Sainte-Foy Tarentaise

A glance at the piste map suggests that Sainte-Foy’s groomed terrain is not exactly extensive, but as the many loyal devotees (including pros) which this place attracts will tell you, there’s huge off-piste potential plus a highly-impressive 1070m vertical drop on offer. That means there’s some serious skiing to be done, aided by quality grooming and powerful, high-speed lifts.

Another significant plus-point is the fact that lower return runs to the village pass through mature pine-forests, which not only offer shelter should visibility become marginal, but also some enjoyable cruising detours, should you feel the need to get back to nature.

The other factor which will haunt you is the dramatic setting high above the Haute-Tarentaise Valley, with glimpses of Les Arcs and La Rosière. If you’re tempted you can ski them for a day at a discount with your six-day Sainte-Foy lift-pass, along with Tignes and Val d’Isère.

For family skiers, however, one of Sainte-Foy’s most compelling attractions is undoubtedly its ability to offer a super-convenient, virtually doorstep skiing experience.

Sainte-Foy’s accommodation and services were developed around a super-safe novice area served by a gentle ’magic carpet’ lift, plus the Grand Plan chairlift (upgraded in 2013 to a high-speed four-seater) which is the point of departure for all skiers heading up the mountain.

Things have grown in recent years, but in a chalet style which complements the existing, much older architecture of the original farming village. The venerable La Maison à Colonnes, for example, has been here since around 1755, having switched roles along the way from farmhouse to popular restaurant.

Development has now shifted from the original Bon Conseil village to an area a little further north known as La Bataillette, where things are currently less convenient in terms of access to the skiing. A return piste has already been created, however, along with bar, restaurant, mini-market and pharmacy, so we’d imagine that it can’t be too much longer before it gets a dedicated lift, too.

Sainte-Foy Tarentaise was once known mainly to hardcore off-piste skiers, but they’ve since been joined by increasing numbers of ordinary families and intermediates simply looking for a convenient, quality experience with the reassurance of premium, mostly self-catered accommodation.

For toddlers the ESF Ski School has a cheerful Piou-Piou Club where they can have fun while getting around on skis. The next stage is a gentle novice area overlooked by apartments which allow family and friends to keep a discrete eye on progress. That makes it a solid choice for families.

Intermediates can string together a choice of long, blue-graded descents from the top of the La Marquise chairlift (2425m) back to where they started at 1515m – almost 1000m of vertical drop. Ski the reds, though, and you get the full 1070m of vertical, in a more bracing descent.

Anyone self-catering will appreciate the comparatively realistic pricing in the two mini-markets, which are part of the French U chain, plus the compact layout of both villages. Heading out to shop after a day’s skiing won’t feel like too much of a slog here.

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