Resort height: 1850m
The mountains
All that many parents will care about is the fact that the nursery slopes are within sight of their chalet balconies. But for anyone interested in working on their own technique, there are 150km of pistes on offer in La Rosière, which are shared with the neighbouring resort of La Thuile, on the other side of the Franco-Italian border. Most of them are above the treeline - which means high winds and low visibility are a problem during snowstorms. But when the sun comes out you won't be complaining. The views are stunning.
For the most part, the La Rosière terrain suits intermediates best, and it's a satisfying experience to work your way over to the Italian side of the mountains, to look into the Aosta valley and celebrate your good fortune with a meal in one of La Thuile's superb mountain restaurants. You'll tend to find the better snow on this side of the border too, because the slopes face north and get less sun. By contrast, in La Rosière many resorts are south-facing, and this can be a problem late in the season - despite the presence of 300 snow cannons. As a result this isn't such a good destination for a late-season skiing holiday.
Getting there
You can drive, take the train, or fly in using one of four airports - Geneva, Grenoble, Lyon and Chambéry. Chambéry is the closest airport - the transfer shouldn't take more than a couple of hours.
Rating: 
4/10
Après-ski
La Rosière is a family-friendly resort, and the nightlife is muted. The most action is to be found at Le Petit Danois - the La Rosière branch of a bar that's an institution in Val d'Isère. Tuesday night is the big one - when the chalet staff have their evening off. The bar also has a low-key restaurant, serving stir-fries, pizzas and savoyard dishes such as raclette. For something more upmarket, book a table at La Turia, which serves excellent Lebanese food.
Rating: 
5/10
Non-skiers
Facilities in La Rosière have improved last season with the opening of a new bowling alley and ice rink in the suburb of Les Eucherts. But remember - this is a small, purpose-built resort with only a limited range of non-skiing activities on offer.
Rating: 
7/10
Cost of living
La Rosière isn't a ritzy resort, and bars and restaurants are priced accordingly. That's not to say it's cheap, though - especially for anyone who brings their family to a chalet here in the school holidays, and invests in qualified child care, ski school and nannies.
Rating: 
8/10
Attractiveness of the resort
Provided the snow's in good condition, La Rosière is a visually dramatic spot, which hasn't been spoilt by high-rise architecture.
