La Tania, France

Resort Overview for La Tania:

La Tania is one of the world's newest ski resorts having been originally purpose built to house journalists covering the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics, along with competing ice hockey teams. It couldn't have asked for a more prestigious location - in one of the famous Three Valleys, the world's largest ski area, neighbouring glamorous Courchevel with Meribel on the other side.

The resort is in fact a part of the La Perrière community, a group of ten small, traditional Savoy hamlets, famous for its baroque church and the "Becqua" rocks. So it's no surprise that the architectural style of the new resort has been designed in keeping with the natural surroundings.

La Tania has proved especially popular with British package-tour operators, perhaps in part due to its slopeside convenience and its reputation for offering the best value in one of Europe's most expensive ski areas.

New arrivals in the resort each weekend are invited to come and try a free "Green Chaud" drink every Sunday at 5 pm and discover what's happening in resort during their stay.

The Skiing in La Tania:

The local skiing is, of course, amongst the world's best. Head to the left and you're in the Courchevel Valley, to the right and its Meribel then on over to Les Menuires and Val Thorens.

Courchevel's valley provides 150km (nearly 100 miles) of marked trails for all standards as well as excellent off-piste opportunities with one of the many professional guides. The ski area is especially pleasant having one of the highest tree-lines in the Alps, up at 2300 metres (just over 7500 feet).

Beginners will find long wide greens and blues just above the resort, served by a free drag lift. Higher up the mountain green and blues include Plan Mugnier, MontØ Russe and The Pyramide run from the top of Roc Merlet which continue down to 1650 via the Indiens run.

Intermediates will find probably the world's best selection of blue and red trails in the Courchevel Valley and the easily accessed additional terrain of the 3 Vallées. A fast gondola takes you over from Courchevel 1300 to 1850. One of the best red runs is 'Park City', named after Courchevel's twin-resort in Utah. The runs from La Saulire are some of the most challenging, and it is here too that experts will discover some of Europe's most challenging couloirs - known as 'The Ugly Sisters' and graded black but in some cases nearly 'off the scale' in reality.

Experts have plenty besides to entertain in the Trois Vallées and around Courchevel in particular. Some of the best loved blacks in the valley in-clude the steep and mogul covered Jockeys or Jean Blanc. Another long black mogul run is accessed from the Chanrossa lift after the huge Les Creux bowl. Off piste opportunities are enormous and guides may take you to the empty expanses beneath Le Signal. Heliskiing in Italy is available through the Mountain Guides office, which is also your starting point for courses or tours in glacier skiing, off piste, powder and extreme.

There are several cross country routes. You can reach Courchevel or Méribel on the Bouc Blanc itinerary (the two resorts are each six kilometres away in either direction)

Après Ski in La Tania:

La Tania has an informal atmosphere with the intensity of the nightlife largely dependant on the people in the resort during any given week. The tourist office organises a weekly entertainments programme which usually includes theme evenings, concerts and live music in the pubs.

The centre of après activity is normally the Ski Lodge Bar, quieter alternatives include the bar at the Hotel Montana. It's easy to get over to Meribel or Courchevel however, if you're looking for a wider selection.

Accommodation in La Tania:

Search through our database to rent private ski chalets direct from the owners in La Tania. Contact owners directly to make a booking. Rent ski chalet La Tania, France

Chalet Papillon, Sleeps 8 Based in the Courchevel valley giving great access to the whole of the Three Valleys, the largest sk...... View details

Chalet Meleze, Sleeps 8 We are catered chalet company run by very experienced and friendly company owners. We have a comfort...... View details

Chalet Chevallier, Sleeps 10 Chalet Chevallier is a beautifully appointed chalet. The open plan lounge and dining area has a log...... View details

Chalet Juba/Nick Ski Owner Run, Sleeps 12 NICK SKI, CATERED SKI CHALET, LA TANIA-COURCHEVEL www.nickskithreevalleys.co.uk 00 33 673 43 67 69...... View details