St Gervais’ ice rink gets a new solar powered roof

August 2, 2010

St Gervais’ ice rink, built almost 50 years ago, is currently undergoing significant works and over 3.7 million Euros of investment to bring it up to date.

Among some of the modifications, the roof is being replaced to bring in into line with new insulation standards and to also allow it to house solar panels. The 1244m2 of roof space dedicate to solar will in fact be rented out to a company who will place it’s panels and then resell the electricity generated to the grid. Not only will the commune benefit from the rent made on the roof space but, after 25 years when the lease expires, they will become the owners of the panels and will be in turn able to sell the energy back to the grid.

Among other changes to the facility is the addition of 8,500 LED lights to illuminate the sides of the building.

The works are scheduled to be finished by end of 2010 so that it can open for the winter season, however, on the 11 August the ice rink will be opening to the public for an ABBA tribute band concert. For tickets see the office de tourisme site:

http://www.st-gervais.net/fr/detail_actu.aspx?Id=461#a

The ice rink’s update is an important venture given Annecy’s candidature for the 2018 Winter Olympics which would see St Gervais, as well as other towns in the Alps (Chamonix, Megève, Morzine / Avoriaz, Flaine, La Clusaz, Le Grand-Bornand, Les Houches, La Plagne) hosting some of the games.

Furthermore, this is just part of the many ongoing investments in the town which, in the future, will include a new sport’s facility, new indoor and outdoor pools, a new school and nursery complex, and a major bridge and road diversion project. These, and the current ongoing facade repainting and general amelioration of the town centre, means that St Gervais has been polished and preened to the point it is unrecognisable from where it was even 7 years ago.

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Posted by Gareth

New Risk Prevention Plan approved in Chamonix

April 10, 2010

Chamonix chalets and snow

After a two-year long public enquiry, a new set of rules for risk prevention in the Chamonix valley has finally been passed, though local planning authorities had been using the “unofficial” version of the document in anticipation for the last two years. So-called “natural risks” are a very sensitive issue in Chamonix, especially since the 1999 Montroc avalanche in which 12 people died and a large part of the hamlet was flattened by a giant snow slide. There are in total 110 avalanches couloirs all around Chamonix.

The novelty is the creation of “yellow” areas in addition to the traditional white/blue/red zones. Presently there are 900 buildings in blue or red areas where special dispositions apply, either in terms of building  regulations (e.g. new constructions of reconstruction of existing houses is not allowed in red zones) or for the possible evacuation of inhabitants in the event of a threat of natural disaster. The white/blue/red system was based on the likelyhood of natural catastrophes which had historically occured at least once in a hundred years, known as “risque centenaire”, for events such as avalanches, landslides or flash floods.

Yellow zones cover areas where there is a suspicion of very ancient avalanches, up to 300 years ago. No special building regulations have been designed for these areas of Chamonix but authorities are required to put in place evacuation plans, should the risk materialise. In all, 1,700 constructions (chalets, farms etc.)  are located in such areas.

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Posted by jcskiera

New Build Advice

March 8, 2010

We currently have 34 plots of land for sale in the Haute Savoie. Thanks to this we are recieving lots of questions about how to go about a new build project. Normally my answer is to speak to one of our experienced agents, most of whom have been involoved with new build projects in France for some time.

I have decided to do some research into the whole subject and write a 7 part blog following a current new build near Morzine. It helps that this is being undertaken by Alew Lewis (the Marketing Man). Alex and his Father-in-Law (Steve Norris, the MD) have been going through the process meticulously, leaving a well documented paper trail to help with the research.

If you want to keep abreast of the build process then I suggest registering your details with us via the little form on the right of this page. I intend to have part 1 and 2 written by the end of this week.

Part 1. Choosing your land, what to look for, the questions to ask. Making an offer, the first contract.

Part 2. Asking for planning permission

Part 3. Getting the constructions quotes.

Part 4. The build, from digging the first hole to the finished concrete structure.

Part 5. Adding the wooden frame, walls, roof, windows and doors – Hors d’eau – hors d’air.

Part 6. Finishing the inside, electrics, heating, kitchens etc….

Part 7. Landscaping and obtaining the Certificat de Conformité.

I have some examples of plots below:

The most expensive we have is:

Land Medon, 521, 850 euros, Combloux near Megeve

http://www.alpine-property.com/index.php?page=prop_1_medon&lang=en&hist=page_searchXtyp_4Xlang_en

to our cheapest

Land La Chapelle, 80,000 euros, Sixt fer a Cheval

http://www.alpine-property.com/index.php?page=prop_1_lachapelleland&lang=en&hist=page_searchXtyp_4Xlang_en

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Posted by Gareth

St Gervais welcomes new Hotel

March 4, 2010

A new hotel has just opened in St Gervais, further evidence of the towns up and coming chic atmosphere. “La Feline Blanche” www.lafelineblanche.com is a 10 bedroom establishment run by Brigitte and Jean-Jacques Ballet. Tastefully decorated suites in black and white marry both contemporary design and the mountain-look, and prices start at a reasonable 129E per night for a double room.

