 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
We've had four great trips to St. Foy but are looking at maybe changing locations next year. This is mainly changing for change sake but also kids getting a bit bigger and looking for more skiing options/ pistes.
We are two families with kids from. 5 to 16.
What we love about Sainte Foy is - ski in ski out, no lift queues, quiet pistes, nice atmosphere, handy that it all funnels back into the resort so kids can have freedom but not get lost and good value.
I don't think there's much we dislike!
I guess, in reality we are looking for another similar resort eg small, not attracting a huge crowd, easy access to piste/accommodation. At the moment, Val Cenis is high in my thoughts but open to others. Montgenevre and Put St. Vincent are other thoughts. although all of thrse are French, we are open to any country.
Thsnks for any suggestions
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'm a big fan of Val Cenis and think that it would be meet your requirements pretty well. Buy your lift passes well in advance and they can often be had for a very good price
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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What about La Rosiere next door ?
Very family friendly (bowling , ice skating in Les Eucherts end), lots of ski in ski out.
Some lovely fun tree runs low down for the smaller kids with stuff to hit with poles and tunnels to ski through etc
Hard to get lost (at least on the French side) as runs down either end up at La ros or Les Eucherts and it’s easy to get from one to the other on a quick lift and a ski (or ski bus).
We never experienced bad queues but don’t think we were ever there in peak Feb hols.
A good ski day out to Italy (via an admittedly temperamental link subject to closure in bad weather) where you will find usually very empty slopes and no queues at all plus better on mountain restaurants.
Lots of accessible odd piste if that’s your thing (which I imagine is another plus point for st Foy?)
Caveat - not been since around 2018 since when a few more apartment blocks plus a couple more hotels have opened (including a big club med). So can’t say if that changed the character of the place or not …
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@rambotion, where do you stay in Val Cenis? Any recommendations ?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@sheffskibod, funny I was just looking at there too. Always fun to be able to do ski across a boarder!
Well at least we are on the right track 
Just as a point, we generally try and go the first week of march. So avoid the Feb madness.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Dublinfella, just an Airbnb in Val Cenis Le Haut. The nice thing about Le Haut is that you can rent lockers at the gondola which means that a 10 minute walk to the lift doesn't feel like a problem
https://myskicase.com/en/
Although it doesn't currently appear to be working
I wouldn't choose to stay in Termignon, much more limited local skiing and a bit of a trek to the main area
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We have been to all three of the resorts you are considering and Sainte Foy and La Rosiere.
I like Montgenevre and La rosiere best followed by Val Cenis. I found Sainte Foy too small and too many Brits. We liked PSV for the Snow bizz childcare but it felt quite a small ski area and a less attractive village than Sainte Foy.
I think Val Cenis might come closest to what you are looking for. We stayed at Chalets de Flambeau which is ski to and from the door but between the two villages. You could also look at Les Balcons.
however none of these would be a bad choice. Which week are you thinking of as that might make a difference to the places people would recommend?
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Thanks @snowymum, we normally go the first or second week of March
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Dublinfella, I think any of these places would be ok then. The year we went to PSV it was a little warm for my liking mid March as it is a southern alps resort and the village level isn’t as high as Montgenevre but snow cover should be fine. PSV is also more of a budget resort so some of the self catering options will be basic.
In places like Montgenevre, Val Cenis and La Rosiere there will be more luxurious self catering options with pools, jacuzzis etc as well as some budget options.
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Ps I’d go the second week of March after French school holidays.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Any good recommendations for finding chalets in La Rosiere? Have a few thoughts already on Val Cenis, so just looking at options.
Thanks
DF
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Dublinfella, since the latest round of new building in La Rosiere, Club Med , new Hotel and a few apartments blocks, I’ve found La Rosiere very crowded during school holiday time when visiting , whist the new build revenue has facilitated a new ski area it is an advanced area so hasn’t soaked up the extra beds traffic Whilst not really ski in ski out I do however like La Thuille a great deal good skiing , cheaper on slopes and great restaurants , should be considered .
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@Le Grand Renard, thanks for the info. A key thingwe like is avoiding crowds alright. I was looking at La Thuille but seems to be a lot more reds so not great for younger kids etc
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You know it makes sense.
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France:
Val Cenis – It’s bigger than Sainte Foy but still quiet, offers good value, and has excellent progression slopes for kids. Plus, it's known for its long, scenic runs.
Montgenèvre – Another solid option with family-friendly skiing, quiet slopes, and easy access to the Italian side of the Milky Way ski area for variety.
Puy Saint Vincent – Small, compact, and great for families with a good mix of pistes. Generally good snow reliability too.
Les Saisies – A hidden gem with a nice mix of tree-lined and open runs, family-oriented, and quieter than the big resorts.
La Rosière – Not far from Sainte Foy, it’s small, quiet, ski-in/ski-out in many areas, and has access to Italy via La Thuile.
Valloire – Less known but charming, good for families, and part of the Galibier-Thabor ski area.
Italy:
La Thuile – Laid-back and charming, with good snow and uncrowded pistes. You can also ski into La Rosière. As above the connections are long and slow via a poma (don't think that's changed since Last skied herre)
Champoluc (Monterosa Ski) – Beautiful and quiet with a relaxed vibe, plus plenty of variety for growing kids.
Austria:
Obertauern – Ski-in/ski-out almost everywhere, reliable snow, and a compact feel with plenty of variety.
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis – One of the best family resorts in Europe, excellent lift system, quiet slopes, and great ski schools.
Andorra:
Arinsal (Vallnord) – Family-friendly, great value, and quiet compared to the Grandvalira resorts.
If Val Cenis is high on your list, I’d say it’s a great alternative to Sainte Foy. Montgenèvre and La Rosière are also very similar in feel. If you’re open to Austria, Obertauern could be a fantastic alternative.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Grizwald, ah that's brilliant. Thanks very much. Val Cenis is high on the list alright. I've only skied it off piste so good to know it's right for piste work too.
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Poster: A snowHead
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A couple of high altitude Swiss options: Saas Fee and Val d’Anniviers - Grimentz or Zinal
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Yeah. Love zinal but pretty expensive Vs France and I am guessing Austria.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Dublinfella, and don't forget the Val Cenis ski pass also allows you to ski at Valfrejus, La Norma, Aussois and Bonneval sur Arc.
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FAQ
