Sainte Foy - village
The attractive main village of Ste Foy is tucked away off the road from Bourg St Maurice to Tignes and Val d'Isère. Once a small cluster of rustic chalets, it has grown over the past 12 years but remains sympathetic in feel. Traditional-style apartment buildings and chalets are now spread widely around the central main nursery slope, most within easy walking distance of the lift or a piste down to it. Several small chalet operators specialise in Ste Foy, and there are also plenty of apartments to rent self-catered, usually in modern residences with spa facilities and pools. The views from some of the accommodation across the valley to Mont Pourri, and over to the Les Arcs ski area can be spectacular.
There are also more new chalet and apartment options a little further away from the lifts and facilities, at Battailette, which now has a run down to it, and further options in outlying villages such as Planay and La Masure. A ski bus serves these, along with Ste Foy Chef Lieu on the main road, but it's more convenient to use an operator that provides a shuttle service.
Ski/snowboard equipment hire
There are several ski and snowboard rental shops in St Foy: Zigzags, Skiset, Intersport and Ski Republic. Zigzags was the first ski shop in Ste Foy, and is the place to go for renting off-piste equipment.
Non-ski activities
There’s quite a bit to do here apart from skiing and snowboarding. You can try snowshoeing, or go on a husky dog-sledding expedition through the surroundings. There are winter walking paths through the pine woods to hamlets such as Le Planay and Le Monal. For a real adrenaline buzz, try paragliding, where you’ll overlook the entire region from hundreds of feet up in the air.
The slopes are floodlit for sledging too, once the lifts close.
Several of the residences have spa facilities and pools, some of which are also open to non-residents.
Childcare
The ESF ski school has ski kindergarten for four-year-olds upwards, and also offer family afternoon ski lessons too. If you would like a private nanny and babysitting, English-run Jelly and Ice Cream can come to your chalet, hotel or apartment.
Les P'tits Trappeurs nursery (+33 4 79 06 97 92) looks after children aged 3-11, and activities include building snowmen, treasure hunts, arts and crafts, and indoor and outdoor games. The tour operator Premiere Neige also has a creche, which is open to families not staying with them, subject to availability. It also offers babysitting and private nannies.
And ski passes are free for children up to seven years old.
