 Poster: A snowHead
|
Another October, another search for the annual ski holiday!! After Tignes last year we have spoiled ourselved with such a vast ski area and great conditions. THis year we're looking at 3 valleys and have been looking seriously at La Tania. Does anyone have any experience of this resort and could comment?
What we are looking for really would be:
* Ski in/ski out (alothough have seen that a gondola trip is necessarry to get up the mountain)
* Good links to the rest of the ski area
* Would it be recommended to get the full 3 valleys lift pass or is Courchevel enough (we're both intermediate and love to go off for the day)?
* A few decent pubs for a few after sking beers - not so concerened with mega night life - but a bit would be nice
* Good snow for early weeks in Jan
* Good value for money - hence staying away from Meribel, Courchevel etc. Had thought about Val Thoren but Mrs Griffin is worried about bad weather
* Any other good smaller resorts in the 3V that anyone could reccommend.
Much love, PG 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Peter Griffin, La Tania is an excellent choice for budget accom for the 3v and has a village atmosphere have a look at www.latania.co.uk almost everything there is to know 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
Peter Griffin, second Boredsurfing, lovely small resort and only short walks to most chalet's ( some ski in out) More than enough skiing for a week. One decent pub
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Been there the last two years - would recommend it.
Mainly modern chalets, mostly British owned/operated from what I can tell, with some older (Olympic village) apartment accommodation.
Courchevel is huge in its own right. we had 3V pass first year - but settled for local pass in year 2. You can always upgrade after all.
As will see from the map there are pistes coming down either side of the village and a drag going up the middle so you can get to/from most accomm with very little walking.
One main pub really - havent been in at night - used to be a quiet hotel but it's closed this year I think.
We were there early Jan 2009 and snow was just ok but what can ya do. Cannon cover is extensive tho so there should always be something to ski on.
Certainly more bang for your buck in terms of accomm and the pub is decent value - relatively
Tree lined runs around La Tania afford shelter on the bad days.
We are planning on going there again this year if we get the right deal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Peter Griffin, One word of warning there are some breathtakingly expensive on piste restaurants on the Courchevel side, always check the prices before ordering 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
We've been to La Tania four times so we must like it. Some chalets are ski-in ski-out but otherwise there is not much walking to do. Links to the rest of 3V are sometimes closed after snowfall but usually work well. Some people save money and just buy a Courchevel pass and there is plenty of skiing in that area to last a week; it's fun to explore the other valleys but it can be difficult if the wind gets up and the link back to La Tania closes. Usually possible to get a good discount on late bookings in January - there are lots of catered chalets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Le Ski have a couple of cosy chalets (1 with a creche but children not intrusive) - thinking of using this year because of creche (first ski trip with our 2 year old).
I rate the place very highly - picturesque, easy access to Col de Loze (drop into either 1850 or Meribel with a 3V pass), lovely sweeping blue through the trees on the way back (with red option as an alternative) and not as expensive as rest of area.
Have been to La Tania 4 times - always in February / March. January may be a bit bare but there're cannons on blue into the village so you should not have a problem.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Boredsurfing,
| Quote: |
Peter Griffin, One word of warning there are some breathtakingly expensive on piste restaurants on the Courchevel side, always check the prices before ordering
|
Burger and chips sir? That'll be 40 euro's pls, oh and 1 euro per sachet of tommy sauce.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
davejsy, one Euro for a sachet of sauce 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Boredsurfing, actually I have no idea about the tomatoe sauce, but do recall someone on here paying 40-45 euro's for a burger a chips up the mountain in Courchevel!
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
| Quote: |
lovely sweeping blue through the trees on the way back (with red option as an alternative)
|
Is there no also a great black run called Jockeys down into La Tania?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
davejsy, honestly, anyone who pays 40-45 Euros for burger and chips wants their head reading. There are other, much more palatable and infintely cheaper, options - even in Courchevel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
Jockeys is to Le Praz I think.
Le Bouc Blanc restaurant, near the top of the bubble, used to be quite reasonable (for Courchevel).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
bobinch, yep think you are right, great run down through the tree's though, and always seems deserted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
Hurtle, I agree. It's always best to check prices befor you eat. Meribel was pretty pricey last year, but as you say there are always cheaper options if you scout round a bit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| bobinch wrote: |
Le Bouc Blanc restaurant, near the top of the bubble, used to be quite reasonable (for Courchevel). |
We ate there a lot at Easter and it was fairly priced compared to other places over the Courchevel side, especially if you stick to the Plat du Jour which was always superb 
Peter Griffin La Tania ticks all your boxes IMO, you are very likely to get a good catered deal for a low season week too. You may well be able to ski down to the gondola, depends where your accomm is. Courchevel valley only pass will be fine, it offers loads of superb skiing for a week, you can always get a daily extension if you need to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
sarah,
| Quote: |
if you stick to the Plat du Jour
|
aha, a lady who knows how to eat in France!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Hurtle, it's a no brainer, I'm surprised more people don't  At the Bouc Blanc everyday it was a different variety of casseroled meat which was always very tender in a delicious sauce mmmm...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
sarah, yeah, good dive. (I'm hungry!  )
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
The plat du jour is also good value (12 euros last year) at L'Eterlou in Courchevel 1650.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Jehu wrote: |
| The plat du jour is also good value (12 euros last year) at L'Eterlou in Courchevel 1650. |
1650 and La Tania sides of Courchevel are much better value, it's 1850 that's
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
La Tania was a great base when i stayed there. Courchevel pass was fine for a week - we never got bored.
