The 40th anniversary of Espace San Bernardo

The birth of the international link between France and Italy

The Little St Bernard pass has long been a crossing point between France and Italy, since the time of the ancient Romans and even before, with the Celts. In more recent times, it represented the link between La Rosière and La Thuile, two villages anchored on either side of the border. In summer, shepherds, traders and travellers used to walk this winding road. But in winter, under a thick layer of snow, the pass became impassable, isolating the two valleys until spring came back.
In the 1970s, some visionaries were already thinking of connecting the ski resort of La Rosière with that of La Thuile. At the beginning of the 1980s, lifts were built on both sides of the border to simplify this transition. But the crossings were still done with mountaineering skis or on foot! 
In 1984, the project took on a new dimension with the start of work on an installation linking the Little St Bernard Pass to the Fort de La Redoute. On 4 January 1985, the Chardonnet chairlift was inaugurated in the presence of Michel BARNIER, then president of the General Council of Savoy, Firmin GAIDE, mayor of Montvalezan and Emiro NOUSSAN, president of the La Thuile ski lifts. 
On that day, the Italian-French connection becomes a reality, marking the birth of the Espace San Bernardo: a unique ski area that unites two cultures, two stories and a common passion for the mountains.
The link symbolises much more than a simple ski link project. Illustrates the deep links between Haute Tarentaise (France) and Valle d'Aosta (Italy). For 40 years, this connection has been the beating heart of the Espace San Bernardo, allowing every skier to live a cross-border experience between France and Italy, on fantastic slopes and with exceptional views. 
 

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