Tag Archives: Close To Courchevel

Skiing & Driving a Ski Trail Groomer in La Tania, France

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Arrival @ La Tania

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Small Resort That Rises

ideally located between Courchevel and Méribel. When I arrive from Meribel, it snows a lot. The drive was fast. And I decide to do a walking tour in the station crossed by the slopes and surrounded by fir trees (pictures below). I love fir trees! A real addiction!

I discovered La Tania or La Tagna meaning “the den of bears” in Savoyard dialect. The resort will celebrate its 25th anniversary in April. This is the newest of the 3 Vallées, the largest ski area in the world. Less known than Courchevel, but very near Courchel, La Tania offers accommodations at more affordable prices.

 I really like the area of wooden chalets, all different from each other (photo above). As the surfaces are large with modern amenities and concierge service, renting a chalet with friends or family is interesting. In the first picture of the post: the view, firs, snow from a superb chalet … isn’t it beautiful?   

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Cross Country Skiing

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Magic of The Landscape

The last (and unique) time I did cross-country skiing, I was a pre-teen! So when in early afternoon I pick up my equipment, I was so surprised by the light weight of my boots and skis! Then I joined Adeline Girard, my ski instructor which is a former ski champion.

We drive to Meribel Altiport / La Tania, where we park in front of Le Blanchot restaurant, the starting point of the routes in the forest, with trails of various levels (blue, red … like in Alpine skiing). Nature is fantastic! And Adeline immediately knows how to put at ease.

What a fantastic afternoon in cross country, everything is magic! I also learnt that cross-country ski trails are groomed (in the pictures below, you can see the rails on each side of the track). And when I lift my head, I can admire the top of trees … Even cross country skiing is more physical than skiing, you forget the effort in the scenery. And we ski until the dusk.

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-11-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-12-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Ski-Slope-Machine-Snow-Groomer-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Driving The Ski Trail Groomer

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Ski-Slope-Machine-Snow-Groomer-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The New Experience!

Yes I did it! Around 6 p.m., I meet the professional driver of a ski trail groomer to have a ride and see in real conditions how tracking the ski trails and driving a 700,000 Euros machine (if I correctly remember)!

I am like a kid, super excited to be behind the scenes! And when the driver asks me if I’d like to drive the machine, I was so happy! So I start driving on trails that lead to Courchevel. I am so focused (a bit too much, lol!) … And the machine is so sensitive that I dare not step on the accelerator!

Then around 8 p.m. I go back to La Tania through deserted slopes! I’m SO tired that I let the restaurant and directly go to bed! It was an exciting endless day!

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Ski-Slope-Machine-Snow-Groomer-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.latania.comwww.les3vallees.com  

For cross country skiing or skiing lessons, you can contact the ESF La Tania : +33 (0)4 79 08 80 39 and Adeline Girard: +33 (0)6 30 36 56 13.

Related posts : DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and La Tania Tourist Office for this exciting invitation. Big thanks to Adeline Girard and the ski trail groomer driver. As always these opinions are my own.