Espace San Bernardo Ski Area Accommodation

Are you thinking about booking a ski holiday and San Bernardo has made it to your shortlist?

This is an excellent ski area that suits snowsports enthusiasts of all types and tastes and Erna Low can help you find the type of comfortable, cosy and convenient accommodation that enables you to have a winter holiday to cherish.

With 152km of sublime skiable snow, 73 runs for all aptitudes and an excellent network of 34 lifts that help you explore every crevice and corner of this Alpine playground, the on and off-piste action here is awesome.

But Espace San Bernardo is also a cross-border ski area because its terrific twin resorts are La Rosière on the French side and La Thuile over in Italy ̶ these northern Alps resorts are located in the Haute Tarentaise and Aosta Valley respectively and connected by the high-altitude Petit St Bernard pass, which is closed to all transportation modes except skis in the deep midwinter.

As you can imagine, the natural scenery here in the shadow of Mont Blanc is absolutely breath-taking and the family-friendly facilities, amenities and après-ski are superb too.

A crucial component of an successful ski holiday is your accommodation and with Erna Low there are many excellent choices available across San Bernardo, many of which include not only comfy suites with all the mod cons, but also have ski-in/ski-out convenience, inhouse restaurants and onsite spa and gym facilities.

Your San Bernardo accommodation from Erna Low will always be an attractive and practically perfect part of your ski holiday package, providing the peace of mind you need to take to the slopes, breathe in that energising Alpine air and embrace the spirit of adventure.

Whether you’re skiing solo, travelling as a couple, holidaying as a family or as part of a group of friends, we can ensure every detail is taken care of so that your San Bernardo ski break is fun-packed and hassle-free.

Even if you’ve never been to the Alps, chances are that the classic A-Frame chalet design is familiar to you and possibly conjures up images of snow-covered roofs, cosy interiors, roaring log fires, cathartic hot chocolate and perhaps even bright festive jumpers.

And the chalet-style accommodation you’ll enjoy staying in during an Erna Low ski holiday in San Bernardo can definitely deliver on all of the above (albeit you’ll have to bring your own stylish knitwear!), but the origins of chalet architecture is altogether more practical.

These types of buildings were originally simple but sturdy cattle herder cottages used for storage and somewhere warm but basic for workers to lay their heads after a hard day’s graft and store dairy products.

When modern skiing became popular in the 1930s and air travel made the Alps accessible during peak winter season, early snowsports enthusiasts started renting chalets from entrepreneurial herders and the architectural style started to adapt to meet the needs of holidaymakers. Legendary British skier Erna Low was there right at the start of the ski holiday phenomenon and offered the first all-inclusive holidays to Austria as far back as 1932, hence why our expertise in the industry is pretty much peerless.

The traditional Alpine chalet is characterised by hand-built timber construction, overhanging eaves, front-facing gabled roofs, and porches and balconies, while distinctive decorative carvings featuring hearts and flowers are often added as a final aesthetic flourish. The basic purpose classic A-frame silhouette is shedding snow easily and the gradient can be varied so that some snow is retained as a natural (and free) form of insulation. Influenced by architects like Norwegian architect Henrik H. Bull, some styles since the 1950s have exaggerated the original form so that the chalet appears to be almost all roof, although the interior often comprises one and a half or two levels.

Still constructed from locally available materials like wood and stone, modern chalets in ski areas like San Bernardo come in duplex and triplex forms and are sometimes expanded to a grand scale in order to house several self-contained suites and apartments. Take a look at some of our charming chalets in this amazing area:

• Le Chalet les Marmottons is a fab family-friendly chalet-style residence located close to the heart of La Rosière ski resort where you can wake up in your plush apartment and enjoy panoramic views over the valley and Mont Pourri. There’s Wi-Fi throughout, convenient parking, and you’re close to the slopes as well as the resort’s excellent cafes, bars and restaurants. Suites are available with 1-4 bedrooms that sleep between 2-10 guests comfortably and well-appointed living rooms double as sleeping areas in the evening thanks to discreet sofa beds and day beds, while separate bedrooms offer a measure of privacy that’s welcome for many groups. Whichever configuration you choose, there are ample shower and WC facilities for all guests and all suites perfectly combine comfort, style and practicality.

