©Off-piste Vallon du Clou|ROYER Philippe

The best off-piste outings

Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise offers a veritable playground for off-piste enthusiasts. Less crowded than its larger neighbors, the resort offers varied slopes and remote areas perfect for adventure.
Thanks to the diversity of its slopes, dense forests and remote areas, the resort offers several off-piste itineraries that vary in difficulty, from descents accessible to beginners, to technical runs for the more experienced.

Discover the top 3 best freeride itineraries.

Top 1Le Monal

Top 2North face of Fogliettaz

Top 3Granier pass

1. Le Monal

From the top of the Aiguille chairlift at 2620m, the Monal off-piste run offers an immersive experience, ideal for skiers seeking adventure and majestic panoramas of the Balmes, Martin, Gurraz and Turia glaciers.

The classic itinerary consists of descending along the Aiguille ridge, then heading towards the Vallon du Clou, crossing a series of gentle combes and wooded sections. This route combines open sections with woodland passages, offering both fresh powder and a technical challenge that varies according to conditions.

Descending through the forests, you eventually reach the picturesque village of Le Monal, nestled in the valley. This traditional hamlet, seemingly frozen in time, is the perfect place to take a breather after an intense descent.
You can take some time to appreciate the authenticity of the place, or even take a short break for a picnic.

Safety first
Off-piste skiing around Sainte-Foy and Le Monal is risky business. It’s essential to be well prepared. Here are a few tips to maximize your safety:
- Check avalanche conditions: Before setting off, consult the Météo France avalanche bulletin and snow conditions (BERA: Bulletin d’Estimation du Risque d’Avalanche).
- Make sure you have a DVA (Détecteur de Victimes d’Avalanche), a shovel and a probe. This equipment is essential for your off-piste safety.
- Go with a mountain professional: If you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, it’s strongly recommended that you call on the services of a ski instructor or mountain guide. A professional will not only keep you safe, but also show you the best itineraries according to current conditions.

Access

From the resort, you can take the various chairlifts to the top of the Aiguille, an impressive vantage point overlooking the entire Tarentaise valley. Once you’ve reached the top, the panorama is incredible, offering breathtaking views of Mont Pourri, Pointe de la Sana and the Monal valley.

Buy your ski pass

Practice

There are no restaurants in the hamlet of Le Monal, but it’s an ideal spot for a pleasant picnic.

Advice

Off-piste activities entail risks (see “Safety first”).

2. North face of Fogliettaz

The Fogliettaz north face off-piste is a wild and impressive route, offering an off-piste skiing experience for experienced skiers. Nestled in a spectacular alpine setting, this north face offers a steep and varied slope, with narrow sections and more open slopes.

Thanks to its northerly orientation, which protects it from the sun’s rays, you’re guaranteed excellent snow quality for much of the season.

Access is from the top of the Aiguille chairlift, following the ridge for 400 meters. The descent then continues through the wild Mercuel valley to the hamlet of Les Savonnes, offering breathtaking views of the Bec de l’Âne, the Montséti ridge and the Grand Asali.
The return journey is via Le Crot, before reaching the hamlet of La Masure, with the option of shuttling back to the resort.

Safety first
Off-piste skiing involves risks. It’s essential to be well prepared. Here are a few tips to maximize your safety:
- Check avalanche conditions: Before setting off, consult the Météo France avalanche bulletin and snow conditions (BERA: Bulletin d’Estimation du Risque d’Avalanche).
- Make sure you have a DVA (Détecteur de Victimes d’Avalanche), a shovel and a probe. This equipment is essential for your off-piste safety.
- Go with a mountain professional: If you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, it’s strongly recommended that you call on the services of a ski instructor or mountain guide. A professional will not only keep you safe, but will also show you the best itineraries according to current conditions.

Access

To reach the summit of the Aiguille, take the Sainte-Foy lifts.
From here, you can take the chairlifts to the summit of the Aiguille, an impressive vantage point overlooking the entire Tarentaise valley.

Buy your ski pass

Practice

At La Masure, the local shuttle service can take you back to the Sainte-Foy station.

Consult shuttle timetables

Advice

Off-piste activities entail risks (see “Safety first”).

3. Col de Granier

From the top of the Marquise chairlift, take the Camp Filluel piste heading northeast to reach the Col de Granier. This diverse terrain offers a wide range of possibilities, allowing you to explore the wild Mercuel valley with its superb slopes, before entering the woods and rejoining the forest. The descent continues to the hamlet of Le Crôt, then on to La Masure.

Safety first
Off-piste skiing involves risks. It’s essential to be well prepared. Here are a few tips to maximize your safety:
- Check avalanche conditions: Before setting off, consult the Météo France avalanche bulletin and snow conditions (BERA: Bulletin d’Estimation du Risque d’Avalanche).
- Make sure you have a DVA (Détecteur de Victimes d’Avalanche), a shovel and a probe. This equipment is essential for your off-piste safety.
- Go with a mountain professional: If you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, it’s strongly recommended that you call on the services of a ski instructor or mountain guide. A professional will not only keep you safe, but will also show you the best itineraries according to current conditions.