La Rosière

La Rosière: The Family-Friendly Resort with a Surprising Twist

Nestled in the heart of the French Alps, La Rosière has earned its reputation as an affordable, family-friendly ski destination. Located across the Tarentaise Valley from Les Arcs and just next door to La Plagne, it offers a perfect blend of charm, accessibility, and adventure.

While staying true to its family-focused roots, La Rosière made waves a few years ago by unveiling Mont Valaisan, a new mountain sector offering challenging freeride terrain that broadened its appeal to advanced skiers and snowboarders. This bold move added a new dimension to the resort, which continues to deliver excellent value without compromising on quality.

Ski Across Borders

One of La Rosière’s standout features is its unique location on the Italian border. It’s one of only two resorts where you can ski or snowboard across into Italy, exploring the ski area of La Thuile. Whether you’re stopping for an authentic Italian pizza, a quick espresso, or just admiring the alpine views, crossing the border is a memorable experience. Together, the French and Italian ski areas form l’Espace San Bernardo, a combined domain offering over 160km of skiable terrain since its creation in 1984.

Snow and Sunshine in Perfect Harmony

La Rosière is a haven for snow lovers. The resort averages 7.56 metres of snowfall annually, with winter 2018-19 delivering an impressive 11 metres (36 feet). Its proximity to Mont Blanc and the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard blesses it with reliable snow conditions from mid-December to late April, making it one of the snowiest resorts in France.

But it’s not just snow. With most accommodation offering south-facing, panoramic views, La Rosière also boasts plenty of sunshine, adding to its appeal as an inviting, family-oriented resort.

Alpine Charm Meets Modern Comfort

Originally established in the 1950s, La Rosière has evolved into a picturesque alpine retreat with two main areas: the original ‘Centre’ and the more modern Les Eucherts, developed extensively over the last two decades. Both areas feature charming chalet-style architecture with stone and wood finishes, creating an atmosphere that is both traditional and modern. A pedestrian-friendly design and shuttle services make it easy to navigate the resort, while each base offers its own restaurants, bars, shops, and amenities.

Easy Access for All

Getting to La Rosière is straightforward. For rail travelers, Bourg St Maurice, located just below the resort, is connected to Paris by direct TGV high-speed trains. Bonus: guests arriving by train enjoy a 15% discount on lift passes. For those flying in, the nearest airports are Chambéry (135km), Lyon Saint-Exupéry (210km), and Geneva (215km).

The Skiing Experience

Spanning nearly 100 miles of marked slopes, the Espace San Bernardo offers a varied mix of runs for all skill levels, ranging from 1190m to 2800m in altitude. With over 80 pistes and additional snow zones served by nearly 40 lifts, the terrain is vast and versatile.

The majority of runs are wide, smooth blues and reds, making it a dream for recreational skiers who enjoy cruising under sunny skies. For those seeking adventure, skiing over to La Thuile in Italy is a must-do, though it requires a good level of stamina and an early start to ensure time for the return trip. Keep in mind that this route is exposed to wind and may close intermittently.

Beginner-Friendly Features La Rosière is an ideal resort for beginners and families. The Manessier draglift and Tapis des Lutins carpet lift are free to use, allowing first-timers to practice without purchasing a lift pass. Meanwhile, The Club des Galopins provides top-notch lessons and fun activities for children aged 3-13. The program includes ski instruction, mountain safety lessons, sledding, and snowshoeing, all under the watchful eye of the resort’s adorable mascot, a St. Bernard dog.

For teenagers, the Junior Academy offers an introduction to off-piste skiing, teaching the use of avalanche safety equipment through hands-on workshops in the Evo 2 DVA park.

Mont Valaisan: A Game-Changer In 2018, La Rosière expanded its horizons by opening Mont Valaisan, an entirely new sector designed for advanced skiers. With six red slopes, one challenging black run (complete with a 74% gradient), and two high-tech chairlifts, the area has become a hub for freeride enthusiasts. The highest point of the ski area now reaches 2800m, making it one of the few resorts to add advanced terrain in recent years.

The resort has embraced its new identity as a freeride hotspot, offering avalanche training parks, ski touring experiences, and guided off-piste adventures.

Beyond the Slopes

La Rosière offers plenty of activities off the slopes, ensuring a well-rounded vacation for everyone. Highlights include a bowling alley, an ice skating rink, a downhill mountain coaster, and organized excursions such as snowshoeing, paragliding, and sledding.

For thrill-seekers, snow-kiting – akin to kite-surfing but on snow – is particularly popular on the plateau leading to La Thuile.

Spa Days and History Tours Some modern accommodations in La Rosière feature luxurious spa facilities, but for a truly unique experience, consider a day trip to “Les Thermes de Pré Saint Didier” near La Thuile. This 3000m² spa offers thermal baths fed by 37°C water from the heart of the mountain—a perfect way to unwind after a day on the slopes.

History buffs will appreciate La Rosière’s strategic location, once a vital border crossing. The most iconic relic is the Redoute Ruinée, a 19th-century fort perched atop the slopes. Believed to be a route used by Hannibal’s army, the area has a rich history, from military conflicts to peaceful armistices. Today, it serves as a reminder of the region’s storied past.

La Rosière has mastered the balance between family-friendly charm and adventurous appeal. With its reliable snow, sunny slopes, and unique cross-border skiing experience, it’s a resort that offers something for everyone—whether you’re a beginner carving your first turns or an expert chasing powder.