Ste Foy Off Piste

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Rocher d'Arbine and the descent to Monal

Sainte-Foy (pronounced fwah) en Tarentaise, the new baby of the Savoyard ski resorts, recently topped the poll in a national ski magazine. It wasn't a cause for champagne and celebration. The poll had nothing to do with charming ski villages or the quality of the off-piste. No the resort was voted the most unfriendly... in the world!

Acres of untouched powder await

There was no trace of that when we arrived. The lifties all were very pleasant, although at 10am we seemed to be the first skiers on the slopes. Sainte-Foy is anything but busy. The ski station is served by three long and to be honest, not that quick chair lifts. These take you up to 2,550 meters and the Col de l'Aiguille. This is the launch pad for much of the backcountry for which Sainte Foy is justly famous. To the right and some hundred meters higher is the Rocher de Pierre d'Arbine. From here there are a number of hidden routes down to the Vallon de Clou and the Refuge de Monal including the little skied Couloir d'Echaillon. Straight ahead, gentle slopes take you on the Monal itinerary. Both end in a good 30 minutes of near flat, okay on skis but hard work on a snowboard. To the left, around 400 meters higher is the Pointe de la Foglietta. Climbing towards the summit offers many routes to the right in the direction of Monal or to the left as far as the village of Le Crot and la Masure.

Beware the cliffs!

Patron Saint of Powder

Anyway just who is this Sainte Foy geezer who seems to smile beatifically on the resort? Well is seems she was a 12 year old virgin martyred in the fourth century for her Christian beliefs. Not that different from the virgin powder martyred for our belief in le plaisir de la glisse. It seems the connection ends there, you can see her body, or the bits that are still left in the monastery at Conques. She is associated with healing the blind, which could be useful after a heavy night in resort or for people skiing without iridium coated sunglasses.

Follow the tracks

Ste Foy itself is being developed quite rapidly. There were new chalets in the village and talk of a fourth chair going in above l'Aiguille. A resort to be visited while its charm, and new found friendliness lasts.

Col de la Foglietta

A short climb of some 400 meters to the Col de la Foglietta gives you 1500 meters of skiing on the northern slopes of the eponymous summit. From the Aiguille chair turn left and climb a short slope on your skis. You then traverse a narrow ridge some 200 meters. This is the start of the climb proper as you traverse in a north-east direction to reach a col between the Foglietta and Grand-Soliet.

Yes, you do have to walk a bit!

This is a good point to take stock of the situation. The first part of the descent is over a short 40 degree slope, usually followed by a traverse to the right. The presence of a cornice indicates that this slope is wind loaded, you'll need to take care. One at a time over the first part and take care not to traverse above other skiers or boarders.

TJ, David and Susie on the Col de la Foglietta

The descent follows a northerly direction until the Ruisseau de Gavies, follow this stream staying on the left bank until you cross the small hamlet of the Savonnes. From here you follow the road, more or less until the village of Le Crot. It is possible to climb back to Ste-Foy on the GR path or continue to la Masure where you can take a taxi (you'll need to arrange this in Ste-Foy before setting out).

We skied Sainte Foy with TJ Baird, a guide from Alpine Experience in Val d'Isère.

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