With a dynamic Maire and much investment, St Gervais has seen many recent changes including a full facelift of a main part of the high street, granite curbing and paths as well as new lampposts. Recent establishments such as the contemporary “Pur bar” www.pur-bar.com who experiment with fresh new ideas such as a “beach” outside with sand and deck chairs in the summer, help offer clients more than just its cocktails, champagne and smoothies. There has also been the recent refurbishment of le Serac, a fine dining restaurant which has won its second accolade from the famous gastro guide ”Gault et Millau”.

The changes over the last few years have all helped increase St Gervais caché and appeal. Consequently it is now starting to compete seriously amongst its nearby upmarket neighbours, Chamonix and Megève.

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Posted by Gareth

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

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

The indebtedness of the Communes

January 22, 2010

Here are some interesting statistics that were published in the Dauphine Liberé this week. They refer to the amount of money the Commune (translates as Council) owes divided by the number of people who pay taxes in the Commune.

I have selected some of the more popular Communes for comparison. I don’t suppose you should make a property purchase decision on the basis of these figures, they just give you an idea of who owes the most! I’ve no idea what happens should a Commune in France goes bust.

Les Gets looks to be on shaky ground, it is an “average” sized ski resort and owes a lot. I know that in the last few years they have built and underground car park, a reservoir to supply water to the town and they have upgraded their sewage system too.

On a similar subject the Dauphine Liberé ran a story on the amount of ski lift investment in the Haute Savoie over the last year.  Full story via the link below.

http://www.ledauphine.com/avec-six-nouveaux-apparei-@/index.jspz?article=249867&chaine=23

More property related stats from the following link.

http://www.budget.gouv.fr/

Commune Euros per Inhabitant
Les Gets 25,279
Chatel 10,698
Les Contamines-Montjoie 7,127
Morzine 6,806
Megeve 6,657
La Clusaz 6,490
Morillon 5,942
Chamonix 5,186
Le Grand-Bornand 5,076
Combloux 5,063
Samoens 4,700
Araches-la-Frasse 4,619
Manigod 3,663
Evian-les-Bains 3,603
St Jean de Sixt 3,581
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains 2,426
Montriond 1,926
Le Biot 1,755
Essert Romand 1,742
Les Houches 1,731
Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval 1,690
Passy 1,506
La Chapelle-d’Abondance 1,478
Annecy-le-Vieux 1,445
St Jean d’Aulps 1,311
Vallorcine 1,051
Taninges 847
Servoz 780
Annecy 483
La Baume 3
Average in France 890

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Posted by Gareth

First Snow of the season

November 11, 2009

1. From the Avoriaz webcam on 11.11.09

2. A little video from 10.11.09
http://vimeo.com/7560532

3. This snowy picture was taken at 1800m above Morzine at 11am on Friday November 6th.

Carl at the Joux Plan

It’s always reassuring when the first (proper) snows arrive, especially after such a long hot summer. The forecast is predicting over 1m of snow will fall this week high on the mountan. It’s already looking fairly white up high. If you get a warm feeling inside when at the sight of snow then let me draw your attention to the following links.

1. A high resolution Webcam at Avoriaz

http://livecam.avoriaz.com/

2. The snow forecast for Chamonix

http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Chamonix/6day/mid

3. This one is for real fanatics, the real-time radar for the Northern Alps and Switzerland.

http://www.landi.ch/deu/0804_niederschlagsradar.asp

4. A very usefull English translation of the offical avalanche forecast, gives the finer detail of the snow conditions

http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Avalanches/Haute-Savoie-Avalanche-Bulletin

5. An the most important the weather forecast for Chamonix that can be roughly extrapolated around the region.

http://chamonix-meteo.com/bul/metPreMatEn.php

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Posted by Gareth

Chamonix Open Golf Tournament 2009

October 1, 2009

Following on from an old post about Golf in the Haute Savoie, Alpine Property was again proud sponsor of Chamonix’s version of the Ryder Cup. The competition is played in exactly the same format as the original, with foursomes, fourballs and single matches. Golfers came from as far as Australia to help team Rest of the World in its defence of the title, but in the end Chamonix regained the Eden Cup by only one point in the final match. Jean-Christophe Skiera of Alpine Property took part as a member of Team Chamonix. The event is a regular feature of the Chamonix golf calendar and is often talked about as the friendliest and most exciting competition of the season.”

IMG_0455

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Posted by Gareth

Morzine VS Chamonix for 2018

May 5, 2009

Would you believe it. Morzine and Chamonix are scrapping over who should host one of the events (should Annecy win the bid) at the 2018 Winter Olympics. I guess in this fight Morzine counts as the young upstart and Chamonix are not pleased. They have been claiming that Morzine is “too far” from Annecy to be included in the bid.

The full story can be found on the Dauphine Libere website, in French. If you’d like help with the translation then try the Google Translator it works “sufficiently”!

Briefly the president of the bid did some googling to see what the stats looked like from Annecy to Chamonix and Morzine, the result being:

Annecy to Chamonix 95km equating to  1hr 09min at the wheel.

Annecy to Morzine 86km equating to 1hr 18min at the wheel (there is less motorway on this route).

So this is fairly inconclusive so he took a local member of the Judiciary (from Thonon Les Bains so impartial) to drive the two routes, the results being.

Annecy to Chamonix 95.7km equating to  1hr 07min at the wheel.

Annecy to Morzine 85.5km equating to 1hr 12min at the wheel

So Chamonix wins by a whisker – but surely they are clutching at straws argueing over 5min!

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Posted by Gareth

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