New Spa Project for Chamonix

February 25, 2010

summer picture of Chamonix churchThe Dauphine Libere reported about a meeting that took place earlier this week in Chamonix. The town hall delegate for development (Yvonick Plaud) proposed the development of a spa complex, thermo pools, saunas, jacuzzi s, steam room, massage, therapy etc….

This type of development proposal is in line with the current thinking in many resorts to provide alternatives to skiing. The demographic of the ski visitor is ageing and in Chamonix the older skier may well find the local skiing a bit arduous! Obviously there would be fairly heavy financial (5-8m Euros) and environmental hurdles to overcome.

This cost sounds quite high from the point of view of the Mairie of Chamonix, though when you compare it to the cost of a new telecabine it does not sounds to bad.

Just think, in the future Chamonix-les-Bains could be competing with St Gervais-les-Bains.

Maybe now is the time to consider splashing out on that new pad in the centre of Chamonix, Apartment Cloud Nine, could be a good start!

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Posted by Gareth

Jean Vuarnet in Morzine

February 23, 2010

Click here to see the Jean Vuarnet in Morzine

On Monday of this week the town of Morzine unveiled a sculpture commemorating 5o years since Jean Vuarnet won the Gold Medal in the Downhill at the Winter Olympics, in Sqaw Valley

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1960_Winter_Olympics

The unveiling was a grand occasion, covered by the national news, a feel of which can be gained by watching the video I have linked to above. The Maire of Morzine (Jean-Louis Battandier) referred obliquely to a controversy involving Jean Vuarnet in during his speech. This raised some eyebrows for the new comers to Morzine. We see Jean Vuarnet’s name all the time around and about Morzine and Avoriaz, obviously there is the Gold Medal which is reason enough for Morzine to promote their link with this famous name, those of us who were not around in the 60′s will know the name Vuarnet thanks to the brand of sunglasses. If you read about Avoriaz you will always see his name mentioned, Vuarnet was heavily involved with the development and promotion of Avoriaz in the late 60′s and early 70′s.

The controversy is salacious and ultimately very sad.  Some information and links below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Vuarnet#cite_note-2

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,983915,00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Solar_Temple

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Posted by Gareth

Avoriaz

February 15, 2010

We’ve just designated a new area on our website for Avoriaz

http://www.alpine-property.com/index.php?page=search&loc=23&lang=en

This might not sound ground breaking but it is quite a departure for Alpine Property. We have always concentrated on Chalets and properties in the valley ski resorts. in 2006/7 when we had a tricky season of snow we wondered if we should look more closely at Avoriaz, the prices held up well as buyers naturally headed for the “snow sure” areas.

We ski through Avoriaz plenty, personally I live down below in St Jean d’Aulps and visit frequently in the Summer and Winter. I have always had a soft spot for the philosophy and the architecture. I have often had to defend it from it’s critics. Here are some reasons why to like it:

1. Car free, when it was built in the 1960′s this went against the flow, it really shows were the designers were coming from though.

2. Designed to blend in with the surrounding mountains, it does a good job too, I love pointing to the horizon from Morzine and asking the people I’m with to spot Avoriaz. It’s there but it is well camoflaged, no straight edges, and clad in cedar. Genius.

3. It’s at 1800m and is predominately North facing, very snow sure and with modern lifts and tons of snow-making (just in case).

4. Very little expansion from when it was finished in the early 70′s has meant that the property prices have held up well compared to other resorts with a more liberal building policy.

Piste Hors have a nice write up on the history of Avoriaz.

http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Haute-Savoie/Avoriaz-History

So no sooner have we added our first little apartment on the website it becomes our hottest property!

http://www.alpine-property.com/index.php?page=prop_1_cedrat&lang=en&hist=page_searchXloc_23Xlang_en

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Posted by Gareth

Winter Olympics Vancouver 2010

February 15, 2010
Winter Olympics Vancouver

Ellie Koyander

So I think I have watched pretty much all the coverage possible, why not?

1. We live in a winter resort so it makes sense.

2. Our region wants to host the Winter Games in 2018

3. I love watching sport on TV. I like taking part as well (I’ll do that tomorrow!)

4. We (France) need to beat the Germans, why? Well Munich is our main contender for the 2018 Winter Olympics so surely beating the Germans will help our bid?

France was just edging Germany when I wrote this, the latest results here.

http://winterolympics.external.bbc.co.uk/medals/2010-standings/index.html

The picture at the top is Ellie Koyander, Ellie came 24th on the Moguls competition for Britain. Well done!

http://elliekoyander.com/

We sold the chalet of Ellie’s parents a few years ago (in the Aravis), that is about our closest connection with the Games this year!

Local (to Morzine) competitors include

Cyprien RICHARD : Geant Slalom
Latest results:
29.01 6th World Cup at Kranjska Gora
30.01  9th World Cup Kranjska Gora
Olivia BERTRAND :  Geant Slalom
22.01 48th World Cup Super G at Cortina d’Ampezzo
24.01  14th World Cup Giant at Cortina d’Ampezzo
29.01  13th European Giant at Courchevel
Johann BAISAMY : Snowboard half-pipe
13th at Calgary and 17th at Kreichberg, in the World Cup
Paraolympics
Yohann TABERLET
30.01  Winner World Cup Giant at La Molina

Good luck to them all.

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Posted by Gareth

Junior World Ski Championships St Gervais, Megeve and Chamonix

February 2, 2010

St Gervais, Megève and Chamonix are playing host this week to the Alpine Junior World Championship. Over 300 participants from all over the world will be taking part in ski races between the 30th Jan and 6th Feb 2010. These elite participants are aged between 15 and 20 years old.

The official opening ceremony took place at the St Gervais ice rink on Sunday 31st January. For the rest of the week the men’s giant slalom is scheduled to take place in Megève (Cote 2000) and the ladies slalom in Chamonix. Eurosport will be covering the event. The closing ceremony and medal presentation will be in Megève on the 6th Feb.

The program

Sunday 31st Jan and 1st Feb – Ladies downhill training

Tuesday 2nd Feb – Ladies Downhill

Wednesday 3rd Feb – Ladies and men’s Giant Slaloms

Thursday and Friday – Men’s downhill training

Saturday 6th Feb – Men’s downhill

Further information can be found on the official website:

http://www.mondiauxskijunior2010.com/

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Posted by Gareth

Chalet Les Pommiers in Morzine

February 1, 2010
100m from the Pleney Piste

Chalet Les Pommiers

Built in 1995, Chalet Les Pommiers is a semi detached property. It has been rented successfully as a business during the winter and summer over the last 5 years, thanks to its location return custom has always been guaranteed. The chalet is demi-detached and is shown here as the right half of this building.

Watch the  video tour!

Chalet Les Pommiers

Chalet Les Pommiers

This movie requires Adobe Flash for playback.

Full details here.

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Posted by Gareth