0
Most Popular ⇨
Sainte Foy Ski Resort
If you’ve skied in Val d’Isere and Tignes, you’ve probably driven past the sign to Sainte-Foy (pronounce it ‘Sant Fwuh’), which can be reached after a left turn on the road from Bourg St Maurice.
A smaller resort than the Espace Killy titans, it’s also newer on the skiing scene and offers a cheaper way to experience the wonders of the Tarentaise valley.
With the Vanoise National Park surrounding it, the Thuria glacier overhead and spruces and larches giving a foresty feel, the views are incredible here. Old and new buildings blend together well to create a beautiful base for ski holidays. The ancient colonnaded chalets of listed hamlet Le Miroir are the real McCoy, while any new builds must have wooden walls and schist copper and stone roofs to continue the traditional feel. You don’t get high rise apartments like you do in Tignes, and you won’t hear us complaining.
Though the amount of pistes is small, anyone happy to hire a car (or bring their own) can easily reach a number of the bigger French resorts on a day trip. Val d’Isere and Tignes are under 30 minutes’ drive away, and you can get to Les Arcs, La Plagne under an hour’s drive.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Tarentaise, France
Established: 1990
Open: December - April
Downhill: 24 runs, 43km
View our detailed Sainte Foy snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Sainte Foy snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Chambéry Airport (CMF) | 124km, 1h20 |
| Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) | 202km, 2h |
|
|
| Top Altitude: | 2620m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1550m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1550m |
| Longest run: | 3.8km |
| Slope Orientation: | N W |
| Vertical Drop: | 1070m |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | No |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
|
|
| Downhill Runs: | 24 runs, 43km |
| Beginner slopes: | 35% |
| Intermediate: | 46% |
| Advanced slopes: | 19% |
| Lift Pass Price: | €162.50 (adult 6 day) |
| Nearby resorts: Val d'Isere, Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Sainte Foy
The Fronts de Neige area near the base station has the Marmottes and Galopins greens, where beginners can conquer snowplough turning before moving onto the longer blues. Take the Grand Plan chair for the Charmettes and Plan Bois runs back into the village, continuing up the mountain for longer runs as the week goes on. The blue Grand Solliet piste from the top of the Marquise chair links to Les Combes and Plan Bois back to the village.
In the red run department, skiers can head up to l’Aguille for a lovely long trail back through the treeline. Of the black runs, ‘Natur Morion’ descends from l’Aguille, and ‘Natur’ Crystal Dark’ is linked to a red piste from the same starting point. These are signed but not groomed, and with couloirs above, steep drops and stunning surroundings they’re sure to get the heart pumping. A third black can be skied from the Marquise, setting off on blue Grand Soillet, then increasing difficulty as you approach the steep black section of Serru du Haut, before easing off onto a red, then a blue.
The freeride terrain is one of the main attractions – there’s some incredible off piste in Le Monal and a guide will be able to show you the famous north face of Fogliettaz.
Sainte Foy Apres Ski
La Bergerie’s positioned next to the ski school which can make it a handy meeting point. There’s a lovely south facing terrace, or if you’d rather be indoors you can sink into an armchair by the fireplace… For sophisticated sipping, Le Saint Germain is a wine bar serving local cheeses and meats for tastings. You can ski in and out of La Maison a Colonnes, an old farm building from the 18th century, with a menu of traditional alpine nosh and an army of deckchairs. Nadine & Jeff serve hearty mountain food up on the slopes in Restaurant Les Marquises, which comes with incredible views of Mont Pourri and the Thuria glacier. We also like L'Iceberg for drinks, snacks and a livelier après atmosphere.
Apres ski activities include dog sledding, snowshoeing, ice climbing, ice driving and helicopter rides.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Sainte Foy
Best time to visit & ski Sainte Foy
The north-west facing ski area, with its slopes rising to 2620m usually manages to stay in terrific condition throughout the ski season. Thanks to Sainte Foy’s positioning, some of France’s glacier ski areas are within easy driving distance – Val d’Isere and Tignes being both under half an hour’s drive away. This is brilliant if you’re booking a holiday at the beginning and end of the season as there will always be more snow sure conditions within reach if needed.
Peak Dates
Father Christmas has descended on a zipwire, throwing sweets out to children on Christmas in Sainte-Foy in previous years – something you have to see to believe!
Look out for the traditional torchlight descent on New Year in Sainte-Foy and see if they’re handing out mulled wine and hot chocolate by the ski school like they usually do.
Children and adults will have a blast over Half Term in Sainte-Foy, where ski shows, slalom competitions and all kinds of snow activities make for a terrific week in the Tarentaise.
Easter in Sainte-Foy is a safe bet, as even if the local slopes are struggling in the sunshine, the snow sure resorts of Val d’Isere, Tignes and La Plagne are within easy reach.
Families in Sainte Foy
With restaurants like La Bergerie within a snowballs throw of the ski school, and wonderfully gentle greens to learn to snowplough on, this is a terrific spot for a first ski holiday. We love the laid back, traditional nature of the village and the special events – like torchlit descents and slalom races – put on over the school holidays.
GroupsGroup Holidays Sainte Foy
Whether your group wants to explore the powder terrain in this corner of the Tarentaise, learn the basics on forgiving greens and blues or a mix of both – this is a great base for groups after a cheaper, quieter resort than Val d’Isere and Tignes.
Which are the best ski holidays in Sainte Foy?
| Accommodation | Number of nights | Price (per person) from |
|---|---|---|
| Résidence Etoile des Cimes | 7 | £ 391 |
| La Ferme de Sainte Foy | 7 | £ 417 |
© 2024 SNO Group Ltd • company no. 5995288 • VAT no. 946 9394 63 SNO, Apsley House, 176 Upper Richmond Road, London, SW15 2SH.
| why log in? |
Save Wish List view on any device
Share Holidays choose with friends
020 7770 6888
