Sainte Foy
Why Sainte Foy Tarentaise Ski Resort?
- No crowds in a pretty blend of old and new and a superb mountain setting
- It’s within a short drive of the renowned resorts of Val d’Isère, Tignes and Les Arcs
- There’s outstanding off-piste skiing for intermediates-to-experts with great snow conditions
- The resort has beautiful tree-lined slopes
Sainte Foy Information
Sainte Foy Tarentaise came into being in 1990 and is only a few miles from such big names as Tignes, Val d’Isère and Les Arcs. There’s no high-rise buildings in Sainte Foy, just chalet-style buildings that nestle amongst the trees and incorporate local Savoyard features such as round stone columns and stone-lab roofs.
Sainte Foy is a seamless blend of old and new created to offer guests comfort, space and refined luxury - a refreshing change from the concrete jungles found in some of the larger Alpine resorts nearby.
Sainte Foy Tarentaise has some very good eating places. From Alpine chalets preparing dishes “like grandma used to make” to haute-cuisine restaurants; there’s something for all tastes. The small selection of bars and shops is just enough for a successful Sainte Foy ski holiday. All Sainte Foy apartments are not far from the lifts or nursery slope.
Non skiers in Ste Foy can indulge in dog sledding, superb guided snowshoe walks to many local hamlets, snow biking, heli-skiing (in Italy, just across the border) and paragliding.
There’s a bus service in Sainte-Foy ski resort to the surrounding Sainte Foy Tarentaise villages, but from a practical point of view a car is recommended if you want to travel outside the main Ste-Foy resort.
Sainte-Foy was recently rated by Peak Retreats’ clients amongst the top 10 resorts they would recommend to a friend. And it has been voted one of the top resorts for families too.
Peak Retreats offers a range of Sainte Foy accommodation options. All of Sainte Foy's ski apartments have been hand-picked and are of a very high standard (3 & 4*), providing the ideal base for a Sainte Foy ski holiday.
Two of our loyal clients return to Sainte Foy every season:
Read Jennie's guest blog about her family ski holiday or
Read Mr E's blog post about his family's experience
SAINTE FOY SKI AREA
Although perhaps, at first sight, the Ste-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 mega-resorts come to on their days off. That should tell you something about the quality of the skiing!
Although the vast areas of easy (and not quite so easy) off-piste are highly rated, with over 1,000 metres of vertical drop, the resort also has something to offer mixed-level skiers and boarders. Sainte-Foy has an excellent snow record throughout the winter thanks to the north-west exposure. Besides the 25 runs that snake through the larch trees and ski lifts which access many official listed nature trails (three black, one red and a blue), an exhilarating heli-drop can take you to even wilder, more awe-inspiring landscapes across the Italian border!
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’s a project in progress that will join up with the Marquise chairlift and offers a sheltered trail (1km).
The few pleasant and uncrowded easy green and blue pistes which run through trees are child-friendly and ideal for second-week skiers to build confidence.
Sainte Foy has predominantly north-west facing slopes, and the powder is sheltered by the trees, so it stays around for days.
Ste Foy ski resort has a new 1650m-long six-person chairlift joining Charmettes at 1800m to Marquise (2500m) which has dramatically increased the lift-accessed terrain. As a result, a new blue run, Grand Solliet and a red run, La Foglietta have been created, and more off-piste routes have been made easily accessible.
In order to guarantee regular, quality snow, every year they improve the snow production systems. This winter 2018/19, 18 new snow cannons have been set up on the lower slopes of Crêt Serru, Tobbogan and Creux de Formeïan. With these new installations, there will be a total of 80 snow cannons in the ski area.
SAINTE FOY SKIING
SAINTE FOY BEGINNERS
Ste-Foy ski resort has a small (free) draglift that caters for beginners at the bottom of the piste (opposite Les Fermes de Ste Foy) but the choice in terms of green pistes is fairly limited. There’s a long green run to progress to, plus a blue resort run - then gentle blue runs higher up. Still, it’s a great ski area for beginners/families as it’s usually less crowded than many mainstream ski resorts.
