Espace San Bernardo Ski Holidays

Espace San Bernardo ski area spans France and Italy, connects the famous Tarentaise Valley on the French side with the Aosta Valley in the Italian sector and includes 152km of stunning pistes and 73 runs for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.

Its twinned resorts are La Rosière in France and La Thuile in Italy and it’s named after the Petit St Bernard pass, which is closed to road vehicles in winter and can only be navigated on skis. The slopes can reach 2800m here, so conditions are usually excellent, and many are south facing, meaning that they’re sun-kissed and scenic.

There are plenty of green, blue and red runs here for beginners and intermediates, a smattering of challenging blacks for advanced skiers, off-piste opportunities, heli-skiing on the La Thuile side, a ski jump and a snow park.

Across San Bernardo you’ll find family-friendly resorts, comfortable and conveniently located accommodation, food choices that range from quick snacks to slow, sumptuous haute cuisine meals and après-ski that includes lively pubs, chic cocktail bars and bustling clubs. Quieter than its neighbouring mega ski areas but oozing authentic ambience and charm, San Bernardo is a hidden gem that feels like your own private hideaway.

On the French side, La Rosière is a charming traditional village located 1850m high on a picturesque plateau above Bourg St Maurice in the Haute Tarentaise and this scenic setting has led to it being dubbed ‘the balcony of the Tarentaise’. Because of its close proximity to the Petit St Bernard pass, La Rosière is usually the loftiest point accessible by road when the pass closes and benefits from heavy snow drifting in from nearby Mont Blanc. This is a snow-sure resort with wide nursery slopes and a versatile mix of blue, red and black runs for intermediate and advanced skiers. Add family-friendly accommodation, off-slope entertainment and laid-back après-ski and La Rosière is the ideal spot for a chilled-out Alpine break.

On the Italian side of Espace San Bernardo, La Thuile is a serene and charming traditional ski village with a respectable resort altitude of 1441m and skiing right up to 2610m. There are a few decent black runs here, but blues and reds dominate, making it a haven for intermediates, and it’s snow sure throughout the season. The nightlife is more mild than wild here, but you’ll still find quality cafes and restaurants as well as a handful of lively and welcoming bars where you can socialise with visitors and locals alike over a few beers, wines or cocktails. If you’re an advanced skier or snowboarder, you’ll be glad to know that La Thuile is a popular launchpad for heli-skiing adventures.

As you can see, if you’re a skiing family, solo skier or couple and love traditional Alpine scenery, seriously good skiing action, ample off-slope activities and a relaxed après-ski scene, Espace San Bernardo should be right up your street.