Success on the Slopes: Top French ski resort, La Plagne, celebrates 50th anniversary
As France continues to dominate the ski holiday market, La Plagne in the French Alps, one of the largest and most popular ski resorts in the world will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this winter.
Visitors will be invited to share in the celebrations at an evening light show and fireworks display in the heart of the resort on the 21st December 2011 where the history of skiing, tourism and the evolution of the conquest of white gold between 1961 and the present day will be explained.
At its official opening party half a century ago, La Plagne ski resort had only two lifts and four buildings but now the resort has blossomed incorporating 53,000 beds in 10 sites and is now part of the "Paradiski" ski area with around 425 km of tracks.
Indeed, the anniversary celebrations will be further enhanced by the news that the ski industry is on the up again after numbers dwindled in the face of the economic recession with tour operators reporting that bookings are considerably higher for this season, increasing by as much as 20% in some resorts while early snowfalls over the last two weeks in the Alps has prompted a flood of bookings for ski holidays.
Business Development Manager, Charlie Williams of Terresens, France’s leading eco-friendly property developer with projects in Belle Plagne, comments,
“Winter sports enthusiasts are once again beginning to show an interest in the ski slopes with France remaining the most popular country for skiers. Indeed, 8 out of 10 resorts in terms of customer searches on Skipad.co.uk were for resorts in France, which is wonderful news.
“France affords easy accessibility to the rest of Europe, a wide choice of ski locations, superb food and an electrifying atmosphere and with low cost airline Ryanair launching its London Winter Ski Programme for 2011-12, providing 17 weekly flights from London to ski destinations near Grenoble and Lourdes more tourists will feel inspired to grab their skis and hit the French pistes.”
And it’s not only Ryanair that is after a slice of the slopes as easyJet Holidays launches its first ever ski programme offering holiday packages in a range of resorts catering for skiers and snowboarders of various abilities, including winter sports destinations such as Tignes, Val d´Isere, Chamonix and of course, La Plagne.
In light of the positive effects being felt across ski resorts in France, it appears the value of properties located in the French Alps has recovered from the global recession with a Ski Index report from Knight Frank highlighting that the annual price growth for ski properties in Europe grew by 1.7% during the second quarter of this year.
Charlie Williams of Terresens further comments,
“Property in the French Alps has remained popular with buyers as homes can be used all year round, not just in winter. During the summer months there are plenty of opportunities for rental income that is why we are urging potential second home buyers to invest here particularly in our key ready Le Centaure development in Belle Plagne which hosts events and activities throughout the year and offers excellent returns.”
Le Centaure in Belle Plagne, a beautiful character resort situated in an ideal location in the heart of the French Alps in the Savoie provides studios to 3 bedroom apartments which are spacious and bright as well as offering a range of luxurious facilities dedicated to wellness and relaxation such as an indoor heated swimming pool, massage room and Turkish bath.
Nestled between forest and mountain pastures, Le Centaure in Belle Plagne offers stunning scenery, a splendid panorama and slopes for all the ski delights and as a snow sure key ready development Le Centaure priced at €190,748 excl. VAT offers a 4% guaranteed rental income as well as the added benefit of 4 weeks personal usage.
For those looking to buy and use a ski property such as Le Centaure in Belle Plagne this season please contact the developer Terresens on + 44 (0) 203 101 110 or visit www.terresensproperties.com to find out more.