Cable car station with ski slopes and snowy mountain backdrop.

A complete guide to La Rosière

Everything you need for your La Rosière ski holiday.
10th November, 2024
5 min read time

As one of the few resorts in France where you can ski across the border into Italy, La Rosière offers a peaceful alpine lifestyle with stunning vistas that unfold around every corner, making it a truly unique destination.

As one of the most scenic French ski resorts, La Rosière invites you to experience both French and Italian slopes. Here's a practical guide we've put together just for you, filled with insider tips and essential info to help you plan the perfect La Rosière ski holiday. You'll discover everything you need to know, from its location to its ski areas, snow history, and the best spots to grab a bite or relax after skiing. At the end, we've also included the resort map, plus some handy contact numbers and links.

Let's get started!

La Rosière, France - overview

  1. Where is La Rosière?
  2. La Rosière the resort
  3. La Rosière ski area
  4. Skiing in La Rosière
  5. La Rosière ski season dates
  6. La Rosière snow history
  7. Restaurants in La Rosière
  8. Things to do in La Rosière
  9. La Rosière après-ski, and nightlife
  10. La Rosière resort map
  11. Practical information

Where is La Rosière?

La Rosière is located in the Tarentaise Valley in the Savoie region near the Italian border.


Nearest airport

  • Lyon–Saint Exupéry (223 km)

Transfer time

  • Lyon–Saint Exupéry (2hr 51 min)

La Rosière the resort

  • Resort altitude: 1850 m
  • Resort permanent residents: 80
La Rosière is a tranquil ski resort where natural beauty and a welcoming community blend seamlessly. Perfect for families and those seeking a peaceful mountain retreat, the resort's atmosphere captures the essence of a serene escape. It offers both thrilling skiing experiences and moments of quiet enjoyment. The resort's architecture is a nod to classic Savoyard design, featuring cozy chalet-style buildings adorned with warm wood, stone accents, and steep roofs. The resort is split into two main sections - the original town, maintaining a traditional feel, and Les Eucherts, mirroring a North American ski resort vibe. Les Eucherts, in particular, is home to most of the resort's chalets, positioned conveniently near ski lifts, blending ease with charm. This division offers you a choice between a classic Alpine experience and a slightly more contemporary setting, both encompassed within stunning natural landscapes.
                                                                                                           
ProsCons
Family-friendly resortLimited piste options for advanced skiers
Exceptional snowfallLimited apres ski
Excellevt off-piste opportunitiesPoor visibility across the resort during bad weather
Stunning views of the Tarentaise ValleyLift connections to Italy can be closed during strong winds

Here is what it's like at the La Rosière resort

(Ref: larisieretv)

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La Rosière ski area

  • Summit elevation: 2800 m
  • Kilometres of pistes: 155 km (Espace San Bernardo)
  • Vertical drop: 1500 m
  • Ski lifts: 20
La Rosière is a part of the Espace San Bernardo ski area, which also includes the Italian resort of La Thuile. Together, these resorts offer a unique international skiing experience with over 155 km of ski runs. La Rosière contributes significantly to this network with its diverse range of pistes, including 8 green, 13 blue, 14 red, and 5 black runs, all connected by a network of 20 lifts.

La Rosière's ski area is divided into several key sectors:

  1. La Rosière centre: As the hub of the resort, this sector offers a wide range of slopes ideal for families and beginners, with easy access to ski schools.
  2. Les Eucherts: A more recent development in La Rosière, Les Eucherts provides a mix of intermediate and advanced slopes, and it's seamlessly connected to the rest of the resort by a short walk or a free bus ride.
  3. Le Belvédère: This area is known for a mix of intermediate and advanced runs, including red and black pistes.
  4. Fort Express chairlift: This sector offers a blend of terrains suitable for all levels.
  5. La Thuile (Italy): Accessible via the Petit Saint Bernard Pass, this sector opens up the Italian side of the ski area, offering a change of scenery and cuisine.

Skiing in La Rosière

Beginners

La Rosière is an ideal starting point for beginners, with gentle green slopes in Les Eucherts perfect for learning the basics. Progression to the blue runs is facilitated by the Roches Noires chairlift, offering a slightly more challenging but still manageable terrain for novice skiers.

Intermediates

Intermediate skiers have plenty to explore, with wide, open blues and reds that offer scenic views from the peaks of Roc Noir, Fort de la Redoute, and Mont Valaisan. The journey towards La Thuile presents a variety of reds that weave through picturesque forests, providing a delightful skiing experience.

Advanced

For the more experienced, La Rosière offers 5 black runs and a patrolled off-piste zone. Adventurers can cross into Italy for heli-skiing on the Ruitor glacier or the Miravidi and even try snow-kiting. The Mont Valaisan sector, with its new lifts, now provides steeper red runs and promising off-piste terrain, especially later in the winter.