• Chalet Altitude Le Refuge is another charming Savoyard chalet-style four-star accommodation with a sunny, south facing aspect which comprises 11 luxe apartments, each of which has a stone fireplace, generously proportioned lounge and bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. Living rooms feature integrated fully equipped kitchen areas with homely appliances like microwaves, cookers, dishwashers, toasters, percolators and even raclette sets, so you’re well set up if you’re happy self-catering. However, restaurants are never far away on those occasions you want to treat yourself of simply can’t be bothered cooking up a storm, and there’s an onsite swimming pool, spa and sauna where you can relax and unwind all the way in between sessions on the slopes. Speaking of which, this accommodation also offers doorstep skiing, which is a brilliant boon, especially if you’re holidaying with kids in tow. Suites here are available with 3-6 bedrooms which sleep up to 14 people in blissful comfort and the largest apartment even has its own private sauna.

As you can see, if you want to cosy up in a San Bernardo chalet, there are plenty of excellent choices available.

Ski apartments can sometimes be the most practical and convenient choice for families, so luckily Erna Low has plenty of apartment accommodation choices across Espace San Bernardo that will satisfy your every need.

While apartment interiors here are comfy, warm and sometimes furnished in a contemporary style, exteriors tend to be designed in a traditional style which echoes the unique history and heritage of this region.

Today the Petit St Bernard pass is a high-altitude snow-covered ski highway that connects the French and Italian sides of Espace San Bernardo, but its history as a cross-cultural interface was established aeons ago. Back in the Celtic era, the Salassi tribe from the Aosta Valley used the pass to visit their allies the Ceutrones in the Haute Tarentaise and, perhaps most famously, many historians believe that iconic Carthaginian general Hannibal crossed this pass in 218BC with his elephants on the way to the Po Valley. Subsequently, under Julius Caesar, the Romans built the Alpis Graia road from Milan to Vienna via the Petit St Bernard pass and this was still in use until 1858. Furthermore, in the mid-11th Century Saint Bernard de Menthon (now the patron saint of mountaineers) founded a hospice here to protect travellers from inclement weather and bandits, and in the 17th Century, monks started using the famous St Bernard rescue dogs to help locate distressed travellers. When you sip a medicinal brandy or beer in your San Bernardo apartment, remember to toast the Alpine adventurers that have come before you ̶ speaking of which, let’s take a look at what’s on offer:

• Le Lodge Hemera in La Rosière is a comfy, centrally located accommodation option in the centre of the resort where every apartment offers beautiful balcony views, authentic Savoyard décor and a luxurious living room with home comforts like satellite TV. Kitchenettes have ovens, stoves and dishwashers as standard and private parking is available onsite. This pet- and family-friendly option has Wi-Fi throughout, so you can remain well-connected with the outside world when you need to and there’s an outstanding onsite spa and swimming pool where you can relax and rest those muscles after a tough but enjoyable day on the slopes. Apartments are available with 1-4 bedrooms that sleep 2-10 guests, and this is a highly-rated residence where visitors return year after year.

• Alparena Apartment Suites is another high-class option which is centrally located and also offers doorstep skiing. Salubrious suites here sleep between 2-8 people, with authentic features like wood burners and luxury touches like jacuzzis, saunas, hammams and walk-in showers. You can spoil yourself with a catered option here but there’s also an onsite restaurant and a communal swimming pool, sauna and spa complex. A family-focused option with parking and capacity for pets (provided this is prearranged), Alparena is pretty much perfect if you’re yearning for a stress-free holiday where you can pamper yourself each and every day!

• Les Cimes Blanche is another aesthetically pleasing accommodation option in La Rosière which is family-focused, has convenient parking, Wi-Fi throughout and crucially, offers ski-in/ski-out convenience. Apartments here range from 1-5 bedrooms, which sleep between 2-12 people, so book ahead and this is an ideal residence for a family reunion ski holiday or a large group of friends. Sleeping space is cleverly maximised with sofa beds which can be tucked away during the day, self-enclosed bedrooms provide a private sleeping space and there are sufficient bathrooms and WCs to avoid large queues in the morning when everyone is getting ready to hit the pistes. The cherry on an already tasty cake is an onsite swimming pool, spa and sauna complex where you can relax after an energetic day on the slopes or purge out the impurities of a particularly refreshing night before!

