Posted on 30 June 2012

Time is running out to buy ski property in Crest-Voland Cohennoz, a Savoyard village in the Beaufortain Massif region of the French Alps. The development of Le Chalet des Oursons, whose name translates as the Chalet of the Bear Cubs, is nearly sold out and is in its final phase of development.

This location is one of the most beautiful mountainous settings in Europe, and is just an hour and a half’s drive from Geneva airport. The properties have been developed by MGM, use local, natural materials wherever possible, and the buildings are timber clad.

The advantage of buying in this area is that prices are much lower than in other valleys, and there is considerable scope for capital growth. These types of properties are ideal for investors as they can be let all year round, and a two-bedroom apartment could achieve a peak rental income of around €1,500 a week in February.

During the summer months the area is enjoyed by hikers and mountain bikers, but there are a number of other sporting activities available. These include paragliding, tennis, and fishing. The village benefits from having ski lifts which connect it with 280 km of pistes in the Espace Diamant ski area. This ski area is well known to French skiers, but is yet to be discovered by many British skiers. However it could rival some of the larger ski areas in the French Alps.

The Espace Diamant ski area includes Les Saisies, which was the Olympic resort for the 1992 cross-country ski event. Megeve ski resort is just a 20 minute drive away from Cohennoz.