New builds ready for next winter

If you've been enjoying the snow in the mountains this winter, your thoughts may be turning to buying your own alpine property for next season. In addition to our wide selection of resale ski chalets and apartments, we are currently also selling new build developments where you will get the keys in time for Christmas 2010. Here are a few of our favourites:

Hameau des Fes, Morzine

This high quality development is a short distance from the historic centre of Morzine and well placed for reaching a large number of the ski lifts in and around town. There are three 2-bed apartments and two 3-bed apartments still available with prices from 600,000 euros; the construction work is nearing completion and delivery can be arranged for summer 2010.

Passa Franc, Les Gets

Constuction of the Passa Franc development, next to the ski slopes in Les Gets, has now been completed. Two large apartments are still for sale: one is priced at 695,000 euros, the other at 750,000 euros and both have large terraces and balconies with views of the ski pistes and mountains.

Le Champe, Les Gets

In a peaceful location yet only a short walk from the Mont Chery ski lift, this charming small development has been started and will be ready in time for Christmas. In addition to a 1-bed apartment on the first floor, there are two 3-bed apartments with large terraces still for sale on the ground floor.

Le Petit Paradis, Les Contamines

A renovation project rather than a true new build development, Le Petit Paradis will comprise 17 high quality apartments. Prices start at 256,100 euros for a 1-bed apartment with additional bunk bedroom; there are also 2-bed and 3-bed apartments available.

Haute-Tour, St Gervais les Bains

Offering superb value for money and ready now, Haute-Tour is a new build development right in the centre of this beautiful resort town. A limited number of 3-bed, 2-bath apartments remain for sale, priced from 335,000 euros.

Les Chalets du Nant Giraud, St Martin de Belleville

St Martin de Belleville is an authentic alpine village, linked in to the massive 3 Valleys ski area. The apartments in this development have been built to the highest possible specification by a well-respected local builder. Two apartments remain: a 2-bed and 4-bed. Delivery of apartments can be arranged 4 months after reservation. Private chalets also available, please call the Ascendant Property team for further information.

Bargain ski apartments for sale

With the new ski season around the corner, we wanted to highlight some of the great value ski apartments for sale through Ascendant Property.

For those looking for a low maintenance, easy access bolthole in the Alps, we have a number of studio apartments for sale in the Evasion Mont Blanc domain. Prices start at 69,000 euros for a 20m2 apartment near the lifts in Combloux. There is another bargain studio to be had in nearby St Gervais, for sale at 75,000 euros.

If you prefer the convenience of a separate bedroom, we are currently marketing a superb apartment in Les Contamines for 108,000 euros. The property, which has a lovely balcony, is walking distance from the shops, bars and restaurants of this sought-after resort and on the ski bus route to the lifts of Les Contamines and St Gervais / Megeve.

Prices for 2 bedroom apartments tend to start at 200,000 euros in the French Alps but we have a number of options below this level. For example, we are pleased to be able to offer for sale a beautiful apartment in the centre of Samoens for only 199,950 euros. It is close to the Grand Massif Express ski lift and is sold fully furnished with underground parking. Best of all, as it is less than 5 years old, you pay reduced notaires fees on the purchase.

Our best priced 3-bed apartment is found back in St Gervais. Sleeping up to 8 people, this great value duplex property is in the centre of resort and can be snapped up for 200,000 euros.

All these properties are available and if purchased during September (or early October) can be handed over in time for Christmas 2009 and the new ski season. This is just a small selection of the apartments we currently have for sale in the most popular ski resorts in the French Alps. Please contact the Ascendant team to find out more.

Special offer in Les Contamines!

Work is now well underway on an exciting new apartment residence in the village centre of Les Contamines-Montjoie, a resort which is surely one of the best kept secrets in the northern French Alps. With just 4 apartments remaining, now is a great time to view and take advantage of a special offer of 299,000 euros for a spacious 2-bed apartment of 50m2. With reduced notaires fees of approximately 2.5% and a 10-years builder's guarantee, this high-quality residence is a real gem in the local ski property market.

Les Contamines is located in the Evasion Mont Blanc ski domain, set against the stunning backdrop of Mont Blanc, and is renowned for its high quality snow cover, quiet slopes and suitability for winter sports enthusiasts of all levels. The resort is also busy in summer, with an array of activities on offer and some beautiful Alpine scenery to be enjoyed.

