French Alps offers broad range of skiing opportunities
The French Alps offers the broadest range of skiing opportunities anywhere in Europe with Mont Blanc peaking at 15,781 above sea level. Because of the altitude of a number of resorts in the region, snow conditions are very reliable.
Figures from the Megeve Official web site show that for the eight winter months, October to May – snow levels totalled:
2008/2009 453 centimetres
2007/2008 396 centimetres
2006/2007 195 centimetres
So rather than global warming decreasing snow levels, in the last three years they have increased – and noticeably!
Therefore if you are a keen skier and want to ensure hours of enjoyment with good levels of snow, enhanced with some of the prettiest and most sophisticated towns and villages in the French Alps, owning a property may be the perfect solution.
Spacious and grand, yet retaining a unique ambience of chalet style living with an abundance of natural wood and welcoming real fires, there are some exceptional, high end, quality homes currently available. Whether for use as a superior place in which to host parties, take pleasure in weekend guests or just for your extended family to enjoy, homes in some of France’s extraordinary locations are nothing short of breathtaking.
“We only market properties which are of an exceptionally high calibre”, says Serge Cowan, MD at Unique Living, a London based company specialising in high end homes in luxurious locations around the world. “As a result of an increasing number of enquiries to buy skiing Chalets in France we have travelled extensively in the French Alps to bring together a unique collection of fine homes in what are the finest resorts in the French Alps, Courchevel, Val d’Isere, Meribel and Megeve.”
The area around Courchevel and Megeve offers the fifth largest skiing area in France. The Savoy Alps lying at the foot of Mont Blanc, was the original French skiing resort location and for many years has been very popular with skiers from all over Europe. It is also known to be very expensive, but in life you get what you pay for.
Currently Unique Living is offering a superb new build home in the heart of Megeve. This individual chalet built on three levels, offers 300 sqm of living space with six en-suite bedrooms. A contemporary interior design with alpine architecture makes it immediately eye catching and extremely special. There is a modern open fireplace and one floor level provides a huge, wide living space which is perfect for entertaining on a grand scale. Features include a cinema room, wellness area and garage. Wide terraces are South facing. This is an opportunity to secure an extremely elegant and rare property which has been equipped to provide the very finest in modern day living whilst capturing the chalet style charm of this exquisite region. 3 million Euros.
“We are offering an ever expanding portfolio of unique luxury chalets and apartments in the French Alps which currently stands at over 40 beautiful homes in areas including Val d’Isere, Couchevel, Meribel and of course Megeve“ added Serge. “These sophisticated, urbane resorts offer the benefit of ski in / ski out and exceptionally après ski entertainment too, which is one reason they are in such high demand.
For instance Megeve has a casino, night clubs and live shows and is a social centre of international status. Val d’Isere is renowned for its range of exclusive restaurants and for party goers there are some amazing nightclubs and bars. Courchevel too is high on the glamour stakes and is renowned for is designer shops and 5* hotels, sensational highlife and some of the world’s leading restaurants. Such is its appeal, many celebrities and International business people fly in on their private jets into high altitude Altiport that sits above the resort.
Meribel is also a luxury chalet ski resort with homes which are mainly traditional in style, their dark wood contrasting with the white glistening slopes, making the scene particularly picturesque. Located in the middle of the famous Three Valleys the town is attractive with raised walkways running alongside the tempting shops. Very popular with the British this is a decidedly upscale location.
A sample of what is currently available through Unique Living-
Courchevel, (1850). A magnificent, five bedroom (with five en-suites), chalet style residence with 350 sqm of living space enhanced with welcoming fireplace, handsome heavy beams and wood panelling. Features include:-private lift, garage and relaxation space with TV area, Jacuzzi and sauna. Ref.A019794
Price 3 million euros.
Megeve. A brand new, six bedroom, (six en suite bathrooms), three storey chalet of 300 sqm. The property has a contemporary interior design with alpine architecture. Expansive living space on one level makes it ideal for entertaining on a grand scale. Features include:- cinema room and wellness area, open fireplace, South orientated terraces. Ref AO20107
Price 3 million euros.
Val d’Isere. A new architectural project of two chalets.
Both properties are to be built to the highest specifications with a range of facilities that encompass both comfort and wellbeing. This is a rare opportunity to own a luxury chalet in the centre of Val d’Isere. RefA020242
Price 4,900,000 euros for 300 sqm chalet
9,800,000 euros for 500 sqm chalet.
For those just looking for a pied de terre, then a one bedroom apartment with balcony, fully refurbished, in Couchevel is available for 330,000 euros.
Prices of properties being marketed through Unique Living in the French Alps range from £300,000 to £20,000,000 Plus
For more information, visit uniqueliving.com.
