Sainte Foy
Luxury Chalets in Sainte Foy
When you’re looking for a more intimate resort it’s always worth considering the proximity of super resorts should the snow fail. It is for this reason that Sainte Foy (pronounced “Fwa”) in the Haute Tarantaise is a diamond in the rough. In the valley below Val d’Isère and Les Arcs, Sainte Foy is the smallest of the pack when it comes to size, boasting a modest four lifts. But the vast off-piste, discount lift passes and heli-skiing potential (across the border in Italy) put Sainte Foy on the powder pilgrim’s bucket list.
Sainte Foy is an attractive, great value and unpretentious resort developed since 1990 at the foot of what started life as a cult, off-piste mountain. It remains excellent for experts but is now very good for families too. The small town is like a complete resort in miniature, with a limited choice of bars and restaurants, a newsagent and a small supermarket. These are surrounded by a cluster of chalets and chalet-style apartment blocks, all built in the traditional Savoyard style.
Travel Information
A gem of a resort
Great value accommodation
Small but punchy ski area
Quiet pistes
Family friendly
Sainte Foy Ski Overview
Lift passes from Val d’Isère, Tignes and Les Arcs all give you a free day in Sainte Foy, so it’s well worth considering from that perspective. If you’re after powder you’ll be in heaven. Our favourite run is from the summit of the Foglietta back down to Sainte Foy village on the road to Val d’Isère from Bourg-St-Maurice. It will take you the best part of three hours to do a lap, and it’s stunning.
The resort is popular with British and Dutch families, and there is an excellent nursery slope right next to the village, with carpet lifts that are free to use. Beginners progress from here on to a long, blue run served by a quick quad chair from the village. As well as the long blue, the chair from the village also accesses a red and another blue run. Two further chairs take you to the top of the mountain. Boarders are particularly well catered for, as the mountain provides lots of drop offs, cliffs and natural jumps, and the powder-filled off-piste terrain is irresistible.
Keen skiers will cover most of Sainte Foy’s pistes before long, and one delight of the area is that you will very rarely encounter a lift queue. If you want more variety, it’s only a short drive to other nearby resorts such as Les Arcs, Val d’Isère-Tignes, La Rosière (linked with La Thuile) and La Plagne.
Key Information
- Ski area: Sainte Foy Tarentaise
- Resort: 1550m // Top: 2620m
- Pistes: 32km
- Beginners: 3
- Intermediate: 8
- Advanced: 3
- Ski Lifts: 4
- Snow Park: n/a
- Nursery Areas: 2
- Cross Country: n/a
For non-skiers, Sainte-Foy is equally delightful to explore on foot, snow-shoes, snowmobile or sledge! Take one of the many mountain paths that winds its way throughout the pine forests to one of the neighbouring charming alpine hamlets. Snow shoes can be rented from the ski shops at the resorts.
Spa
If you’re looking to help unwind and relax your muscles then take a trip to the Ô Pure Spa for some custom pampering (including hammam, sauna, jacuzzi, or profit from the benefits of the wellness and beauty treatments).
Heli-Skiing
For the adrenaline seekers, look no further than the local heli-skiing tour operator, with some of Europe’s best back-country skiing and Italian-French off-piste border crossing, you’re not going to run out of new routes any time soon…
There are a myriad of hidden gems that Sainte Foy has to offer for eating out, we have many favourites but here just a few of them.
Chez Merie
French, Alpine, European, GourmetIf you’re in the market for some authentic and rich Savoie food then look no further than for a veritable gastronomic experience of Alpine France. With a roaring fire, sublime local decor and exquisite food, you’ll be struggling to leave the table come closing time.
Chez Léon
Après-Ski, FrenchFor après-ski on the hill, poke your head into Chez Léon (Plan Bois) for some mulled wine on your mid-afternoon pit stop.
Black Diamond Bar and Restaurant
French, Alpine, Gourmet, Bar, EuropeanBlack Diamond Bar and Restaurant is an excellent spot for haute-cuisine and fine dining, alpine style
l’Apres
Pub, Après-SkiAlthough there is little choice in terms of après-ski, the night-owls will end up in the lively l’Apres, where live music is almost daily and early starts are discouraged!
The Sainte Foy Kids club (Les P’tits Trappeurs), run in collaboration between with the lift pass office and ESF ski school in resort, welcomes children from 3-11 years in their newly refurbished facility in the centre of resort.
The kids club is open 6 days, Sunday to Friday inclusive, with 1, 3 5 or 6 day childcare options available, with or without lunch, including a mix of indoor and outdoor activities with snow shoeing, treasure trails, snow games, sledging, crafts, face painting, creative activities and more… Ski school pickup is also available.
Private nannies will also be available through Premiere Neige and this can often be a more flexible than booking creche places.
