Best resort - skiing in winter AND walking in summer

Hi

I've been thinking about buying property in France for a while now and wonder what peoples thoughts are about year round potential. I'm looking for tigneslike pisted skiing in winter and Chamonixlike walking potential in the summer.

thanks in anticipation

Lucky you!

I would have said pretty much anywhere in the French Alps would be good for both. I lived in Chamonix for a couple of years, winter and summer, it's perfect for both. I did a lot of climbing, cycling, hiking, camping in the summer months, there's so much to do, and obviously the winter speaks for itself.

I think you should visit a couple of resorts at each time of year before making a decision though.

Good luck!

:DHi,

A great idea...and as NellyPS says pretty much anywhere in the French Alps will hit the spot,although I must confess to being completely biased towards Bourg-saint-Maurice/Les Arcs (for obvious reasons).

The Tarentaise / Savoie area in which BsM is situated contains the resorts of Val Thorens ,Courcheval ,Meribel ,La Plagne ,Les Arcs ,La Rosiere ,Sainte-Foy ,Tignes and Val D'isere and three major mountain passes Col D'Izeran , Col Du Petite Saint Bernard (Franco/Italian border)and the D902 which takes in the Vallee des Chapieux and the Cormet de Roselend and over Beaufortain to Albertville.

Also the area contains several glaciers and some truely rugged mountain scenery,with the euro exchange rate being so poor at the minute better property deals should be had if you choose a resort that you like and then look at property just outside of it with a link into the ski area if possible.

As for price depending on your needs and budget you can still find small comfortable apartments from around the £45,000 - £55,000 mark and upwards the sky is the limit ,if you are looking for larger apartments in old converted barns,chalets etc then prices start at around £150,000 again the sky is the limit,3 - 4 bedroom houses and chalets start at the £200,000 - £230,000 mark.

A good couple of estate agents to start with are Century21 and CIS Immobiliere ,also Lamy and Socogest Immobiliere are pretty good.

As a little tip there are some good properties for sale with good deals in Sainte-Foy (ski area resort) as they were purchased by people before the current financial meltdown and cannot keep up with the payments and there are that many for sale the local commune has bared people from putting for sale signs on the balconies as there would be large numbers of boards out and it would not look good, so there maybe some great deals about if you ask around as some people might be desperate for a quick sale.

Again as NellyPS says do plenty of research and looking before you decide as the alps is a vast region.

All the best

Jon.

Jon....Thanks for the tip on Sainte-Foy...After such a crappy year ( all good now though!!) Rich and I are looking at downsizing over here and buying a ski apartment for Winter, and came on here to ask the question that you have just answered,so thanks for the estate agent details!!! J

Take a look at St Gervais Les Bain we like it lots. )

:DHi Jobster,

Nice to see you back and glad all is now well, if there is anything else I can help with do not hesitate to ask. :D

Best regards

jon.

Sainte Foy is awesome!

Sainte Foy really appeals, such a nice little looking resort!