La Tania (Courchevel)
Why La Tania Ski Resort?
- Easy access to the huge 3 Vallées ski area (over 600km pistes)
- Child-friendly, safe streets - fully pedestrianised
- Quick transfers - 25 mins from Moutiers train station or 1hr from Chambery airport
- La Tania is largely hidden from the outside world by its peaceful woodland setting
La Tania (3 Vallées) Information
Originally a small hamlet midway between Méribel and Courchevel, La Tania nestles in the heart of a fabulous spruce forest and has been caringly designed with an emphasis on wood and traditional materials. La Tania is the youngest resort in the 3 Valleys – it’s entirely pedestrianised with parking located on the outskirts.
La Tania was developed for the 1992 Albertville Olympics by the same award-winning team of architects responsible for Avoriaz, who were once again determined to respect the natural beauty of the exceptional setting. Recent years have seen the six original timber-clad apartment blocks in La Tania’s traffic-free heart joined by smaller chalet-style developments, but the village retains its compact and cosy feel and is largely hidden from the outside world by its peaceful, woodland setting.
Although it may not quite demonstrate the kind of Alpine touch you might find in other resorts, it is, after all, a relatively new ski resort (built in 1991) so it inevitably lacks the history and style of older Alpine villages.
Designed with skiing in mind, this purpose-built resort has a rather modern touch to it, as opposed to “rustic alpine”. It’s very practical for skiing - much of the accommodation is ski-in/ski-out, and centred around the Front de Neige.
The development of tourism in La Tania has been carried out in accordance with the environmental protection requirements, constituting the most wooded area of the 3 Valleys. La Tania also has the Green Resort Award.
La Tania ski area
Arguably the French Alps' best-kept secret, La Tania enjoys a fantastic location in the very heart of the world-famous Three Valleys ski area - the world’s biggest linked ski area.
Unlike the rest of the 3 Valleys, La Tania’s ski domain is wooded on its lower slopes.
Linking up with nearby Courchevel is relatively easy. Take just two ski lifts to the Col de la Loze and then ski on to Courchevel, Méribel and the whole of the 3 Valleys. From the slopes above Courchevel there are stirring views across to Mont Blanc and over to Champagny/Bellecôte in the next valley.
The 3 Valleys benefit from excellent snow coverage - the minimum altitude level for skiing is 1,300m and the maximum is 3,230m. This means that a huge 85% of the ski area is located above 1,800m. While its illustrious neighbours Méribel and Courchevel grab all the media attention, La Tania quietly gets on with doing what it does best: providing skiers in the know with an attractive and affordable base from which to explore the immaculately-groomed and near-limitless terrain of the world’s largest ski area.
The slopes at La Tania are North-East facing. A gondola from the heart of the village leads up to the ski area, with the nursery slope on your doorstep. To reach Courchevel from La Tania village, there’s an easy slope but the journey back from Courchevel involves a blue run. The slopes directly above La Tania are wooded so it’s ideal for visibility during bad weather (probably the best place in the 3 Valleys for this!). If you go up a little further, the slopes are wide open.
From the main gondola, you can then take chairlifts and/or draglifts to bring you into Courchevel 1550 or 1850. There’s a fast link to Méribel via the 'Col de la Loze'.
Additional ski fact info, main ski info in resort facts box at top of page (24/25):
Courchevel/La Tania local area - 150km of pistes
La Tania skiing info
Beginners
For beginners, there’s a green run to the village and 9 free drag-lifts in La Tania and the surrounding areas: Troika in La Tania, Envolée in Courchevel 1330-Le Praz, Roys in Courchevel 1550, Cospillot, Bellecôte and Etoiles in Courchevel 1850 and Mickey, Belvedere/ Petite Bosse in Courchevel 1650. There are also four practice ‘Zen Zones’ (La Tania, Courchevel 1300-Le Praz, Courchevel 1850 and Courchevel 1650). A beginner’s area is also located at the top of the gondola, served by a moving carpet.
Intermediates
For intermediates, there are long rolling runs through the woods back to the village. On the higher slopes, you have a choice of three or four pistes. Both the red Lanches run and black Dou des Lanches piste are challenging. The 3 Valleys have extensive intermediate slopes with big lift networks.
Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
The runs above La Tania aren’t particularly challenging (although some of the black descents can be tough just because of their length). There’s good off-piste terrain beneath the 'Col de la Loze' ridge – and of course, there’s plenty of expert terrain over in Courchevel.
Mountain fun zones
Things to do on the piste:
- Stop zone (Grandes Bosses piste, Courchevel 1650) – set off as fast as you can, see your speed displayed and find out whether you’re able to fully control your skis.
- Avalanche Camp (Courchevel 1850) – learn and practise essential techniques required in the event of an avalanche
- Zone Zen (La Tania) – A specially designed enclosed and safe area for beginners and children. Free Troika lift in the resort centre.
- Snowcross – banked bends with turns and whoopties. You set off four at a time.
- Family park (Courchevel 1850) – The snowpark is under the Verdons gondola - where you can also enjoy the Canyon fun area
- Red Indians piste (Courchevel 1650) - explore the Red Indians’ village (activities and games)
The nearest terrain park is in Courchevel.
Nordic skiing
About 90km of cross-country trails on Courchevel and Meribel valleys. Regularly groomed and marked, the access is free. The free cross-country skiing guide is available at the Tourist Office.
La Tania ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your 6 day+ La Rosiere ski hire and/or La Rosiere lift pass with Peak Retreats.
