Courchevel Alps Ski Property
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Area Guide
Courchevel is located in an area synonymous with prestige and luxury, deep in the heart of the Alps. Famed for its skiing in winter amongst the dramatic snow-covered mountains, this alpine resort with much Courchevel ski chalet property and apartments for sale is less well known for its breathtaking natural beauty in summer; the lower slopes of the mountains transformed into sunlit alpine glades and meadows teeming with wildflowers; the perfect spot for enjoying nature at its very, pristine best.
Bordering the Alps are Italy and Switzerland to the east and north, the Rhone Valley to the west and the sun-drenched Mediterranean Sea to the south. When buying Courchevel ski chalet property for sale, there are surprisingly easy links to exciting places both near and far. The panoramic views surrounding Mont Blanc, the highest point in Western Europe and situated on the border between France and Italy, are truly breathtaking year-round and Courchevel, and much of the ski chalet properties for sale, boast sweeping views of the beautiful Wilson Range and the San Sophia Ridge. Nearby is the picturesque Vanoise National Park, an area famed for its natural beauty and stunning panoramic views.
Situated in the Savoie region in the heart of the French Alps, west of the Italian border, Courchevel, where ski chalet property for sale can still be found, is part of the largest ski area in the world - the famous 600km Les Trois Vallees, or ‘Three Valleys’. The whole resort was designed by Laurent Chappis in the 1940s, specifically to cater for the needs of the rich and famous. This luxurious resort still benefits from the original careful planning, and, surrounding the Courchevel ski chalet property for sale, are arguably the best facilities of any ski resort anywhere in the world. As the first of its kind to be built from scratch, it is still regarded as the original model for all other resorts and widely copied. Around the Courchevel ski chalet property for sale are now a phenomenal 63 ski lifts and 117 downhill runs, allowing for 150km of ski runs. These cater for all levels of expertise, and all are situated amongst breathtaking scenery. There is always expert tuition on hand for those needing assistance, or who wish to develop their existing skills, and, for the more advanced, all around the Courchevel ski chalet property for sale there are the couloirs, renowned for being some of the most challenging black runs anywhere. Of course, for the more expert skier or snowboarder, on the mountains surrounding our Courchevel ski chalet properties there are also many opportunities to ski off-piste. The snow, helped by an impressive array of snow cannons when nature needs a little helping hand, lasts throughout the season and is of the highest quality.
The area around Courchevel and its ski chalet property is comprised of four separate village resorts, known chiefly by their altitudes. Each of the mountainside ‘villages’ in Courchevel retains its own unique identity, from the picturesque and sleepy Alpine village of Courchevel Le Praz 1300 to the bustling and cosmopolitan Courchevel 1850 which still draws the rich and famous due to its luxurious facilities, mini airport and top class restaurants. The other two villages with Courchevel ski chalet property for sale are Courchevel 1550, the original Courchevel resort, and Courchevel 1650, also known as Moriond. The extensive network of lifts allows easy travel between the areas of Courchevel, allowing excellent opportunities to sample the best of the slopes and facilities all the areas have to offer. In addition, a cable car connects Courchevel to the other skiing areas of The Three Valleys, such as La Tania. The town of La Tania is within easy reach of our Courcheval ski chalet property for sale, being located within the heart of the Courchevel valley, and was originally built as competitors accommodation for the 1992 Winter Olympics held in Albertville. The charming village resort of Courchevel Le Praz, where there is much Courchevel ski chalet property for sale, hosted the Olympic ski jump in that year.
Away from the main slopes, and easily accessed from our Courchevel ski chalet property for sale, the area offers a floodlit 2km sledging run and a vast ice rink to enjoy other forms of winter sports. There are also opportunities for dramatic sleigh rides through the crisp winter snows, or even exhilarating snowmobile rides, both available from the resort itself and therefore only a short distance from Courchevel ski chalet property for sale. Also nearby are well-maintained cross-country skiing routes, hiking trails offering stunning views across the snow covered mountains and even mountain climbing facilities. To achieve an even more fantastic panorama of the Alps, and an aerial view of the variety of Courchevel ski chalet property for sale, balloon flights and air tours are available near the centre of the resort where Courchevel ski chalet property for sale can be purchased.
Courchevel also offers many après-ski facilities, with over a hundred shops selling brand name and designer clothing and accessories. In fact, the areas around the Courchevel ski chalet property for sale are as famed for their luxurious facilities for relaxation as they are for their high-adrenaline winter sports. Courchevel 1850 boasts numerous spa treatments within a stone’s throw of Courchevel ski chalet property for sale, providing the perfect opportunity to relax after a hard day on the slopes and soothe any aching muscles. Also within easy reach are the famed art galleries, with works by many celebrated artists on display. Of course, with this ethos of high-class luxury surrounding our Courchevel 1850 ski chalet property for sale, there are many bars and restaurants, including the Chabichou hotel restaurant and Le Bateau Ivre, which both boast two Michelin stars. The resort is also home to cinemas showing the latest films and a bowling alley.
