Summer In Sainte Foy

Hiking & Walking:

Sainte Foy is situated on the edge of the magnificent Vanoise National Park which makes it the ideal location for exploring the 70km of footpaths in the area. The vast network of paths will take you through thick forests, historic villages, Alpine meadows and may even lead you face to face with a local 'ibex', 'marmotte', or 'chamois'. There are some breathtaking walks in the area for all levels including family walks, full or half day excursions, and even hikes of several days staying in mountain huts or 'refuges'. These huts can be used in both France and Italy, which is only 25km away. See examples of the local refuges:

• Refuge de Turia
• Refuge de Ruitor
• Refuge de l'Archeboc

One of the most picturesque local walks from Sainte Foy is to the protected village of Le Monal. This hamlet, which dates back to the 18th century, is set in a stunning part of the valley and affords amazing views of the glaciers across the valley. Locals reside here in the summer when you will see them working on their chalets and in the winter it is possible to ski off-piste through the snow-covered hamlet. See an untouched, authentic farming hamlet at Le Monal and feel as if you have stepped back through time.

Click the map above to see the huge range of walking and hiking trails available in and around Sainte Foy.

The various glacial lakes around Sainte Foy are also fantastic for walking around. The hike to Le Clou, which is another hamlet beyond Le Monal, is spectacular and is home to a beautiful high-altitude lake. Hike up from Le Monal through the trees and find yourself in this remote, peaceful valley. From here you can see the ridge which separates France from Italy.

The walks to Le Monal and Le Clou are just a couple of the many amazing walks to be done from Sainte Foy. See the map below for more suggestions.

Pétanque:

A hugely popular game in France, pétanque is a form of boules. The basic aim of the game is to throw your boules as close to the jack as possible. A gravel court is located in front of the Bar l'Iceberg and a pétanque set can be obtained from the sport shops in resort.

Badminton:

Either on the main wooden decking in the centre of the resort of just outside the Bar l'Iceberg there are badminton nets. Racquets and shuttlecocks can be obtained from Ski Set.

Pony Rides:

Pony and horse rides everyday around the local tracks. Stunning woodland rides, ideal for children and adults alike. A unique way in which to explore Sainte Foy!

Spa, Swimming, Massage & Pilates:

• Les Fermes de Sainte Foy Spa
• As well as the indoor swimming pool there is also a range of spa therapies and treatments including facials, body massage, body scrubs and body wraps. Personal programmes can also be tailored to you.
  t: +33 (0)4 79 06 14 61
  
• Massage, Pilates & Reflexology, Mountain Equilibre
• Alternative therapies and fitness in the mountains; relaxing massage, sports massage, pilates and reflexology are all on offer with Sarah Sissons. The Mountain Equilibre studio is just 10 minutes from Sainte Foy resort in the local village or treatments can be booked for your chalet or apartment in resort.
  t: +33 (0)6 87 82 33 36
  

Some excellent public swimming pools are also just a short distance from Sainte Foy:

• Bourg Saint Maurice, Centre Nautique
• Just 25 minutes' drive from Sainte Foy, the indoor swimming pool in Bourg Saint Maurice offers a 25m lane pool as well as a shallow children's pool. In summer the outdoor 50m pool is open and has a range of diving boards. The swimming pool is located just across the road from Intermarché and Super U.
  t: +33 (0)4 79 07 09 27
  
• Tignes Le Lac, Le Lagon
• The aqua centre, Le Lagon, at Tignes Le Lac is only 25 minutes away from Sainte Foy and children under 5 are admitted at no charge. There is an indoor 25m lane pool, a children's paddling pool, as well as water slides, a waterfall and whirlpool seats. A separate spa area contains steam baths, saunas, fun showers, and a solarium. The aqua centre also contains a gym.
  t: +33 (0)4 79 40 29 95
  
• Val d'Isère Swimming Pool
• Located on the nursery slopes of Val d'Isère and only 25 minutes from Sainte Foy, the swimming centre here has a 25m indoor pool, an aquagym, plus swimming lessons can be arranged.
  t: +33 (0)4 79 06 05 90
  

Table Tennis:

Perfect your top spin and backhand! In the summer there are two table tennis or ping pong tables on the main decking in the centre of the resort. Bats and balls can be borrowed from either the tourism office or from Ski Set.

Tennis:

Just down the road in Sainte Foy village there is a well-maintained clay court. Courts can be booked at the tabac (newsagents) called 'Santa-Fé' in Sainte Foy village. There are also tennis courts at Tignes Le Lac.

