An often overlooked sun trapped in a snow-sure region of France, The ski resort of La Rosière boasts options for everyone, especially with the linked ski area in neighbouring La Thuile across the Italian border (by drag lift). If you’re looking for an ideal option for a family or inexperienced group you might find this resort the diamond-in-the-rough you didn’t even know existed!
I would say the resort of La Rosière is absolutely ideal for a beginner/intermediate couple or a family. I had a great time hunting off piste with my mate, but a group of experienced skiers may find it limited (however, people who say they’re ‘experienced’ rarely are!). If you’re looking to progress to off-piste skiing, the abundance and location of it is ideal in both resorts (La Thuile is included on the lift pass – read on). Good pitch, great snow and easily navigable. The resort ran an off-piste taster lesson for 3 hours on Wednesday and Thursday mornings with all equipment provided. Ski school is well provided and there are many English speaking instructors.
The Lodging:
The location of all the Skiworld chalets is in a ski-in/walk-out (walking to the lift takes no more than 3 minutes in ski boots) apartment bock in Les Eucherts [les esh-a’s], which is a development of a tiny hamlet off-shoot of the purpose-built resort of La Rosière. The elevation is almost identical, and to get between the two base villages you can walk along a really picturesque forest stroll for 10 minutes (which is illuminated at night), take the free navette (ski bus) every 30 minutes, or the free local minibus every 15 minutes. The busses take longer than walking though! There is a decent chairlift from the base of Les Eucherts which connects you to the main ski area easily. There is also one free drag lift at the base, as well as 2 free lifts in La Rosière centre.
The Skiing:
Ski runs are graded in comparison with what’s in the resort, so a red in La Rosière would be more of a blue in say, Tignes or St Anton. There were limited black runs, but all runs linked well and there was minimal traversing for snowboarders (except if coming back from La Thuile at the end of the day). Skiing in La Rosière is wide open, high alpine style. Lots of sweeping runs and varied off-piste if you feel like it. Getting to La Thuile (on the Italian side) takes about an hour all told and there are a couple of routes – all involve at least one drag lift. Skiing in La Thuile is more varied with high alpine up top, and a lot more skiing below the tree line heading down to the resort base. There seemed to be a lot more and better daytime dining options on the Italian side. The snow was better quality but not as plentiful when I was there, probably due to the aspect – La Rosière is South facing (and basks in glorious sunshine!) whilst La Thuile is North facing.
Après etc:
There are a couple of bars in Les Eucherts. Kitsbuhl was most popular and open from mid-morning. There’s a bowling alley in there too! The Moo Bar was another, alongside a few retail shops, restaurants and a Sherpa supermarket… Options were limited but sufficient. For more variety on all fronts is worth the stroll into La Rosière for a good mooch. You won’t be disappointed with the variety of options.
If you have the energy, La Rosière offers a surprising bounty of après activities. You could try off-piste torch-lit sledging at night (a must!), a weekly slalom race, torch-lit decent, massage therapist, bowling, ice skating and dog sledding. There are also alternatives to skiing on offer such as kite skiing/boarding, speed riding and paragliding as well as snowshoeing which seemed pretty popular.
So, in conclusion, La Rosière is an uncrowded, pretty, compact, peaceful and traditional French ski resort, and given the opportunity, I would most certainly visit again.
click here for the double-whammy of La Rosiere & La Thuile!
