STE FOY TARENTAISE - Introduction
Ste Foy Tarentaise is a small, quiet, uncrowded resort set in the French Alps, in the charming traditional Savoyard style of wood and stone chalets and apartments. The resorts quietness and the safety of its pistes make it relatively good for families, though the more major resorts of Val D’Isere, Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne and la Rosiere are still within reach for those in a car. Whilst the village and hamlets of Ste Foy date back to the Middle Ages, the resort itself relatively new, opening in 1990, and is popular with intermediate, advanced and off-piste skiers, however, recent developments have aimed to make the mountain more accessible to skiers of all abilities.
Skiing
Ste-Foy offers about 35km of pistes, with 5 lifts, and is very well suited to intermediate skiers. Snow is reasonably reliable on the north facing slopes, which range from 1550-2620m. As a relatively quite resort, there are no crowds, and the ski area covered by the lifts offers safe powder skiing, whilst those daring enough to venture off piste can ski in one of three patrolled, avalanche controlled zones, and enjoy the broad bowl, wooded slopes, and breath-taking off-piste runs. Skiers with cars can also travel to Val D’Isere, Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne or La Rosiere, where skiing costs around €22 for a day if you present a 6 day Ste-Foy pass.
Snowboarding
Whilst Ste-Foy does not boast a terrain park, it does still accommodate boarders. In one of the 3 special off piste areas, boarders are encouraged to build their own features, whilst there are great areas for free-riding between pistes, offering plenty of trees and powder.
Ski Schools
There is an Ecole Du Ski Francais ski school at Ste Foy, which has received good reviews; especially for children’s lessons.
Eating Out
Ste Foy is a small resort, and so there are few restaurants and bars, aside from those inside the hotels, although the Maison a Colonnes and Chez Alison offer good, simple food. At the mountain station of Plan Bois, Les Brevettes and Chez Leon serve to refuel skiers, whilst in nearby Le Miroir, the Chez Marie has a good reputation. In Ste-Foy-Station, the central traditionally styled Bergerie offers excellent food in its wood and stone surroundings, although it also operates a delivery service.
Bars and clubs
Apres-ski is relatively quiet in Ste-Foy, however, the Iceberg piano bar is enjoyable, whilst the Hotel Monal Bar and Pitchouli can be more lively.
Off the slopes
Aside from skiing, there is also paragliding, dog-sledding and snow-shoeing available, whilst the pool and spa of the Balcons-de-Ste-Foy offer some respite. For those who drive down or hire a car, the nearby resorts of Val D’Isere, Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne and La Rosiere are all good places to explore, whilst a bus service runs twice-weekly to Tignes for those who don’t.