearly 200 and maybe 12 runs closed out of 293! It can be rather hard first thing in the morning and quite heavy at the end of the day - but great in between these times or simply ski in the morning on the fast stuff and board in the afternoon in the soft stuff!

The blacks down to Le Praz, the bottom section of the La Tania red (the blue Folyeres run is fine), the boulevard in 1650 and the red under the chair at 1550 are now closed but all villages are still skiable. Also the Cave des Creux run to the 1650/1850 junction and the black Epaule Vizelle are closed (loads of different routes available though). On the Meribel side the black Tetras run down to Meribel from the Col de la Loze is now officially closed so use the Boulevard or Pic Noir (not good cover) instead. The Marmotte & Chevreuil runs are also closed.

The beginners lift in Le Praz, a couple of the small drags in 1650 and the long Gros Murger drag lift out of La Tania (everyone uses the gondola anyway!) are the only lifts we know that have closed.

01 Apr
In to April with great cover across the Three Valleys with only a handful of closed runs. Still masses of skiing available - we're talking 2 lifts closed out of nearly 200 and maybe 10 runs closed out of 293! It can be rather hard first thing in the morning and quite heavy at the end of the day - but great in between these times or simply ski in the morning on the fast stuff and board in the afternoon in the soft stuff!

The blacks down to Le Praz, the bottom section of the La Tania red (the blue Folyeres run is fine), the boulevard in 1650 and the red under the chair at 1550 are now closed but all villages are still skiable. Also the Cave des Creux run to the 1650/1850 junction and the black Epaule Vizelle are closed (loads of different routes available though). On the Meribel side the black Tetras run down to Meribel from the Col de la Loze is now officially closed so use the Boulevard or Pic Noir (not good cover) instead. The Marmotte & Chevreuil runs are also closed.

The beginners lift in Le Praz and the long Gros Murger drag lift out of La Tania (everyone uses the gondola anyway!) are the only lifts we know that have closed.

There's still accommodation available over the Easter bank holiday weekend and on to the massive La Tania Charity Day on Wednesday April 14th. With the current snow depths there'll easily be enough snow to ski down to resort in our final week (La Tania lifts close on April 18th with the main Courchevel 1850 lifts staying open for a further week until April 25th).

28 Mar
Warmer weather forecast for next week after snow showers on and off last week kept the ski area in top condition for the time of year. Snow depths are exceptional and many runs that have normally closed by this time are still open and skiing well. Seems to be a quiet week this week before more people come out on the run in to Easter but plenty of accommodation is still available over the bank holiday weekend and on to the massive La Tania Charity Day on Wednesday April 14th. There'll still be plenty of snow left for our final week (La Tania lifts close on April 18th with the main Courchevel 1850 lifts staying open for a further week until April 25th).

24 Mar
More snow last night and further improvements to the ski area with cold temps forecast throughout the week according to France Meteo. All in all more great skiing and boarding on offer throughout the whole 3 Valleys with only a handful of runs closed - masses and masses of pistes to ski (and everywhere in between).

22 Mar
All change again - after 6 days of sun with some great spring snow in the mornings (get some big fat skis or a board in the afternoon you slush whingers!), we had a dismal rainy Saturday and the snow cover really started to suffer. Sunday morning saw blue skies once again but then snow came through in the evening and this morning we've got 4 inches of fresh snow in the trees just above resort to play in! More forecast this week.

20 Mar
After a fantastic 6 days of bright blue sky and hot, hot sunshine the weather changed overnight with cloud moving in and rain at resort level. A little covering of new snow at around 1900m but quite wet and heavy in a lot of places. A couple of more runs have closed around the Three Valleys with the warm weather and increased wet slab avalanche risk - but over 95% of the ski area must be open. It's been a fantastic week of skiing and boarding - we've skied around Val Thorens and La Masse 3 times this week and found great spring skiing right down to Le Praz and 1550. Some of our favourite tree runs above La Tania have been perfect in late afternoon and getting the timing right to experience classic off piste Spring Snow is what it's all about. On the heavy resort runs my new Dynastar 74's are the best slush busters I've ever skied - great fun on a board too. More snow forecast for Monday and Tuesday.

16 Mar
Classic Spring snow conditions in warm, warm sunshine. Great runs low down to Le Praz and 1550 on smooth pistes with a couple of inches of slush on top - very flattering to ski and great fun! Not worth going out before 10am 'cos of the hard pistes first thing - catch them at the right time later on and it's superb!

