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.

The snow has arrived!

All thoughts of the summer's seemingly endless heat wave are well and truly behind us after the first heavy snowfall of the season hit the northern French Alps this week.

With temperatures falling and heavy precipitation on the cards for the weekend, the next few days promise plenty more snow as autumn crosses over to the winter season.

The mountains were cloaked in beautiful colours of vibrant red, amber and yellow this autumn and up until last week temperatures remained mild enough to venture out without a coat during the day. However it was a very different story during viewing trips in Morzine, Les Gets and Samoens this week, when we were caught out by sudden flurries of snow!

In the various mountain resorts preparations for the start of the winter season are well underway and the build up to Christmas week (dare we even mention Christmas yet?) has begun.

If you're avidly following every last flake of snow as it falls, try the website www.snow-forecast.com - a useful source of information.

If you're planning a trip to the French Alps this winter to look for property for sale, or you have a property you would like to sell, please contact us and we'll be happy to help.

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.