Vacation Idea: A Week in La Rosière , in September or October

August 21, 2024

Lodge des Glaciers, our resort in La Rosière, is open year-round. Why not treat yourself to a mountain getaway in September or October? Vibrant fall colors, peaceful hiking trails, and minimal traffic on the roads through the major Alpine passes… All the ingredients are there for a week of active and rejuvenating vacation!

@La Rosière

Day 1: Hike along the Chemin des Écoliers starting from La Rosière

The vacation gets off to a gentle start with this lovely loop hike of about 6 km, with 400 m of elevation gain (and loss, since you have to make your way back…). The Chemin des Écoliers gets its name from the young students who used to walk along it to get to the four schools in the town of Montvalezan.

This trail will take you from meadows to forests, and from forests to hamlets (Le Châtelard, Le Villaret, Le Solliet, Les Laix, La Combaz…) as you discover traditional chalets with slate roofs (those flat, skillfully cut stones used as roof tiles). Breathe deeply: you might just catch the scent of a fireplace burning to ward off the first chill of autumn…

Day 2: Road cycling to the Petit Saint Bernard Pass

You did a gentle warm-up yesterday—now let’s get down to business with the bike climb up the Petit Saint Bernard Pass (2,188 m)!

You have three options to choose from, depending on your fitness level:

• Option 1: La Rosière > Petit Saint Bernard Pass

8 km / 338 m elevation gain (one way) – The easiest way to get your picture taken with the pass’s mascot, a statue of Saint Bernard sticking out his tongue, with his famous little barrel around his neck.

• Option 2: Séez > La Rosière > Col du Petit Saint Bernard

24 km / 1,288 m of elevation gain (one way) – Plus a stretch on the “pink road” that caused such a sensation during the 2018 Tour de France!

• Option 3: La Rosière > Petit Saint Bernard Pass > La Thuile (Italy)

In addition to the 8 km and 338 m of elevation gain in Option 1, there’s the descent to the village of La Thuile in the Aosta Valley. A little over 13 km… which you’ll then have to climb back up in the opposite direction (750 m of elevation gain to the Petit Saint Bernard Pass) to return to La Rosière !

You should really feel the strain on that 8% grade 6 km from the summit… Maybe it’s because of the inevitable slip-up in your nutrition plan that you’ll have taken care to make in the land of ice cream, pizza, and cappuccino? Don’t regret a thing—all those treats were worth it.

@La Rosière

Day 3: Hike to Lake Arpy in Italy

The second and final big push of the week before the well-deserved rest scheduled for tomorrow!

Pack a picnic, hop in the car and head toward Italy, then park in La Thuile, on the other side of the Petit Saint Bernard Pass, in the hamlet of Thovex*. From there, hike for 2½ hours up to the Col de la Croix (Colle della Croce in Italian), and take the time to make a short detour past the ancient fortifications to the Pointe de la Croix (Punta della Croce). The reward: a breathtaking view of the Mont Blanc massif, the Grandes Jorasses, and the famous Swiss Matterhorn in the distance.

Head back to the pass, then walk to Lac d’Arpy (Lago d’Arpy) in 45 minutes for a well-deserved picnic break. If the weather is calm, you can fill your phone’s photo gallery with images of the Grandes Jorasses and the fall foliage reflected in the lake’s waters… Want to extend the hike? Continue on to Pietro Rossa Lake.

Once you’re back at the car, don’t head straight back to France: stop in La Thuile to stock up on Italian specialties (pasta, cured meats, cookies…). Is it almost dinnertime ? Pop into a pizzeria before heading back to Lodge des Glaciers ! Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, Prosciutto e funghi… A tasty way to brush up on your Italian ;)

*Note: For an easier hike, park at Col de San Carlo instead. This will minimize the elevation gain on the climb up to Col de la Croix. Perfect if you’re hiking with children, for example!