11 Mar
The snow showers we've had earlier on in the week have freshened up pistes and high up they are all in excellent shape. There are a few icy patches lower down in heavy traffic areas but overall superb cover remains. There's been some great skiing this week and the sun has come out once again this morning. Some further snow showers are expected over the next few days with the possibility of some rain at resort level but we've ample base to prevent too much damage to the main pistes. The sun should be back again for Monday!

08 Mar
More snow on and off today adding to the accumulations of the snow showers over the last few days. We've just retired to the pub after skiing powder in the trees all day - visibility was very poor anywhere else. High up and amongst our favourite tree runs we've got 6 to 8 inches of powder in places but resort level has only just received a light covering. At least the roads are all clear! This new snow should further improve the pistes and lead to some excellent skiing when the weather clears. Further snow showers are forecast during the week ahead and there's some great deals available, so get out here and enjoy superb conditions.

04 Mar
Still cold out there but another sunny, blue sky day today. The weather is set to change tomorrow and we're expecting a decent amount of snow this weekend. This should freshen things up nicely and improve some of the pistes lower down which are becoming a bit hard and icy in places especially at the end of the day. Off piste is all well tracked out and moguls starting to form in places! Overall we've superb conditions, with just about every lift and piste in the Three Valleys still open (the only runs officially closed we know about in the Courchevel Valley are the black Epaule Vizelle down from Saulire underneath the gondola and the bottom section of the black Jean Blanc leading down to Le Praz - masses of other options available though).

01 Mar
Could be another epic day today with some fresh snow from the weekend to go with much clearer weather this morning (although the forecast is for snow showers this afternoon). Temperatures to remain cold for the next few days and superb conditions remain with just about every lift and piste open

27 Feb
Weather cleared this morning after snowing nearly all day yesterday. A good few inches down in resort and substantially more up higher we hope. Certainly there's fresh tracks to be had everywhere this morning and visibility looking good with a little bit of low cloud floating about. Get out there...

26 Feb
After two glorious sunny days with deep, dark blue sky and wonderful snow conditions it has clouded over this morning and hopefully some more snow is on it's way later today. The new snow has significantly improved things at all levels and piste conditions are superb. There's some nice powder off piste which is getting tracked out quicker than a bloke can dress up as a girl when there's the mere mention of fancy dress down the Ski Lodge! Update at 5pm - snowed most of the day from 10:30 this morning!

23 Feb
Pistes were starting to become icy by the end of last week and some rain over the weekend (along with very high warm winds full of Sahara sand) meant the snow cover was beginning to deteriorate. However the situation is much improved this morning with snow now falling and a fresh 6 inches reported in the tree runs above La Tania. Snow fall set to continue throughout the day and temperatures due to remain below freezing at resort level throughout the week. More snow forecast for the end of the week too!

19 Feb
A covering of fresh snow overnight has made the resort look all Wintery again this morning and should freshen up the pistes a little. Pistes remaining in fairly good condition despite this busy period but the usual hard and icy patches returning during the day. Lots of great skiing and boarding out there still though!

18 Feb
Pistes remaining in good condition despite this busy period but the usual hard and icy patches returning during the day. Certain pistes cutting up in the sunshine and becoming soft whilst others in the shade hardening up at times. Lots of great skiing and boarding out there still though! More snow forecast today/tonight so fingers crossed things get freshened up.

16 Feb
A long, long weekend for all those involved in getting people to and from resort , over 30,000 cars clogged the roads and the population of the Savoie doubled from 380,000 to 760,000! The pistes are all superb over about 1800m and only the really lower runs are showing some wear and icy spots in steeper and busy places (like the usual runs back in to Meribel on the late afternoon shadow side of the mountain). Some hard packed areas should just be referred to as "fast", not the blue ice that some people think of, and a quick overnight wax and edge will sort that out! 99% of all runs, all lifts and some great skiing and boarding in between are open and full on, this is great cover and brilliant skiing even if it is getting a bit busy. REMEMBER - Avoid all those French families by skiing early, lunching early and ski La Masse, 1650 & St Martin if it all gets a bit too much. The tree runs down to La Tania and Le Praz are rarely skied too.

12 Feb
A beautiful sunny day with deep blue sky this morning and some great skiing and boarding to be had. Still perfect piste conditions high up but there are starting to be more and more hard packed patches and the occasional icy spots on lower runs especially on high traffic areas and steeper sections. Overall though the conditions are superb and just about every run and lift is open.

