Ski Area: Three Valleys
Ste Foy Tarentaise offers something increasingly rare in the Alps — a sense of tranquillity and authenticity. It’s a resort where you can ski fresh powder days after a snowfall, enjoy panoramic views of Mont Pourri and the Aiguille Rouge, and feel genuinely connected to the mountain environment.
For many, Sainte-Foy is not just a place to ski — it’s a place to slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience winter in its purest form.
The village retains a traditional alpine charm feeling more like a community than a tourist complex, with cosy restaurants, wood-fired chalets, and friendly locals. Après-ski is relaxed — think vin chaud by the fire, fondue or raclette dinners, and small bars rather than nightclubs.
There are also luxury chalets and boutique lodges, many with spa facilities and stunning mountain views, making it a favourite among those who prefer understated elegance over glitz.
Known as a hidden gem for off-piste and powder skiing, the resort has about 1,000 hectares of skiable terrain, but its charm lies in the freeride zones and tree skiing that expert skiers love. Routes like the North Face of Fogliettaz or the descent to the village of Le Monal offer incredible backcountry experiences.
For beginners and families, the groomed runs are wide, uncrowded, and sunny — ideal for learning in a peaceful environment. The multiple ski schools and small lift queues make it especially family-friendly.
It’s not only about skiing, other winter activities to enjoy include snowshoeing through the forests or to the historic hamlet of Le Monal; Ski touring for more adventurous mountain lovers; Heliskiing, with drops over the border into Italy; dog-sledding, ice climbing, and guided nature walks to explore the untouched wilderness.
In summer, Sainte-Foy Tarentaise sheds its snowy coat and transforms into a tranquil alpine haven — a place where wildflowers replace powder fields and the rhythm of the mountains slows.
Ste Foy’s summer charm lies in its authentic mountain life. Local farms produce Beaufort cheese, and small markets sell honey, jam, and charcuterie from the region. For the adventurous, the surrounding area offers paragliding, white-water rafting on the Isère, climbing, and canyoning. Naturally, it’s a gateway to some of the most beautiful hiking routes in the Tarentaise. From gentle walks to challenging climbs, there’s a trail for every ability. If cycling is more your thing, there are numerous, famous cols to wind your way up or mountain biking routes including lifts open to whisk you up high.
Throughout summer, the village hosts fêtes and local events — simple, joyful gatherings celebrating alpine traditions, music, and cuisine.
The Eurostar offers a regular service to Bourg Saint Maurice which lies at the foot of Sainte Foy Tarentaise, from here a taxi transfer can be arranged. Local airports are Lyon (135kms), Geneva (130kms). Chambery (75kms) and Grenoble (115kms).
132 properties in Three Valleys
Ski Resort: Courchevel Le Praz
Le Praz is a charming ski resort based around a pretty, traditional mountain village. Even as the resort grows the centre remains full of character with narrow streets and attractive old buildings and in the main the new developments have been done with taste in the traditional materials of wood and stone. It has a small lake as its focus next to which the two ski lifts are situated.
It is a very popular resort due to its authentic, welcoming feel with the small centre providing a daily meeting point for regulars so new arrivals can quickly settle in and get to know who’s who and what’s where. Its prices compare very favourably to the more expensive resorts higher up the valley, and it offers enough to keep most members of a group happy. It welcomes a wide range of visitors; families, those with a basic budget, and a wealthier clientele who don’t subscribe to the glitz of 1850.
It has a life of its own throughout the year although it is very quiet out of season with just a shop, bar and restaurant remaining open. In the main summer season, July and August, it is also fully open and the winter season usually runs from mid December to the end of April.
The lake, frozen in winter, makes a stunning backdrop for the huge fireworks competition held here each year along with many music festivals both summer and winter. At the back of the lake is a huge ski jump which is used on the national and international competition circuit which along with walking, horse riding, parapointing, painting, golf, flying, climbing and many other superb mountain activities brings life beyond skiing to this village.
Le Praz boasts a good selection of lively bars, mouth-watering creperies and fine restaurants including "La Table de Mon Grand-Père" in Hotel Les Peupliers - a favourite treat of mine. It has a good standard of accommodation with a mix of hotels, apartments and chalets.
It is situated at the foot of the Courchevel ski area and is also known as the ski resort of Courchevel 1300. The Courchevel ski area links in to the massive 3 Valleys ski area. From the foot of the Gondola lift you are 2 lifts away from either Méribel or Courchevel 1850. So for skiing Le Praz is excellently situated with the two télécabine lifts, the Praz and Foret running from the centre. These can become hectic at peak weeks but locals and seasonnaires (winter workers) know it’s just a matter of timing your departure.
The Praz télécabine lift takes you directly into the centre of Courchevel 1850. The Foret télécabine lift takes you up towards the summit of "La Loze" at 2196m, giving easy access to the wonderful skiing of Courchevel and La Tania or the Meribel valley. Skiing back to Le Praz is a breathtaking experience in itself; tree lined pistes, some of the prettiest in the three valleys, lead you to the village. The jockey’s black run into Le Praz is quite something and a superb challenge to those who like to ski a bit closer to the edge. But don’t worry there are red runs too or the option to come down in the lift or free ski buses which run non-stop throughout the day.
The traditionally good snow, north facing slopes and extensive network of snow cannons enable you to ski back to the village throughout the season, but regardless just in case the pistes get a little scratchy you can always catch the bubble down.
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