BA is to start a new service this winter between London City airport and Chambery, the gateway to the French Alps. The service is to run from December 18th to the end of March 2011.  Chambery is the nearest airport to La Tania and the Three Valleys at just over an hour.

Snow cannons  being installed during this summer on Plan Fontaine, the green run into La Tania in the Three Valleys, for the new season 2010-11.  This will mean the blue run, Folyeres and the green run, Plan Fontaine, will both be snow sure right down to the village. Folyeres already has the benefit of snow canons all the way down to the village making this one of the nicest and most snow sure tree lined runs in the Three Valleys. Chalet Chalouis is situated right at the junction of the bottom of the green and the blue run and there is always at least a metre of snow outside the chalet at the end of the season.

Well, the first week of the season is almost over and guests have seen links over to the Three Valleys open but very quiet slopes though it has been very cold, down to -14C which has meant that the snow cannons have been running daily to keep the snow on the lower runs topped up.  Good conditions have been reported for the time of year and it is looking good for Christmas week when many more slopes will open. Snow is forecast for today , Friday and it is supposed to be getting slightly warmer after the weekend with more snow forecast.

La Tania is now largely up and running and all the bars, shops and restaurants are now open and looking forward to a very busy couple of weeks over Christmas and New Year.  There will be many organised events and activities in the village.  Watch this space for more info.

Courchevel and La Tania’s neighbour, Meribel is hosting one of the biggest events in the French Alps this winter.  The Little World Festival will take place in Meribel between 13th and 19th March 2010 and is offering a line up of over 40 live events including gigs from The Feeling, Sophie Ellis-Bexter, Glenn Tillbrook of Squeeze fame, Fictonplane, Sinead and the Dawnbreakers, Graham Gouldman from 10cc, the Langley Sisters, Duke, comedian Ed Harcourt and many more to be announced over the fortcoming weeks.

Tickets are available on the Little World website now for 25euros.  A VIP ticket for 90euros is also available which allows entrance to all events(subject to maximum capacities).

So if you are staying in La Tania during this week, why not pay a visit to Meribel?

The Ski Magic French office is now up and running for the Winter season. Some staff have already arrived in resort and are very excited about the amount of snow already fallen. The rest of the staff will be joining them shortly.

Courchevel 1850 opens tomorrow and allegedly links will be open to Val Thorens and the Three Valleys.  The La Tania lifts open next Saturday 12th December.  The snow has well and truly arrived, see photo below of Folyeres, the blue run into La Tania, taken on 3rd December.  It snowed again all last night and more snow is forecast for the coming days.  So for all you powder hounds who have booked for a pre Christmas holiday, you are in for a treat! Empty pistes, bargain price chalet accommodation and cheap lift passes as well as an abundance of snow-what more could anyone ask for?

According to Sarah Munro, head of Travel Services for the Post Office, “Prices in Courchevel, in the Trois Vallees area of the French Alps, have fallen by 11% this year despite the strong euro, making it one of just two resorts to show a fall in prices.”

“French ski resorts have responded well to the pressures imposed by the strong euro by slashing prices, and Courchevel now rates as one of the cheapest eurozone ski destinations as a direct result.”

Skiers and boarders these days are looking for “value for money”.   Considering that the Three Valleys is one of the World’s largest and best ski areas as it is so varied, extensive and snow sure and with the price reductions must surely rate amongst the top skiing destinations this season.  La Tania, located in the Courchevel valley offers many holidays at cheaper prices that it’s neighbour, Courchevel, and yet still accesses the same ski area.