09 Feb
A touch more snow after the rain on Saturday has freshened things up nicely. Around 4 to 5 inches of snow high up and in the trees above resort. Still just about all runs and lifts open around the Three Valleys (apart from the Epaule Vizelle in Courchevel and the Peclet Funitel lift 'cos of avalanche damage over in Val Thorens). Some hard packed / icy spots are to be expected in high traffic areas this week as the start of the half term holidays kick in but overall conditions are still superb. A week of sunny weather is forecast so there'll be a lot of people out on the mountain. If it gets really busy try skiing early, lunch early (and ski over the main lunch time period) and try skiing La Masse, 1650 and down to St Martin de Belleville - they're all usually quieter areas.

06 Feb
A great week of skiing and boarding in beautiful sunny weather with temperatures up to 12C at 2000 metres! Even Tim Wall and his wife Debbie came skiing on Thursday - Tim reckoned he skied more in one day on Thursday than he had done in the last 8 years. Saulire, Mottaret, Mont Vallon, Cote Brune to Les Menuires, St Martin and Brewskis for lunch followed by a mammoth 2 and a quarter hour set from Shibboleth at LdV in Meribel Village - what a great day, great snow and great mates - 16 went mad in the Three Valleys.....Oh and the snow is getting a bit hard packed in places but holding up very well in the high temperatures. Some icy spots are to be expected in high traffic areas but overall it's spot on and some further snow expected over the weekend.

02 Feb
Sunny weather promised this week by The French Meteo service and with excellent skiing conditions throughout the Three Valleys everybody out here should enjoy some great time on the mountain. Conditions are fantastic even on the lower runs. The official Brides Les Bains itinerary run is now open and some of the La Tania locals have even been seen down in Bozel. Avalanche risk is now down to 3 out of 5 - but that is still classified as "Considerable Risk" for those venturing off piste. Take care and enjoy it - it really could be a classic week of perfect piste skiing and long lunches in the sunshine....

29 Jan
Yet another 4 to 6 inches of snow overnight and still snowing this morning. Poor visibility but the possibility of some sunshine this afternoon. Conditions are still fantastic even on the lower runs. The official Brides Les Bains itinerary run is now open and some of the La Tania locals have been seen down in Bozel. Avalanche risk is back up to 4 out of 5 this morning (high) - not worth the risk. There's been ten deaths due to avalanches in the Alps this season already (all off piste) so stick to marked (and open) runs until things settle down and the risk is lowered. If you are reckless, poorly equipped and don't know what you're doing, at least head down one at a time so a whole group of you isn't caught.... So a great January, full of snow. Lets hope it continues 'cos I get my new skis next week! Dynastar Intuitive 74's for those interested (and I do board as well, before you ask). Toffa

27 Jan
Another 4 inches of snow yesterday and around another 3 inches last night keeps everything fresh and the perfect conditions continue. This is a good as it gets and just about every run and lift is open (and everything else in between). There are even several tracks down to Bozel in the bottom of the valley and snow is set to continue on and off until the weekend followed by some sun! The Peclet Funitel over in Val Thorens is expected to be closed for at least another 3 weeks after pisteurs set off a "controlled" avalanche - it buried the nearby restaurant and took off the roof of the lift station! No one hurt luckily. Avalanche risk is still at 3 out of 5 which means the risk is considerable. Know what you're doing, be properly equipped and do it in an experienced group.

25 Jan
A little more snow and great conditions continue...

21 Jan
The snow conditions are about as good as it gets. That's it really. It's a perfect day today, sunshine, blue sky and loads of snow.... The Creux Noirs chair is still closed first thing this morning due to avalanche risk but just about everything else (and everything in between) is open. Bring it on! Avalanche risk is now down to 3 out of 5 which is still a considerable risk. Know what you're doing and do it in an experienced group, be careful out there.

19 Jan
More and more snow has fallen and we're loaded with snow everywhere. The satellite dish is full of the stuff, cars are abandoned and buried in snow plough mounds but the skiing and boarding will be awesome when the weather clears. It's a clearer day today but snow is forecast again tomorrow and later in the week. The Creux bowl area and the Loze Boulevard are still closed this morning while avalanche clearance takes place, they may open later. Just about everywhere esle is open - some great tree action above La Tania and down to Le Praz. Monyt Vallon still closed but could open this PM. Some Itinararies should be officially open soon too. Bozel anyone? Even the red run down to La Tania and the drag from the Gondola station are open!!! Avalanche risk is at 4 out of 5 today, still very high. Be careful out there.