SAINTE FOY 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.
New in 2017/18 - there has been a new 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.
SAINTE FOY EXPERTS & OFF-PISTE
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 1700 m 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.
There are three dedicated areas where you can practise off-piste skiing: the Techniride Zone, the Off-Tracks Zone (safe freeride zones where obstacles are not signposted) and Shaper’ Paradise, a secured area specially dedicated to freestyle.
Sainte-Foy is also well known for its ski-touring routes with reachable summits between 3000 and 3800 metres high, such as the Archeboc and Ruitor peaks. 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 SNOWBOARDERS
There’s some great freeriding terrain for snowboarders plus a dedicated freestyle area for building kickers.
SAINTE FOY RESORT RUNS
Resort runs are green, blue and red, so easy for all levels to return to the resort by ski.
OTHER EASILY ACCESSIBLE SKI AREAS
Villaroger, Les Arcs, Paradiski – this is 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 – this is just under 20 mins drive away. It is the backdoor to Tignes Val d'Isere ’s 300km of slopes (Val D’Isere village is about 30 mins drive away).
La Rosière – this about 30 mins drive away. Ski 160km's of sunny Franco-Italian slopes.
- For Les Arcs and Val d'Isere, see our sister company Ski Collection
Sainte Foy Ski Hire
Pre-book your Sainte Foy ski hire with Peak Retreats.
View here for pre-bookable ski extra prices in £ for Sainte Foy 2018/19
Please note, these Pound Sterling prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Special offers: *7 days for the price of 6. Free Skis/snowboard & boots (Blue/Red) for party leaders of groups of 10 or more all taking equipment. 1 Free helmet per child aged 6 and under for every adult booking skis or snowboards & boots (must be under same booking reference and requested on form above). Other duration prices on request - Cross Country ski prices on request.
Find out more about Peak Retreats ski hire
Sainte Foy Ski Passes
Pre-book your Sainte Foy lift passes with Peak Retreats. Find out more about Peak Retreats ski passes
View here for pre-bookable ski extra prices in £ for Sainte Foy 2018/19
Please note, these Pound Sterling prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Week of 06/04/2019: FREE 6 day child pass for every 6 day adult pass bought
Other lift pass on offer (to buy locally in resort in Euros):
Ste Foy ski pass – ½ day and daily rates 2018/19:
½ day - €21.60 children, €28.90 adults
Day - €23.70 children, €32.20 adults
Lift opening:
| Opening | Closing | |
| TSF Grand Plan | 9:00 Am | 4:45 Pm |
| TSF Arpettaz | 9:05 Am | 4:30 Pm |
| TSF Aiguille | 9:20 Am | 4:20 Pm |
| TSF Marquise | 9:20 Am | 4:20 Pm |
| Carpet 1 Les Marmottes | 9:00 Am | 4:55 Pm |
| Carpet 2 Les Galopins | 9:00 Am | 4:55 Pm |
Sainte Foy Ski School
Pre-book your Sainte Foy ESF ski school with Peak Retreats. Find out more about Peak Retreats ski school
Ski school for children is available to book from 4 years to 15 years, in Sainte Foy, with Peak Retreats.
View here for pre-bookable ski extra prices in £ for Sainte Foy 2018/19
Please note, these Pound Sterling prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Ski School: Please note that lesson times are subject to change right until the last minute. Outside French school holidays the ski school reserves the right to cancel group lessons should numbers be insufficient. For peak periods (22/12-4/1, 9/2-8/3 & 6/4-26/4) we strongly recommend that you book as early as possible and in any case at least 6 weeks prior to the required dates. Morning lessons tend to get booked up first and therefore we may only be able to offer afternoon classes within 6 weeks of departure. In some resorts English speaking instructors may not always be available, particularly at peak times.
