Launched last year this free and downloadable application allows you to view the whole of the huge 650km PDS ski area on an interactive piste map. It has live information available on which pistes are closed and even a GPS to guide you to local restaurants for lunch. You can check on weather forecasts, snow conditions, lift opening and closing times and emergency telephone numbers are easily available.

Added features include events calendars, a bespoke route planner that shows you the best ski route back to your chalet (great if you regularly have friends staying with a poor sense of direction!) and something called ‘reality software’ that lets you point your phone at a mountain then shows you an image of that mountain on your phone with names and altitudes. Impressive.

A free download is available at iTunes and we highly recommend it – PDS APP

This beautiful chalet offers something for everyone including spacious sleeping accommodation not always on offer in alpine properties.

With 4 large bedrooms and 4 separate bathrooms everyone can enjoy their own privacy. A spacious lounge and beautiful kitchen provides space for family times. A large decked area and private garden will make the beautiful summer months a dream. The garden even boasts its own fruit trees, glorious south-facing mountain views and if you are feeling competitive … its very own Boules court! The chalet would work as a family home or a as chalet business.

Priced for a quick sale this is one to visit. Only 3 hours door to door from Central London. Ring us for further information or to arrange a viewing – 0044(0)1225 442128

http://www.alpineangels.net/alpine-properties/montmartre-apartment-in-paris_P4347.htm

A more reflective figure is probably the increase in the overall number of house sales from 590,000 in 2009 to almost 800,000 in 2010.

France has a well-established property market for non-residents and international second homeowners that, compared with other overseas markets, has a smaller percentage of new-build and off-plan properties. The French are careful with planning regulations so it is difficult to get permission to build until all avenues have been covered including local infrastructure, environmental issues and long-term town planning. The buying process in France is well regulated and as such, international investors feel more secure, practices such as under-declaring the value of a property to reduce tax liabilities is virtually non-existent in France. Second homes are carefully co-coordinated, such as the purpose-built French ski resorts, so as not to allow ghost towns to spring up where properties are only used for a couple of weeks a year.

If you look beyond the statistics to the reasons why perhaps you also bought in France then you will appreciate second homeowners buy property because they love the country and the French culture.

Those reasons have not changed as France still regularly tops quality of life surveys.

You should always seek professional financial advice on personal circumstances but it seems apparent that despite the global crisis, people still want to buy in France so your investment is sound.

Many of the restaurants will put on a special festive menu with champagne and traditional French dishes, so book in advance if you want to treat yourself to a meal out. Likewise, planning ahead is advised if you have your heart set on ringing in the New Year in a particular bars and clubs– many of them are ticket-only, so enquire in advance to avoid disappointment!

The week leading up to Christmas sees Morzine sparkling with Christmas cheer! The lights are up throughout resort and the fun includes street parades, tasty Christmas treats and children’s entertainment. Christmas Eve is a special night when well-behaved children might just catch a glimpse of Father Christmas outside the Tourist Office!

Morzine welcomes in the New Year with music parades, vin chaud at the foot of the pistes, a torch lit descent at Pleney, and a spectacular firework display.

This exciting event passes through Les Gets.  Over 300 dogs spend over 5 days racing through the snowy landscape in what is considered to be the most challenging race of its kind. The trainers are amongst the best in the world and so big crowds and lots of media attention are anticipated!

What’s your favourite place in Chamonix over the Christmas period?
Munchie restaurant is no doubt the place to eat around the Christmas period (or any other period for that matter). The Munchie steak is a dish yet to be beaten in any other restaurant and an ideal end to a long ski day! Book ahead, they get very busy.

Are there any Christmas markets in Chamonix?
The market comes every Saturday to Chamonix and it’s great to wander around during the build up to Christmas. You can pick up last minute presents and all sorts of delicious specialities for Christmas. My favourite stand is the cheese stand, try the Beaufort, its exceptional.

Top tip for a family spending Christmas in Chamonix?
Why not join in the torch light decent lead by ESF instructors at Planards on the 28^th of December? It’s open to all and great for children. There is music and drinks and a great festive vibe.

Favourite part of ‘Christmas in the Alps’
Personally I love skiing on Christmas morning, the slopes are often quiet first thing and you can get your fix before heading home to a lovely Christmas lunch.

Best place to ski on Christmas morning?
The Grand Montet is the best place to ski most mornings. The high altitude and North facing aspects keep the snow in fantastic condition throughout the winter. There is something for everyone from challenging off piste itineraries to gentle blue and green runs.

Rhiannon’s favourite property:  This month I have fallen in love with our REF 3901 in Argentiere.

This is the ground floor of a traditonal farm house which has been tastefully renovated keeping many of the orignial materials such as the tile flooring and the wooden doors. The area is quiet with stunning views and the ultimate bonus of being able to ski back to the door. A must see for its unique character and peaceful feel.

