© La Rosière
An exciting new development is in the works at La Rosière, in France’s Savoie region. The ski resort is planning to expand its ski area to allow skiers and snowboarders to access the higher terrain on Mont Valaisan, opening up a whole new bowl of pisted and freeride terrain. La Rosière is the only ski area to link France and Italy in the northern Alps, connecting to La Thuile in the Aosta Valley. The Mont Valaisan expansion project is especially enticing for expert skiers, who will no longer have to cross the border to Italy to find challenging slopes. The chairs are expected to be up and running for December 2018.
The Mont Valaison expansion project had been in the works since the resort’s inception in 1961, but approval was a complicated process, not least because of environmental red tape. However, a representative from La Rosière says the resort was happy to comply with environmental concerns, as they too wish to preserve the beauty of the mountain landscapes. The project, costing €15 million, will see the installation of two 6-seater detachable chairlifts and five new red pistes.
The ride from the bottom of the new Moulins Express (1935m) to the top of the Mont Valaison Express (2800m) will take less than 8 minutes, with a quick mid-mountain stop at 2450m for those who do not wish to go all the way to the top. The new lifts will add a wealth of more difficult terrain to the ski area, good news for advanced skiers and snowboarders looking for a challenge. Freeriders will also be able to access plenty of new off-piste possibilities.
Clearing the snow at the future mid-mountain station (2450m) © La Rosière
The ski area regularly ranks among the top 3 snowiest ski resorts in France. In the 2017/2018 ski season, La Rosière received a total average snowfall of more than 11m. As of late April when the ski resort closed, there were still several metres of snow on the slopes. La Rosière is confident that they can guarantee good-quality snow in the Mont Valaison bowl due to the high altitude – the new ski area will rise as high as 2800m.
La Rosière is one of France’s best-kept secrets. Still undiscovered by the masses, La Rosière links up with La Thuile in Italy’s Aosta Valley to form the Espace San Bernardo ski area, with around 150km of pistes. South-facing slopes and a stellar snow record place the ski resort squarely among the top ski resorts in France. Currently an excellent choice for families and beginner skiers, the new expansion will increase the offering for expert skiers. La Rosière also installed a funcross slope in the 2017/2018 ski season and a breathtaking panoramic footbridge with spectacular views of the Mont Blanc and other surrounding mountains. Despite the new improvements, a 6-day lift pass next season will still cost just €222.
© La Rosière
An exciting new development is in the works at La Rosière, in France’s Savoie region. The ski resort is planning to expand its ski area to allow skiers and snowboarders to access the higher terrain on Mont Valaisan, opening up a whole new bowl of pisted and freeride terrain. La Rosière is the only ski area to link France and Italy in the northern Alps, connecting to La Thuile in the Aosta Valley. The Mont Valaisan expansion project is especially enticing for expert skiers, who will no longer have to cross the border to Italy to find challenging slopes. The chairs are expected to be up and running for December 2018.
The Mont Valaison expansion project had been in the works since the resort’s inception in 1961, but approval was a complicated process, not least because of environmental red tape. However, a representative from La Rosière says the resort was happy to comply with environmental concerns, as they too wish to preserve the beauty of the mountain landscapes. The project, costing €15 million, will see the installation of two 6-seater detachable chairlifts and five new red pistes.
The ride from the bottom of the new Moulins Express (1935m) to the top of the Mont Valaison Express (2800m) will take less than 8 minutes, with a quick mid-mountain stop at 2450m for those who do not wish to go all the way to the top. The new lifts will add a wealth of more difficult terrain to the ski area, good news for advanced skiers and snowboarders looking for a challenge. Freeriders will also be able to access plenty of new off-piste possibilities.
Clearing the snow at the future mid-mountain station (2450m) © La Rosière
The ski area regularly ranks among the top 3 snowiest ski resorts in France. In the 2017/2018 ski season, La Rosière received a total average snowfall of more than 11m. As of late April when the ski resort closed, there were still several metres of snow on the slopes. La Rosière is confident that they can guarantee good-quality snow in the Mont Valaison bowl due to the high altitude – the new ski area will rise as high as 2800m.
La Rosière is one of France’s best-kept secrets. Still undiscovered by the masses, La Rosière links up with La Thuile in Italy’s Aosta Valley to form the Espace San Bernardo ski area, with around 150km of pistes. South-facing slopes and a stellar snow record place the ski resort squarely among the top ski resorts in France. Currently an excellent choice for families and beginner skiers, the new expansion will increase the offering for expert skiers. La Rosière also installed a funcross slope in the 2017/2018 ski season and a breathtaking panoramic footbridge with spectacular views of the Mont Blanc and other surrounding mountains. Despite the new improvements, a 6-day lift pass next season will still cost just €222.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