We cannot always guarantee that prices will be cheaper than in resort. When ski packs prices are calculated, the currency is bought at the exchange rates that apply at the time. You can be assured that once you have booked your extras, if the pound depreciates, you will not be charged more for your ski packs, enabling you to budget for your holiday in advance.
Recent 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, Les Fermes de Sainte Foy in Sainte-Foy, 8 Feb 2014
Sainte Foy Individual Tuitions (2018/19 prices, NOT pre-bookable)
Individual tuitions can only be purchased directly from the ski school. Peak Retreats cannot pre-book these.
Lessons 1 or 2 hours
1-2 pers from €45-110
3-6 pers from €50-130
Please note that prices are only an indication and are subject to change
Notes from the ski school: For the course to be beneficial (off-set beginners), they suggest you have 2 consecutive hours.
Ski school contact number:
Contact ESF Sainte Foy for private lessons (Ecole du Ski Français) +33 479 06 96 76
info@esfsaintefoy.com
Sainte Foy Child Care
Childcare from 3-11 years
Les P’tits Trappeur in St Foy will look after children aged 3-11 open Sunday – Friday (closed Sats). From 0845 – 1645 (only open in winter). Activities include sledging, making snowmen, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games.
They ensure the liaison with the ski school (ESF Sainte-Foy). In this way your child can be accompanied to, and collected from the ski school. Please ask for information at the Club des P’tits Trappeurs.
Prices 15/16:
|
1 Day |
3 Days |
5 Days |
6 Days |
|
|
Day without meal 8h45-12h/13h30-16h45 |
37 € |
94 € |
156 € |
187 € |
|
Day with meal 8h45 à 16h45 |
47 € |
131 € |
209 € |
252 € |
|
Half day 8h45-12h ou 13h30-16h45 |
26 € |
66 € |
107 € |
131 € |
|
Meal + Afternoon 12h à 16h45 |
39 € |
107 € |
174 € |
209 € |
|
1 Hour |
12 €* |
|||
|
Meal + supervision (12h-13h30) |
33 € |
|||
Tel +33 479 06 97 92
lespetitstrappeurs@loisirs-solutions.com
List of babysitters available from the tourist office.
Children up to 6 and including benefit from a FREE lift pass in Ste Foy!
Children’s Ski Lessons in Sainte Foy
Children can ski from 3 years old in Ste Foy with ESF Ste Foy. See ski school tab.
Sainte Foy Resort Activities
Sainte Foy Flights
Evolution 2 Ecole de Ski et d’Aventure
www.evolution2saintefoy.com
Sainte Foy Skibiking
Tel. 00 33 670 63 98 83
Sainte Foy Snowshoe Walks
Snowshoeing is another wonderful way to discover the alpine terrain, hamlets and protected forests of Sainte-Foy. Learn how to recognize different animal tracks, and discover the diverse ecosystems that exist in this fantastic region. Snowshoeing is offered to all adults and children in either full day, 1/2 day or a night session. Expert Jean-Pierre LAMIC will share his passion for the mountains with you. You can choose to experience everything from a simple introduction session to a more challenging excursion which can take you from the Col de l’Aiguille to the charming village of Le Monal, with a short break to experience an authentic mountain chalet Savoyarde fondue.
info@esf-saintefoy.com
Sainte Foy Toboggan
The Toboggan traces hairpin bends over nearly 1.5km. Confirmed as a red piste in 2013, it snakes through the forest sheltered from view, offering the possibility of development for all the family. For those skiers wishing to ski “like the grown ups” it is perfect; of a boarder cross sort, though not landscaped, it follows a slope not too easy but very enjoyable.
NIGHTTIME SLEDDING - Sledging as you’ve never seen it before; leave from resort & sledge down through the forest to the village of Mousselard* – 1hr of descent, a thrill seekers paradise!
A warming vin chaud or hot chocolate awaits upon arrival. Return transport included.
