Sainte Foy

Sainte Foy ski area

Although at first sight the Sainte Foy ski area (1,550m-2,620m) might not appear to add up to that much, it’s the place ski instructors from the nearby larger resorts come to on their days off. That should tell you something about the quality of the skiing!

The resort benefits from around 25 slopes in total formed of green, blue, red and black gradients.

Perhaps its biggest appeal for more accomplished skiers and boarders is the vast areas of easy (and not quite so easy) highly rated off-piste, with over 1,000 metres of vertical drop. Sainte-Foy has an excellent snow record throughout the winter thanks to the north-west exposure.

An exhilarating heli-drop can take you to even wilder, more awe-inspiring landscapes across the Italian border (heli-skiing is not allowed in France).

The Natural Zone – Natur’ Grand Bois - take a trail through the heart of the forest – skiing in truly natural surroundings and accessible to all! In association with the National Forestry Office (O.N.F.), discover the locality and its history and understand the preservation of these ancient forests better. Silence prevails during this trek through bygone years, in which “returning to the source” and “serenity” are the keywords. It offers a sheltered trail of 1km.

The pleasant and uncrowded easy green and blue pistes run through the treeline and are perfect for those starting out, young or old!

Sainte Foy is 100% equipped with snow cannons on slopes under 2100m.

Sainte Foy skiing info

Beginners
Skiing is free for all beginners on the village ski slopes (for both adults and children) at the bottom of the piste (opposite Les Fermes de Ste Foy) but the choice in terms of green pistes is fairly limited.

Marmots and Gallopins: 2 magic carpets offering free access. To learn skiing free and safe on the two green slopes of Marmots and Galopins.

There’s a long green run to progress to, plus a blue resort run - then gentle blue runs higher up. The ski area offers 7 blue slopes accessible to beginners on the first two sectors (Plan Bois slopes, Chapel, Combes, Charmettes, Grand Solliet, Natur’Renard (not groomed) Crêt Serru du Bas. Ski pass required.

A short distance away, kids can discover sleeping marmots in an old milk cellar, symbolizing a burrow, which hosts a wooden sculpture of 4 sleeping marmots.
The entrance of the cellar is protected by a grid for safety reasons.
We count on you to leave the site clean!

It’s a great ski area for beginners/families as it’s usually less crowded than many mainstream ski resorts.

The chairlifts are all equipped with kid stopper fittings, fixed onto the restraining bar in front of each seat cushion, to ensure greater comfort and safety for young kids.

Intermediates
The red runs are well suited to intermediates looking to sharpen their technique. The run from the Col de l’Aiguille is one of the best.

The latest is a red south-west-facing slope in the La Marquise sector built, served by the Les Marquises chairlift. At the starting point, there is a Chamois sign that gives children and adults instructions for off-piste skiing, and advice about precautions to take.

Ski between the fir trees on the Natur’Renard trail, (piste n°25), an ungroomed blue piste where kids can discover the joys of natural skiing and learn all about the lives of foxes.

Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
The more daring should take a guide to explore and ski Sainte-Foy on one of the renowned off-piste routes to the deserted farming hamlet of Le Monal, or the infamous 1700m vertical descent on the north face of Foglietta. Ste-Foy Tarentaise’s proximity to the Italian border makes it easy to arrange a day’s heli-skiing above La Thuile and La Rosière.

The classified hamlet of Le Monal is the valley’s best-kept secret. From the top of the resort, ski down through virgin powder amid awe-inspiring landscapes. You can enjoy sublime views of Le Monal, the symbol of an eternal Savoie, set against the backdrop of the glaciers of Mont Pourri.

Patrolled but unpisted routes:

- Natur’Shaper Paradise (n^○20 on the ski map)
Skiing down from Marquises, with a nice and smooth start, Sharper’s paradise is a great choice to test your skills

- Natur’Morion (n^○1 on the ski map)
Skiing down from the Aiguille, enjoy the atmosphere of famous couloirs above you and improve in the steep section

- Natur’Crystal Dark (n^○2 on the ski map)
Skiing down from the Aiguille, traverse and discover the beauty of Sainte Foy surroundings

You can discover an exceptional ski touring area among the peaks and valleys of Mercuel, Le Clou and Le Monal. These are accessible via the ski lifts. There are multiple routes for an energizing experience, always accompanied by a mountain professional.

Ski touring is also a great alternative in poorer weather. Starting from the resort, you can climb at your own pace through the forest along one of the three marked taster routes with a gradual ascent of 150 to 700 meters, then ski back down in safety along the marked ski slopes.

You can also link up with the Italian valleys of Valgrisenche and Val d’Aosta just over the summit ridge that forms the border between France and Italy.

Sainte Foy resort runs
Resort runs are green, blue and red, so that makes it easy for all levels to return to the resort by ski.

