La Tania

La Tania ski resort is nestled in the trees on the lower slopes of the 3 Valleys ski area, just below the renowned alpine resort of Courchevel and easy to get to from Geneva, Grenoble or even Lyon, if not driving here, which many do. The village is much smaller than it’s neighbours of Val Thorens, Courchevel and Meribel, but it is its size that gives it that familiarity and charm that keeps skiers returning to it every winter. La Tania was a late developer in the ski resort world, originally extended from a very small village to host the press and athletes during the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics. The centre is thus focused around the modern large apartment buildings. Once the games had finished the village grew into a more traditional alpine village, full of small chalets and apartments, with the odd hotel thrown in.

La Tania village is a busy place in the winter with a pedestrianised centre, with three main pistes that run into the village all converging, allowing you to return back to many accommodations on skis or snowboards. (From the centre there is also a free drag lift for complete beginners). Then its easy to pop out and sample the numerous bars and restaurants. Generally La Tania has also built a reputation as a less expensive place for ski holidays in the 3 Valleys, while still being able to easily ski the vast 3 Valleys ski area. Other popular amenities and services you will find in La Tania are the Tourist office, bakery, deli, Tabac, min market, ATM/cash machine and ski hire. For other services and a wider range of shops, boutiques etc then best head up to Courchevel.

The local area is excellent and family friendly and skiing or snowboarding back into La Tania is great fun. You have to choice of 3 pistes to choose from. There is the blue “Folyeres” run which winds through the forest. The Moretta Blanche red run which when combined with the higher up Lanches or Bouc blanc run makes for an epic ski back down to the village. For the beginner or novice skier and for children, there is the Plan Fontaine green slope that weaves into the resort from the top of the gondola.

One of the big attractions of La Tania though is the access to the huge Three Valleys ski area. From the village, the gondola goes to the bottom of the Bouc Blanc red piste and it is from here you have plenty of options to access the rest of the ski area. Catch the Dou des Lanches to drop down into Mæcopy;ribel or ski down a little further and get on the Bouc Blanc chair for direct access to Courchevel 1850. For the more adventurous you can tackle the excellent “Jockeys” run down to the new bubble in Courchevel Le Praz, which then takes you back up to 1850.

Apres ski in La Tania is dominated by the Pub Le Ski Lodge. You will find this popular bar at the foot of the slopes into the resort. At lunchtime, it is the perfect spot for sunbathing and eating. Then, when the skiing has ended, it is a great apres spot, with happy hour, drinks promos and live music every weekday. There is also live music in the evenings and its open until the wee small hours. The Chrome bar is a no-frills bar close to the slopes and is popular with locals for its choice of beers and cocktails. There is live music occasionally throughout the week. Generally though you don’t go to La Tania for the apres ski! The Three Valleys also has a good reputation for eating out and despite the resort sizes, there are some nice places to eat.

At Pub Le Ski Lodge, you can get a Full English in the morning or pick from one of its infamous burgers during the lunch break. In the evening La Taiga is worth a visit. Its an intimate restaurant that you can find opposite the La Trokia lift. The food on offer is a mix of traditional Savoyard, local produce and modern dishes. You can also access all the bars and restaurants in Courchevel and La Praz via the free bus service that runs until late at night.

The other great thing about staying in La Tania is the proximity of the pistes to most of the accommodation. There are plenty of ski in ski out properties lining the runs and down in the centre. But if you aren’t staying in one of these you are unlikely to be any more than a few minutes walk to the lifts or runs. There is a wide range of accommodation in La Tania, so you will find self-catered apartments, hotels and both self catered and catered chalets with mainly reasonable prices and we are only too happy to help advise.