The Haute Tarentaise: An ideal destination for climbing enthusiasts
Perched at an altitude of 1,850 meters in the hills of the Haute-Tarentaise, La Rosière is well known for its exceptional sunshine and breathtaking views. But did you know that the resort also welcomes rock climbing enthusiasts?
Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or experienced climber—or simply looking for an adventure with a unique mountain activity during your vacation—the climbing areas around La Rosière offer a diverse playground featuring natural cliffs, an indoor climbing gym, and family-friendly beginner sites!
Climbing at a Glance
Climbing is a sport that can be practiced both indoors and on natural rock faces. It is divided into three main disciplines:
- Lead climbing: climbing a route while roped up, either as the lead climber or top-roping. Outdoors, this includes single-pitch routes, multi-pitch routes, and traditional climbing with removable protection (“friends”).
- Bouldering: climbing on 4- to 5-meter walls without a rope, using crash pads to cushion falls.
- Speed climbing: climbing an identical route as fast as possible, anywhere in the world.
Climbing grades range from 2 to 9: the higher the number, the more difficult the route. Each grade is further refined with the letters a, b, and c, with “a” being the easiest and “c” the most difficult within the same grade.
⚠️ Rock climbing requires a solid grasp of techniques and safety rules to improve and enjoy the sport with peace of mind. If you are a beginner or would like to be accompanied, we recommend contacting the guide office to ensure you can enjoy the activity safely.
Rock climbing areas
1. Sport route (Single-pitch routes)
A. Versondane Cliffs – 1,450 m
Number of routes: 16
Grade: From 4a to 6a
Height: 8 to 20 m
Exposure: South, West, East
Approach time: 10 min from the village of Villaret
Minimum gear: 45m rope, max 10 quickdraws
Drive time from La Rosière: 15 min
B. Monal Crag – 1800m
Number of routes: 38
Grade: From 4c to 7b.
Height: from 18 to 30 m.
Facing: South
Approach walk: 10 mins from the car park in the village of Chenal
Minimum equipment: 70m rope, 14 quickdraws
Driving time from La Rosière: 35 mins
C. Rocher du Chatelard – 950m
Number of routes: 17
Grade: From 4a to 7a
Height: 10 to 35 m.
Facing: South / South-West
Approach walk time: 1 min
Minimum equipment: 70m rope, max. 15 quickdraws
Journey time from La Rosière: 35 mins
D. Falaise Plateau de la Sassière – 2030
Number of routes: 20
Grade: From 4c to 6c
Height: 10 to 30m
Facing: East, South-East
Approach walk time: 1 hour from the car park after the village of La Savonne / 15 minutes from the Ruitor refuge
Minimum equipment: 70m ropes, 11 quickdraws
Driving time from La Rosière: 35 minutes
2. Multi-pitch routes
A. Sassière Plateau Crag – 2030
Climbing using camming devices and quickdraws: the rock is well suited to traditional climbing, which is why the route-setters have placed bolts only where absolutely necessary.
Number of routes: 3
Grade: From 4b to 6a
Height: 200 m
Facing: East
Approach time: 1 hour 15 minutes from the car park after the village of La Savonne / 25 minutes from the Ruitor refuge
Minimum equipment: 40m rope, 10 quickdraws, 4 to 5 cams + multi-pitch equipment
Driving time from La Rosière: 35 minutes
B. Colombettes Cliff – 2426m
Number of routes: 2
Grade: From 4b to 5b
Height: 180 m
Facing: East
Approach time: 1 hour 15 minutes from the La Savonne car park
Minimum equipment: 50m rope, 12 quickdraws, 3 slings + multi-pitch equipment
Driving time from La Rosière: 35 minutes
Climbing centres near La Rosière
In La Rosière, climbing enthusiasts can also make use of the climbing wall at the Jean Arpin centre, which is around 8 metres high and offers routes ranging from grade 4b to 7a. An ideal place to learn, train or perfect your technique all year round. This centre is only accessible to season ticket holders. However, you can contact the La Rosière climbing association, Roc N Roz, for any further information or specific requests.
The resort also benefits from a prime location in the heart of the Tarentaise, close to two well-known centres in the valley:
- Tignespace (Tignes): a spectacular wall of around 15 metres with routes for all levels, ranging from 4 to 8;
- Rêves de Bloc (Aime-La Plagne): a venue specialising in bouldering, popular with climbers of all levels.
Staying in La Rosière therefore allows you toreach these two major indoor facilities in under an hour, whilst enjoying a perfect balance between crag climbing and indoor training.
Climbing for children
In La Rosière, two climbing areas specially designed for children offer the chance to try outdoor climbing on fun, safe artificial structures. The first is located at Plan de l’Arc, in Les Eucherts, whilst the second is in the centre of the resort, near the Dameuse Rose.
La Rosière offers a range of options for rock climbing: natural crags accessible in the Haute Tarentaise, outdoor climbing areas for children, and an indoor climbing wall at the Jean Arpin hall. The resort is also situated between the resorts of Tignes and Aime-La Plagne.
The best time for climbing in La Rosière is from spring to autumn, generally from May to October, depending on the area. Thanks to the resort’s sunny location and the variety of rock faces, climbing is possible throughout the summer season.
Beginners or those with little experience are strongly advised to hire a guide or a professional in order to learn safety techniques and make the most of the climbing sites in Haute Tarentaise.
Yes, there are several multi-pitch routes available around La Rosière, particularly on the Sassière plateau and at the Colombettes crag. These routes offer a unique alpine experience with multiple pitches and exceptional views of the Savoie mountains.
