Alpine Property sells ski chalets and apartments in Portes du Soleil, Grand Massif, Aravis, Megeve, Chamonix

PORTES DU SOLEIL : THE MARKET

Strong growth in the last five years has resulted in a buoyant property market in the Portes du Soleil, with prices having risen steadily over this period. Although prices at the top end do not yet match those of Megeve and Les 3 Vallees, the rest of the market is roughly comparable - mid-size chalets in Morzine, for example, are now similarly priced as those in these more famous resorts.

In terms of the type of properties on offer, the Portes du Soleil's rich agricultural and mining background means that there are a higher proportion of older properties for sale than many other Alpine resorts, particularly farmhouses and Alpage chalets. There is also an increasing number of new-build individual chalets, although, with the exception of Avoriaz, there are very few apartments in the area.

There is an ever increasing number of British buyers in the area over half of sales in the major resorts belong to UK buyers. Many of these are moving to the area to start small businesses, generally in larger individual chalets. The downsizing trend in the UK has also resulted in many people using the equity released to purchase properties as holiday homes. Some of these buyers plan to eventually move out to the region on their retirement. A smaller, yet significant, number of people have bought properties as investments hoping to receive a rental income from their property.