15 Jan
The heavy rain that hit resort over the last few days turned to snow yesterday evening and we're approaching a foot of fresh snow in resort with at least half a metre reported at the summits (there's 6 inches in Bozel at the bottom of the valley). Currently all the high lifts & links are closed due to high winds and avalanche clearance - Avalanche risk is now at 5 out of 5, the highest. Three deaths already reported this week around the Tignes / Val area. Don't do it just yet. Snow chains and shovels are in high demand this morning, the trees are all white, and it's looking good. Pow pow pow! Snow is forecast to fall down to 500m with lots more snow through Saturday and Sunday.

13 Jan
Rain and high winds over the last couple of days have led to pretty awful conditions but the snow pack is holding up well. This rain is due to turn to snow and is set to continue for the next few days with snow forecast throughout the weekend. Powder days should return when the weather settles. Avalanche risk was at a maximum 5 out of 5 yesterday and many top lifts remained closed (also due to the high winds). Expect delayed opening today too. Lets hope those forecasts are right!

11 Jan
Just about all pistes are now open and skiing to all lower resorts is now possible. Pistes are in excellent condition and off piste improving with the snow depth gradually improving with the new snow (set to continue through the week although periods of rain and high winds are forecast with it turning colder at the end of the week). Avalanche risk still high (4 out of 5) so take care out there - or just don't go off piste at all if you're not fully aware of the risk.

09 Jan
Snowed all day - what a day but vis poor

07 Jan
Pistes are in fairly good shape considering the snow depth is low. More icy and hard patches are starting to appear along with the odd stone in some areas. Great piste skiing over in 1650 and above Mottaret though. Exposed ridges have lost some cover due to high winds. More snow expected Friday.

02 Jan
Another 3 inches of fresh snow fell in resort last night with a little more higher up leading to some great skiing & boarding today. The whole Three Valleys looks in great shape with the trees blanketed in snow although actual snow depths are still very low in places. This makes off piste skiing a bit of a gamble as rocks and tree stumps can give you a nasty surprise. There are the usual icy patches in high traffic areas but the lift system seems to be coping fine with the busy time of year (we did take a couple of drag lifts today to avoid a 10 minutes wait for a chair). Some lower runs and ones that face the sun directly are still closed but there's still masses of skiing and boarding on offer.

27 Dec
New snow and lots of artificial stuff has most of the Three Valleys ski area open. Links to all 3 valleys are now open and the skiing is pretty good everywhere although snow depths remain low towards resort level with some hard spots and stones poking through. More snow forecast for the weekend - let's hope for a snowy New Year!

23 Dec
Lots of new fresh, cold, snow has transformed the skiing. The Lac Bleu run is now open so no need for the walk up the bank at Chenus when skiing from the Col de la Loze and the skiing down to 1650 is now complete. A clearer morning this morning and if the wind has died down over the summits it just might be "one of those episodic days". La Tania boasts resort skiing with the runs open from the top of the Col de la Loze right the way down. The top drag is now open and the free Troika beginners lift and run is now fully open. A new "magic carpet" lift has been installed for the kids too! Only the Saulire link is open at present for access to the Meribel Valley and no links to the Val Thorens side yet - expect this to change soon and more and more runs to open in the Three Valleys during today and tomorrow.

22 Dec
New snow on Saturday turned to rain overnight but back to snow on Sunday and continues in to Monday with the freezing level right down to the bottom of the Valley well below resort level. About 8 inches of new snow in La Tania - maybe 2 feet of fresh at the top! Good old delayed opening this morning due to avalanche clearance - bring it on!

Most of the 1850 area is now open but still a few pistes closed and no ski runs officially open down to resort level at 1550, 1650 and Le Praz yet. However La Tania boasts resort skiing with the runs open from the top of the Col de la Loze right the way down. Only the Saulire link is open at present for access to the Meribel Valley and no links to Val Thorens side yet - expect this to change soon and more and more runs to open in the next few days throughout the Three Valleys.

For those who kept the faith, spent £620 on season passes, put snow tyres on the car or came out skiing for Christmas - you've been rewarded!

20 Dec
More and more pistes now open throughout the Courchevel area. The Pralong / Biollay area finally opened up today and also the link to 1650 via the Chanrossa chair opened. Lots of machine made snow and hard in places but still good skiing and boarding on offer.

