Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise

Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise

The fountain and chapel in the hamlet of Le Monal, in Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise
Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise

Coordinates: 45°35′N 6°53′E / 45.59°N 6.88°E / 45.59; 6.88Coordinates: 45°35′N 6°53′E / 45.59°N 6.88°E / 45.59; 6.88
Country France
Region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Department Savoie
Arrondissement Albertville
Canton Bourg-Saint-Maurice
Intercommunality Haute Tarentaise
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Raymond Bimet
Area1 100.15 km2 (38.67 sq mi)
Population (2006)2 856
 • Density 8.5/km2 (22/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code 73232 / 73640
Elevation 871–3,747 m (2,858–12,293 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.
Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise
Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise
Location within Alps
Top elevation 2,622 m (8,602 ft)
Base elevation 1,550 m (5,090 ft)
Runs
  • 24 total
  •   2 beginner
  •   7 easy
  •   11 intermediate
  •   4 difficult
Lift system
Website www.saintefoy-tarentaise.com/english/winter/ski/

Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise is a commune in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France.

Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise is a village in the Tarentaise Valley in Savoie, France. The old village lies on the main road between Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Val-d'Isère. About 4 km above the village (turning left at La Thuile) is the ski resort of Sainte Foy (referred as Sainte Foy Station). It is a small resort with four chairlifts, 15 slopes and accommodation for 2,500 people. Sainte Foy has groomed pistes which are often very quiet, but it is more famous for the off-piste skiing and snowboarding.

Sainte-Foy village is a Savoie style village, built from stone and wood. It has remained unspoiled compared to many mountain villages and ski areas in France. The village centres on a cluster of bars and restaurants. There is accommodation in the main village including hotels and chalets. There are chalets offering accommodation in the satellite villages of La Masure and Le Miroir.

Ski resort

The ski resort sits high above the village at 1550m above sea level. The resort was built in an old farming hamlet, some of which survives as chalet accommodation. Most of the village has been built recently, but in a sympathetic style using wood and stone. There are luxury apartments and chalets. There are two spas in the resort, both with swimming pools, jacuzzis, and saunas, as well as massage and beauty treatments. There are five ski shops, two bars, three restaurants and a small supermarket.

The mountain

The mountain has four chairlifts and two magic carpets for beginners. There is a vertical drop of just over 1000 m from the highest point at the Col de l'Aiguille (2620 m). There are around 20 pistes, with a choice for all ability levels. A green trail snakes through the trees back down to the resort while the new Grande Soliet run down from the Marquise chairlift offers a long, wide, swooping blue-grade trail. Red runs vary from the roller-coaster of Les Creux de Formeian to tight, steep challenges. There is one groomed black run but another three marked off-piste areas, also graded black.

While the on-piste skiing is excellent for beginners and confirmed skiers, the resort is also known for the off-piste terrain. This varies from short runs between the trails to legendary descents such as the easy tour to the village of Le Monal or the fearsome north face of La Fogliettaz.

See also

References

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