THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ESPACE SAN BERNARDO

This year, Espace San Bernardo celebrates 40 years of the Franco-Italian link!

Join us at the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard for unforgettable festivities!

• Saturday 04th January 2025 from midday
• Meeting point at the Col du Petit Saint Bernard at the bottom of the Piccolo San Bernardo Express chairlift.
• To celebrate this emerald wedding anniversary, there will be talks on the history of the link, musical entertainment and a degustation of French and Italian products. First come, first serve!

At the end of the afternoon, La Rosière will be hosting further celebrations in the village.

More information to come…

The Col du Petit Saint-Bernard has long been a passage point between France and Italy, linking La Rosière and La Thuile, two villages on both sides of the border. In summer, shepherds, merchants and travelers used this sinuous road. In winter, under a thick layer of snow, the road became impassable, isolating the two valleys until the return of spring.

In the 1970s, some visionaries were already thinking of linking the ski area of La Rosière with that of La Thuile. In the early 1980s, skilifts were built on both sides of the border to simplify the link. But the crossings were still made by ski touring, or on foot!

In 1984, the project took on a new dimension when construction began on a ski lift connecting the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard to the Fort de La Redoute. On 04th January 1985, the Chardonnet chairlift was inaugurated in the presence of French and Italian officials.

That day, the Franco-Italian link became a reality, marking the creation of the Espace San Bernardo: a unique ski area bringing together two cultures, two histories and a shared passion for the mountains.

The France-Italy link symbolises much more than a construction project. It illustrates the strong links between the Haute-Tarentaise (France) and the Val d'Aoste (Italy). For 40 years, this connection has been the beating heart of the Espace San Bernardo, giving every skier a unique cross-border experience, with its exceptional ski slopes and panoramic views.