Day Two of Snow Camp’s 3 Valley Rally

15th April 2023

Last modified on April 18th, 2023

24 teams of four are battling it out in a series of fun events on snow. It’s all done to raise money for the charity, Snow Camp, that is celebrating its 20th birthday. PlanetSKI is at the event. UPDATED

The 3 Valley Rally is taking place over two days:

Day 1: Sunday 16th April

• Orienteering
• Snow Shoe Hike
• Biathlon
• Zip wire challenge

Day 2: Monday 17th April

• Team Distance Challenge
• Team Parallel Slalom Race

The full details can be seen lower down this article in an ‘eve of event’ posting.

Day Two

The first event of Day 2 of the 3 Valley Rally is the Team Distance Challenge, where the idea is to travel the greatest distance possible in 2-hours in the Val Thorens/Orelle area.

Each team has a tracker to record their progress.

There was a Le Mans start at 9.30am.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

Some left with more speed than others.

The trackers measure up and down, so lifts are counted.

Teams may only use the same piste three times maximum during the Team Distance Challenge.

“Please ski safely and within your limits at all times,” said the organisers ahead of the start.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

The trackers automatically stop tracking after 2-hours at 11.30am.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

The event finished at the race paddock area back at Val Thorens.

Teams received points based on their final position based on distance travelled.

24 points for the team that travelled the furthest distance, 1 point for the team that travelled the least.

The event could be tracked here:

After the Team Distance Challenge finished it was a BBQ lunch at the race paddock.

Then Team Parallel Slalom.

3 Valley Rally, Val Thorens. Image © PlanetSKI

Some of the races were close, others less so.

After the racing some went to celebrate at La Folie Douce in the snow.

3 Valley Rally, Val Thorens. Image © PlanetSKI

The winners of the event, Free Spirit Alpine, preferred champagne in the warmth of 5* Fitz Roy hotel.

3 Valley Rally, Val Thorens. Image © PlanetSKI

Free Spirit Alpine were in third place after Day 1, and with a victory in the dual slalom the team awaited the overall results.

At the evening celebrations and awards dinner it has been announced that the 3 Valley Rally is back next year.

The announcement, from main patron of Snow Camp Andy Bell, was met with loud applause and cheers at the awards dinner.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

Here at PlanetSKI we intend to be back next year in Val Thorens, and may even enter the event rather than just report on it.

So, who won this year’s event?

Step forward Free Spirit Alpine:

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

3 Valley Rally, Val Thorens. Image © PlanetSKI

But more important than the winning numbers of the teams is the money raised for Snow Camp.

It had a target of £100,00.

It raised £150,00.

There was a matching donation of £170,00 from a parallel event.

So the 3 Valley Rally raised £320,000.

Hats off.

More to follow….

Day One

Day one started sharp at 9.00am with a Le Mans start outside the Fitz Roy Hotel.

Overseeing proceedings was the former GB Olympic skier, Chemmy Alcott.

“Good luck to all of you and remember don’t be limited by the challenges, but rather challenge your limits,” she said before starting the countdown.

And then they were off.

The teams do an orienteering route round a series of checkpoints across the day with a series of snowsport challenges as mentioned above.

Checkpoints are set up across the entire ski area of Val Thorens and teams must collect as many checkpoints as possible during the day.

They must take a photo with all 4 team members and the checkpoint sign clearly in shot.

Selfies are allowed, so long as they meet these criteria.

Though the first challenge for all the teams was the weather – thick cloud and limited visibility.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

“I am very glad we skied the resort yesterday, so we at least had a rough idea where we are,” a team member from Cooler Runnings said to PlanetSKI at the biathlon.

Biathlon

All team members start together, and complete one lap of the flat course on their skis before approaching the shooting area.

Each team member has 5 targets to hit with their rifle.

For each target missed, 10 seconds will be added to the overall time.

When each team member has fired their 5 shots, they complete the course by running over the crossing the finishing line.

It consists of a spot of cross country skiing – but done on alpine skis.

Then the shooting.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

Don’t worry about the Snow Camp official by the targets as it’s a laser gun, not one with bullets.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

Zip Line

The Zip wire challenge is located at the top of the Moutière chairlift, at 2,500m, and finishes in the heart of Val Thorens village, at the Place Caron, after a descent in three sections.

