Sainte Foy: Not Hidden Any More, But Still a Gem

third March 2024 | James Cove, Sainte Foy

The resort sits above the highway as much as Val d’Isere and Tignes from Bourg-st-Maurice.

The resort opened in 1990 and it stays the final ski resort that opened in France.

It’s prone to maintain that accolade for a very long time to come back.

It was talked about in hushed tones, by these in-the-know again within the 90s.

It was the real ‘hidden gem’.

Now it’s identified to many hundreds, however nonetheless has the sensation of someplace frequented by these with inside information.

Ski instructors from close by Val d’Isere and Tignes nonetheless come right here on their days off.

It has legendary off piste terrain, and I exploit the phrase ‘legendary’ fastidiously.

It seemed good for my first go to as I flung open the curtains of the Premiere Neige chalet I used to be staying in.

The British operator dominates the UK market right here, at present with 22 properties and 160 beds, although this fluctuates from season to season.

We posted about Premiere Neige earlier this season on PlanetSKI:

Extra in regards to the British success story of Premiere Neige later.

I’m on my very first, and really long-overdue, go to.

Sainte Foy was not fairly what I anticipated.

In actual fact it was in no way what I anticipated.

The excellent off piste was no nice shock, however others areas of Sainte Foy have been:

The piste skiingThe household skiingThe village itself

First although lets take a look at what the resort is most well-known for.

The Off Piste

It has been a little bit of a bumper season right here with large quantities of snow in the beginning of the season and into January.

The resort is north-west going through so doesn’t get hammered by the solar.

The resort itself is an honest sufficient peak at 1,550m, with the lifts going as much as, 2,622m.

The Pointe de la Folietta is at 2.930m and folks hike that solution to entry the perfect off piste.

Proof stays of the snowfall.

“General it has been a wonderful winter for snow with the heavy falls earlier on, and excellent piste upkeep by the resort,” mentioned the founding father of Premiere Neige, Fiona Harvey.

“It’s a disgrace we haven’t had any recent powder snow just lately, however it would come.”

The off piste terrain was not a shock – I anticipated it to be distinctive and so it proved to be.

The simply accessible stuff sits on the primary entrance face bowl, above and in between the lifts.

There’s some wonderful tree snowboarding decrease down.

Sadly the circumstances weren’t proper for any critical adventures on my swift go to, however we ventured off the marked runs close to the pistes the place there was loads of protection and, although tracked out, there have been a couple of pockets of the recent stuff.

On the steeps the snow was chalky and grippy

Over the again was the true stuff – accessed by booting uphill or traversing around the facet.

Although the circumstances weren’t proper to ski it, I might have a look.

Sainte Foy, France. Picture © PlanetSKI

Additional spherical and off the L’Aiguille raise, there’s one other bowl.

Then it was again to the accessible terrain.

Elements of it jogged my memory of Kicking Horse – my favorite resort in Canada.

The world is roofed by the castex avalanche detonation system with pylons and wires over the hazard spots.

“If there’s an incident the entire of the entrance bowl is seen to the pisteurs and the raise operators, so assist can be available swiftly,” mentioned Fiona.

“There’s hardly ever any incident, nevertheless it does give that added feeling of safety.”

And with that it was again to the primary shock of my go to – the piste snowboarding.

The Piste Snowboarding

The piste snowboarding, for which  Sainte Foy isn’t maybe reknowned, is nothing short of distinctive for my part.

There isn’t an unlimited quantity of slopes like a few of its neighbouring resorts – Val d’Isere, Tignes, Les Arcs & La Rosiere – however what it could lack in amount it definitely makes up for in high quality.

We have been off.

The groomed runs are filled with banks & rollers, there’s various steepness, large number of runs/terrain with high stage grooming.

Oh, and only a few individuals round.

There’s steep stuff on the high and nice runs by way of the timber decrease down.

I’ve simply come over from Les3Vallees the place the queues have been horrendous in locations.

See my earlier report as I tried to ski all of the resorts in L3V in a day:

There have been no queues in Sainte Foy.

The map does no justice in any respect – it seems considerably restricted, nevertheless it completely isn’t.

Right here’s my snow report that takes in my views of the piste snowboarding in Sainte Foy

And if you wish to unfold your wings and have a day hammering spherical one its neighbouring massive ski areas (Val d’Isere, Tignes, Les Arcs or La Rosiere) then you possibly can decide up a day go for the discounted price of €39 (£33.50) with a 6-day Sainte Foy lifts go.

That’s Tignes within the distance and a brief drive away.

Les Arcs is reverse Sainte Foy, throughout the valley.

And what about lunch on the mountain I hear you ask?

There’s a handful of genuine mountain eating places.

Household Snowboarding

This was one facet of the resort that maybe shocked me essentially the most.

I had not thought it catered so effectively for households and kids.

There’s a few magic carpets and a newbie space within the village.

 

The nursery slopes are free with well-priced raise passes.

Older children can discover the ski space on their very own as all runs lead again to the village.

“Our shoppers inform us they really feel so relaxed after they vacation with us in Sainte Foy,” mentioned Fiona.

“The youngsters can discover the quiet pistes with out the fear that’s related to the overrun bigger ski resorts.

“There’s additionally a number of enjoyable, diverse ski terrain for younger children in addition to older youngsters.

“With a implausible number of runs together with nursery learner slopes, a number of broad blues and reds for the little ones.”

It’s a resort for youths and specialists.

And lets not overlook this:

 

Appears adults can take part too.

The Village

The primary Sainte Foy village is a purpose- constructed affair, however carried out in fashion.

In case you are after energetic apres ski and nightclubs then go elsewhere.

However don’t assume there isn’t good off the slopes ingesting and consuming within the night.

Right here’s the St Germain bar:

And don’t overlook to pattern the nibbles with an area brew.

A meal in 1580 on the very high of the village is well worth the stroll.

Don’t overlook to pattern its dwelling brewed beer. In case you ask the barmaid you get a taster.

There’s at all times three on provide every night time:

Then have an even bigger one together with your meal:

The ribs come really helpful.

If anybody can inform me of one other resort that gives actually world-class off piste, excellent piste snowboarding, very first rate slopes & services for households and all wrapped up in a fantastic village with out crowds then I’d be more than happy to listen to.

Premiere Neige in Sainte Foy:

Premiere Neige began with simply two properties.

In addition to top quality ski lodging, the emphasis at Première Neige is on a private first-class service and making certain all visitors take pleasure in a memorable vacation within the mountains.

See right here for full particulars: Premiere Neige

Largest impartial chalet operator solely in Sainte Foy with 22 properties and appx 160 beds. We satisfaction ourselves on nice service, high quality properties and our longstanding intimate information of Sainte Foy.

Oh, and for the report I stayed at Chalet Marigold.

Not unhealthy, eh?