The Three Valley Run - what’s it all about?

Prior to 2005 when seasonnaires were able to ski with their guests as a ‘ski host’, they would propose this whirlwind tour of the Three Valleys as a fun challenge (and in a bid to increase their end of week tips of course)! The lift companies got wind of the challenge and turned it into a marketing ploy called the ‘Escapade’ and devised 14 points across the valleys where you had to get a card stamped to prove you’d made it. You were awarded a certificate and badge if you hit all 14 points. Unfortunately it’s no longer promoted by the lift companies but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible if you’re up for the challenge!

The original Escapade took 30 lifts, around 13,000m vertical with 70km length and by 2016 it had increased to 34 lifts, 17,000m vertical (twice the height of Everest) and around 80km skiing (140km total distance)! With the newer, longer, faster lifts it’s back down to 30 lifts, phew! Although the route traditionally starts from La Tania where it all began, depending on where you are staying and if you are close enough to one of the points on the map, it can still be done. Have an early night, get first lifts at 9am, pack sandwiches to eat on a lift and why not give it a go if you’re feeling brave enough?!

NB: ALWAYS CONTROL YOUR SPEED. You do this entirely at your own risk, act responsibly, take full ownership for your own actions and all of those with you, respect other people and the mountain, ski within your limits, always obey the skiers and snowboarders code, observe all signs, pay attention to all notices, advice and instructions from Pisteurs and remember….it’s not a race (but you do need to make it back to your start/end point before the lifts shut)!