La Rosiere - is it always so brutal?

[Mummyinthedark]

Did anyone else ski La Ros on Boxing Day? We came over from Ste Foy to try it out and the wind on the pistes was brutal. Took the kids on that long drag lift as we were all excited about skiing into Italy. One fell off and my DH had to jump off, get both their skis off and walk up the hill. Both were crying with cold and frustration (I was not far off). DS 1, who managed to hold on all the way, was sobbing and wailing: "I hate skiing, I hate France, this is the worst day of my life" - and he is a very positive and sunny boy! we were also well wrapped up with balaclaves, helmets, handwarmers and so on.
The drag is just interminable and the wind blew right into our faces all the way. Skiing back the wind was behind us thankfukly but in many places the piste was completely obscured by powder blown over the top.
We laughed at the end of the day but it seemed a very high, exposed area and I wondered how often it is that harsh? back in Ste Foy the conditions that day had been perfect - almost no wind as the pistes are much more protected.
I know lots of MNers go to La Ros - how often is it like this?

[Nettee]

I don't know the answer to your question but I do want to know how you got with Ventre Ski in Sainte Foy. Did you have a good time? Would you go back?

[Mummyinthedark]

We had a great week. Venture Ski were good on most things:

• chalet very very comfortable, food very good and we had a very obliging chef. Chalet team were lovely, couldn't do enough for us and were sweet with the boys. we also made lots of use of the pool and jacuzzi - so nice at the end of the day.
  Head nanny is an Aussie guy and he is very good, well organised, kids loved him and he led some great snow games.
  Village is very pretty, skiing limited but fine for me - sheltered and slopes never very busy.
  Had an amazing massage with the Venture ski therapist, at an amazingly low cost too!
  BUT...resort management is a bit chaotic, they are not very good at following up with days to other resorts and managing lifts to and from the chair lift. Other than head nanny, Matt, the other nannies are a bit wet, and we didn't get the help with getting the kids ready that we got with Scott Dunn nannies. The resort team managed to leave their contact phone unanswered for about 4 hours one day when we were calling them to arrange our pick up (back from our trauma in La Ros). It was the first week of the season but they need to get themselves on top of their game if they want to be in the "luxury" bracket - which their prices are.
  Would go again for the chalet and team, and would push hard on organisational stuff - but would be put off by the ski school option. There is only ESF in Ste Foy, and, while the boys were fine, we have seen them progress better in other years in smaller groups.
  let me know if you have any other questions

[Wheelybug]

We went to La Ros 2 years ago and going back this year. I think the winds can get up in the cross over to Italy but we tend to ski in March so didn't really notice it as a problem (as warmer).

[MyCatIsABiggerBastardThanYours]

Not done La Rosiere but did ski La Thuille (same ski area) about 4 yrs ago and that was incredibly windy. On the last couple of days I couldn't really ski because it was white out (it was awful, had to spend quite a bit of time in the bar drinking bombardino's ).

DH (ski teacher and has skied almot everywhere!) says it is quite windy just because it's high.

[Mummyinthedark]

Thanks for input ladies. Had La Rosiere in my head as a possible for a family holiday for us in a year or so. The high, bitter wind on Boxing Day gave me a nasty shock and made me think - er, no way could we stay there....but it does seem to be a great ski area, hence my question re the weather any of you had experienced.

Also, I am factoring in the time of year. Sometimes we go at Easter, which of course is much warmer, and which I really enjoy.

[CornflakeMum]

We went at Easter last year and had the same experience as you - that drag into Italy really is a killer, isn't it. I decided I wouldn't risk our 2 kids (7 & 10) on it, as if you fall off, there is literally miles to walk/ski down .

[greygirl]

you should try it on a snowboard

[DarrellRivers]

Or try Canada [brrgh]

[MrsGuyOfGisbourne]

Hve never ben as cold skiing as on chairlift in La Ros, but it is a lovely place, and not always windy! You were a bit foolhardy bold to go over to La Thuile on your first outing there, because of the long drag, and were actually quite lucky to be able to get back, as they do close the lifts quite often when the weather gets too bad, and you can be suck in Italy - if you choose a day with goofd weather - and they are the majority - it is a brilliant trip.

[toomanyprojects]

We have been to la Ros three times - always first week of February. Normally tend to have at least one windy day but last year was the worst for wind and white outs - we went on the long drag when it looked okay - by the time we got off we couldn't see a thing - DH went really dizzy as you just couldn't get your bearings - not the best moment of my life! Twice I skiied off the piste by accident and someone behind followed...

Normally La Ros is sunny but last year I didn't get to sit outside at lunchtime once I don't think.

[rhapsodyinblue]

Is the long drag the only way back to La Thuile?

We're going for Feb half term, staying on the Italian side and I'd been hoping we could ski to France for lunch one day.

This thread is putting me off doing that - although I'd seen on another ski forum that "locals only ski to La Rosiere when the weather is good."

Any idea if Courmayeur might be less prone to wind? We're due to stay along the valley and will have the car with us so will have a choice of ski areas.

[MrsGuyOfGisbourne]

Would not bother going all the way down to La Ros for lunch - nothing special down there, stay up the mountain, but very pretty red runs down from the top into La Thuile are brill.

[rhapsodyinblue]

Thanks MrsGuy - one of the best bits about ski-ing for me is the anticipation - we haven't been as a family for a while and I'm sooo excited, especially about going to Italy.

[mummydoc]

rhaps - we went to italy skiing at easter ( claviere) and skied over into france one day ( mongtnevere) don't bother ! the prices in france compared to italy at slope side bars and restaurents had us heading very quickly back.

[GothDetective]

Oh God, I'm off to La Rosiere for the first time the week after next.