* Snow conditions permitting.
contact@evolution2saintefoy.com
Sainte Foy Nightime Excursion and Savoyard Evening
Leave from the resort for a nighttime snowshoes or sledging excursion under the moonlit followed by a magical dinner in a Mongolian Yurt at the Wilderness Camp of Le Mousselard.
contact@evolution2saintefoy.com
Sainte Foy Parapente
David Bicheron, Paragliding instructor. Offers tandem flights.
Tel. +33 (0)6 12 90 10 62
Sainte Foy Dog Sledding
Experience the thrill of the Alaskan sport of dog mushing. See the dogs in their natural habitat doing what they were born to do. Learn to drive your own team of dogs. Suitable for beginners.
contact@evolution2saintefoy.com
Sainte Foy Ice Driving
Learn how to handle your vehicle safely when driving on a surface with very little adherence, (emergency braking, locked steering, controlled skidding/sliding etc.) Let our professionals show you how it's done!
contact@evolution2saintefoy.com
Sainte Foy Pilates
Rebalance muscles after skiing!
info@mountainequilibre.com
Please note: All the above information is for information only. For the most up-to-date information please visit the resort tourist office website. All prices for activities are in local currency (€ Euros) and are bookable and payable locally in resort.
Sainte Foy Tourist Office
Sainte Foy France, 73640
Tel: 00 33 479 06 95 22
www.saintefoy.net
Sainte Foy Ski Activities
Sainte Foy Mountain restaurants
Ski in Sainte Foy and stop at the mountain restaurant: Le Chalet les Brevettes. Quaint little chalet set on the slopes.
Sainte Foy Off-piste
Vast area for off piste skiing both easy and not so easy with over 1000m of vertical drop, also the infamous 1700m vertical descent of the north face of Fogliettaz.
INTRODUCTION TO OFF PISTE SKIING with an experienced guide £59/pers
On Wednesdays from 9.00 to 13.00. Subject to weather conditions. An alternative day may be offered. Minimum 3 skiers per group for outing to run but you don’t need to make up the three from your own party. Available to all skiers & boarders including children aged 12 or over who can ski comfortably on Red runs. Please note that the itinerary ends by a ½ hour of near flat which is fine on skis but hard work on a snowboard. Price includes loan of all off-piste safety equipment and a regional product tasting (with Savoie white wine tasting). Pre-bookable with Peak Retreats.
Heliskiing in nearby La Rosiere
With direct access to the Col du Petit Saint Bernard (Italy) & the neighbouring Italian summits right on our doorstep, nearby La Rosière is the perfect destination for heliskiing.
Half day or full day heliskiing excursions with one or several drops included (Mont Miravidi, Mont Ouille, Mont Freduaz…)
4 clients & 1 instructor - max. 4 people per helicopter (Evolution 2 takes responsability for grouping individual clients together in order to achieve the minimum number required by helicopter). Good ski level required.
Off- piste avalanche transceiver, shovel & probe provided.
contact@evolution2saintefoy.com
Sainte Foy Freeride slopes
There are special dedicated areas for freeriding.
Techniride et Off Tracks: secure freeride zone - ideal for beginners
Shaper Paradise: off-piste zone reserved for creation of jumps. For experienced skiers only.
Sainte Foy Resort News and Events 2018/19
Check out the latest news from Sainte-Foy on the Tourist Office website - www.saintefoy-tarentaise.com
Sainte Foy Après-Ski, Bars & Restaurants
There are several bars and restaurants in Sainte Foy. For more lively après ski Val d’Isere, Tignes and Les Arc a just short drive away.
