Are you new to the slopes and want to start off your winter sports adventure without too much pressure? Or are you a long-time skier who just feels like a casual, relaxed holiday? Then you might prefer the calm feel of a smaller, less competitive resort over one of the big ones.
La Rosière is, as far as the Three Valleys go, the epitome of the cosy and charming holiday destination, with a lovely, local feel to it. It is replete with not just its own opportunities, but also with excellent travel links!
Within La Rosière
La Rosière has a wealth of easy to intermediate runs, making it perfect for skiers seeking a no-pressure experience. Its slopes are south-facing, commanding all-day sunshine and magnificent views of the Tarentaise Valley. Absolute beginners will benefit from the resort’s nursery slopes as well as its two ski schools, allowing them to find their feet before tearing down the slopes on their own.
Access to Other Resorts
La Rosière is located on the Franco-Italian border, giving it easy access to plenty of other resorts. If weather conditions are less than ideal on La Rosière’s south-facing slopes, for example, it’s only a short journey to get to the Italian resort of La Thuile, whose north-facing slopes tend to be well-dusted with fresh powder.
While La Rosière does feature a selection of red and black runs for more advanced skiers in search of a challenge, its well-connected location also makes it perfect for daily excursions to other resorts. If you’re travelling with a mixed group and the more advanced skiers have exhausted the opportunities within La Rosière, they can easily strike out on their own in search of more difficult runs.
Other Activities
La Rosière offers other pastimes besides skiing, completing the experience of a relaxed, no-pressure winter sports holiday. It’s perfect for ski touring, especially given the small size of the resort and its proximity to the Italian border (making it possible to ski over into Italy), and, as well as other winter sports, it even offers the opportunity to visit the Great St. Bernard Hospice, where the first of the famous mountain rescue dogs were bred.
How to Get to La Rosière
There is no way to reach La Rosière from Geneva Airport using only public transport. Luckily there are quick and easy Geneva Airport ski transfers available, or alternatively you can rent a car. The drive is a little over two hours along the A41 and the N90, crossing the Franco-Swiss border. Don’t forget that you’ll need to pay a toll along the way.
Where to Stay
L’Accroche Coeur – this hotel is replete with cosy, rustic wood panelling, and its chalet-style rooms come in at a remarkably affordable price. Beautiful communal areas and lift access to every room round off the experience, making L’Accroche an excellent place to stay.
CGH Résidences & Spas Le Lodge Hemera – epitomising the modern chalet style, where traditional, rustic, predominantly wooden Alpine décor is married seamlessly with breathtakingly stunning contemporary design elements, the 4 star Hemera is as stylish as it is comfortable. Here, you can rereHelax in a luxury setting after a long day out in the snow!
Chalet Matsuzaka – if you’re after a completely unique hotel experience, the Matsuzaka may pique your interest. Combining Alpine cosiness with Japanese design elements, the hotel is roomy, elegant and luxurious. If you do stay at this gem of a hotel, be sure to make use of the Japanese spa, allowing you to contrast the warmth and relaxation of spa treatments with the strange sensation of enjoying an outdoor spa in the middle of an Alpine winter.