As you can see, Espace San Bernardo has more apartment options than you can shake a ski stick at, so you won’t struggle to find the perfect fit for your group.

There’s something special about sequestering yourself away in a good hotel in any location ̶ it’s your turn to feel spoiled and taken care of for a while and when you close your door, kick your shoes off and throw yourself on the bed, you leave all your everyday worries behind to focus on complete relaxation and enjoyment. Furthermore, with food and drink on tap, you can easily enjoy the great indoors for days on end.

In a winter wonderland like Espace San Bernardo, this certain je ne sais quoi is magnified even more because wrapping up against the elements on the slopes outside means that the interior cosiness of heart and hearth feels even more magical. There are plenty of high-quality hotels in Espace San Bernardo which ooze Alpine hospitality, but here’s just one excellent example:

• Les Balcons de la Rosière is an attractive stone-built property at the foot of the slopes in Les Eucherts and the local supermarket and shops are close by if you need to pick up essentials or indulge in a little retail therapy. 2-7-bedroom apartments sleep between 2-16 people and larger suites include wood burning stoves and en suite bathrooms, while the views across the Haute Tarentaise valley are breath-taking. Apart from doorstep skiing, there’s a swimming pool, spa and sauna onsite, an in-house restaurant serving tasty treats and you’re a short stroll from Le Moo Bar nightclub if you really want to let your hair down. Perpetually popular with Erna Low clients, this is the perfect accommodation choice for large groups of pals, but its in-built versatility means that it’s also suitable for families with young kids.

Facilities and amenities in Espace San Bernardo really are fantastic and because these resorts have been so closely connected for years, they’re a fabulous fusion of the best aspects of French and Italian cultures, traditions, style and ambience. On and off the slopes, there’s plenty of entertainment for visitors of all ages and tastes.

For instance, if your accommodation doesn’t have onsite spa and pool facilities (or you simply fancy a change of scenery) plush establishments like Spa O De Cimes offer a range of beauty and wellness treatments, and children’s off-slope activities include cinema, ten pin bowling, husky dog sledding and indoor climbing. Ski schools like ESF offer lessons for children and adults alike and childcare is available for children from age 18 months and over.

The après-ski in Espace San Bernardo is superb too, with restaurants serving everything from haute cuisine to pizza, pasta, and local Savoyard fare like tartiflette, not to mention pubs and clubs serving beer, wine and cocktails, and even a smattering of clubs where you can party until the wee small hours. Naturally (unless you’ve got your own gear), you’ll need to arrange ski hire, but we can easily incorporate this in your ski holiday package and also source ski passes, which saves you waiting in a cold queue on arrival.

Erna Low isn’t just a ski holiday operator ̶ we’re snowsports obsessives with a heritage that stretches back to the trailblazing exploits of our founder in the 1930s. And because we love the Alps, skiing, snowboarding and the natural beauty and culture of this part of the world, we want to focus all our energy and expertise on ensuring that your ski holiday is something special, so that you become just as passionate about snowsports as we are!

Your ideal Espace San Bernardo ski accommodation will depend on the nature and needs of your group and browsing our site will provide you with comprehensive information on each stunning residence here, but by listening keenly to your needs and applying our inside knowledge garnered from years visiting and working in the area, we make sure every single box is ticked for your entire party.

For instance, a completely self-catering accommodation might suit a couple or young family who don’t mind sharing cooking duties and are happy to shop locally and spend time whipping up snacks and more substantial meals in the evening. However, if this all sounds a little hectic for a holiday, choosing a hotel or catered apartment complex with its own onsite restaurant might be preferable, and if it’s in close proximity to resort eateries, even better.

As you can see, the accommodation options on offer from Erna Low in San Bernardo befit a beautiful part of the world where you’re sure to have a holiday to remember.