Ski Resort Guide
La Rosiere
La Rosiere Ski Resort Guide
Introduction
La Rosière is a family-friendly resort that offers skiing in both France and Italy. Its large ski area is - uniquely for France - shared with an Italian resort, La Thuile, over in the Aosta Valley.
This Italian connection adds a lot of interest to La Rosière, with the added dimension of Italian skiing, culture and cuisine all accessible to skiers of intermediate standard and above. It also means heliskiing, which is banned in France, is possible from here.
La Rosière itself is divided into a number of linked sectors, with the newest being Les Eucherts, which is one of the best in which to be based as it has the most attractive traditional chalet style architecture, as well as great facilities including an ice rink, bowling alley, tourist office, nursery and direct access to the ski runs from most accommodation.
This Italian connection adds a lot of interest to La Rosière, with the added dimension of Italian skiing, culture and cuisine all accessible to skiers of intermediate standard and above. It also means heliskiing, which is banned in France, is possible from here.
La Rosière itself is divided into a number of linked sectors, with the newest being Les Eucherts, which is one of the best in which to be based as it has the most attractive traditional chalet style architecture, as well as great facilities including an ice rink, bowling alley, tourist office, nursery and direct access to the ski runs from most accommodation.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 1,850m (6,069ft).
Top elevation: 2,650m (8,694ft).
Base elevation: 1,200m (3,937ft).
Number of lifts: 39.
Number of runs: 82.
Average annual snowfall: 5m (16.7ft).
Where in the world?
La Rosière is located in the Savoie region of the French Alps. The resort lies high above the mountain town of Bourg St Maurice, close to the Vanoise National Park and Mont Blanc.
Hit the slopes
The size of the Espace San Bernardo which links the ski areas of La Rosière in France and La Thuile in Italy is such that it offers plenty of skiing for all ability levels. The season lasts from mid December to mid April and the resort has a good snow record.
Intermediates will want to take the long Bellecombe drag lifts across the border plateau to access the vertical down to La Thuile. The runs on the Italian side offer some contrast to the French, with the resort lower and somewhat older meaning there are some narrow runs cut through the forest.
Advanced skiers have more than a dozen black runs to enjoy on each side of the border including the 3.6km (2.3 mile) long Franco Berthod piste, regarded as one of the toughest at the resort. Heliskiing with a high mountain guide will be a temptation with popular routes down from Miravidi and Mont Ouille both providing vertical descents or Ruitor providing a huge vertical of virgin powder snow.
La Rosière has fully embraced new snow sports and operates a snow park with various lines for different ability levels. There are also skiercross and boardercross courses and a speed riding school.
Intermediates will want to take the long Bellecombe drag lifts across the border plateau to access the vertical down to La Thuile. The runs on the Italian side offer some contrast to the French, with the resort lower and somewhat older meaning there are some narrow runs cut through the forest.
Advanced skiers have more than a dozen black runs to enjoy on each side of the border including the 3.6km (2.3 mile) long Franco Berthod piste, regarded as one of the toughest at the resort. Heliskiing with a high mountain guide will be a temptation with popular routes down from Miravidi and Mont Ouille both providing vertical descents or Ruitor providing a huge vertical of virgin powder snow.
La Rosière has fully embraced new snow sports and operates a snow park with various lines for different ability levels. There are also skiercross and boardercross courses and a speed riding school.
Beyond the slopes
The choice of off-slope activities in La Rosière continues to grow and the new Les Eucherts sector has the lion's share of it, including a modern bowling alley, games room and indoor ice rink complex.
Back outdoors, opportunities include paragliding, dog sledding, helicopter tours, snowshoeing, hikes on cleared and sign posted winter walking routes and the new sport of kite-surfing up on the plateau.
There's a fitness centre in the resort with sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, gym and weight training room in the Chalet le Tyrol, and a two screen cinema.
Back outdoors, opportunities include paragliding, dog sledding, helicopter tours, snowshoeing, hikes on cleared and sign posted winter walking routes and the new sport of kite-surfing up on the plateau.
There's a fitness centre in the resort with sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, gym and weight training room in the Chalet le Tyrol, and a two screen cinema.
Family fun
La Rosière makers a special effort for families and has been awarded the "Famille Plus Montagne" award by the French government, the highest category of official certification for resorts in the country.
On a practical level this means families will find the resort centred on them rather than to groups of young adults with the unintimidating wide gentle slopes by the resort and family-friendly accommodation and facilities in the village itself.
These include the excellent Galopins kindergarten in the new Eucherts development which is open daily except Saturdays with indoor and outdoor play for children aged 18 months and older. Care can be integrated with ski school classes from age four and the ski school has great facilities, including snow gardens with conveyor lifts run to the standard French system. Off the slopes, families will enjoy facilities such as the ice rink and bowling alley as well as a full programme of activities organised by the tourist office.
On a practical level this means families will find the resort centred on them rather than to groups of young adults with the unintimidating wide gentle slopes by the resort and family-friendly accommodation and facilities in the village itself.
These include the excellent Galopins kindergarten in the new Eucherts development which is open daily except Saturdays with indoor and outdoor play for children aged 18 months and older. Care can be integrated with ski school classes from age four and the ski school has great facilities, including snow gardens with conveyor lifts run to the standard French system. Off the slopes, families will enjoy facilities such as the ice rink and bowling alley as well as a full programme of activities organised by the tourist office.
Retail therapy
La Rosière has about 40 shops giving a moderate selection for dedicated shoppers and enough to supply all likely needs for holidaymakers. More than a quarter of the outlets are ski shops, but all the essentials are available including three small supermarkets, several souvenir shops, two bakers, a post office and a photographic store. For a wider choice its worth taking the 20 minute bus journey down to the town of Bourg St Maurice, the major commercial and retail centre for the region.