Also, while we are dishing out food tips =- In 1650, near the kiddies ski school, is a cafe/restaurant that also sells takeaway panini. Goat's cheese and honey. My god was it gorgeous. And only 3 euro!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
Thanks for all the comments - seems like La Tania will be a pretty good option. Depending on the group we'll probably wait for the last minute deals to start coming out. HAs always worked in the past!! Fingers crossed for a bumper year of snowfall!!
PG
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peter Griffin, have watched the last minute deals for a good few years and s/c in la tania appartments always seems to come up for the early to mid jan dates. might be looking to go there this year (snow dependant)
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
Peter Griffin, www.latania.co.uk features last minute deals from locals in the village as well. Buy local 
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
PG - I'll just elaborate on 1 point here as everything else has been covered.
* Ski in/ski out - Available.
Plan Fontain (green) runs at a point almost horizontally just above the chalets at the top of the town - literally a few feet from the back doors. Ski in but technically not quite ski out. Whats good about that location is at the top of the town, you walk about 5-10 feet to the piste, and ski down into the town to the lift station. The blue run that comes down the right hand side of the town has some complete ski in/out chalets but with all the traffic passing by it might not be ideal for people who are less confident.
Chalet/piste map:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Had a bad week in La Tania a few years ago so wouldn't go back - although this was down to terrible snow (it was Feb but a bad year!) and terrible chalet rather than the resort itself, I think! Bad enough to give me absolutely no desire to go back though!!
There are some huge areas that aren't in France - it's worth baring them in mind too!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
| davejsy wrote: |
| Quote: |
lovely sweeping blue through the trees on the way back (with red option as an alternative)
|
Is there no also a great black run called Jockeys down into La Tania? |
Jockeys starts above La Tania, but as Bobinch says it then continues down to Le Praz.
A green run has also been created through the forest, though in parts it can still be difficult for beginners.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
La Tania is ideal - stayed in Nickski chalet last winter with entire family ranging from 8 - 70 years and near beginner to expert skiers. But take a rucksack with packed lunch and drinks as Courchevel 1850 particularly is mega expensive. http://www.nickskithreevalleys.co.uk/
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Stay away from La Tania, just dreadful, truly dreadful. More space for me when I go back next Jan.
Seriously though for me its perfect - most places close to/on the piste, small and relatively quiet, low key. Suits me now i've got a little one and most my socialising is now confined to drinking in the chalet. Not the place to go if you want a big night life - as mentioned, theres only a couple of restaraunts and bars. It's much more family oriented.
As for courchevel it doesn't have to be ultra-expensive. I'm allergic to making packed lunches, but i don't like to waste money either, but theres reasonably priced food to be had.
Kaliko has a sandwhich window in 1850 if you ski just under the main road bridge on the touvettes piste toward 1550. 7 euros will buy you a large half baguette loaded with a couple of beef burgers, salad, and fries piled on top. Leaves me stuffed and half our group couldn't finish it, whilst a couple of the lighter-weights (ie. those not as lardy as me) shared 1 between 2. They also had cheaper french stick type sandwiches.
The creperie in 1550 virtually under the gondola did a set lunch for some 10-12 euros, with a savory pancake, a sweet pancake and a small beer or soft drink.
The left most restaraunt as you face the roundabout in 1650 (with your back to the alleyway up to the pistes), is my favorite restaraunt in the area, and always had a good daily specials for 12 euros, or massive pizza's for a similar price. There also seems to be a panini sandwich window right at the bottom of the piste in 1650 and although i've never tried it, it's busy and looks to be reasonably priced.
If you want some a dirt cheap quick snack "The Bar" in 1550 (across the road and round the corner from the gondola, ie. the road out of town) even flogs pies and pastys for a couple of euros a piece. Good place for happy hour after the lifts close as well.
That said I have paid 10 euros for a hot chocolate at the restaraunt half way up the Salluire. To be fair though I really needed it, so any port in a storm, and it was almost made up by the fact it was served by possibly the most fanciable french waitress i've ever seen 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
| Gazzza wrote: |
The left most restaraunt as you face the roundabout in 1650 (with your back to the alleyway up to the pistes), is my favorite restaraunt in the area, and always had a good daily specials for 12 euros, or massive pizza's for a similar price. |
L'Eterlou? This is one of our favourites too.
Also, above the Kalico in the forum building is the bakery, they have seating, serve hot drinks, soft drinks, panini, baguettes, pastries etc., prices are reasonable and popular with seasonaires.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
Peter Griffin, La tania was good to us last season, last week in Feb. It is nice and compact, the map earlier in this thread is really useful when you look at the chalet locations. A local pass should be fine for 7 days. Lots of info on www.latania.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
I'm going to make a careful note of what I have/pay for lunch in January. Most lunches won't be costing that much and I shall not be going hungry or thirsty. I'll willingly pay those sort of prices at Bel Air, but not for burger and chips. 
I think that burger, chips and Coke are the most expensive meals to have on the mountain - thus priced, specially for Brits, by canny Frogs. 
