Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise

About

Few communes the size of Sainte Foy extend over such a vast area, or such a large difference in altitude. The commune covers over 11,000 hectares and spans a height difference of 2856m, from its lowest point at Viclaire at 890m to the summit of the Grande Sassière at 3746m. It is bounded to the South by the river Isère (apart from a small area on the other side of the river), and to the north for 20 or so kilometers by the Italian border. This can be easily crossed by the two mountain passes, the Col du Mont and the Col du Rocher Blanc. To the east and west it is bounded by the “nants” (mountain streams) of Moulins and La Balme (or Nant Cruet). Skieurs, boarders and telemarkers alike will revel in the powder just yards from the pistes or amongst the trees, which lasts for days thanks to its north-west facing slopes. Take a guide to explore one of the renowned off-piste routes to the deserted farming hamlet of Le Monal, or the 1700m vertical descent of the north face of Fogliettaz

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 3 hours