What You Need to Know About La Rosiere
The European mountain range of The Alps is one of the most beautiful and well-visited in the world. The region is packed with a whole host of ski resorts, and if you’re planning a trip to the area it can be tricky to know which resort to choose.
One hidden gem that is often overlooked is the stunning La Rosiere resort that can be found in the heart of the French Alps. The area offers breathtaking scenery, wonderful skiing opportunities and a unique blend of French and Italian culture.
Whether you’re a seasoned skier or someone who has never set foot on the slopes, the resort has something for everyone. Here at Alpine Fleet, we regularly help visitors and holidaymakers make their way to the resort thanks to our range of private and shared transfers.
With this in mind, our team has gained comprehensive knowledge of La Rosiere as well as many neighbouring resorts, and in this article, we’ll outline everything you need to know about the region.
Where is La Rosiere?
First, let’s take a closer look at exactly where La Rosiere is.
A charming resort that is one of the Alps’ quintessential destinations, La Rosiere can be found in the heart of the Tarentaise Valley in the famous Savoie region of southeastern France. Nestled at an altitude of 1,850 metres it is on the sunny side of the valley meaning you can make the most of stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. This includes the Alps’ largest and most famous mountain – Mont Blanc.
The resort is positioned close to the French-Italian border, which makes it one of just a few ski resorts in France where you can actually cross into Italy while skiing.
Furthermore, the resort is part of the Espace San Bernardo ski area, which links together La Rosiere with the Italian resort of La Thuile. Skiers can experience a wide range of pistes, with more than 150 kilometres of ski runs available across the two resorts. The opportunity to enjoy skiing in two nations is a big draw to many visitors.
The history of La Rosiere
The resort of La Rosiere has a rich history, with skiing in the area dating back to the 12th century. Originally it was a small farming village and a place that acted as an important stop on trade routes between both France and Italy. Even before it established itself as a premier skiing destination, the region was known as a significant transportation and trading hub.
The first origins of the resort were established in the early 1950s, on the site of an old hamlet. Local entrepreneurs saw the potential for tourism in the region due to the high altitude, snow reliability and remarkable sunshine the area enjoyed. The local village was then transformed into a full-fledged resort and even though it was modernised it has maintained its original alpine charm. As skiing became more and more popular in the latter part of the 20th century, people from all over the world then began visiting La Rosiere.
It was in the 1980s that a connection with La Thuile in Italy was forged. This cross-border link opened up even more skiing terrain and made La Rosiere even more attractive to visitors as people could enjoy skiing opportunities across two countries.
How to get to La Rosiere?
If you’re planning a trip to La Rosiere, flying into Geneva Airport in Switzerland is your best bet. It offers regular flights from many major European cities, and beyond, with a wide range of different fares available. Chambery Airport in France is closer to the resort, it takes about one hour and 50 minutes to get to La Rosiere, but it has fewer flights and connections.
A drive from Geneva to La Rosiere tends to take around two hours and 30 minutes (depending on the conditions) and we’d always recommend using an airport transfer once you have landed.
At Alpine Fleet, we offer two different transfer types that you can choose from.
First, there are private transfers.
Once your flight has landed, this option will provide you with exclusive access to one of our comfortable vehicles, where an experienced driver will take you directly to the resort and to directly to your accommodation. On the way, you can enjoy stunning scenic views of the Alps, with our driver able to provide you with local recommendations and fascinating facts about the region.
Alternatively, you can opt for a shared transfer. This is a slightly cheaper option, but you will have to share a vehicle with other people who are also travelling to La Rosiere or a nearby resort.
The journey will follow a predetermined route, visiting a range of resorts to drop people off. Once we’ve reached La Rosiere and you’ve disembarked, if you prefer you can then utilise a small, private minivan that will be able to take you to the door of your accommodation.
Some visitors choose to use the train to get to La Rosiere.
The nearest train station to the resort is Bourg-Saint-Maurice. You can use France’s high-speed trains from Paris on the TGV that go directly to the resort, and if you’re travelling from the UK you can go on the Eurostar before changing in Paris.
Once you’ve arrived at Bourg-Saint-Maurice, you’ll then need to use a bus or taxi that will get you to the resort in around 30 minutes.
Is La Rosiere good for beginners?
As well as its stunning scenery and beautiful views, one of the standout features of La Rosiere is the fact that it has a reputation for being a beginner-friendly resort. This makes it a great choice if you’re a first-time skier or someone who isn’t super confident out on the slopes.
La Rosiere offers a great environment for learning for several reasons:
- Beginner slopes: La Rosiere is home to a variety of wide, gentle slopes that are perfect for skiing rookies. Many of the resort’s green slopes can be found extremely close to the main village which makes them easily accessible and convenient to get to grips with. Beginners are able to practice their skills on the resort’s excellent nursery slopes before progressing to the long, wide blue runs that offer a seamless transition to more intermediate skiing once you’ve mastered the basics.
- Ski schools: The resort also boasts several high-quality ski schools including the prestigious ESF (Ecole du Ski Francais) which is known for its friendly, experienced and quality ski instructors. Many of the instructors also speak multiple languages, including English, which makes it easy for international visitors. You’ll be able to choose between group lessons, private lessons and even lessons just for your family or group.
- Lift passes: La Rosiere also provides a range of attractive lift pass packages for beginners. These passes are extremely affordable and often provide you with access to the resort’s easiest slopes, giving all newcomers a chance to build confidence and without needing to pay for access to more advanced terrain that you will not use.
- A family-friendly atmosphere: The resort of La Rosiere has a reputation as one of the Alps’ most family-friendly destinations and this is another reason it is an excellent choice for beginners. There is always a relaxed atmosphere along with a range of childcare facilities and kid specific ski programmes. This means La Rosiere is always a wonderful choice for for families who want to learn to ski together in a friendly and collaborative atmosphere.
Is there snow in La Rosiere?
Yes, La Rosiere is well known for its reliable snow conditions, making it a great choice for skiers who are keen to ensure there is good snow coverage throughout the season.
At an altitude of around 1,850 metres, La Rosiere is known for being one of the higher resorts in the French Alps. While altitude is not everything, this elevation level means the resort benefits from good snow coverage from around December to around late April. This is during the peak ski season and the skiable terrain can be found between 1,200 and 2,650 metres ensuring excellent snow conditions across a range of pistes.
Interestingly, La Rosiere is often referred to as the ‘balcony of Tarentaise’ because of its sunny slopes. However, the resort’s southern exposure does not negatively impact its snow quality thanks to the high altitude. The combination of snow and sunshine creates a perfect environment for enjoyable skiing and even later in the season it typically manages a good level of snow coverage.
Heading to La Rosiere?
If you’re considering a visit to La Rosiere, Alpine Fleet is here to help. Our leading private and shared transfers can make the journey far easier, helping you get to your accommodation without having to worry about navigating public transport or the tricky mountain roads. To find out more or to discuss your requirements with our friendly team, get in touch today.
