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Sainte Foy Tarentaise is a unique riding spot in the Tarentaise Valley. A network of natural trails offers superb all-mountain descents and long cross-country routes in one of the most wild and unspoilt parts of the region, close to the Vanoise National Park. The routes allow vertical drops of more than 1,000m on trails running through alpine meadows and forests as well as passing through hidden, unspoilt mountain villages with the stunning panorama of the glaciers filling your view. The cross-country routes vary from half-day 15km routes to full-day 40km routes.
Mountain Biking events this summer: Some practical info on the bike trails and uplift, which will operate from Sunday 11 July to thursday 26 August :
Mountain Bike Discovery day the Saturday 10th July 2010 with free guiding and we offers the Barbecue party. No chairlifts, instead 2 8-place shuttles using 4x4 vehicles and bike trailers to link 5 key points in the area (Viclaire, Sainte Foy town, Sainte Foy resort, Plan Bois and Arpettaz) with a vertical drop of 1211m between 891m at Viclaire and 2102m at the Arpettaz. The uplift to the Arpettaz allows access to 11 new marked trails, grouped into Family Trails, All-mountain Trails and Cross Country Trails. 3 Cross Country trails on existing singletrack or doubletrack, for experienced riders (some short pushes/carrys to be expected): "Randonée" de la Motte (around 33km) "Randonée" du Monal (around 25km) Petite randonée du bon conseil (1/2 day) 4 All-mountain trails on existing singletrack. Mostly downhill, good bike skills required: Grand bois Grand folliet Creux de formeian La Risque Tout (All or Nothing) 1 mini Bike Park/skills loop: "Envoie du bois" skills/practise loop for beginners, around 600m in length, based in the resort with small "North Shore" style wooden obstacles, banked corners, slalom gates, etc. 3 Family Trails: Saint Guerin Planay Chemin du Loup (The Wolf Run)
Opening/Closing Dates & Times : From Sunday 11 July to Thursday 26 August 2010 From Sunday morning to Thursday evening (closed on Fridays & Saturdays) From 10h to 18h30, continuous uplifts available from the resort, plus 3 time-tabled departures from Sainte Foy town at 10h, 14h and 17h30 (subject to confirmation). Pick-ups from Viclaire also available on reservation (24h in advance, for bike instructors/guides only). Prices: Trail grading: Green trail : 1 out of 11 = 9% Blue trails : 3 out of 11 = 27% Red trails : 7 out of 11 = 64%
Altitude of bike area: from 891m to 2102m Vertical drop of bike trails: 1211m Contact for uplift service or emergencies: 04 79 06 95 15 or 112 Mountain Bike Guides & Instructors: Frank Grand +33 (0) 6 88 38 72 04 Michel Demortier +33 (0) 6 60 57 93 82 Pascal Vincent : +33 (0) 6 62 20 27 07
Christophe Arpin : +33 (0) 6 14 41 53 70 Mountain Bike Holidays: Free trail-maps available from the Tourist Office from late June.
Example trail descriptions:
All Mountain Trail "Risque Tout" (All or Nothing) - trail no. 4 Start at the Arpettaz (2100m), finish at Sainte Foy town (1050m) Start on fast doubletrack, but keep a finger on the brakes and watch out for walkers or 4x4s. On reaching the Saint Guerin Chapel, follow the arrows onto tight forest singletrack all the way to Sainte Foy town at 1050m. Treat yourself to a cool beer on the terrace while you wait for the shuttle back up... it's a tough life...
Family Trail "Sainte Guerin" - trail no. 5 Start at the Arpettaz (2100m), finish at the ski resort (1550m) Beautiful and easy descent through the Sainte Foy ski area, passing high altitude chalets at the Arpettaz and Cret Serru. Pause at the Saint Guerin chapel to let the fingers ease off the brake levers. Carry on down to the ski resort or stop off for a drink on the terrace.
Cross-Country Trail "Randonée du Monal" - trail no. 10 Start at the Arpettaz (2100m), finish at the ski resort (1550m), via Sainte Foy town (1050m) A downhill start on technical singletrack. A short climb (or a push for the less enthusiastic!). A beautiful contour-trail traverse to the village of l'Echaillon, then pedal alongside the Clou river to the Monal (a small village, protected from development and with unbeatable views towards the glaciers of la Martin, la Gurraz and la Savinaz). Take a break for 10mins then pedal hard to reach Fenil. Take the brakes off for a long descent through Chenal and the Pertuis Chapel. Descend on the D902 road for 1.5km to reach La Thuile, then take a left back onto singletrack trails down to Sainte Foy town (1050m). Take a break and maybe a beer on the terrace! Raise the seat back up to make the climb on the tiny tarmac road to Planay Dessus, then finish with a short traverse to ease off the legs!
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