Get in on the action: Conditions in the Alps are perfect and there are swish new homes serving the slopes

By Gordon Miller
Updated: 11:26 EDT, 3 January 2011

There are two kinds of snow. The slushy type that brought Britain to a virtual standstill over the past few weeks, and the beautifully powdery, white stuff skiers and snowboarders dream about.

Fortunately, for those heading out to the mountains of central Europe, plenty of the right kind has been falling in the French Alps. And it’s set to be a bumper season.

Daniel Elkan, co-founder of ski rail site snowcarbon.co.uk, says: ‘The French Alps’ popularity is well-deserved.

Alluring: Valmorel in the Grand Domaine ski area is one of the new areas that MGM is developing residences in

‘There’s a superb variety of high-altitude, snow-sure skiing and resorts, such as ­Paradiski’s Les Arcs and Tignes in the Espace Killy suit all levels.

‘Many are still relatively undiscovered, such as Serre Chevalier, which has excellent ­terrain, and Montgenevre — one of the finest places to learn to ski.’

New property development in the French Alps is picking up apace. MGM French Properties has announced plans to develop more than 1,000 properties in the region, many of them eco-friendly.

The company takes its environmental stewardship seriously. It is a founder member of Sustain Worldwide, an organisation whose members are committed to developing new homes and resorts in a responsible manner.

David Giraud, MGM managing director, says: ‘It’s important to preserve what we have here in the Alps. We are a local company — I was born in the region, as were many of my colleagues — and MGM builds with a high level of environmental consideration at the centre of the action.’

Le Jhana development — so named because it describes a meditative state of profound stillness — couldn’t be any closer to the action. Located in Tignes, served by the Espace Killy ski area, it ­comprises two and three-bedroom apartments that are sold under a leaseback contract.

Enjoying the snow: Aileen and Gerard MxSloy paid £248,000 for a two-bed apartment in Le Jhana by choosing a 'six weeks personal use' leaseback sheme

This means owners receive some personal use, as well as a rental income and a VAT waiver. They can choose to have between four and ten weeks use for themselves per year. Only two three-bedroom apartments remain for sale. Prices start from £382,000.

British buyers include retired company finance director Gerard McSloy and his wife Aileen, from Buckinghamshire. The couple bought at Le Jhana, having enjoyed ski holidays in the region with their daughters for several years.

The McSloys paid £248,000 for a two-bedroom apartment by choosing a ‘six weeks’ personal use’ leaseback scheme. This enabled them to receive a price reduction as well as the VAT waiver — a ­saving of £106,000 against the list price of £354,000.

Le Jhana is just one of 11 new residences MGM is developing into 2011 and beyond. These include developments in Tignes, Samoens, Cohennoz, Les Carroz and St ­Martin de Belleville. Others, which are new locations for the company, include Combloux, Chatel and Valmorel.

Average prices are around £324,000, and four-star facilities within MGM’s residences ordinarily include an indoor pool, ­fitness suite, gym, sauna, Jacuzzi and steam rooms, as well as a beauty centre with a variety of massages and treatments.

Hot property: Tignes' Le Jhana is just one of 11 new residences MGM is developing into 2011 and beyond

Richard Deans, MGM’s UK sales manager and a keen skier who competed for Britain at junior level, says: ‘There are no resorts quite like Val d’Isere and Tignes, in the Espace Killy.

‘There are 190 miles of ski slopes and an incredible variety of skiing. World Cup skiing takes place here, and the Winter X Games will be held in Tignes for the ­second year running.’

Across the valley, Arc 1950 is a well-established, family-friendly resort with new innovations aiming to keep it ahead of the curve.

Alice Weston-Baker, of agent Erna Low Property, says: ‘This year sees the introduction of a “magic ­carpet” lift for the younger skiers. The ­conveyor belt-style lift is ideal for little ones learning to ski and really sets Arc 1950 apart as being perfect for families.’

Overlooking the impressive Mont Blanc, Arc 1950 lies on the slopes of a vast area, known as Paradiski.

The domain provides diverse skiing and runs for all levels and abilities. These include the tree-lined slopes of Peisey, up to the challenging runs from the Aiguille Rouge, with a fabulous off-piste area for adventure-seekers.

Other options: Refuge du Montagnard (left) in Arc 1950 and Le Centaure in Belle Plagne both have affordable appartments

Paradiski has 260 miles of pistes, from 3,280 ft up to 9,850 ft. ‘Arc 1950 provides four-star luxury ownership at 6,560 ft, in the heart of the Paradiski domain — there is nothing better than skiing straight from your door, through the village again for lunch and skiing right back to the boot room at the end of the day,’ says Weston-Baker.

‘Ski instructors from other resorts bring their groups to the village to show off the “jewel in the crown of the Paradiski” .’

The Canadian design and ­construction, using local materials, makes Arc 1950 an authentic Alpine village. Plans for 2011 include a spa that Weston-Baker says ‘will allow the village to compete with the top luxury resorts in the Alps’.

She adds: ‘One of the very best things, I think, about Arc 1950 is that the village has been developed all in one go. There will be no more development here, so in the long run, property prices will always hold their value.’ Resale prices for a one-bedroom apartment at Arc 1950 start from £141,000.

Unlike the snow in the UK, the stuff falling in the French Alps this year is said to be just perfect.

‘This season has shaped up to be an excellent one for snow so far, with great conditions all the way down to the valley, making for really fun days on the pistes,’ says Weston-Baker.

MGM: 020 7494 0706,  mgm-constructeur.com. Sustain Worldwide: 020 7754 5557, sustainworldwide.com. Erna Low Property: 020 7590 1625, ernalowproperty.co.uk.