Ski resort boom in France
While this season’s skiers in the French Alpine resort of La Rosière celebrate its first half century with torchlight processions and games on the slopes, the region’s leading developer MGM has marked the occasion by announcing plans to build new ski properties for sale in the centre of the Haute-Tarentaise village.
Occupying the site of the former 1960s built Roc Noir Hotel, the new Lodge Hemera residence de tourisme will comprise 29 apartments for sale just 250 metres from the nursery slopes. Also planned are seven hotel suites in an adjacent building.
Sporting traditional external finishes of timber, render and natural stone, the leaseback apartments are available to buy off plan now. They are priced at €238,294 for a one-bedroom property rising to €468,227 for a three-bedroom home.
These prices, which exclude French VAT of 19.6%, waived under the leaseback scheme, include underground parking and cellar storage as well as use of locker rooms, a laundry and drying rooms.
When the development opens next year, owners also will have use of all its four star facilities, including an indoor pool, fitness suite, gym, sauna, jacuzzi and steam rooms, as well as a beauty centre with a variety of massages and treatments on offer.
La Rosière was built on the former Roman road through the Petit Saint Bernard Pass linking France with Italy. Occupying a sunny south-facing mountain ‘balcony’ at an altitude of 1,850 metres, the resort has access to 150 kilometres of pistes within the Espace San Bernardo ski area that embraces La Thuile in Italy.
La Rosière is a 50-minute bus ride from Bourg St Maurice, the destination for Eurostar trains direct from London’s St Pancras International station during the ski season. The nearest airport is at Chambery, two hours and 45 minutes by road. Geneva Airport is three hours and 45 minutes away.
MGM also has plans for an exclusive new small development of ski apartments close to Chamonix. The Résidence Le Tétras Lyre, named after the Black Grouse that frequent the area, will comprise just eight two and three bedroom apartments within a single, traditionally styled chalet in Les Houches, just one hour by car from Geneva Airport.
Off plan prices of the apartments, which have floor areas ranging in size from 59 square metres to 120 square metres, start at €370,000 for a two bedroom property rising to €580,000 for a three bedroom duplex. Prices include underground car parking and secure storage space for skis and snowboards.
The development is scheduled for completion before Christmas this year. The picturesque rural village of Les Houches at the foot of Mont Blanc has attracted growing interest as a base for skiing holidays in the winter months following the decision to include its ski lift on the Mont Blanc ski pass, giving access to 354 pistes in one of the best-known ski areas of the French Alps.
‘Les Houches has an attractive skiing area which suits everyone, from beginners to experts as well as snowboarders. It winds through pine forests down to the village so those staying at the Résidence Le Tétras Lyre will be able to ski to the door,’ said Richard Deans, sales consultant in MGM’s London office.
Les Houches is also popular throughout the year with a variety of summer activities available in the area including fishing on the nearby Lac des Chavants and playing volley ball on its bank. White water rafting, mountain biking and paragliding, as well as more traditional hiking and climbing, are also available.