@QC terms

Day 4: Wellness Day in Italy at the Pré Saint Didier Thermal Baths

The last two days have been intense—you’ve really earned some pampering! How about a few hours spent soaking in outdoor baths and hot tubs, with a view of the mountains? By car: it’s just a 45-minute drive to the Pré Saint Didier thermal baths, in Italy!

If we had to describe the setting in a single word, we would certainly choose “enchanting.” In a large park with a view of the mountain peaks (which may be dusted with the first snow), you’ll move from the hot tub to the sauna, and from the sauna to the cold plunge, wrapped up in the bathrobe provided upon your arrival. As the day goes on, you’ll surely want to extend your relaxation in the indoor areas: invigorating waterfalls, soothing mists, themed steam rooms and saunas, relaxation rooms…

Heavenly scents, a subdued atmosphere: the Pré Saint Didier spa experience will awaken all your senses—including your taste buds, thanks to the “healthy” dining options available at lunchtime and for aperitifs (the aptly named “Aperiterme”).

As you can see, the thermal baths at Pré Saint Didier are a real favorite of the team atAltitude Résidences —a must-see in the fall, that transitional season when we start to slow down before settling in for the long winter months…

Our tip: Compare offers online before clicking the "Book" button. Rates are dynamic and vary depending on the day and time.

Choose your pass on the official website of the Thermes de Pré Saint Didier (5-hour pass, day pass, evening pass to relax under the stars, massages, etc.).

®andyparant.com

Day 5: E-MTB (electric mountain bike) in La Rosière

Are the Bike Park’s lifts closed? No problem: grab your e-MTB and ride the “enduro” trails of La Rosière —powered by your leg muscles (and your battery)! Several loops ranging from green (very easy) to black (very difficult) are accessible from the Lodge des Glaciers.

For example:

- The Teppe des Abeilles Trail | Green level (very easy) | 6 km | +/- 180 m (starting from Les Eucherts, via a short 1.6-km connecting trail from La Rosière -Centre)

- The Blue Velvet Trail | Blue Level (easy) | 10.5 km | +/- 560 m (starting from La Rosière Center)

- The Hannibal Trail | Black Level (very difficult) | 22.8 km | +/- 1,140 m (starting from Les Eucherts, via a short 1.6-km connecting route from La Rosière -Centre). This route offers the chance to descend through the hamlets, including Le Châtelard and the very photogenic Saint Michel Chapel perched on its rocky promontory; then climb back up via the Roman Road to the Petit Saint Bernard Pass (descent via the road).

Day 6: Walk to Le Monal, a historic hamlet of stone chalets

It’s the last day of vacation, which is ending just as it began: peacefully. And this time, your journey will take you to the historic hamlet of Le Monal.

Stroll among the chalets with their slate-roofed houses, gaze at Mont Pourri and its glaciers with a thermos of piping-hot tea in hand, and let your eyes wander over the mirror-like ponds reflecting the flamboyant larch trees… Fall is undoubtedly the most beautiful season to discover this charming village, a favorite destination for residents of the Haute Tarentaise for their Sunday family walks.

Do you still have the energy in your legs after this week in the mountains? Continue your hike up to the old Saint Jacques Chapel, then into the Vallon du Clou, which takes on the feel of the Patagonian steppe when fall arrives.

Directions: From La Rosière, head toward Tignes , and Val d’Isère, then turn left at the avalanche barrier known as Les Pigettes. A small mountain road will take you to the Chenal parking lot in about ten minutes. From there, continue on foot, first along a 4x4 trail, then on a path through the alpine pastures (which passes by a climbing area where you might be lucky enough to see climbers in action if the weather is nice).

Day 7

It’s already time to head home! On your way back, stop in Bourg-Saint-Maurice for some seasonal shopping at Filature Arpin and the dairy cooperative. A big, cozy wool blanket, everything you need to make a delicious fondue: this time, you can head home knowing you’re well-equipped to face the coming cold…

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