Cycling & Mountain Biking:

Whether you are a keen road racer, a downhill mountain biker, a gentle 'Sunday cycler', or a cross-country track rider, Sainte Foy caters for everyone. Read on to find out more about the varied terrain.

• Road Cycling:
  With its challenging uphill stretches and rewarding downhill, the roads around Sainte Foy are ideal for improving fitness levels at altitude through road cycling. The mountain passes are also spectacular and afford incredible views from the tops. Why not sample a stage or two of the Tour de France yourself or come and spectate one of the most physically testing cycle races in the world!
  
• Gentle Mountain Biking:
  From Sainte Foy resort there are lots of gentle, wide tracks for those wishing to explore the local area. For example, a gentle uphill climb (along a winter green ski run) leads you up to the top of the first chairlift from where you can complete the circuit and enjoy a tree descent back to the resort.
  
  Alternatively, try a longer ride all the way down to Bourg Saint Maurice from Sainte Foy; ride down to La Thuile on the road, then jump onto the trail which crosses the river and runs along the other side of the valley. This is a pretty, undulating ride which takes the best part of two hours. Ride along the side of the river, through the trees on the wide track, and end up in the park at Bourg Saint Mauirce. Most of the ride is downhill and does not require technical riding skills.
  
  Of course, if you prefer not to ride back up to Sainte Foy, just organise a Première Neige transfer back to resort!
• Cross-Country Mountain Biking:
  If you like to test your fitness levels or prefer a challenge, there are great cross-country mountain bike rides from Sainte Foy to suit all levels. The uphill ride to the protected village of Le Monal is a great cross-country ride. A gradual climb through the forest on a wide track enables you to reach Le Monal, a stunning hamlet found nestling in a flat area of mountain pastures. From here you can head back on a mixture of single or wider tracks. There are various routes back down to Sainte Foy from the higher levels.
  

  Or why not try an all-day cross country ride? Climb up to Le Monal from Sainte Foy and then continue along the valley towards Tignes. Wind you way along the valley and then drop down through the trees on some testing single track to Tignes Les Brevieres.

  After a rest, climb back up to Tignes Le Lac and then start the descent along the opposite side of the valley to Sainte Foy. You can either head direct back to resort or join the trail to Bourg Saint Maurice. There are literally dozens of options from Sainte Foy.
• 
  
• Downhill Mountain Biking (VTT or Vélo Tout-Terrain):
  The ultimate biking experience, downhill in Sainte Foy is some of the best in the valley!
  
  From Sainte Foy there are various main options: either take the local shuttle bus up to the top of the first chairlift (the minibus tows a special bike rack holding around a dozen bikes) and explore the runs back down to resort; ride down from Sainte Foy to the village and beyond, to Bourg Saint Maurice, if you desire; take a Première Neige transfer to a local drop point and descend from there, then get picked up by us and driven back to resort.
  
  At Sainte Foy itself there are challenging single track runs at every turn. Steep drop-ins, rock jumps, and even some specially-created tracks involving man-made jumps and rollovers can be found here. Most of the tracks are in the trees and there are some great switchback hairpin turns, perfect for practicing your technique.
  Locally there are yet more excellent downhill routes. From La Rosière there is a great track all the way from around 1850m down to Bourg Saint Maurice at 800m. Similarly, the downhill at Les Arcs and Tignes Le Lac offers a combination of natural terrain and man-made tracks.
  
  So whether you are looking for steep, technical rides or fast, smooth tracks with banked turns, Sainte Foy offers something for everyone.

Helicopter Flights:

If you would like to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Tarentaise Valley but would rather a little more security, perhaps the safety of a helicopter is just for you. Whether you choose a five minute ‘discovery flight' or a forty-five minute exploration it is a wonderous way to discover your surroundings.

Helicopters can also be arranged for transfers from the airports or between the local ski resorts! If you would like to use a helicopter to get around the Alps much quicker, we are able to organise this for you with our suggested partner companies:

• Heli Mountains
  Located just down the road in Bourg Saint Maurice, Heli Mountains offer a 'helitaxi' service from the surrounding airports. Reach your chalet and the ski slopes quickly and avoid road congestion in busy periods. Heli Mountains also offer 'discovery flights' around Mont Blanc as well as 'pleasure formula flights' which include transfers to quality restaurants in the region.
• Blugeon Helicopters
  Reach Sainte Foy from the airport in a few minutes, fly over the majestic Mont Blanc Massif or have the helicopter drop you on top of a mountain summit in Italy for a magic off-piste decent.