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Other lift passes are available to buy in the resort such as half or full-day passes (for those who only wish to ski the odd day) or one-use lift passes for pedestrians. Some resorts also offer specific beginner area passes and cross country passes.
La Tania group ski school (pre-bookable)
Group lessons in La Tania.
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
La Tania private lessons (not pre-bookable)
Private lessons with an instructor can only be arranged directly with the ESF ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these. Private lessons are usually around €40-60 per hour (depending on resort, time of day and period) and becomes cheaper the more hours you take and the more people you have to share the hours with i.e with family members or friends. Some resorts insist on a minimum of 3 sessions to be booked at once.
Contact ESF La Tania for private lessons - 00 33 479 08 80 39
La Tania childcare (not pre-bookable)
Childcare from 6 months-4 years (non-skiers)
La Tanière des Croés - you will find it on the 2nd floor of the Granzeta building in La Tania. Open Sunday to Friday, 8.30am–5.30pm (closed on Saturdays), and welcome children from 6 months up to and including 4 years of age, subject to availability. However, under the ski/childcare link programme, children can be accepted on a half-day basis up to and including 5 years of age. For babies under 18 months, the manager offers a time-limited arrangement: half-days only.
Please contact La Tanière des Croés direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 4 79 41 25 14.
It is advisable to book before you go and in good time as spaces get filled quickly, especially in Peak times. A childhood vaccination record will be needed.
Babysitters (not pre-bookable)
A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.
Top snow activities to experience in La Tania
Please note Peak Retreats do not book most of the activities and also most activities are payable therefore most of the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website
Here are some ideas of activities, however there is plenty more on offer!
Sledding
1 at bottom of La Tania gondola, 1 in the Zen zone at the top of the gondola. If you don’t have your own sledges/bum boards the ski shops rent these out. You can also rent sledges with steering and brakes. Courchevel 1850 - Grangettes Piste. 2Km toboggan run from Courchevel 1850 to Village. Day: accessible with ski pass or pedestrian lift pass. Evening: Free ski lift until 7.30pm.
Snowshoeing and footpaths
The free snowshoeing and pedestrian paths guide is available at the Tourist Office.
Paragliding
An activity run by very experienced, state-certified instructors. Take off on skis or a snowboard from the 'Col de la Loze' departure point.
La Tania - Courchevel 1850 walk
Linking the two resorts, this long forest walk is the perfect choice for a peaceful outing. The path, first uphill, then flat to Courchevel 1850, crosses the mythical Eclipse piste.
From the centre of La Tania, head for the start of the Teppes trail. Follow the path up to the clearing, then follow the Nordic markings towards «Courchevel 1850». You are on a Nordic ski run: stay on the edge of the run to avoid damaging the tracks or disturbing cross-country skiers. Crossing the Eclipse piste is forbidden during competitions. No dogs allowed.
Average duration: 2hrs 55 mins. Difficulty: level red – hard. Distance: 7.5km.
Top activities to experience in Samoens
Please note Peak Retreats do not book most of the activities and also most activities are payable therefore most of the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website
Cinema
Two movies per week.
Forum ice rink
The indoor ice rink is located in Courchevel 1850.
Bowling
Bowling – Courchevel 1850
Bowling - Parc Olympique Méribel Chaudanne
La Tania après-ski, restaurants & bars
There is a small selection of bars and restaurants, enough for a stay in La Tania. You can also try out the bars and restaurants in nearby resorts. You also have altitude bars and restaurants.
Why not try the famous Folie Douce in Meribel for a different kind of dance scene. This branch of the Folie Douce opened in 2012, introducing the chain’s trademark Austrian-style afternoon party scene. You will find 7 other Folie Douce in the French Alps - Val d'Isere opened 1976, Val Thorens in 2009, Saint Gervais/Megeve in 2014, Alpe d'Huez in 2013, Chamonix and Avoriaz in 2018, Les Arcs in 2019.
Amenities
La Tania is served by a range of amenities, including:
Boulangerie, supermarket, bakery, sandwich and pizza takeaway, tabac, souvenir shop, Bureau de Change, post office, cash point.
Plenty of shops in nearby Meribel and Courchevel and head for 1850 for designer gear, including Chanel, Versace…
For a big grocery shop, head to Carrefour in Moutiers about 20 mins drive away…
Getting to La Tania, France
By road: Driving distance from Calais to La Tania is roughly 596 miles (taking approx. 8 ½ hours to drive).
By rail & air:
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras. See our train services page for more information as we can pre-book the trains for you. The nearest train station to La Tania is roughly 11 miles away in Moutiers.
4 international airports are nearby, see our flying page for information on airlines. We don't book flights, we invite you to do your own research.
Geneva Airport to Samoëns is roughly 113 miles, approx. 2hrs
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to La Tania is roughly 59 miles, approx. 1hr 15 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to La Tania is roughly 106 miles, approx. 2hrs
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to La Tania is roughly 112 miles, approx. 2hrs
Private taxi transfers:
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.
Bus transfers:
Altibus/Bens Bus/Snow bus (and the likes of) offer shared bus transfers from some French/Swiss airports and SNCF train stations to ski resorts. We don't book these (or have any affiliation with them), we invite you to do your own research.
Resort shuttle bus:
The free ski bus service (a ski pass isn'tneeded) runs between La Tania and all the Courchevel Valley villages via Le Praz, 1550 (Village & Aquamotion), 1650 (Moriond) and finally 1850.
Grangettes Gondola 07:30 – 23:30
Jardin Alpin Gondola 08:35 – 19:10