Off-piste

La Rosière's off-piste opportunities are plentiful, with wide open slopes ideal for free-riding and a designated freeride area in Mont-Valaisan. The area boasts an ungroomed black slope for those seeking a challenge, with local guides available to help navigate these thrilling terrains safely.

Snowboarding

Beginner boarders can start on the resort's green slopes, while more experienced riders might prefer the reds in La Thuile. The Poletta Snowpark, with its interlinking lines of increasing difficulty, offers a great space for honing freestyle skills.

La Rosière ski season dates

The ski season in La Rosière for 2024/25 is expected to start on December 2nd and run until April 9th, though dates may vary depending on snow conditions. If you're planning a ski holiday to La Rosière this season, be sure to explore our La Rosière ski deals for the best ski offers available.

La Rosière snow history

La Rosière boasts excellent snow conditions from December to April, offering skiers distinct advantages each month. In December and January, the resort receives around 39 cm and 40 cm of snowfall, respectively, spread over approximately 3.2 days weekly, guaranteeing consistently fresh powder. Although February sees a slight reduction in snow depth to 31 cm, it compensates with more frequent snow days, averaging 3.4 per week. December marks the peak of the season with the second week being the most prolific, delivering a substantial 54 cm of snow across 3.4 days, ideal for those who revel in Bluebird Powder Days, characterized by sunny skies and light breezes following fresh snowfalls. The season continues into April, maintaining pleasant skiing conditions with 23 cm of snow falling over 3.5 days, creating perfect conditions for enjoying softer snow in sunnier weather.


                                                                                                                                                                   
MonthSnow amount (week)Snow days (week)
December39 cm3.2 days
January40 cm3.2 days
February31 cm3.4 days
March34 cm3.7 days
April23 cm3.5 days

(Ref: snow-forecast.com)

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Restaurants in La Rosière

Mountain restaurants

L'Antigel

Known for its stunning panoramic views. This restaurant serves a blend of traditional and contemporary dishes, providing skiers with the perfect mix of hearty meals and refreshing drinks in a charming chalet setting.

La Traversette

A popular spot for its welcoming atmosphere and delicious cuisine. It’s a great place to enjoy a leisurely lunch break, with a menu that showcases a variety of local flavors and specialties, all in the midst of breathtaking mountain scenery.

La Flam

La Flam is renowned for its warm ambiance and specializes in mouth-watering, traditional Alpine dishes. This restaurant is a favorite for those looking to indulge in comfort food in a rustic and inviting environment on the mountain.

Paradis restaurant

Situated in a picturesque location, Paradis Restaurant offers a unique dining experience with a menu that combines classic mountain cuisine with modern culinary trends, all while guests enjoy sweeping views of the Alps.

Resort restaurants

Le Boréal

Le Boréal stands out for its modern and chic atmosphere, offering a diverse menu that ranges from local specialties to international cuisine, making it a perfect spot for a delightful dinner after a day on the slopes.

Le Terroir des Vignobles

This restaurant is celebrated for its focus on wine and regional delicacies, offering a sophisticated dining experience. Le Terroir des vignobles is ideal for those who appreciate fine dining in an elegant setting.

Le Solario

This restaurant offers a warm and friendly dining atmosphere, serving a variety of dishes that cater to all tastes. It’s a great place for families and groups to enjoy a relaxed meal in the village.

Rosa ristorante

Bringing Italian flair to La Rosière, this restaurant is known for its cozy ambiance, and authentic Italian cusine.

Things to do in La Rosière

  • Bubble football
  • Paragliding
  • Running trail
  • Nordic walking
  • Snowshoeing
  • Sledging
  • Paret & Yooner
  • X-treme luge
  • Cinema
  • Ice rink
  • Guided tours
  • Spa & massages
  • Library

La Rosière après-ski and nightlife

Via Ferrata

Known for its lively après ski atmosphere, Via Ferrata is a great place to unwind and socialize after a day on the slopes, offering a range of drinks and often hosting entertaining events.

Le Bonami

Le Bonami offers a relaxed and friendly environment, perfect for those looking to enjoy a quieter après ski experience.

Igloo Village Bar

Igloo Village Bar provides a unique après ski experience with its igloo-themed décor. It’s an ideal spot for enjoying a fun and memorable evening in a distinctive setting.

Le Bleue Bar

A popular après ski destination, this bar is known for its vibrant ambiance and excellent selection of drinks. It’s a perfect spot for those looking to continue the fun off the slopes and into the evening.

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La Rosière resort map

La Rosière village map

Download La Rosière resort map here

Practical information

  • Tourist office website: La Rosiere T.O
  • Tourist office phone: +33(0) 479068051
  • For visa & passport travel advice, visit here

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