Contact us for more details and to book your heli-transfers.

Parapenting/Paragliding

If the idea of soaring high above the stunning pastures of the Tarentaise valley enveloped by towering mountain peaks inspires the adrenaline junkie in you, then paragliding could be just what you are looking for!

• Alerion
• Soar through the skies of the valley and land on the snow! Tandem flights, performance and bespoke flights.
  t: +33 (0)4 79 04 18 90
  
• Arcs en Ciel
• Fourteen years of parapenting experience, based in Bourg Saint Maurice and flying from Les Arcs.
  t: +33 (0)4 79 07 61 91
  
• Mountain River High
• Fly tandem, from the top of the mountain! For age 6 and over. Private lessons also available.
  t: +33 (0)6 12 90 10 62
  

'Parcours aventure' High Ropes Courses:

Climb up into the trees, traverse rope bridges and abseil down, all while being safely attached to a rope by your harness.

There are great courses located a short drive from Sainte Foy. These cater for a range of abilities, from people who have never worn a harness to large-scale courses high up in the tree tops. An exhilarating and rewarding experience.

Rafting, Canoeing, Canyoning & Hydrospeed:

Controlled by the damn at Tignes, the Isère is a renowned and respected river for water sports in the Alps. If you have never been rafting, canoeing, canyoning, or tried hydrospeed (river boarding), this is a fantastic opportunity to try these adrenaline sports.

Cool off in the vibrant blue waters and enjoy an adventure in a unique setting. For more information visit www.mountainriverhigh.fr and www.coureurs-rivieres.com.

Rock Climbing:

The mountains of Sainte Foy and its surrounding area offer endless climbing routes for beginners and experts alike. At the lower levels there are routes found in woodland settings, while further up the mountains more severe, exposed rock faces are available to challenge experienced climbers. The local routes range from the French classifications of 4 to 8a and it is recommended that you climb with an experienced guide:

• Bureau des Guides de Haute-Tarentaise
  A team of fully qualified professionals which has been working together since 1992 to provide a complete package of mountain activities for its clients. The extremely knowledgeable team live all year round in a mountain environment. Offering both winter and summer activities.
  t: +33 (0)6 14 62 90 24
  

• Severin Marchand, Guides & Co.
• High mountain guide offering off-piste, ice climbing and heliskiing in the winter as well as mountaineering, sport climbing, canyoning and via ferrata in the summer months.
  t: +33 (0)6 23 61 72 84
  

Summer Skiing:

The Grande Motte glacier at Tignes enables summer skiing up to the height of almost 3500m. Open between June/July and September (depending on conditions), the funicular at Tignes Val Claret whisks you up to the glacier in just 7 minutes. At the top the views are stunning so whether you are skiing, snowboarding, or just going up as a pedestrian, it is well worth a visit. There is also an excellent restaurant at the top of the funicular. For opening times, which may vary depending on the time of year, view the Tignes website. To view the piste map of Tignes, click here.

Via Ferrata:

Developed in the First World War to aid the movement of infantry across the Alps, Via Ferrata (Italian for 'iron road') is a variation on rock climbing. Using a series of fixed iron ladders and cables, marked routes lead you up rockfaces and offer a great introduction to rock climbing. Graded from easy to extremely difficult, Via Ferrata is suitable for any age and ability.

You are always clipped into the fixed rope by your carabiner and it is a very safe activity. High Mountain Guides will ensure you have the proper equipment and knowledge and will lead you safely up courses to suit your level of experience:

• Bureau des Guides de Haute-Tarentaise
  A team of fully qualified professionals which has been working together since 1992 to provide a complete package of mountain activities for its clients. The extremely knowledgeable team live all year round in a mountain environment. Offering both winter and summer activities.
  t: +33 (0)6 14 62 90 24
  

• Severin Marchand, Guides & Co.
• High mountain guide offering off-piste, ice climbing and heliskiing in the winter as well as mountaineering, sport climbing, canyoning and via ferrata in the summer months.
  t: +33 (0)6 23 61 72 84
  

4x4 & Quads:

Test your driving skills on the internationally renowned, specially designed 4x4 tracks in Tignes which are the highest in Europe. Either be driven by a professional and enjoy the mountain views or drive yourself (with an instructor).

Alternatively, jump on a quad and explore the hundreds of hectares of 4x4 tracks. Quad biking is an action packed and fun way to discover the superb Alpine views and experience the joys of these super-agile, all-terrain vehicles. This activity is offered by the Evolution 2 adventure school.