Short answer
Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise is a small ski resort at 1,550 metres in the Tarentaise, right between the giants Tignes, Val d'Isère and Les Arcs. There are only 43 kilometres of pistes and six lifts, but almost no queues, plenty of forest and lift passes at about half the price of its neighbours. Sainte-Foy suits families who want peace and quiet, and who are happy to take the car to a bigger resort one day of the week.
Quick facts
- Country / region
- France, Savoie
- Ski area
- Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise
- Altitude (village – top)
- 1550 – 2620 m above sea level
- Pistes
- 43 km
- Lifts
- 6
- Season
- mid-December – early April
- Nearest airports
- Geneva (about 2 h 30) · Chambéry (about 2 h)
- Train
- Train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, then car or taxi (about 25 min)
- Price level
- ●●●●● (1 = cheap, 5 = expensive)
Family rating
3,5 / 5
- Beginner slopes A beginner area with conveyor belts by the village, but most of the pistes higher up are red.
- Snow reliability The pistes reach 2,620 metres, and the forest keeps the snow good and gives contrast in bad weather.
- Distance from accommodation to lifts A small village where most of the accommodation is close to the lifts.
- More than skiing Quiet in the village – for more life and activities you take the car to the neighbouring resorts.
The rating is our overall assessment for families with children based on the criteria above – not a paid placement.
Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise is the ski resort most people drive past. It lies on the road between Bourg-Saint-Maurice and the big resorts Tignes and Val d’Isère, and every Saturday thousands of cars roll past the turn-off. But those who turn off find a small village with wooden houses, forest around the pistes and almost no queues.
For families who want peace and quiet, it is an unusually good choice – and the big resorts are still only a short drive away.
A small area – and what it is enough for
| Difficulty | Kilometres | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Blue and green | 10 km | 23 % |
| Red | 27 km | 63 % |
| Black | 6 km | 14 % |
Sainte-Foy has 43 kilometres of pistes and six lifts, from 1,550 to 2,620 metres. It is small compared with its neighbours, and most of it is red. That is why the resort suits these best:
- Families where the children can already ski and want calm, wide red slopes without crowds.
- Small children who learn in the beginner area with conveyor belts down by the village – then you do not need more than that.
- Families who are happy to take the car to a bigger resort one day of the week.
If everyone in the family is a beginner and wants long, easy blue slopes, there are better choices, such as La Rosière or the big areas of Les Arcs.
The forest – good when the weather is bad
A large part of the area lies in forest, and that makes Sainte-Foy good on a day with snowfall or poor visibility. The trees give contrast so that the children can see the slope, and shelter when it is windy – on the bare slopes of Tignes it can be hard to see anything at all on a grey day.
Skiing away from the pistes – only for adults with a guide
Sainte-Foy is known among experienced skiers for its skiing away from the pistes. But away from the pistes there is avalanche risk, and nobody checks the snow. Only do it with a certified mountain guide and full avalanche equipment – and never with children. For the family, the pistes are what count.
Day trips to the neighbours
By car you can reach several of the biggest ski areas in France in half an hour to three quarters of an hour:
- Tignes and Val d'Isère further up the valley – high, snow-sure and big.
- Les Arcs via the funicular from Bourg-Saint-Maurice.
- La Rosière on the other side of the valley – with skiing across the border to Italy.
Buy a day ticket on the spot in the resort you visit.
Sainte-Foy with kids
- Short queues – the children ski more and wait less.
- Beginner area with conveyor belts by the village.
- The lift pass costs about half as much as in Tignes.
You will find more resorts where the money goes further in cheap ski trips, and how to plan the week with children is in ski trips with children.
How to get to Sainte-Foy
- By train: take the train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice and a car or taxi up, 20–25 minutes. From Sweden: train to the Alps.
- By air: Geneva is about two and a half hours away by car, Chambéry about two hours.
- By car: a car is good to have here, both for the road up and for the day trips. Winter tyres and snow chains are required.
We compare all the French resorts in skiing holidays in France.
Packing for Sainte-Foy – easy things to forget
Frequently asked questions
Is Sainte-Foy too small for a ski week?
For many families it is enough, especially if the children are small. The area has 43 kilometres of pistes and six lifts. If you want more variety, you can take the car to Tignes, Val d'Isère or Les Arcs one day.
Is Sainte-Foy good for beginners?
There is a beginner area with conveyor belts down by the village, but most of the pistes higher up are red. Sainte-Foy suits families where the children can already ski a little best.
Is it good to ski away from the pistes in Sainte-Foy?
Sainte-Foy is known for it, but skiing away from the pistes carries avalanche risk. Only do it with a certified guide and the right equipment – and never with children.
How do you get to Sainte-Foy?
By train to Bourg-Saint-Maurice and then 20–25 minutes by car or taxi. From Geneva the drive takes about two and a half hours.
How much does the lift ticket cost in Sainte-Foy?
A day pass costs about half as much as in Tignes and Val d'Isère.
