Family Holidays: Sainte Foy Family Holidays

Take the Family holiday rating 4½ stars out of 5

Why

Sainte Foy is nestled in the French Alps, close to the Italian border, at a height of 1550 metres. Its stunning location gives breathtaking views of the valley and the impressive Mount Pourri plus access to over 800 hectares of virgin snow right at your back door!

Often referred to as the "Jewel in the Crown" of the French Alps, it is surrounded by the world famous resorts of Val d'Isere, Tignes and Les Arc as well as the smaller La Rosiere from where you can ski into Italy! This central location gives you access to some of the best skiing the world has to offer and is a perfect base to experience one of Premiere Neige's unique ski-safari adventures. The village of Sainte Foy remains remarkably unspoilt and has preserved its authentic charm and local architecture. It boasts affordable lift passes (half the price of those in Val d'Isere and Les Arcs!) and excellent traditional restaurants and bars.

Top left: Sainte Foy
Top middle: I love ski school
Top right: Skiing at Sainte Foy

Bottom left: Snowboarder
Bottom right: Slopeside Chalets

When

Sainte Foy is currently a winter resort, however keep an eye out for our new summer holidays

How

Fly to Geneva, Lyon or Chambery or take eurostar Bourge Sainte Marice then take a Premiere Neige transfer right to your door.

Do

SKIING - The pistes are beautifully and lovingly prepared and remain in top condition all day long due to the lack of crowds. The lower slopes offer wonderful sweeping runs through the trees, while the upper slopes provide truly breathtaking descents. You can explore tree-lined greens, gentle blues, wide and fast reds and challenging blacks. For beginners, the resort also has adult and children's nursery slopes. There is a fantastic mixture of terrain to suit all levels:

• Gentle undulating slopes - excellent for children and beginners
• More adventurous runs through the tree lines
• Challenging and exciting reds and blacks for more advanced skiers
• A natural playground for snowboarders with countless drops and hits.

Located just 25 metres from the chalets, the pistes run from 1550m to 2620m with the north-west facing slopes enjoying excellent snow throughout the winter. There are 3 efficient chairlifts serving each of the principle pisted runs as well as drag lifts on the two nursery slopes. This may seem a small number of lifts but they are under utilised (so, no queues!) and provide quick and easy access to a vast on-and off-piste area. All pistes end in a central location so no losing the little ones! In fact, the useable ski area at Sainte Foy is bigger than that of Val d'Isère!

SNOW SHOEING -You might like to try snow shoeing on paths that wind through the pine and spruce forests by the listed village of Le Monal, taking in spectacular views across to the glaciers on Mont Pourri, the farming hamlets of Le Planay and down to the St Guerin chapel.

HUSKY SLEDGING - Have fun with guided tours around the Sainte Foy forest paths. It is not for the faint hearted as you are in charge of your own huskies so make sure you have a hearty breakfast.

PARAGLIDING - Alternatively, leave the kids behind and float through the mountain air in Spring and see your own tracks from above in the capable hands of the Alerion paragliding team.