Sainte Foy Tarentaise - Community Reviews & Ratings

Sainte Foy is the sort of resort you settle into after visiting the larger ones over a number of years. It's where ski instructors from nearby mega resorts go on their day off. Val d'Isere and Les Arcs are just nearby and easily accessed on a day trip by car in circa 15 to 20 minutes, although you probably won't bother all that often, as the resort has all you need. We have visited a fair few times over a couple of decades. It's a home from home, which is well suited to small groups of friends, and good for teaching kids ... or adults for that matter. It's not a big resort, it only has a handful of lifts, that have been added to since the millennium, but these cover a fair amount of terrain. It's all about quality over quantity in Sainte Foy though. With a dump of fresh powder, the place opens up a huge amount of extra possibilities, if you are lucky enough to experience a sunny day after a big snowfall, there's no better location in the Alps. The rest of the time, it's perfectly pleasant, and although compact, there's enough territory to avoid boredom, while becoming familiar enough to concentrate on simply skiing well, without having to map read excessively, or making sure you have time to get back home to critical links as the day ends. If you keep going down, all routes will end up at the embracing village centre, it's nearly impossible to get lost, although there are back country off piste routes to be wary of. The resort has a mix of chiefly visiting and local Brits, plus French locals of course. There's and inclusive feel where visitors and residents mingle well, bound together in appreciation, as those who find the resort like to keep things as a bit of a secret (I have betrayed this here, I realise). Once you find your ski legs, try keeping up with the local kids in the resident ski club, who zip all over the mountain in a perpetual tuck, that's in between racing. The place is well respected and frequentled by a number of Olympians. Although don't be intimidated, as beginners are well served on the lower levels, whilst the more advanced can dissappear up high on the expansive upper slopes. The mid level slopes are great for intermediates, and some of the runs back to the resort aren't too challenging. One is particularly long and easy, allowing improvers to tackle more terrain without getting out their depth. I enjoyed teaching my 4 year old son here back in the day. There's a few mid level restaurants and bars that you can pop in for a drink, or stop longrr at for more substantial meals. Mixed ability groups can split up and agree to meet just above the first lift, or back in the resort, which has a few decent bars and restaurants. The resort itself is not large and isn't for clubbers but it's perfect for relaxed apres ski. The accommodation is generally high quality, although functional options are possible. If you do choose the resort, I wish you well, I don'tthink there's much chance of being disappointed.