Leasebacks in ski areas

I have recently returned from a frantic drive round a few developments and areas in the Alps. Seamus asked me to post some comments, so hopefully this may be of use to others who are looking around.

One thing is certain, the Alps are beautiful wherever you go. I started in Pralongnan la Vanoise, a lovely unspoiled village, great for climbers and walkers. Sadly for me the skiing was limited, although it is a short drive from Courcheval, if you fancy that every day.

Thence to Valmeinier to see Le Grand Panorama. This is a very new resort and everything looks shiny and new. As a result it is a little lacking in character. The views are stunning, if anything a little daunting. The development itself is very nice, small individual chalets. unfortunately I couldn't get inside any, but they look to be compact but well appointed from what I could see through the windows. Further up the hill is the main part of Valmeinier and this is a little more established. This is a high resort, so snow shouldn't be a problem.

Nearby Valloire is a traditional village full of character and links with Valmeinier through the lift system.

Next morning we set off for St Sorlin D'Arves in the beautiful Maurienne valley. The most direct route through a tunnel was closed as the tunnel is being widened ( a good sign for further development I thought), so we had a very long but scenic journey to the village. Again some existing developments there of high quality in great location. Five villages have recently been joined together to form a large ski domain of 310km called les Sybelles.

From there we crossed over the mountain via the amazingly beautiful col de croix de fer, which is a piste in the winter, to Chamrousse. I hadn't really expected to like Chamrousse. From descriptions it sounds a real mess! But I have to say I really liked it. The whole place has a lovely open feel to it. Even the access roads are wider than normal, which of course makes access quicker. Obviously the old buildig there are a bit of an eyesore, but almost everything is being refurbished or rebuilt, so it should be quite something when it is finished. The place was crowded on a sunny Sunday afternoon with day trippers from Grenoble, walking and taking in the views. Chamrousse looks down on Grenoble which is ringed by mountains. The views from the new developments there really will be spectacular. The Domaine D'Arselle development looks to have started.

Anyone flying to Grenoble, this place really is close; I'd say 45 minutes maximum, maybe less. The level of development planned and underway here really is striking. Someone clearly believes in the place. For me the only reservation was the 77km of skiing, otherwise I'd have been there like a shot.

Another bonus is the nearby spa town of Uriage les bains. I only drove through, but it looked like the kind of place I could easily spend a few afternoons.

And the return journey back to Geneva took hardly any time at all (1hour 45) on a great fast motorway, so it is more accessible than it seems from airports other than Grenoble.

815km on alpine roads later, I still haven't found quite what I'm looking for, but I have a much better feel for the distinct areas of the Alps and feel much more confident about the whole prospect of buying a leaseback property.