Tucked away in the Tarentaise Valley, Sainte Foy is a hidden gem that blends authentic alpine charm with fantastic skiing. Unlike its big-name neighbors like Val d'Isère and Les Arcs, Sainte Foy offers uncrowded slopes, a friendly atmosphere, and world-class off-piste skiing. With 41 km (25 miles) of pistes, the resort is ideal for families, intermediates, and freeride enthusiasts, all while maintaining a relaxed and intimate feel.
As one of the best ski resorts in France, Sainte Foy is renowned for its traditional Savoyard architecture, excellent natural snow cover, and tree-lined slopes sheltered from strong winds. This guide covers everything you need to plan your perfect Sainte Foy ski holiday—from its ski area and terrain to dining, après-ski, and key travel tips.
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Sainte Foy is located in the French Alps, in the Tarentaise Valley, within the Savoie region.
For a detailed view of Sainte Foy Tarentaise's location, you can explore it on Google Maps.
Nearest airport
Transfer time
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent snow cover with natural snowfall | Après-ski is very low-key |
| Uncrowded slopes | Less ski terrain than larger ski areas |
| High-quality off-piste skiing | Few challenging groomed runs |
| Family-friendly | n/a |
| Great value compared to neighboring resorts like Val d’Isère | n/a |
Sainte Foy is exceptionally beginner-friendly, with two free magic carpets at Marmots and Gallopins, allowing first-timers to practice at no cost. The Plan Bois blue is an ideal next step, offering a gentle, scenic descent that loops through the trees and leads back to the village. The Grand Plan chairlift also provides access to wide, confidence-boosting blue runs.
Intermediate skiers will find plenty of room to explore, with long, flowing red and blue pistes that offer a mix of scenic cruising and technical descents. The Grand Solliet blue provides a top-to-bottom run that allows skiers to enjoy a continuous, varied descent from 2,620m back to 1,550m. The L’Aiguille red offers a more challenging but rewarding descent, while Crystal Dark black adds a more intense experience for those looking to push themselves.
Sainte Foy is one of the best small resorts in the Alps for expert skiers, thanks to its accessible and high-quality off-piste terrain. The Morion and Crystal Dark black runs are great for on-piste challenges, but the real appeal is beyond the marked slopes. The north face of Fogliettaz is one of the best off-piste routes in the area, offering 1,500m of vertical descent into untracked powder fields. Off-piste lovers will also enjoy Shaper’s Paradise, a natural freeride zone, and La Marquise, which provides technical tree skiing and open powder fields.
Freestyle and snowboard enthusiasts can test their skills in the resort’s small but well-designed snow park, featuring jumps, rails, and a boardercross course next to the Crêt Serru blue run.
The ski season in Sainte Foy for 2024/25 began on December 14th and is expected to run until April 13th, although the official closing date has yet to be confirmed. If you're planning a ski holiday to Sainte Foy this winter, be sure to explore our Sainte Foy deals for the best ski offers available.
Sainte Foy offers optimal snow conditions from December through April, each month presenting unique opportunities for skiers. December and January consistently bring about 34 cm (13.38 in) and 35 cm (13.77 in) of snow respectively, dispersed across roughly 3.2 days each week, ensuring regular fresh snow. February's snowfall slightly decreases to 29 cm (11.41 in) but occurs more frequently, averaging 3.4 days per week. The pinnacle of snowfall arrives in the second week of December, traditionally the snowiest week in Sainte Foy, with an impressive 47 cm (18.5 in) of snow over 3.5 days, making it a paradise for those who cherish Bluebird Powder Days—when sunshine and light winds follow fresh snowfall. The season stretches into April with enjoyable conditions, accumulating 20 cm (7.87 in) of snow over 3.1 days, perfect for softer snow under brighter skies.
| Month | Snow amount (week) | Snow days (week) |
|---|---|---|
| December | 34 cm/13.38 in | 3.2 days |
| January | 35 cm/13.77 in | 3.2 days |
| February | 29 cm/11.41 in | 3.4 days |
| March | 31 cm/12.20 in | 3.7 days |
| April | 20 cm/7.87 in | 3.1 days |
(Ref: snow-forecast.com)
Despite its small size, Sainte Foy boasts a surprisingly high standard of dining, offering everything from cosy Savoyard chalets serving traditional mountain fare to modern bistros with creative menus.
If you’re looking to refuel mid-ski, you’ll find several well-placed restaurants right by the slopes. Highlights include:
For the evening, highlights include:
Sainte Foy is a laid-back resort, so wild après-ski isn’t part of its charm. Instead, it offers cosy bars, live music, and local wines by the fire—perfect for those who prefer a relaxed post-ski atmosphere. Best après-ski spots include:
Download Sainte Foy services, and facilities map here