Other easily accessible ski areas nearby
Villaroger, Les Arcs, Paradiski  – the closest from Sainte Foy being only about 15 mins drive away. It is the backdoor to Paradiski’s huge 425km of slopes.

Tignes Les Brevieres – just under 20 mins drive away. It is the backdoor to Tignes Val d'Isere’s vast slopes (Val d’Isere village is about 30 mins drive away).

La Rosière – 30 mins drive away.

Sainte Foy mountain fun zones

Natur’Renard
Ski between the fir trees on the Natur’Renard trail, (piste n°25), an ungroomed blue piste where kids can discover the joys of natural skiing and learn all about the lives of foxes. Children can call the foxes with a series of bells before discovering one in a clearing, in the form of a wooden sculpture made by a local craftsman.

Natur’Marmotte
On the edge of the piste, at the intersection of the slopes of Chapelle and Grand Solliet (above the departure station for the Marquise chairlift), take a break in the fun “Natur’Marmotte” area, for families and children. You can visit this sunny area without skis to have fun learning all about marmots and raising children’s awareness about protecting the environment.

Natur'Squirrel
The fun environmental trail on Plan Bois (1770m), which also forms part of the Natural Ski and Natur’Protect themes, takes you into the midst of the trees, on foot or with snowshoes children and adults can discover the secrets of this beautiful forest.

Sainte Foy ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)

Pre-book your 6 day+ Sainte Foy ski hire and/or Sainte Foy lift pass with Peak Retreats.

To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

Other lift passes are available to buy in the resort such as half or full-day passes (for those who only wish to ski the odd day) or one-use lift passes for pedestrians. Some resorts also offer specific beginner area passes and cross country passes.

Sainte Foy group ski school (pre-bookable)

Ski school for children is available to book from 3 to 15 years, in Sainte Foy, with Peak Retreats. 3 year olds will go into Ourson lessons. Children can learn to snowboard from 8 years+. Please enquire about ski + childcare for 3-11 years olds with lunch.

We can pre-book Le Monal off-piste guided outing (min 4 people, max 8, good level of ski required), every Wednesday from 9am-1pm with local specialties tasting.

To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

Client feedback: "ESF very well organised and well run. No concerns regarding leaving children as they were all given bibs and all carried their own contact details. The instructors spoke good English".  -  Mrs G, Sainte-Foy

Sainte Foy private lessons (not pre-bookable)

Private lessons with an instructor can only be arranged directly with the ESF ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these. Private lessons are usually around €40-60 per hour (depending on resort, time of day and period) and becomes cheaper the more hours you take and the more people you have to share the hours with i.e with family members or friends. Some resorts insist on a minimum of 3 sessions to be booked at once.

Contact ESF Sainte Foy for private lessons - 0033 4 79 06 96 76

Sainte Foy childcare (not pre-bookable)

Childcare from 3-11 years (non-skiers)

If you are after non-skiing childcare from 3 years, 'Les P'Tits Trappeurs club' will cater for your needs. Open 8.45am to 4.45pm, Sunday to Friday. 

Outdoor/indoor activities like snowshoeing, fauna and flora discovery, games etc. The activities are proposed according to the weather and the availability of staff. They can liaise between the ski schools of the resort and the kids club.

Please note children must be potty-trained. Children are taken on a trial basis on the first day.

Please contact Les P'Tits Trappeurs club direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 4 79 06 97 92.

It is advisable to book before you go and in good time as spaces get filled quickly, especially in Peak times. A childhood vaccination record will be needed. 

Babysitters (not pre-bookable)

A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.

Top snow activities to experience in Sainte Foy

Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website

Ski patroller for a day 
In the morning, make the first track and discover the job of ski Patroller by accompanying the Chief or his assistant when opening the ski area. With breakfast at the restaurant!

Groomer for a night
When the tracks close, discover the backstage of the nightlife of the grooming. Accompany our groomer and become his co-driver.

Enjoy the thrill of speeding through the gates like a champion
Experience the exhilaration and adrenaline rush of ski racing! In Sainte-Foy, giant slalom and speed skiing are disciplines that everyone can enjoy for free on Tuesdays at the slalom stadium during the February school holidays.

Funny Friday
An eco-friendly escape game in the ski area. Snow is melting..beware, the Yeti is disappearing. 

Mountain kart on snow
Sturdy and light, the mountain kart offers high driving stability because of its low centre of gravity and large wheels. Mountain kart hire at the arrival of the Grand Plan chairlift. Helmet provided.

Play the musher 
It is time to read Jack London again! It will awaken the trapper in you. Board a real pack of sled dogs. Proposed by Tanaka Camp.

