Purpose built in 1961 on a south-facing plateau to an attractive design sympathetic to Savoyard traditional architecture, this French family ski resort has been lift linked to Aosta Valley resort La Thuile since 1984-5 over the mountain border in Italy.
La Rosière ski resort sits on a sunny, south facing terrace in the famous Haute Tarentaise ski region of the French Alps, home also to neighbours Tignes, Val d'Isere, St Foy and les Arcs. It is also located close to the Vanoise National Park and Mt. Blanc.
La Rosière ski resort - Espace san Bernardo ski area
The ski resort is part of the Espace San Bernardo ski area, which links La Rosière and the Italian ski resort of La Thuile. There is 160km of slopes to enjoy on the piste map if you get a full lift pass.
Due to it's high altitude, the La Rosière-Espace San Bernardo ski area has record levels of snowfall with it's ski season starting in December and running until the end of April. Its sunny, wide open slopes are snow-sure with the main lifts and pistes all radiating out directly from the centre of resort.
La Rosière has established a good reputation as a great place for beginners (children and adults alike) to start their skiing experience.
There are two areas of La Rosière; the Front de Neige is a termination point and is home to some of the area’s main ski lifts. The other area is known as Les Eucherts, and there are some excellent beginner zones in each for those working on their first turns. There is also a good range of interlinking blue pistes for fun skiing and progression. These slopes make it easy to get back to the resort at the end of the day too.
Intermediates will enjoy the slightly more challenging pistes heading to Seez that wind through the forests. You will find that most of the ski area is above the tree line, and there are many wide cruisy runs to enjoy above the resort. These pistes take you northwards along a ridge from the Italian border and make up the French side’s main ski area. Head to the Combe des Moulins to get some speed up on the fantastic red runs and powder fields between the pistes on snowy days.
On the French side of the border, there are some lovely blue runs that take you to the Col de la Traversette, which is where you will see La Redoute Ruinée, the ruins of an old fort. From here, you can get to the Petit St Bernard Pass to get incredible views of Mont Blanc.
Over the border in La Thuile, you will find steeper and more challenging terrain. Still, intermediates will be able to ski the whole Espace San Bernardo.
More advanced skiers have a lot to do in the area too. There are two great snowparks, one in La Rosière and another in La Thuile. The area is well-known for its snowkiting. So, if you fancy giving it a go, you can take advantage of its reliable wind and snow conditions above 2,200m. At the Petit St Bernard pass, there is a snowkite introduction zone.
La Rosière 1850 m often holds the snow records thanks to its strategic position at the foot of Mont Blanc on the Italian side and a stone’s throw from the Petit-Saint-Bernard pass. The winter season ends at the end of April.
Off-piste skiing
Since 2018, the ski resort of La Rosière has created a freeride zone and new slopes served by detachable chairlifts. With a high point of 2,800 metres, this secure and marked off-piste space ensures exceptional snow throughout the season. In addition, these slopes will appeal to seasoned skiers with a technical side and committed slopes.
Unfortunately, heli-skiing is illegal in France, but luckily not in Italy. So if you want to explore the area with the help of a helicopter, you don’t have far to go.
La Rosiere apres ski
The relaxed attitude on the slopes of La Rosière also transcends into its après-ski offerings. Slope-side standouts include Le Flocon, in Les Eucherts, which offers live music and has a bowling alley, making it incredibly family friendly. Equally La Taverne du McKinley combines a cosy bar area with a large, terraced space so you can enjoy drinks wherever suits you best.
If you fancy something a bit livelier, try the Moo Bar which offers themed nights and cocktails until 4am.
La Rosiere village
The resort has two village bases, La Rosière Centre and Les Eucherts, which are approximately a 15 minute walk from one another.
La Rosière was founded in 1961 and has since developed (and been redeveloped) in an appealing, mostly-low-rise chalet style. Wood, stone and slates are the main ingredients for building in the area with the finished architecture pleasing to the eye. In the resort itself you will find renovated and newly built chalets alike in a traditional style to add to the warmth of La Rosière.
Underpinning a steady move further upmarket is the presence of premium hoteliers like CGH, Hyatt, Alparena.
La Rosière ski resort has a wide choice of things to do. For example, La Rosiere has a cinema, a fitness centre, and a couple of spas. One of these spas offers a Japanese-style onsen bath experience.
