TRAIN TO LA TANIA
La Tania may be smaller and less famous than its Trois Vallées neighbours, but this compact, friendly resort has a loyal following and is well positioned within this huge ski area.
If you are looking for an easygoing, good-value base with access to great skiing, La Tania is a good choice.
Although it is purpose built, the tasteful style of the wood-clad buildings and its position nestled in tree-lined scenery gives it attractive aesthetics, with long woodland runs and simple access to the slopes of neighbouring Courchevel and Meribel.
The convenience of the small, traffic-free village makes it advantageous for families, in particular.
La Tania Village
La Tania's village is an attractive place to stay. It's car free, relatively compact and much of the accommodation has ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes.
There are all the amenities you could want (apart from a pharmacy) and yet you can still walk around the village in five minutes.
In the evenings, it's relatively quiet compared to other resorts in the Trois Vallées, but there are still bars to hang out in.
The slopes in la Tania
Simply being in the 600km Trois Vallées ski area means that no skier – whatever level – could ever complain about having too little terrain to explore.
Advanced skiers will enjoy the long black pistes that stretch from Loze to Le Praz, and those searching for powder will find that from the Dou des Lanches chairlift they can access plenty.
There are rollercoaster great red and blue runs through the trees directly above the resort, and an excellent beginner zone by the village too.
La Tania for families
La Tania's popularity with families is due in part to the predominance of ski-in/ski-out accommodation – as well as the excellent beginner slopes here.
Children under the age of 5 ski for free, and there is a car-free, pedestrianised centre so kids can play, build a snowman or sledge in safety.
The nursery welcomes children from the age of 4 months to 5 years, for half day, full day and weekly sessions, with or without lunch included.
Things to do in La Tania
There's plenty on offer here, with breathtaking paragliding rides, two toboggan runs and the opportunity to try riding powerful piste groomers on a circuit with bumps and steep gradients.
You can try an hour-long dogsledding safari, and the resort also has night skiing during school holidays. There's a shuttle bus to the new waterpark, Aquamotion, located in nearby Courchevel.
Eating out in La Tania
For an affordable meal above the village, the wood-clad Bouc Blanc has a large sun terrace and a good-value plat du jour, and is accessible by the La Tania gondola, so non-skiers can join in too.
The resort also has Le Farcon, a Michelin-starred restaurant that you can dine at without breaking the bank, with a lunch menu for 38€.La Tania nightlife
La Tania has a handful of bars, all of which draw crowds of Brits eager for a drink after the slopes or after dinner. Pub Le Ski Lodge has happy hours and live music, as does Le Chrome Bar.
For a more sophisticated cocktail-bar feel, try La Taïga Lounge, near the Troika beginners' piste in the resort centre.
Where to stay in La Tania
One of the advantages of staying in La Tania is the high proportion of accommodation with doorstep or close access to the slopes.
Self-catered residences include Pierre et Vacances' Résidence Le Britania and Les Chalets de la Tania by Madame Vacances.
The resort is also home to about 125 wood-clad chalets, but doesn't have any proper hotels as such.
How to get the train to La Tania
The nearest Eurostar station to La Tania is Moutiers
By bus: around 25 - 45 minutes; Adult 12€, Youth (U26) 9.50€ (www.altibus.com)
By taxi: around 20 - 35 minutes; about 80€ for an 8-seater taxi.
Ski resorts you can get to easily with Eurostar
Three Valleys resorts: Courchevel | Méribel | Les Menuires | Val Thorens | La Tania | Saint Martin de Belleville
Paradiski resorts: Les Arcs | Peissey Vallandry | La Plagne
Espace Killy resorts: Val d’Isère | Tignes
Other resorts: Sainte Foy | Valmorel | La Rosière