It’s a bit like buying a car – the colour is almost as important as the fuel consumption right? If you’re considering investing in Alpine property in the most popular place for UK skiers and snowboarders, the French Alps, then consider ensuring food and drink options are at the top of your list.
Here’s a few gems that our experts at Skiingproperty.com recommend where you might just end up spending more time eating and drinking than on the slopes, if you are lucky enough to own a place in one of these resorts.
> Avoriaz – La Crémaillère
Located down in the ‘Village de Chevre’ (Goat Village) in a cluster of traditional old farm buildings, now converted into restaurants, La Crémaillère is the stand out eatery in what is a collection of excellent mountain restaurants in this part of the Portes du Soleil ski area.
Their famous dish is tagliatelle with wild Chanterelle mushrooms – served in a light, creamy sauce, its simplicity hides the complexity of flavours so unique to this apricot coloured fungus that grows in the steep forest above. Inside the restaurant, It’s cosy and when the sun’s out, there’s a large deck area to enjoy and you can watch the skiers go past scanning which restaurant to stop at – and perhaps the odd goat too.
Property for sale in the area – apartment in Chatel
> Morzine – Le Vaffieu
Traditional restaurant with a modern twist in its menu – Le Vaffieu is located in the Morzine ski area on the Pleney side of the valley. With stunning views across to Mt Blanc on a sunny day, the terrace is always packed with gourmet people in the know, so book early.
You’ll find dishes such as fondue and raclette here, with some fun variations alongside really good steaks, andouillette sausage (course sausage from the Lyon area), duck confit with fois gras, grilled lamb chops and old Vaffieu favourite, spaghetti bolognaise.
It’s the place to be seen in Morzine and worth the ski there just for lunch.
Property for sale in the area – chalet in Chatel
> Megeve – La Foulie Douce
The latest edition to the trendy eating and drinking après ski phenomenon that is the Foulie Douce opened during winter 2015 on the St Gervais / Megeve ski area. Straddling the two resorts, it’s the perfect spot to stop for lunch in their ‘La Fruitière’ section, cool, fresh, contemporary and tasty. Then go back later for some truly bonkers, Ibiza with a mix of Alpine style inspired partying in the VIP section.
Property for sale in the area – chalet in Megeve
> Val d’Isère – Peau de Vache
Henry Schniewind of Henry’s Off-Piste who lives in Val d’Isère recommends the Peau de Vache, located at the top of the Bellevarde Express chair that heads straight out of town.
They’re big on their meat here and great quality burgers feature heavily on the menu, scaling up to some serious steaks or Steak Tartare (raw minced meat served with onions and a raw egg) – a perfect protein fuelled lunch to get you down the Olympic downhill run afterwards.
The rustic, cosy interior is an ideal hideaway on bad weather days too – just don’t get too into the wine as the run down is the famous Face de Bellevarde black. If you do get carried away then best take the next chair up to the top and the cable car back down again.
Property for sale in the area – apartment in Val d’Isère
> The Grand Massif – Les Servages Armelle
Right at the foot of the slopes in Les Carroz, this gourmet restaurant provides a luxurious setting for a special treat if you’re based in one of the resorts of the Grand Massif that include Flaine, Samoëns and Les Carroz.
According to Karen Wilson of chalet Rêves de Montagne, close to Samoëns, Les Servages Armelle is ‘the best restaurant in the Grand Massif area’. The beautifully renovated old farmhouse also has ten rooms for guests, so if the menu, that includes dishes such as John Dory fillets with squid, fills you up then staying the night is always an option.
Chef and Patron Pascal Flécheau has managed to secure 3 forks in the Michelin Guide and 2 Chefs Hats in the Guilt Millau guidebook.
Property for sale in the area – apartment in Flaine
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Skiingproperty.com, which is owned and operated by international property specialist Spot Blue International Property, works with developers in the French and Swiss Alps to promote new and off-plan developments to the UK and wider international market. Since its foundation in 2003, Spot Blue International Property has established itself as a leading international property specialist and is a member of the AIPP and NAEA. The company’s high profile in the UK and worldwide means it is regularly quoted in the national press and invited to appear on panels at leading seminars and exhibitions.