Altitude Restaurants in Sainte Foy
Les Brevettes
At the top of the 1st chairlift (accessible by pedestrians and snowshoes)
Plan Bois, 73 640; +33 (0)6 87 26 10 11
Chez Léon
Tartiflette, gratin and lasagne cooked in a wooden stove - Calm terrace facing Mont Pourri - Reservation advised
Plan Bois, 73 640; +33 (0)4 79 06 90 83
Les Marquises
Sardinian inspiration - Terraces facing Mont Pourri and the Turia glacier - Live music
Marquises, 73 640; +33 (0)7 63 79 08 08
Restaurants and Bars in Sainte Foy
Le W
New for Winter 2017-18 - Modern - Traditional burgers with local ingredients
+33 (0)7 68 61 48 95
The Saint Germain wine bar
Tapas boards - Savoy wines
+33 (0)6 60 33 41 18
L'à Coeur
Cosmopolitan - French and South-African owners, Anglo-Japanese chef - Wine bar
Bon Conseil, 73 640; +33 (0)4 79 07 94 29
Chalet La Maison à Colonnes
Panoramic terrace - 17th century Savoyard chalet with typical Santaferian architecture
Bon Conseil Dessous, 73 640; +33 (0)4 79 06 94 80
La Bergerie
Exquisite attention to detail in the cuisine offered by chef Guillaume Crosnier
+33 (0)4 79 06 90 16
L'Iceberg
Après-ski bar - Close to the ski school
+33 (0)4 79 04 14 86
Bar L'Après
Live concerts - Match screening - WiFi
Les Charmettes, 73 640; +33 (0)4 79 06 25 74
Le Monal
An institution for 130 years
Chef-lieu, 73 640; +33 (0)4 79 06 90 07
La Grange
Cosy ambience - Old stones and wood-fires
Chef-lieu, 73 640; +33 (0)4 79 06 97 30
Sainte Foy Amenities
Sainte Foy is served by a range of amenities including: general food store, newsagents in St Foy Tarentaise
A cash machine is at your service on the parking Maisonnettes (P3).
POST OFFICE (main village): Monday to Friday 9am to 12pm. Closed on Saturdays. Post box at the ski resort near the cash point on the parking area, collection every day at noon.
Une marmotte au soleil
Newsagent, gifts, souvenirs, local produce, bread. Cheeses and charcuterie cut to order, raclette, fondue and delicatessen corner. Open 7/7 from 8.30am to 7pm. Next door to ESF. Luncheon vouchers accepted.
Ski TT shop
Tarentaise Tours are opening a specialised mountain equipment store. Customers can take advantage of the guides’ expertise and guidance in addition to the major brands tested and approved by professionals.
TT Shop - Route de Val d'Isère - Sainte Foy Village - Tel. +33 (0)4 57 37 65 65
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.
Circulating on snow: before leaving, remember to take snow chains appropriate to your vehicle. In case you dont buy them in the UK, there are chains on sale: Superette Utile Sainte Foy station, Sainte Foy village or Bourg Saint Maurice.
Service Stations: Val d’Isère (12 km), Bourg Saint Maurice (15km), la Rosière (16km).
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:
Bourg St Maurice is the nearest train station. You can get a direct ski train from London to Bourg St Maurice on Friday night or Saturday.
Bourg St Maurice train station private transfer - from £30pp based on 4 sharing. Pre-bookable via Peak Retreats.
By bus: By bus from London
Airports:
Chambery Airport is 111km from Sainte Foy (1 ½ hours)
www.chambery-airport.com
Shuttle bus from airport – www.altibus.com
Grenoble Airport is 178km from Sainte Foy (1 ½ hours)
www.grenoble-airport.com
Shuttle bus from airport – www.agbus.fr
Geneva to Sainte Foy is 190km (2 hours)
www.gva.ch/en
Shuttle bus from airport – www.alpski.com
Lyon Airport is 188km from Sainte Foy (2 ½ hours)
www.lyonairport.com
Shuttle bus from airport – www.satobus.com
Public Shuttle Bus Transfers
Lyon Airport - Ste Foy (www.lys-altibus.com).
Geneva Airport - Ste Foy via Bourg St Maurice (www.coach-station.com).
Chambery Airport - Ste Foy via Moutiers (www.lys-altibus.com).
Sainte Foy Airport Transfer
For pre-bookable private transfer rates with Peak Retreats, view here.
Sainte Foy Opening Dates
The Sainte Foy ski area is open: Sunday 22/12/18 – Monday 22/04/19.
Partial opening: 15/12/18.