The village started out as a pretty Savoyard farming community and despite expansion in recent years Les Contamines has successfully retained its charm and character. Les Contamines is nestled in a valley surrounded by stunning mountain peaks and alpine scenery. Lying on the famous "Tour de Mont Blanc" walking route, it is the last community between the French-Italian borders and is also on a pilgrimage route due to the old church of Notre Dame and an ancient monastery clinging to the mountain side high above the valley. This is an area of the Alps where you can still see working Savoyard farms operating using traditional techniques (the other day I saw a farmer loading up a wooden hay cart drawn by a huge cart horse).

Whilst retaining its sense of history, the centre of Les Contamines has a good selection of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops and is an ideal holiday destination for couples and families. Just outside the village there is a large activity park, with a sailing and swimming lake, archery, horse-riding and an acro-branching centre amongst other activities. It is a popular resort in both summer and winter; with a good mix of French and international tourists visiting the area and property in Les Contamines has excellent dual-season rental potential.

The new apartment residence has a traditional alpine design, perfectly in-keeping with the beautiful surroundings. It is made up of 16 high quality apartments, of which just 4 remain, and is scheduled for completion in autumn 2009. Prices include fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms; private garages are also available at extra cost. All the village amenities are within an easy 5 minute walk of the development and the main lifts are only 2-3 minutes away by shuttle bus (or about 15 minutes on foot).

To view details of the 4 remaining apartments, click on the links below:

1-bed apartment

2-bed apartment

3-bed apartment

3-bed penthouse apartment

To view other ski and summer property for sale in Les Contamines and Evasion Mont Blanc visit our Buy Property pages.

Ski and property hunt this spring

It's not too late to combine a property hunting trip with some late season winter sports. All the major ski domains covered by Ascendant are open until the last week of April - and in the case of the Chamonix Valley, the second week of May.

Closing dates by domain are as follows:

Aravis (La Clusaz): 26 April
Chamonix Valley (Argentiere): 10 May
Evasion Mont Blanc (Les Contamines): 24 April

Grand Massif (Flaine): 26 April

Portes du Soleil (Avoriaz): 26 April

Three Valleys (St Martin de Belleville): 26 April

Conditions are excellent throughout the Northern Alps with many resorts still enjoying several metres of snow at altitude. The slopes are also noticeably quieter at this time of year and flights into Geneva are competitively priced.

Naturally we can set up property viewings to ensure that you make the most of your time on the piste. Check out our buy property page for a selection of ski chalets and apartments for sale then give us a call to arrange that combined skiing and property hunting trip.

Snow conditions

The ski resorts of Haute-Savoie have been enjoying some of the best snow conditions for many years and with heavy snow forecast over the next few days it looks set to continue well into the season.

In the run up to Christmas 2008 plenty of snow fell over the northern French Alps enabling the ski resorts to open as early as late November. For the team here at Ascendant, the January weeks that follow the holiday rush often offer some of the best skiing the area has to offer, with crystal clear blue skies, empty ski pistes and al fresco dining against a backdrop of snow clad peaks.

Last Monday we headed over to Les Gets for the day, the week before we were in La Clusaz and this coming Monday (weather permitting, we have become fair weather skiers now it's right on our doorstep) we’ll be going to Les Contamines Montjoie. We make it our mission to ski as much of the Haute-Savoie area during the winter, so we can tell you what each resort is like when you’re considering where to buy your ski property. It’s a hard life but someone has to do it.

If you’re coming out to the area and you want to check out the snow conditions before you travel, try the website www.ski-resort-france.co.uk. The snow bulletins added by the various ski resorts will tell you when it last snowed, the depth of the snow and the snow conditions. Checking it over today, Chamonix has 188cm at the top and 70cm at the bottom, Saint Gervais has 140cm at the top and 50cm at the bottom and Samoens has 120cm and 67cm at the bottom. With a good top-up due in the early part of next week it looks like February half term should offer some great ski conditions if you can’t make it out beforehand.

Don’t forget we’re on hand to help you locate your dream ski property - so tell us what you’re looking for and let us help you to spend more time on the ski slopes.

New Year New Site Design

Happy New Year from the Ascendant Property Team!

Just before Christmas we set up this new website layout, giving you better access to the wide range of French Alps Properties we have on offer and also to brighten up the look of the site!

We hope you enjoy, both the new look site and our new property blog.

This new property blog will feature news and views from the Ski and Alpine Property market from Ascendant Property, giving you the chance to see what we've been up to and the latest Property for sale in Chamonix, Annecy, Les Contamines, Morzine, Saint Gervais and Samoens.

Let us know what you think of our new blog and site design by contacting us today!