The Skiers' Guide to Sainte Foy Tarentaise

While you may not have heard of Sainte Foy (pronounced San Fwah,) you will have absolutely heard of its Tarantaise neighbours, Tignes and Val D’isère. Despite being only a short distance down the mountain from these famous, sprawling resorts, Sainte Foy itself couldn’t be more different. Charming, quaint and with only 26 pistes of varying terrain, this is a hidden gem that promises an authentic experience. Think snow-capped chalets with wood-clad facades and lauze roof shingles, roaring log fires and walks through a postcard-perfect winter wonderland.

Despite only being recently inaugurated as a ski resort in 1990, people have been making tracks in this area for almost 100 years. Sainte Foy itself has a close relationship with the evolution of skiing - the historic Hotel Arpin (now known as Hôtel le Monal) was the home of brothers Guy and Michel Arpin, both of whom joined the French national team, and the latter of which went on to train triple Olympic champion Jean Claude Killy. Nowadays (although re-built since) the hotel is operated by the 6th generation of the Arpin family.

Sitting at 1550m, Sainte Foy is known for having a unique microclimate that often results in an abundance of powder, as well as being sheltered from the severe winds higher up. Offering spellbinding views out towards Les Arcs and La Rosiere, this attractive resort is the embodiment of ‘quality over quantity.’ Densely populated with both British and French inhabitants, you also won’t struggle if your French is trés mauvais - most people and businesses speak English here.

Many people in the Snomad community love skiing in Sainte Foy because of the relaxed, low-pressure environment and lack of lift queues. Regulars are also keen to keep it under wraps, so maybe don’t go shouting about it too much.

While resort height sits at a convenient 1550m, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the conditions 2620m up, and a vertical drop of more than 1000m. Everything below 2100m also benefits from snow cannons, keeping things skiable in all conditions. The pistes are varied enough that everyone is catered for, and advanced riders who quickly tire of the same runs can enjoy the three ‘Natur Ski’ runs which are ungroomed yet marked, or delve into the abundance of off-piste pockets alongside an experienced guide.

Due to the size of the resort, almost everything is ski-in ski-out, which makes things easy for families. The majority of runs here are blues and reds, making it a haven for both beginners and intermediates. With an intuitive and straightforward layout, it’s almost impossible to get lost, and each of the pistes leads back to base, which is another reassuring aspect for families.

While snowboarders might lament the lack of snowpark, what they will enjoy are the touring options from Foglietta, as well as the unlimited tree runs and pockets of insane powder.

Thanks to its central location, other resorts such as Tignes, Val D’isère, Les Arcs and Le Rosiere are all within easy reach. You can experience a ‘Ski Safari’ and ride at other resorts for the day should you wish, often benefitting from reduced lift pass prices.

The number of bars and restaurants on offer in Sainte Foy has increased alongside the popularity of the resort, giving guests a decent range of choice. On the mountain, all slopeside restaurants enjoy stunning views of Mont Pourri and offer great lunch options that are kinder on the wallet than those in larger resorts. Choose between Savoyard specialities at Chez Léon, the plat du jour at Les Brevettes and fresh organic fare at Les Marquises.

In resort, Les Moulinettes is known for its hearty burgers, delicious salads and great cocktails, while both La Maison à Colonnes and Le Monal Hotel bring the cosy alpine experience with classics like raclette, fondue and duck. For an intimate experience over rich foie gras and fondue, be sure to reserve your table at Le Saint Germain.

If it’s more of an informal affair you’re after, The White Lounge does great tapas and pizzas and Le W is perfect for larger groups.

Sainte Foy is very much a family-orientated, smaller resort, which is why the après ski scene is limited. However, there’s plenty of fun to be found for those who want it. Both Lama Llama and Les Moulinettes are relatively recent additions to the resort's après scene, while The White Lounge is known as the place to watch rugby and football matches alongside great cocktails. If you really feel the need to let your hair down after a gruelling days skiing, you can often find transport to nearby Val D’isère or Tignes, where après goes off at the likes of Cocorico, Petit Danois, The Marmot Arms and Loop Bar.

Catering to families and nature-loving non-skiers, Sainte Foy has a range of activities on offer including dog sledding, snowshoeing, forest walks, a free toboggan run and even three-day ‘Yeti Montagnard’ courses for little ones. There’s also a regular programme of yoga, as well as the indulgent spa suite in Les Fermes de Sainte Foy.

Despite it’s small size, there’s still a choice of accommodation options on offer in Sainte Foy. There’s a range of private chalets for those going all out, while the Résidence Club MMV L'Etoile des Cimes offers a great balance between self-catering and hotel, with a morning bakery delivery service ensuring you get those buttery goods before your ski day. The Black Diamond lodge is the place to head if you’re seeking luxury, as it provides a hotel-like experience with an exclusive bar and restaurant, private library, outdoor hot tubs, outside terraces, log fires, private balconies, adjacent indoor spa and convenient underground parking.

Pros

• Quiet - very rarely any lift queues!
• Marked, ungroomed trails & plenty of off-piste
• Very family-friendly
• Sheltered position

Cons

• 26 pistes may feel limited for some
• Not a huge après scene (may also be considered a pro!)