Three resorts in La Haute-Tarentaise

While Montchavin-Les Coches and Sainte-Foy are still relatively private family destinations, Val d’Isère is one of the world’s major skiing capitals. A foray to the heart of two outstanding domains : Paradiski, linking Les Arcs and La Plagne, and L’Espace Killy, serving as a junction between Val d’Isère and Tignes. Wintertime attractions need no introduction : summer is also well worth the detour.

Montchavin originally relied mainly on agriculture. In the 1970’s, to counter the rural exodus, the municipality decided to renovate and develop the site languishing at the edge of the forest. A lot of water has since flowed under the bridge : about 33 years later (in 2003), it had acquired a train station for the Vanoise Express bringing enthusiasts to the 425 km of ski-runs of Paradiski, the snowpark, glaciers and expanses of powdery snow. 70 % of the descents are at altitudes of over 2000 metres ; two peaks soar to over 3000 metres. Sainte-Foy, the youngest resort in the Alps, celebrated its 20th anniversary last Christmas. It stands out for its houses with columns, chalets built of wood, stone and slate, its secret itineraries requiring experienced guides. Not content with limiting themselves to the resort's 15 ski-runs, the most adventurous treat themselves to a ride in a helicopter which sets them down on the Ruitor glacier, which they tackle before confronting the northern face of Fogliettaz. Those who prefer a more “cocooning” approach to the mountains head for the spas and other centres focusing on well-being. Sainte-Foy owes its high-quality environment to a strict architectural charter requiring the use of traditional materials, restricting the number of floors and insisting that shops use wood for their signs. Le Monal is classified as an historic monument, as is the chapel of Le Miroir. At the heart of the Massif de la Vanoise at an altitude of 1850 metres, Val d'Isère plays host to 1,750 year-round residents. Each season, the trials of the downhill skiing World Cup are held here. In 2009, Val d’Isère in fact organized these same championships. The Espace Killy, which it forms together with Tignes, boasts 155 ski-runs, ie. 300 km of slopes renowned for their excellent snow. The many little hamlets propose different atmospheres and their own brands of charm. 87 % of the housing stock concerns holiday homes, and 85 % consist of apartments.

“From October 2009 to September 2010, prices fell by 10 % in Savoy, versus a decline of 8 % in Isère, 5.5 % in Upper Savoy and 2 % in the Ain,” explains Anthony Favre of the Agence Immobilière des Glaciers. “La Haute-Tarentaise alone witnessed a drop of 13 %. Here, 12 % of the buyers are foreigners, though this percentage falls by 1 to 2 % in non-tourist areas, particularly in the valley.” At Montchavin-les-Coches, 95 % of sales involve second homes. In most cases, these apartments offer living space of 20 to 50 m2. Transfers to the region are few and far between : the entire commune only sees 80 sales per year, at an average price of 3,400 €/m2. In the resort itself, buyers pay 3,600-3,800 €/m2, a very competitive ratio given the quality of its sports facilities. Back in 2001, it was only 1,500 €/m2. The euphoria of the following years and the introduction of the Vanoise Express link in 2003, a cablecar with two double-decker cabins with 200 seats each, tipped the scales. Anthony Favre says that he only felt the effects of the crisis as from autumn 2009, and that currently the market is showing signs of recovery. Personal enjoyment is the main aim of buyers : in view of the modest margin expected in terms of asset appreciation, they hope at best to cover their expenses through seasonal rentals. Mostly French, they spend, exceptions aside, from 100,000 to 120,000 € for apartments with 1 or 2 main rooms.

“Sainte-Foy is 10 minutes from Paradiski, 15 minutes from the Espace Killy and 20 minutes from the San Bernardo domain where one finds La Rosière,” say Sandrine Charrière and Marie-Agnès Gaden of the Sainte-Foy Agence. “It is not connected by any ski-lifts, but the road network allows easy access to all of these places.” One of the resort's strong points is its very popular “hors piste” trail, while the skiing domain, though small, is quite technical in parts. French, Belgian and English clients like the recent housing, its refined appointments and generous living space, meeting today’s expectations. In these intimate chalet-style condominiums, prices range from 5,000 to 6,000 €/m2. Due to the fact that supply is limited, these prices remain steady. The Times has already distinguished the destination on two occasions : the first for its attractive setting, the second for its family-oriented amenities. 65 % of sales concern apartments ranging from 250,000 to 450,000 €, 35 % chalets from 550,000 to 900,000 €. In view of the upcoming development of the Bataillet neighbourhood, both residential and commercial, Sainte-Foy still offers a good margin for progression.

Val d’Isere needs no introduction. “Unlike the resorts that mushroomed in the 1970’s thanks to the booming leisure market, Val d’Isère is primarily a village with a church, a soul and a strong identity.” says Michèle Van Den Heuvel-Pujo of Amont A Val Immobilier. “The first skiers arrived here in 1936. Known as “Avalins”, 1,750 residents live here all year round. During the winter of 2010-2011 and until May 1st, it still offered excellent snow conditions.” Excluding new developments, the commune chalked up a score of transactions per month from January to July 2010, before slowing down in August. It had to wait until 2011 to regain a satisfactory momentum. Like its counterparts in the Tarentaise, Val d’Isère is made up of several hamlets. La Daille, an address which in fact took shape in the 1970’s, facing due south towards the mountains and at the foot of the slopes, consists of a plethora of small units for sale, priced from 4,000 €/m2. In the village one finds typically Savoyard constructions built of wood, stone and slate. Here again, the “cabin studio” fills agency files, although it is possible to acquire several of them, from 7,000 to 9,500 €/m2, join them together and thus obtain apartments of 40-60 m2 required by today’s clientele, which is mostly French. Luxury properties range from 9,500-22,000 €/m2. The centre of the resort is, for example, in high demand. Just like Les Carats, with chalets in the midst of larches, not far from the Olympic run called “La Face”.

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