Ice curtains
Perfect activity in nature. In four hours you will learn to master the axes and spikes, to stop on the ice curtains with multiple reflections.

Ski as a family and discover the mountain animals and their advice
Play about as a family on Sainte Foy’s natural terrain with its fun trails to develop your kids’ skills on all types of slope and find out all about mountain animals and their advice for protecting the environment.

Backcountry for teens!
“Natural skiing” courses are offered in the Sainte Foy ski schools so your little thrill-seekers can discover the mountain environment through a series of 3 challenges: learning to ski off-piste, training to use an avalanche transceiver, and listening to tips about mountain safety from a ski patroller and rescue officer. The programme is suitable for children over 11. Sainte Foy’s ski area offers a multitude of gentle, ungroomed slopes, which are easily accessible from the edge of the pistes.

Snowshoeing - protected forests
Step into the silence and the magic of the forest. No less than 568 hectares of forest have been classified for environmental protection. The system created in 1922 to reduce the erosion of the mountain soils and limit natural hazards, aims to compensate for forest felling to create ski slopes by protecting twice the felled surface. Our free winter snowshoeing routes partly cross through these forests.

Tobogganing
A free toboggan run on the Galopins village slope for après ski fun.

Top activities to experience in Sainte Foy

Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website

Bushcraft
The instructor will share his passion for the mountains with you during walks, you will discover the secrets of both the wildlife and the natural environment of Sainte Foy and the surrounding area. 

Camp Trapper
Visit a real igloo! Build a fire and grill some marshmallows

Equestrian centre
The Sainte-Foy equestrian centre offers walks in the snow and you will discover the sumptuous landscapes of Ste Foy Tarentaise.

Sainte Foy news & events

What's new:

• Replacement of the Arpettaz chairlift with a new 6-seater detachable chairlift means that 3000 people p/h can travel this winter!
• For your comfort, even more fluidity on the Grand Plan chairlift, the addition of 14 new seats, bringing the speed skiers per hour from 1450 to 2000 skiers per hour.
• A beginner freestyle zone on the Hte part of the Les Combes slope
• A fun trail on the Chapelle trail
• A boardercross area starting on the right edge going down from the bottom Crêt Serru track
• This year Sainte Foy celebrates 30 years since it was first developed as a resort!
• New Winter Mountain Cart! At the closing of the domain, descend the Charmettes track aboard the mountain cart. The summer version was great which is why this mountain cart is now equipped for snow!

Events taking place in the 2022/23 season:

• Treasure Hunt 5th December 2022 - 10th April 2023
• DIY Workshops - 7th December 2022 - April 12th 2023
• Toboggan Races - 13th December 2022 - 11th April 2023
• Igloo Construction 23rd December 2022 - 24th January 2023
• The Arrival of Santa Claus 24th December 2022
• Ski Show February 9th, 16th and 23rd February 2023, 2nd March 2023

Sainte Foy après-ski, bars & restaurants

There are a few bars and restaurants in Sainte Foy. For more lively après ski, Val d’Isere, Tignes and Les Arcs are a short drive away for more choice.

Sainte Foy amenities

Sainte Foy is served by a range of amenities including a general food store, post office, ski shop, souvenir shop, newsagents in St Foy Tarentaise.

A cash machine is at your service on the parking Maisonnettes (P3).

Nearest petrol station is 16km at Bourg St Maurice.

Getting to Sainte Foy, France

By road
Distance from Calais to Sainte Foy 610 miles (9hrs 15). Motorway A26 Reims, Dijon A6 Maçon A43/A430 Albertville. Main road N90 Bourg Saint Maurice and follow signs for Sainte Foy. Listen to Autoroute FM (107.7 FM) for traffic news in English.

All mountains passes (Col du Petit Saint Bernard, Col de l’Iseran, Col de la Madeleine, Cormet de Roselend…) are closed during winter.

By rail & air
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras. See our train services page for more information. The nearest train station to Sainte Foy is roughly 10 miles away in Bourg St Maurice.

4 international airports nearby. See our flying page for information on airlines (however we don't book flights).

Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Sainte Foy is roughly 77 miles, approximately 1hr 30 mins
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Sainte Foy is roughly 125 miles, approximately 2hrs 15 mins
Geneva Airport to Sainte Foy is roughly 126 miles, approximately 2hrs 30 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Sainte Foy is roughly 122 miles, approximately 2hrs 15 mins

Private taxi transfers
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.

Bus Transfers
Altibus/Bens Bus/Snow bus (and the likes of) offer shared bus lines from French/Swiss airports and some SNCF train stations to ski resorts. We don't book these (or have any affiliation with), we invite you to do your own research.

Resort Shuttle Bus in Val Thorens
There are shuttle buses that serve Sainte Foy and its hamlets.

Sainte Foy opening dates

See resort opening information