Chamonix – it’s always on someone’s holiday hit list. But what is it about this alpine valley that keeps drawing people back year after year after year? What exactly do people do in the town of Chamonix?
Well interest in Chamonix began all the way back in 1741, when two Englishmen (Windham and Pococke) discovered the ‘Chamouny’ valley. They were met by mountain farmers and a rural population. But they were so excited by the valley and its glaciers that they published articles and stories of their time there. As a result others travelled there to find out more. In 1770 a lady called Madame Coutterand decided to open the first official guest house. The summit of Mont Blanc was first reached in 1786. The first luxury hotel was built in 1816. The first big winter season was in 1906-07, and in 1924, Chamonix hosted the first ever Winter Olympic Games. The rest as they say, is well and truly history.
The draw of Chamonix throughout the ages has remained the same. It continues to be considered the skiing and alpine capital of the world. As a destination it has a reputation for the extreme whether that be extreme mountain exploration; extreme winter sports or extremely breath taking natural beauty, Chamonix’s assets are hard to quantify:

The Views:
The Mont Blanc draws in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. At 4808 meters it is the highest mountain in Western Europe. The Aiguille du Midi cable car travels up from the Chamonix valley to 3842 meters offering tourists some spectacular views of it. As does the Montenvers train, that climbs up to the Mer de Glace glacier.

The Winter Snow:
In terms of winter activities hold on to your hats. Not only does this area comprise some of the most challenging skiing in the world, it also offers heli-skiing,  paragliding, ski touring, snowboarding, snow shoeing, ice climbing. There are snow parks with air bags, boarder crosses and snow canons a plenty to ensure fresh and constant snow. Whatever you crave you can get your fix here and you can do it at the most challenging level.

The Shopping District:
Chamonix has a thriving shopping district, from big name brands, sports retailers, luxury goods to traditional Haute Savoie traders. There are outdoor markets on Saturdays brimming with local arts and crafts and local food markets. If you need a shopping fix after your snow fix then Chamonix can deliver.

The Arts:
Whether your idea of the arts is local cinema, a museum or a gallery, Chamonix offers all three. There are many artists now in permanent residence in the area. Local restaurants have set aside areas to exhibit their work. There are film festivals, music festivals and of course, Christmas festivals. Chamonix is one of the most cosmopolitan ski destinations in the world.  And we haven’t even spoken about the summer yet….

The reason people flock to Chamonix in their thousands and the reason so many people choose to make it their home is because it can delver everything in one place. A village community, an extreme sports venue, devastating natural beauty, summer treks, arts programmes, music, peace, hustle, then no bustle. The world is your oyster. In Chamonix you can choose to live exactly as you please.

Like the Chamonix valley? Well she loves you. At just under 350,000 euros you can buy this pretty two bedroom apartment with two balconies plus an amazing view onto the Mont-Blanc
http://www.alpineangels.net/pretty-apartment_P3546.htm

Build your own? You could buy not one but two plots of land in the ever delightful Morzine. There are two plots of building land on the south-facing mountainside above Morzine for 315,000 euros … a steal!

http://www.alpineangels.net/two-building-plots-in-morzine_P4216.htm

Fancy a rental investment? At just under 330,000 euros this lease back in Megève couldn’t look better. http://www.alpineangels.net/les-loges-blanches_P3624.htm

If your Christmas has been taken over by the spirit of consumerism then the Alps might be the tonic for you.  The French Alps do Christmas a little differently. Christmas Eve is the time the family eats together; nothing fancy; nothing posh; just home cooked food and great conversation. Christmas morning is spent skiing on the slopes, perhaps some fresh powder off piste, fresh tracks if you’re lucky and snow flakes a plenty. The Queens Speech could be spent sipping mulled wine, perhaps a leisurely snow shoe to finish the day. By Christmas night the last thing on your mind will be an excess of Christmas presents and repeats on TV.

Morzine is a great example of an Alpine Village that knows how to do Christmas and here are just a handful of the events on offer:

From 18 December to 31 December Morzine is holding the Morzine Loves Christmas extravaganza, offering different musical events, fireworks, shows and snacks.

From December 20 – 21 The Fairy Godmothers are visiting the streets of Morzine, performing, dancing on stilts, reciting poetry and offering out some lovely Christmas snacks!

From December 22 to December 23 children are invited to a Face painting event at the Tourist Office.

And on 27^th December the village invites you to watch all the ski instructors from Morzine ESF in a torch lit decent down the main Pleney slope. There is mulled wine and a firework display. It is truly something to behold.

But the biggest treat of all is a visit to Father Christmas who lives in Les Gets. Just a few minutes drive from Morzine is the home of Santa. If you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of him if you stroll through the streets of Les Gets over Christmas. It also has masses of Christmas activities for two whole weeks including light shows, choirs, markets and fireworks.

Whether it be music concerts in Châtel, street parades in Chamonix, ice sculptures in Megève or a real Nordic village in Samoens, the Alps really should be your new Christmas destination. It has so much to offer.  So, if you have decided that you prefer a day on the slopes followed by a glass of vin chaud, a few Christmas carols and fireworks a plenty then Alpine Christmases are for you.