Skiing in La Rosière

Where is La Rosière?

La Rosière is in the French Alps, located in the Savoie region near the Italian border.  Built at an altitude of 1850m, La Rosière sits in the Tarentaise Valley and is part of the Espace San Bernardo ski area. One of the highlights of a trip to La Rosière is the option to ski in either Italy or France on the same lift pass.

Experienced skiers might enjoy skiing between the two countries, but if you fancy exploring on foot, you’ll have access to the Petit St Bernard Pass. Running close to the resort, this road offers incredible scenery you can enjoy during your drive. Depending on when you’re planning your trip, it’s worth checking whether the Petit St Bernard Pass is open, as it often shuts during the winter months.

Basing yourself in La Rosière means you’re only 23km away from Bourg-Saint-Maurice, which connects to popular skiing destinations, including Les Arcs and La Plagne. If you want to test out as many slopes as possible during your trip, you’re also only a short drive away from Val Thorens located at the top of the Belleville valley.

Drive to La Rosière from Calais

Although the drive from Calais to La Rosière takes around 10 and a half hours, it’s definitely worth it. While the resort itself is spectacular, driving offers you the chance to see as much of France as possible during your journey.

Planning an overnight stop somewhere like Lyon is a great way to break up the drive. As Lyon is known as ‘the food capital of the world’, you’ll also be able to try some of the incredible local delicacies en route.

There are also practical reasons that make driving to ski resorts like La Rosière so worthwhile. Seasoned skiers know the joy of being free to fill your car up with anything and everything you could want for a trip to the Alps. It can be far more economical to go by car, and for families, this also gives you the ability to travel at your own pace and stop when needed.

Skiing in La Rosière

As any skier will know, finding a ‘snow-sure’ resort is crucial. Fortunately, La Rosière’s proximity to Mont Blanc means it is known to be one of the snowiest valleys in the Alps. The resort is also south-facing, so you’ll be able to maximise your time on the slopes and ski in sunlight for most of the day.

La Rosière is divided into two well-linked main areas, the Front de Neige and Les Eucherts. The Front de Neige is a termination point in the resort and is also where several of the main ski lifts are.

Les Eucherts has some great beginner slopes and is also known for having more modern accommodation. Plenty of the other activities available at La Rosière are also in Les Eucherts, including an ice rink and the Hotel Alparena & Spa. There is also a nursery and information office in the main area, so you won’t have to go far to find what you need.

La Rosière for beginners

La Rosière has established a good reputation as a great place for beginners (children and adults alike) to start their skiing experience.

If you want to start with an instructor, there are plenty of local ski schools to choose from. Equally, if you’d prefer to learn by yourself, the resort has numerous easy slopes for you to practice on.

La Rosière also offers beginners three free ski lifts, so you won’t need to purchase a lift pass on day one to take to the slopes. Beside the Clarines and Lievre Blanc lifts, there is a dedicated section of green runs designed for learning the basics like standing, stopping and turning. Once you’ve got these skills mastered, there are longer green slopes and slightly harder blue runs on the French side of the border for you to progress onto.

La Rosière for intermediate skiers

The terrain around La Rosière is ideal for intermediate skiers who want to enjoy their time in the mountains.

You can ski the connection across to La Thuile on the Italian side of the border, which is known to be one of the most rewarding experiences the resort offers. Once in La Thuile, the runs are longer (reaching up to 11km) in comparison with the French side of the mountain where the slopes tend to be faster.

La Rosière for advanced skiers

Although not known for being the best resort for advanced skiers, La Rosière does still offer 15 black runs for more experienced skiers to test themselves on. If you’re looking for a challenge, the Franco Berthod piste has established itself as being the resort’s toughest run.

Equally, why not arrange to try some of the off-piste routes with one of the mountain guides or ski school instructors? This is a perfect way to get a true sense of the uninhabited beauty around La Rosière. If you’re new to off-piste skiing, the resort also offers avalanche rescue practice, so you can ensure you’re up to date with the latest techniques before you start your adventure.

La Rosière for families

As a recognised Famille Plus Montagne resort, La Rosière is one of the best family skiing destinations in France. The label is awarded to tourist destinations which offer high-quality, family-focused accommodation, amenities, and activities and is a reliable sign that families will find everything they need!

For skiing, families will find the Family Park in the La Poletta area of the resort. The park is perfect for little ones finding their feet on the snow, and with three courses to choose from, there’s plenty for small skiers to explore.

Outside of skiing, families can also enjoy a wide range of activities, services, and amenities:

• Activities: Cinema, bowling, ice skating, laser tag and paintball
• Services: Ski schools, childcare, and the Galopins Club – offering childcare, ski lessons and meals
• Amenities:  Family-friendly restaurants and accommodation

More things to do in La Rosière

While skiing may be the main attraction, La Rosière is packed with things to do beyond the slopes.

La Rosière après-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.

Relaxation, wellness, and leisure

You’ll find spas, cinemas, an ice skating rink and a fitness centre at La Rosière. 

For an unforgettable experience, book to spend the night in the igloo village. Guests can take a moonlight walk and enjoy a fabulous fondue dinner before spending the night in a private igloo. Even better, you’ll be woken by the sun rising across the Alps the next morning before you start a day of skiing.

Other winter adventures in La Rosière

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the snow in La Rosière, from snow kiting and tobogganing, to sledding, and even paragliding! Any thrill seekers should definitely have a go on the X-Treme Luge that runs for 1km down the mountainside. Filled with twists and turns, you can hit speeds of up to almost 30mph!

Day trips across the border

La Rosière’s location on the French-Italian border makes it perfect for a day trip into Italy! Ski into La Thuile to explore the Italian slopes and enjoy the mountain views. No visit to the Aosta Valley would be complete without a taste of the region’s cheeses and cured meats, including Fontina, Fromadzo and Lard d'Arnad.

Plan a ski trip to La Rosière

Plan your ski trip to La Rosière with top tips on driving routes and money-saving offers.