LA ROSIÈRE
1800m -2650m
This high-level resort claims to be the sunniest in the Alps. Friendly and
family-orientated, it is an ideal resort for intermediates, who can hone their
skiing and sun-tans at the same time.
Our favourite reason for doing the 25 minute drive to La Rosière is to ski into Italy for lunch! La Rosière is linked with the Italian resort of La Thuile on the other side of the mountains through the spectacular Petit St Bernard pass, and it makes a great day out for good intermediates upwards. The Italy trip has become a bit of a ritual for us with the "mandatory" Bombardino stop at Oscar’s (the first bar over the border!), followed by a few runs in the pass ( with some great off-piste possibilities), a run all the way down to La Thuile via the very pretty Fourclaz and La Nuova pistes, and a long lunch at Le Rascard (“best pizzas in the world”!). We normally get back to La Rosiere in time for a couple of runs before winding down with a drink at Willi's bar. (If you have never tried a Bombardino, it is a warm mix of egg-nog, cognac and strong Italian coffee, with or without cream – honestly, it’s very nice!!)
La Rosière is also where you can go for a spot of heli-skiing. Illegal in France, the operator makes excellent use of the fact that you can be picked up just over the Italian border.