At certain times during the ski season, Courchevel also hosts a variety of events and festivals. The ultimate New Year’s Eve party held on the piste is unmissable and a great opportunity to mingle with the rich and famous, and the 10-day firework festival is unforgettable for its dramatic displays that illuminate the snow covered peaks with vibrant colour. Other events include the renowned Courchevel freeride event, the Playstation Big Air and even an international poker event with a 2 million euro prize pool!
Summers in the Alps are surprisingly warm, and the year-round snow capped peaks rise dramatically above the valleys transformed into sunlit wildflower meadows criss-crossed with sparkling mountain rivers. Summer in Courchevel allows Courchevel ski chalet property to be an excellent base for a wide variety of outdoor pursuits, such as hiking, mountain biking, canoeing or rafting amid the beautiful, tranquil alpine landscapes. The three national parks in the Alps, Vanoise - the nearest, Ecrins, and Mercantour are popular all year and each has something spectacular to offer. For those seeking the high-adrenalin sports, paragliding and skydiving are available giving a unique experience in the fresh mountain air.
Courchevel boasts excellent transport links, making Courchevel ski chalet property for sale easy to get to. Many airlines fly to the nearby airports of Chambery, Geneva and Lyons. Further afield are many notable cities such as Grenoble, the primary city in the Alps, Annecy, Chambery and Albertville. A Courchevel ski chalet property is also a great base for travelling to Lyons, steeped in history, the coastal cities of Marseilles, Nice and glamorous Monaco, or even further afield from the Alps to cross the border into Switzerland or Italy.
Buying Courchevel ski chalet property for sale
This is a fairly easy process, but does vary a little dependent on the type of Courchevel ski chalet property and apartments for sale you buy. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership, but Capital Gains tax is payable on sales of second homes owned for less than two years. This may be up to 33% of the gain, but reduces with length of ownership. For a regular freehold residential property, an agreement to buy is negotiated between the buyer and seller and an initial contract is drawn up by a compulsory notary, which binds both parties. At this point 10% of the purchase price is required as a deposit on a Courchevel ski chalet property for sale, which remains held in a special account until completion of the sale when the Courchevel property will no longer be open to offers from other parties. This contract is known as a bilateral agreement, or compromis de vente. When the final contract is signed, the deeds pass to the buyer and the land is registered. The full balance of the purchase price of the Courchevel ski chalet property is then paid to the notary, who passes it to the vendor. The notary’s fee is typically around 3%, plus transfer tax at less than 1% for new properties, rising to around 7.5% and registration fees at approximately 6%.
Buying a Property in France
1. Signing the Agreement (Compris)
On finding a property you wish to purchase you will need to negotiate the terms, price and conditions of the sale with the owner.
The next step, once you are in agreement, is to sign the preliminary contract (Compromis de Vente). This is a legal document and after ten days will be binding on both parties. Rules change frequently in France and it is best to consult with your notary about when this period starts. Generally the compris will be signed in France with the Agent.
Variants can be included in the compris, for example an Acte (clause) can be added if the name or names to go on the title deed have not been finalised. If a mortgage will be required to purchase the property, the details for this, including the name of the mortgage company, must be on the compris.
2. Paying the Deposit
Generally the deposit will be 10% of the agreed purchase price. This will normally be paid to the notaire. There are exceptions to this, if the agent holds a carte professionelle, is bonded and fully registered then you may pay them, but do not hand over the deposit to anyone else. If for some reason the purchase does not go through, for example, if you write to the notaire and the agent that you do not wish to go continue with the purchase before the contract is binding (within seven days of signing the compris), then your deposit would be repaid. This would also apply if a condition had not been met, or the mayor or S.A.F.E.R. (a government agency that has the right of first purchase on most rural property that comes onto the market in France) could oblige the purchaser to give way. If you decide after the seven days 'cooling off' period that you do not wish to complete the purchase and pull out of the sale you would lose your deposit. If however the vendor pulls out of the sale then you will receive your deposit back plus the same amount from the vendor.
3. On Completion
Generally it will take around two or three months to complete the purchase.
During this time the balance of the purchase money must be paid into the account of the notaire, this must be done well ahead of the completion date. The notaire will prepare the documents, check that the deed of sale (Acte de Vente) is in order and have the legal title ready to be signed over. It is possible to have someone sign on your behalf if you give them power of attorney. An interpreter may be of use at this point if your French is not very good and many Notaires will suggest (or insist) that an interpreter is with you.