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!

Sainte Foy enjoys excellent natural snow cover and its lower slopes are sheltered from the wind, which is ideal. The microclimate is mainly created by easterly air currents arriving from the Italian Alps, creating heavy snowfall.

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 2,100m.

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 carpet and Gallopins carpet: 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 blue slopes accessible to beginners on the first two sectors. A ski pass is 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 Aiguille chairlift is 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 1,700m 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: skiing down from 'Marquises', with a nice and smooth start, Sharper’s paradise is a great choice to test your skills
• Natur’Morion: skiing down from the 'Aiguille', enjoy the atmosphere of famous couloirs above you and improve in the steep section
• Natur’Crystal Dark: 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 4 marked taster routes with a gradual ascent of 150 to 700 meters, then ski back down in safety along the marked ski slopes. Map available from tourist office.

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, which 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-minute drive away. It is the backdoor to Paradiski’s huge 425km of slopes.

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

La Rosière – 30-minute drive away.

Sainte Foy mountain fun zones

For children:

For adventure-seeking children, the Sainte-Foy Tarentaise ski area offers the 'Nuts and Foxy slope', a fun course specially designed for them. Featuring arches, totems, slaloms, and many suspended surprises.

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.

Sainte Foy private lessons (pre-bookable)

Private lessons can now be booked through Peak Retreats. Please call us for prices.

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 activities in Sainte Foy

Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is for information purposes. 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.

Build your first snow shelter
Under the guidance of French Ski School instructors, children get their first taste of mountain
survival by building their own shelter in the snow. A fun and educational activity, where they learn how to use snow to protect themselves from the cold. 

Snack and aperitif in an igloo
For an unusual experience, head for the igloo at dusk! The children, accompanied by their
with their families, discover an authentic igloo with snacks and drinks.

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.

Baby musher
For 3 - 7 year olds. First steps into mushing - learn to drive and lead the carriage and dog in a safe area.

Tanaka Camp
Tanaka Camp is a breeding of Greenland dogs and Saint Bernards. Adventure hiking (seated in the instructor's sled) or in individual driving, come and discover the mountain differently accompanied by four-legged friends.

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 in the forest
With its 8 marked trails, the resort provides routes accessible to all levels, whether you are a beginner or an enthusiast of more intense walks. Each path winds through snowcovered
forests and peaceful meadows, offering a complete immersion in nature.

Natur'Squirrel
The Discovery Trail is a fun snowshoe walk offering five information boards for you to discover the trees and wildlife of Sainte Foy. The answers to the quiz are available at the Tourist Information Bureau.

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

Sainte Foy events

Events taking place in the 2024/25 season:

• Christmas Eve 24th December 2024: enjoy roasted chestnuts with hot chocolate and homemade mulled wine. Afterwards, Santa will arrive on the balconies of Sainte Foy via
  sled dogs and distribute treats
• New Years Eve 31st December 2024: torchlit descents, fire show, mulled wine, fireworks,
• Far North evening Dec-April 2025: curious about the world of sled dogs?
  Come and meet Thomas, the Tanaka Camp musher,
• Meeting with the trackers Tuesdays in February French school holidays: at the top of the Marquise chairlift, discover the job of ski patroller accompanied by a hot drink and cheese,
• Ice sculptures Wednesdays in February French school holidays: ice carving demonstration to music by professional ice carver Hugues Grammont,
• Guided tours Wednesdays Jan-April 2025,
• Torchlit descent Thursdays in Christmas and February French school holidays: children can participate. The descent is down the blue Charmettes piste and adults must accompany.

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.

Why not try:

• 'Le 1580m', the restaurant offers a unique experience based around craft beer. For the 24/25 season, you can now buy the beer in bottles to takeaway. The restaurant stands out for its house-smoked meats, accompanied by seasonal vegetables,
• 'Le Saint Germain', every Monday evening the restaurant offers a free wood-fired fondue tasting experience outside on the 'Place de la Chapelle'. You can enjoy a traditional fondue prepared over an open fire, featuring quality local produce,
• 'Les Moulinettes' features a real outdoor after-ski atmosphere. The crackling braziers create a warm, friendly atmosphere, perfect for unwinding and extending the evening with friends and family. It also stands out for the cuisine of its Belgian-born chef, who brings a genuine blend of local and international flavours to the table.

Amenities

Sainte Foy is served by a range of amenities including a general food store, post office, ski shop, gift shop, takeaway, fresh produce shop and newsagents.

A cash machine is located on the parking Maisonnettes (P3).

Nearest petrol station is 16km at Bourg St Maurice.

Is Sainte Foy linked to Val d'Isere or Les Arcs?  

Sainte Foy is a few miles away from both Val d’Isère and Les Arcs, so if you have a car then it’s just a short drive to either resort.  

Is Sainte Foy snow sure? 

Historically Sainte Foy has had an especially good snow record higher up in the resort. At all altitudes the best snowfall tends to be in January and February. 

Is Sainte Foy good for beginners? 

Sainte Foy has several options for beginners, including two magic carpets that are freely accessible. 

How do you pronounce Sainte Foy?

Sant Fwa

How to get to Sainte Foy, France

Sainte Foy is easily accessible by road, rail and air, details of which we've covered below. Peak Retreats are self-drive specialists. You can find out more about driving to the Alps in our blog.

By road:
Distance from Calais to Sainte Foy 610 miles (981km), approx. 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 (123km), approx. 1hr 30 mins

Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Sainte Foy is roughly 125 miles (201km), approx. 2hrs 15 mins
Geneva Airport to Sainte Foy is roughly 126 miles (202km), approx. 2hrs 30 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Sainte Foy is roughly 122 miles (196km), approx. 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