New chairlifts create more hotspots for property buyers in the French Alps

New chairlifts and facilities in certain areas of the French Alps are injecting new interest into some lesser-known villages and creating new property hotspots for prime market buyers.

A recent article in the Sunday Telegraph, which featured one of Home Hunts’ most luxurious chalets in Les Gets, explained how new chairlifts and water parks have created new areas of interest for overseas buyers, putting some smaller villages on the map that may have been overlooked before in favour of better-equipped resorts.

Take, for example, the village-resort of Châtel on the French-Swiss border. Here, the Vonnes area above the village centre has been linked to Super Châtel and Linga by two new chairlifts.

“The lifts have had a huge impact on the popularity of Châtel,” François Marchand of Erna Low Ski Property told the Telegraph. “Châtel is now the hotspot of the Portes du Soleil. Plus a brand new indoor/outdoor aqua centre will help it with Les Gets and Morzine as a summer destination.”

Open seven days a week, the new water park in Châtel features an indoor and outdoor pool, a spa with hammams and saunas and a fitness area.

“In the past Châtel has often been overlooked by our overseas buyers, but the addition of new chairlifts and the water park as prompted interest from buyers, who can get more for their money here than in the more popular neighbouring resorts,” says Tim Swannie, Director of Home Hunts. “It has always been a year-round resort as it is home to a world-renowned bike park, but it offers even better rental income opportunities now with this luxurious new aqua centre.”

Another example given by the Telegraph was the opening of a €45 million aquatic centre between Courchevel 1550 and 1650, resorts that have been somewhat overshadowed in the past by the glamourous 1850. “The addition of a new lift to link the centre of 1850 next year is a game-changer,” Simon Malster of Investors in Property told the Telegraph. “The resort of 1650 is fast gentrifying like Val d’Isère thirty years ago with the redevelopment of soulless seventies blocks bringing it up,” he explained.

“We have seen interest in Courchevel 1650 rising since Aquamotion has been in development and plans for the new chairlift have been in progress,” says Tim. “Buyers looking both for investment opportunities and family chalets have been attracted by the lower prices and improvement in amenities in this area.”

Another area seeing progress is St Martin de Belleville, which is replacing the chairlift linking to Méribel with a six-man covered express lift. A new, faster chairlift will also link the village of Le Bettaix with the Trois Vallées, meaning that this village now offers better skiing options and better value property compared with neighbouring locations.

In Megève, a €100 million investment in the resort’s lift system means it can compete with Courchevel 1850; and linking Megève with Chamonix Valley through a new ski pass opens up Courmayeur, Verbie and St Gervais ski areas, too.

It is important to remember that many of Home Hunts’ properties are available off-market only, so if you can’t see a property for sale in Home Hunts’ portfolio in any of these particular areas, speak to a member of the Home Hunts team to find out about properties that aren’t listed on the website.

If you are looking for property to buy in the Alps, here are three spectacular chalets from Home Hunts that are up for sale.

Chalet with exceptional Mont Blanc view near Megève

Not many chalets are as luxurious as this classy seven-bedroom property (HH-10073970), which is located on the slopes of the Evasion Mont-Blanc ski resort and 15 minutes from the local airfield. Built in 2009, this modern chalet, valued at €5,950,000, has been made from the finest materials and benefits from large spacious rooms inside. A landscaped garden and terraces give the property plenty of outdoor space, which also provide stunning panoramic views of Mont Blanc. Further highlights include a guest apartment, Jacuzzi and sauna – and there is also space for a swimming pool.

Luxurious investment opportunity in Courchevel

This unique and beautifully-designed five-bedroom chalet (HH-7138504) is positioned right in the heart of Courchevel and has large terraces providing breath-taking views of the mountains. The property offers tall ceilings and luminous rooms throughout its living areas and has an impressive range of leisure facilities, including a cinema room, swimming pool, fitness centre, spa and sauna. There is also the possibility of a sixth bedroom, making this a must-view property. The price is available on application.

Superb chalet in Les Gets featured in the Sunday Telegraph

A unique three-floor chalet in Les Gets (HH-8487859), this is a good opportunity to buy a well-located property offering glamour, fun and top quality craftsmanship. Built in 2013, this five-bedroom chalet offers views of the mountains and town that can be fully enjoyed from its landscaped private garden or numerous terraces and balconies. Spacious and modern, this property is well set up for entertaining with an open plan living area, beautiful indoor swimming pool and steam room with sparkling black mosaic tiles. At €2,590,000, interested buyers are urged to book a viewing as soon as possible.

To find more chalets for sale in Alpine property hotspots, visit www.home-hunts.com, but to speak to one of Home Hunts’ consultants about your individual criteria, call: +33 (0)970 44 66 43.