In the South-Eastern part of France near the Italian border lies Sainte Foy ski area. Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise is a quaint village in the Rhone-Alps region in Savoie, France. About 4km above the old village is the small ski resort with 15 different slopes to suit beginners and expert skiers and snowboarders alike.
The ski area has four chairlifts and accommodation for up to 2500 people. One of the great aspects of this resort is that it remains a small area so the slopes are not crowded with hundreds on skiers and snowboarders. There is accommodation in the in the main village in the form of luxury hotels and popular chalets. There are also more chalets in the nearby villages of La Masure and Le Miroir.
The resort is approximately 1500m above sea level and was previously an old farming hamlet with few chalets. Most of the village is more modern being built with good quality stone and wood. You’ll find two spas at the resort which include saunas, jacuzzis, swimming pools and for those looking to spoil themselves, even massage and beauty treatments. There are five different ski shops and three restaurants with many tasty dishes on the menus to fill your appetite as well as a supermarket for those who prefer to self-cater.
For beginners there are two magic carpets on the learners slopes. There are about 20 pistes for all different levels of skiers. There are several green, blue and red grade runs but only one groomed black grade run. The resort is known for its choice of off-piste slopes of which there is a variety to suit every skier. Thankfully the powder lasts for days due to the north-west facing slopes. Guides are available to show you around the area and perhaps down the well-known descent of Fogliettaz.
There is a new automated lift pass system that allows a hands free check in. You can purchase or re-new your passes online and there are now dedicated sales points for tour operators. The resort has introduced a new piste machine of the latest technology and design to prepare the pistes in time for the peak season. The waste from the resort is treated in a biological grease disposal unit as well as a hydrocarbon separator to minimize the impact of the environment.
A picture table has been introduced, to show the surrounding summits from a top Col de l’Aiguille which is located at about 2600m above sea level. All in all the resort offers great opportunities for skiing and snowboarding and not just for advanced skiers but the whole family.
The official website offers loads of interesting links for the type of skiing, accommodation and passes available. There is a lot of information on the area as well as webcams and updated snow reports. See www.saintefoy-tarentaise.com for more information.
Image courtesy of: http://www.saintefoy-tarentaise.com/hiver/ski/pistes-et-remontees/