Often overlooked by skiers seeking the thrills offered by Tignes, Val d’Isere and La Plagne, La Rosière is a resort with a lot to offer skiers of all abilities.
It’s known for having everything. From wide slopes that make it easy for beginners to progress to good off-piste opportunities for the advanced or adventurous. It’s also established a reputation as being a great resort for families, thanks to the variety of accommodation, and range of activities to enjoy off the slopes.
For somewhere that’s both sunny and snowy, look no further than La Rosière.
Whether a beginner or an advanced skier, you’ll have a great time on the slopes of La Rosière
Where is La Rosière?
Built at an altitude of 1850m, La Rosière is in the Tarentaise valley. Located within 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.
Explore France and Italy via the Petit St Bernard Pass
Driving to La Rosière from Calais
Although the drive from Calais to La Rosière takes around 9 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.
What is the skiing like 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.
The variance of slopes and skiing on offer in La Rosière is unmissable
Exploring La Rosière ski resort
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.
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.
Advanced skiing in La Rosière
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 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.
Settle down with friends and family after a long day on the slopes
Other activities in La Rosière
Staying at a resort with lots of different activities available can really enhance a skiing holiday.
Not only does La Rosière offer spas, cinemas and a fitness centre for guests to enjoy but there are also plenty of other snow filled experiences for you to try.
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!
For something more sedate but still truly unmissable, 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.
Waking up to the sunrise over the Alps – an item you never knew you needed on your bucket list!
Exclusive ski rental for Eurotunnel customers
Renting ski equipment is one of the easiest ways to save some money, particularly if you’re trying it for the first time. At Eurotunnel, we’ve teamed up with Skimium to offer Eurotunnel customers a wide range of ski equipment at the best price. Catering for skiers of all levels, find what you need and save between 10% and 50% when booking online.
Eurotunnel Offers: SKIMIUM
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