Property - Buying a Chalet in the French Alps

What's the secret to a ski chalet's success? Location, loyalty and lots of hard work

Featured November 09 Words by Marie Cleland
Property - Buying a Chalet in the French Alps

Some people dream of owning a chalet business in an Alpine resort. But who actually makes that dream a reality? If British couple Francesca (39) and Paul Eyre (43) are anything to go by, it takes vision, an open mind and dogged determination to make it work. No surprises there. But at a time when many chalet companies are going bust due to the recession, it's the kind of personal service and commitment that the Eyres put in that can mean the difference between success and failure.

Buying property in an up-and-coming resort was a good start. When the couple invested in Morzine Avoriaz in the Porte du Soleil region of the French Alps 16 years ago, it was a small farming community with a handful of hotels and tour operators. But they saw its potential and as soon as low-cost airlines started flying into Geneva, an hour away, the resort "exploded". As did property prices. "We paid �40,000 (�43,200) for our plot of land. It's now worth half a million," says Francesca.

In a prime location at the bottom of the "home run", Chilly Powder is fully catered, which gives it the edge over self-catered accommodation, in a resort where the buses stop just after 6pm and there are limited taxis. An on-site masseuse and cr�che means adult guests can truly chill out, and the nightly five-course dinner by a top chef, overseen by Francesca, also a trained chef, makes Chilly Powder a nobrainer for skiing gourmands.

Francesca's family have always had B&Bs, in the UK and Ireland, so she knew what would be involved. Plus they drew on Paul's experience in the construction industry when pricing up the project and setting a timeline, which helped the build run smoothly. To keep the chalet in top nick, they reinvest each year, even if it's just re-decorating a room. They're currently looking to expand into other resorts, renting to begin with. "There are masses of chalet companies going bust," says Francesca. "Now is a good time to negotiate on rents."

About 1,000 guests stay each year, in the main chalet, which sleeps 53, and in a smaller chalet, which sleeps 14. The Eyres' personal touch, which includes sitting down with guests each night for dinner, means people come back for more.

The flipside is that the business is their life. "Chilly Powder takes up 120% of our time. Paul and I ski on average, 10 days each season."

While they don't get much time to pursue winter sports, they still get to pass on their knowledge of the area to guests. Snowboarders, in particular, like Morzine Avoriaz. They can go off-piste for natural terrain without the avalanche risk of higher resorts such as Chamonix, says Francesca. Plus, there are several "snow zones", controlled, off-piste areas where people can still be rescued if injured.

The biggest drawcard in the past couple of years has been the new Stash terrain park. Designed by pre-eminent snowboard company Burton, it offers skiers and boarders a natural, challenging course. Plus, next year, a new cable car will transport 3,000 people up to Avoriaz each hour.

Morzine Avoriaz is becoming the place to ski and board in the Portes du Soleil, which is great for Chilly Powder. So what advice does Francesca have for others wanting to invest in a chalet business? You have to buy a plot on a piste or near a lift. You have to be ski-to-the-door now." www.chillypowder.com