Après ski
La Rosière has a family onus so it is not the best choice if you are searching for hedonistic nightlife. There are about a dozen bars spread around the resort, including a wine bar and pub with late night dancing, however, many guests stay in their apartments or spend the evening enjoying a leisurely meal or an après ski activity like bowling or ice skating.
The bars are busiest straight after the lifts close in the afternoon rather than later on in the evening. Le Petit Danois has a sunny terrace and is one of the most popular for the crowds arriving off the slopes. If you are looking for a lively night out Arpin's Bar offers karaoke and Le Pub is open late and offers dancing.
The bars are busiest straight after the lifts close in the afternoon rather than later on in the evening. Le Petit Danois has a sunny terrace and is one of the most popular for the crowds arriving off the slopes. If you are looking for a lively night out Arpin's Bar offers karaoke and Le Pub is open late and offers dancing.
Eating out
Despite being a purpose built resort which closes down through much of spring and autumn, La Rosière has built up a reputation for having some first rate restaurants providing quality French regional cuisine in atmospheric chalet-style restaurants. Look out for local Savoyard dishes using ingredients such as the regions hams and Beaufort cheeses.
Las Flam serves Alsacien cuisine and Le Turia is one of the best for the Savoyard specialities as well as serving up a special Libyan feast. For an affordable meal there are several choices for crepes or pizza, and in the latter's case you can always pop over the border for lunch to enjoy it in the country where it was invented.
Las Flam serves Alsacien cuisine and Le Turia is one of the best for the Savoyard specialities as well as serving up a special Libyan feast. For an affordable meal there are several choices for crepes or pizza, and in the latter's case you can always pop over the border for lunch to enjoy it in the country where it was invented.
Getting around
La Rosière is designed to be pedestrian-friendly and most areas can be easily reached on foot, with walkways linking all sectors. However, the resort's growth over the years means it can be quite a walk between older and newer areas, particularly in your ski boots carrying skis, so a regular shuttle bus service circulates.
You can ski to La Thuile in Italy if you are of intermediate standard and up, but make sure you leave enough time for the return trip and make sure your ticket is valid - all passes valid for three days or longer include La Thuile's lifts, for shorter periods you need to pay a supplement. It is also possible to ski at other resorts in the region with La Plagne, Les Arcs, St Foy, Tignes and Val d'Isere all within an hour's journey.
You can ski to La Thuile in Italy if you are of intermediate standard and up, but make sure you leave enough time for the return trip and make sure your ticket is valid - all passes valid for three days or longer include La Thuile's lifts, for shorter periods you need to pay a supplement. It is also possible to ski at other resorts in the region with La Plagne, Les Arcs, St Foy, Tignes and Val d'Isere all within an hour's journey.
Splashing out
La Rosière is the only resort in France to offer heliskiing trips, which take place a few minutes away over the border in Italy and can offer breathtaking descents. Heliski trips can be booked through the resort's ski schools including Evolution 2 (Tel: (04) 79 401 980, www.evolution2.com).
Accommodation
Luxury
Les Balcons de la RosiereLocated in the new Les Eucherts sector of the resort, this 4-star development has high spec apartments, great design and a friendly atmosphere as well as an excellent location,
La Rosiere
Tel: (03) 84 861 551.
Website: www.les-balcons.com
Moderate
Chalet Le TyrolLocated in the original village centre, close to shops and 250m from the lifts, Le Tyrol has an indoor pool, spa, hammam, sauna and fitness room.
73700 La Rosière
Tel: (04) 79 068 055.
Website: www.tyrol-panoramic.com.fr
Budget
Le Relais du Petit-st-BernardA traditional two star family hotel which is a good choice if you want to stay slopeside, next to the ski school. It has a well regarded traditional restaurant.
La Rosière
Tel: (04) 79 068 048.
Website: www.petit-saint-bernard.com
Getting there
Nearest airports: Geneva (GVA); Lyon St. Exupéry (LYN).
Distances to resort: 165km (103 miles); 210km (132 miles).
Driving times: 2 hours 30 minutes; 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Distances to resort: 165km (103 miles); 210km (132 miles).
Driving times: 2 hours 30 minutes; 2 hours, 30 minutes.
Website
This resort is good for...
Snowboarders, Experts, Beginners, Intermediates
Need some holiday inspiration?
Tired of the same holiday destination?
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Sign up for our newsletter
Be the first to hear about the coolest destinations and the latest travel trends. Plus, competitions, holiday inspiration and amusing facts, delivered directly to your inbox.
Advertisement
Travel Deals
Advertising features
-
Finland Family holidays There is something about the snow in Finland that makes you wonder if the locals sneak out at night and spray it with a coat of brilliant white paint – it
-
Finland Activity & adventure holidays Finnish Lapland has enormous areas of untouched wilderness and mile upon mile of wild rolling fells. This vast open countryside, sparkling in the winter sunshine, just begs to be explored by
-
Orlando Adrenaline Whether you’re enjoying the hair-raising delights of the world’s only flying rollercoaster called Manta at SeaWorld or racing through the Everglades on an airboat in search of alligators, one thing’s for
-
Cambodia Luxury holidays Today Cambodia is symbolised by awesome Angkor Wat, the largest man-made religious structure in the world. However, Cambodia is also home to some of the finest boutique hotels in the world
-
Laos Inspire Me When the French colonised Indochina they had a saying: "The Vietnamese grow the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow, and the Lao people listen to the rice grow." This is
-
Vietnam Cultural breaks Vietnam is a country with a rich and varied history that is now firmly focused on her bright future. This is why it has become one of the hottest destinations for
-
Money tips for travelling abroad Advertising Feature
Travel Partners
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