Most of the 1850 area is now open but still quite a few pistes closed and no ski runs officially open down to resort level at 1550, 1650 and Le Praz yet. However La Tania boasts resort skiing with the blue Folyeres run open thanks to the great work by the pisteurs and snow cannons - good condition considering. Only the Saulire link is open at present for access to the Meribel Valley. More runs are expected to open on the Meribel side during today.

More snow forecast over the next few days so things should improve dramatically for Christmas - the best present we could ask for.

17 Dec
More and more pistes now opening throughout the Courchevel area - the Saulire, Creux and Chenus sections are now open. Biollay/Pralong area not open yet but it can't be long. No links to 1650 open but skiing from the Signal chair is now available. A few high pistes on the Meribel side of Saulire down to mid-station are also open (and possible to ski down to resort level past the Piste Ferme signs). The main blue piste down to La Tania is complete and skiable but more snow is needed on the upper sections above the top gondola station - still some bare/thin patches but the piste from the top of Lanches chair is open and can take you right down to 1850.

The snow is still pretty good high up with well groomed, soft, smooth, wide and relatively empty pistes with a lot of machine made snow. There are some icy patches on steeper sections and heavy traffic areas however. Cold temps and sun forecast for the next few days - more snow cannon white stuff in prospect.

14 Dec
More and more pistes now opening throughout the Courchevel area - the Saulire, Creux and Chenus sections are now open. Expect Biollay/Pralong area to follow soon. No links to 1650 open but skiing from the Signal chair is now available. A few high pistes on the Meribel side of Saulire down to mid-station are also open. New snow is now falling and showers expected to continue throughout tomorrow. The main blue piste down to La Tania is complete and skiable but more snow is needed on the upper sections above the top gondola station. The snow is pretty good high up with well groomed, soft, smooth, wide, empty pistes with a lot of machine made snow although there are some icy patches on steeper sections and heavy traffic areas.

12 Dec
Chenus and Creux Noir have now also opened allowing more pistes to be accessed and gradually the lift system is opening up but with mainly artificial snow. The main Saulire bowl in Courchevel and down to the centre of 1850 and some of the higher pistes from Saulire on the Meribel side are open. Added to this are the back side of Saulire around to Suisses and the Loze Bleue run from Chenus.

7 Dec
Currently the only skiing available locally is the main Saulire bowl in Courchevel and down to the centre of 1850. From 1850 the Verdons gondola and Saulire cable car are open (along with one of the drags on the right hand side). No skiing on the Meribel Mottaret side but Pas du Lac can be used for access to the Courchevel skiing. Snow on Saulire is pretty good high up with a smooth, wide, empty piste although some icy patches on steeper sections, towards the cable car station and on the final bit of the run in to 1850 needed a bit of care. We had a great hoon around on the opening day and met up with top UK free skier Pat Sharples who shot down the Grand Couloir even though the snow off piste was crusty & sticky. Snow cannons now blowing 24 hours a day as cold, clear weather is forecast for the next few days. No need to panic yet - it can all change in a day! First day pics

3 Dec
An incredible amount of snow has gone from low down after last weeks storm - really dissapointing after seeing the whole resort under 2 feet of snow. Weather has turned very mild and snow cannons not operating at present.

28 Nov 2003
As predicted, the snow came yesterday big time and hopefully we're all sorted for a great start to the season. Chaos on the roads, 6 hour journeys from Geneva and satelite dishes blocked up. A good foot of snow covers the resort, lots more high up and more forecast today - bring it on....! More first snow pics

25 Nov 2003
Just like at the end of April when you take the snow tyres off your car it dumps it down - the snow cannons kick in for the first time last Friday and then we've had sun & rain to get rid of a lot of snow cover low down. Rain up to 2500m has washed away a lot of snow and there's some grass even at 1850 - but it'll come, it'll come....Snow forecast Fri 28/11.

19 Nov 2003
The snow cannons are now fired up and adding to the accumulated snow on the main pistes. Snow exposed directly to the sun has melted lower down away from the pistes but there is a base forming around 2000 metres and up to 4 feet of snow is already at the summits. La Tania locals skied Tignes today - a fresh 10cm just off the pistes and in Val Thorens on Friday they experienced lovely soft snow and the place was practically empty.

30 Oct 2003
This morning we have a snow depth of 7 inches in the resort. Between 2 and 4 feet of snow at the summits is reported and the whole area is covered in a blanket of white.

22 Oct 2003
Further overnight snowfall has covered the resort - everything now white!

5 Oct 2003
The first light covering of snow - see it on the first snow page