Chris from UNITED KINGDOM writes:
La Rosiere (Ros) is a constantly expanding resort though still fairly small compared with its neighbours Les Arcs, Tignes, and Val-D. With the connection to La Thuile in Italy the pistes cover a substantial 150km of piste and there are vast off piste options available between them.
The area lift pass gets you discounted day rates at other resorts close by, definitely head to ste. Foy, voted one of the top ten off piste resorts in the world, where all the instrutors go on their days off, for just 10 euro for the day and only a 15 min drive from Ros; get someone to tell you the quickest way. Car hire available from Bourg St, Maurice.
The general feeling amongst people that visit this resort is that it really only caters for beginners to intermediates with mainly tame blue and red runs. More advanced skiers can ski both resorts completely in a couple of days with their only thrills being the blacks down through the trees into La Thuile and some off piste opportunities around the Fort area and that's as hard as it gets.
The resort is an ideal family resort and is dominated by the large influence of the specific child care companies that are there. It is also mainly all owned by the same french family, the "Arpin's", and this adds to the cosy warm welcome you get there. The resort is full of character and charm, a real idyllic alpine treat when covered by snow; a slagheap through summer though.
2 ski schools, both as good as each other, and similar prices.
It is much easier to let your travel company get your lift passes 'coz the office can be mayhem some mornings.
The lift system is not the most modern you will have ever seen even with the introduction last year of two new six-man lifts. There are a lot of surface lifts which are quite old and can give quite a nasty kick to get you on your way. The most important fact I can tell you is that those new lifts do not have an optional cover, oh no, you are a sitting duck to the wind that will take your skin off if you don't protect yourself against it particularly in 2nd half of January and all of February.
The snow record is pretty good, with an almost gauranteed dump lasting at least a couple of weeks in February i.e. a very cold blizzard and lots of white outs. With that in mind the best time to visit Ros for powder is either last week in feb or first week in march. Slush and uncertainty before new year and although the end to the season has sporadic small dumps that keep the resort going, most of the last week in march until the end of april is freeze/thaw conditions.
This resort is south facing so you can get your tan here too! The sun is only ever beaten by a good dump so take precautions or you'll be blessed with lovely goggle marks, etc.
Night life is not a big part of La Ros with just 4 bars in town. The best for entertainment, hospitality and value would be Le petit danois - the little danish? And if Meds (sounds like mess but slightly with a D in it) is there behind the bar this year you're sure to have a wild time! Loads of good evening restaurants in resort, personal favourites include Le chalet (may be closed 05/06), L'ancolie or le petit danois (for a good pizza).
Eating during the day is best done in Italy, its both cheaper and tastes better.
Oh and beer, but don't have too many or try to carry loads back, coz you'll end up in a mess somewhere on the way back!
Ros has a chips/kebabs/pizza shop, only opens til 8pm.
Internet available in resort. Photography and video service too. Cinema and gym in town for white outs!
A few good equipment shops, but all at resort price, take a bus to Bourg st Maurice if you want stuff cheaper, I really recommend the "tip Top" board shop there.
Only one doctor in resort, he's good with bones and injuries but not much else, take nurofen or other painkillers with you in case, if the doctor writes you up for painkillers thats all it will be! but just cost you more! oh and even take bandages coz he will provide you with fancy ones at a cost though suppose if your insurance is good that'll cover it but he will expect to be paid by you in cash.
Piste rescue costs a lot, if you are going to be going off piste definitely take out a "carte neige" with the lift pass office, its really cheap and will get you off the mountain for sure, I've heard people with experience tell me that they won't take you unless they know they will get paid first so at bear minimum carry a credit card.
Crimes do occur every season, main threats to you are equipment thats not locked up overnight, coats in busy bars and monies from unsecure chalets.
Prettiest run, "fontaine froid" a red through trees in Ros Snow park is ok but kinda basic, you can get a nice back flip off one of the red kickers.
Overall, the resort is good and although i've started to sound negative I just wanted to give you a true insight to things that could potentially happen but are actually quite rare. So I would go back, but then I'm not an advanced skier, I hope I've not put you off, this resort is great if you are learning or improving.
Good activities available such as heli-skiing or snow shoeing.
Don't expect to see loads of st bernard dogs, even though this is where they originate from, the only ones your likely to see are the stuffed toy ones.
Oh, and La Ros is called so because of the beautiful sunsets and the pink colour it makes the snow look.
Happy Dayz!
2005-11-18 |
