Sainte Foy The secret resort of the Tarantaise

Sainte-Foy-station, these are only chalets and even new constructions respect the style of architecture imposed. The standard of the accommodation is up to the landscape and the beautiful slopes. Admittedly, the ski area is not very large (there are only four chairlifts) but the slopes are long and allow you to go from the glacier and its bare peaks to the resort, passing through larch and spruce forests. in fabulous silence.

Here, there are no skiers keen on speed, but athletes of all levels. Beginners and intermediates evolve in turn on real boulevards admirably prepared, or cross the forest on idyllic passages. Good skiers go up to the needles for more technical slopes. The big plus of Sainte-Foy is its magnificent off-piste area. While for some outings it is imperative to go with a guide, many areas are accessible even to beginners, presenting no danger. The routes pass through forests and secret nature sites.

Secure freeride areas, on a slight slope, allow novices to learn. After a tough warm-up, we set off on “Natur'shaper paradise”, an off-piste area reserved for creating jumps. It is aimed at experienced skiers. Mandatory safety equipment!
Another special feature of the resort is the possibility of heliskiing. The landing of passengers being prohibited in France, the helicopter lands on the Italian side of the Ruitor glacier. In a few steps, skiers cross the border and set off for a descent of pure pleasure in the virgin snow of the glacier before moving on to the famous north face of Fogliettaz (accessible to skiers who already have a good level!).

With its 900 inhabitants scattered over several hamlets, Sainte-Foy is one of the largest municipalities in France: 11,000 hectares of communal land including forests, no less than 9 peaks over 3,000 meters. The traditional architecture is preserved: stone, wood and slate adorn the large chalets with balconies, columns and gable roofs. It is in Sainte-Foy that we find the last houses with columns of Valdostan origin.

In the "resort", a few good restaurants, nice little bars but no discotheque, just a few shops. Everything is done to fully enjoy nature. Athletes for whom skiing rhymes with pleasure, will find what they are looking for. Especially since the slopes of Tignes are not far away!