Everyone receives a briefing from the zip wire team.

Teams take off in 2’s to complete the course and finish back in Val Thorens village.

Skis or snowboard are carried on the back, so teams can continue orienteering as they land.

There are 3 points for every individual team member who successfully completes the Zip Wire, maximum 12 points per team.

It is perhaps the challenge most people feared as leaping into the void is not everyone’s cup of tea.

It was closed for half an hour at the beginning of the day as it has to be de-iced.

Once done, the teams strapped into their harnesses.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

And then skis were put on back and final checks made.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

Instructions were given and they were off into the void.

Snowshoeing

The hike is around a 1km course, both uphill and downhill.

Teams are timed from the moment they start until the last team member crosses the finish line.

Walking boots / shoes with decent tread are needed.

Teams receive points based on their final position.

24 points for the fastest team, 1 point for the slowest team.

At the snowshoeing course the first challenge for most people was getting the snow shoes on.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

Then they were off round a marked trail.

When PlanetSKI passed by the event the cloud had lifted slightly.

Fortunate for these teams.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

But it looked a bit murky to us.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

Most of the competitors took a pre-prepared packed lunch with them, and ate it where they could.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

And after the four challenges it was time for some 80’s apres ski.

Costumes were at the ready:

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

And for those interested in the scores after Day One:

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

More to follow on Monday…

And, as mentioned earlier, below is the eve of competition article we posted with more details of the event and the work of Snow Camp.

Eve of Competition

It is Snow Camp’s biggest, most exciting, and most ambitious alpine event yet.

“We have all been working hard to create something very special for our 20th anniversary and it is wonderful to have so many supporters out in the Alps together,” said the founder of Snow Camp, Dan Charlish.

“Events like this raise such important funds our work with young people across the country, and they are a fantastic experience for everyone involved.”

Community Manager, Dan Keeley, has been in the resort for the last few days with the Snow Camp team finalising the arrangements.

The Two Dans. Image c/o Snow Camp

There are five members of staff and four Snow Camp apprentices helping out.

One has never been on a plane before, let alone a ski resort.

On Saturday afternoon the participants were registering and collecting details of the event.

The 3 Valley Rally kicked off formally this evening with a welcome dinner.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

A couple of hours later:

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI.

The event hotel is the 5-star Le Fitz Roy hotel in the centre of the resort.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI.

Teams have a minimum fundraising target of £5,000 per team and Snow Camp has an overall target of at least £100,000.

Early signs are looking good for the fundrasing.

If you want to donate to Snow Camp then follow this link.

PlanetSKI is reporting on the event, and the work of the charity, so do check back over the coming days.

3 Valley Rally. Image c/o PlanetSKI

Check out the full details of the event here:

AJ Bell 3 Valley Rally Rules

AJ Bell 3 Valley Rally Event Schedule

Image c/o Snow-Camp.

As well as the competition there is also a bit of apres activity planned – more of that later.

The event is sponsored by AJ Bell.

“We are excited to be at the biggest annual fundraiser,” said Andy Bell, CEO of AJ Bell.

“The work the charity undertakes with young people is so important we want to do all we can to get behind Dan and the team.

“Events like this are great fun for everyone involved, and really help raise the profile and funds needed for their programme, Snow Camp.”

PlanetSKI was at the AJ Bell event in Crans-Montana last season.

See our article from PlanetSKI reporter, Justine Gosling:

Snow Camp: A Life Changed

Snow Camp in the mountains – photo c/o Snow Camp

There are a number of VIP guests involved in the event in Val Thorens including Chemmy Alcott, Graham Bell and Jamie Barrow.

For further information visit here.

ABOUT SNOW CAMP

Snow Camp work with young people in London, the North West, the Midlands and Scotland to deliver an accredited journey of courses to vulnerable young people at indoor snow centres.

Their courses are unique and attractive to young people, taking them from beginner to qualified snowsports instructors in one year with volunteering and apprenticeship progression routes available at the end.

Alongside learning to ski or snowboard, young people also have access to life skills training and mental health support.

Read more about Snow Camp.

ABOUT AJ BELL

Established in 1995, AJ Bell is one of the largest investment platforms in the UK, and a long-term supporter of Snow Camp.