Founded in 1976, the resort of Valmorel is situated at the foot of the Cheval Noir mountain in the department of Savoie. Comprising a purpose-built centre, completed in conjunction with the opening of the first ski slopes, and the traditional hamlets of La Léchère-les-Bains, Celliers, Doucy and Nâves, Valmorel is a ski resort which combines many of the advantages currently sought after by second-home buyers in the Alps. Today's buyers are invariably looking to combine a leisure purchase with a rental investment that can generate an income to cover the costs of the property.
Designated the best family resort in the world in 2014 and awarded the Family Plus label, Valmorel is ideal for families. On the pistes, there are dedicated children's areas, and numerous outdoor activities for all the family including tobogganing, igloo building, dog sled rides, guided forest walks, trapper's evenings and night biathlon. Since 2013, the wooded hamlet of Doucy has been an official resort of the Gulli TV channel. A ski slope and toboggan run feature characters from the channel, and every evening, there is entertainment inspired by its programmes, including an "In Ze Boite" evening paying homage to the channel's flagship show.
Valmorel also has well-being facilities suitable for the whole family. There are several spas at the foot of the pistes, with massages designed for children and teenagers, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools with mountain views. The resort has a vibrant gastronomic scene, with local producers working in tandem with catering professionals and restaurants. There is a distillery producing liqueurs made from wild mountain plants, a renowned bakery which featured in the M6 channel's Best Baker competition, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, and several excellent mountain restaurants.
Photograph: OT de Valmorel et des Vallées d’Aigueblanche 
Photograph: OT de Valmorel et des Vallées d’Aigueblanche In Valmorel, built after the 1960s' first wave of purpose-built ski resorts, natural building materials are used in place of concrete, allowing the individual character of each of its hamlets to be preserved, and creating a picturesque resort which sits comfortably alongside the wild natural beauty of the Tarentaise massif, dominated by the 2,832m Cheval Noir. Predominantly distributed between the main village and the hamlet of Doucy, the accommodation developed since the opening of the first ski lifts is mainly situated in three or four storey residences, with architecture inspired by wood and stone walled Savoyard chalets with their lauze stone roofs and small interior courtyards.
Surrounded by unspoilt nature, the small hamlets of Celliers (linked to Valmorel by shuttle bus and a gondola lift) and Nâves (linked to Valmorel by shuttle bus) are made up of traditional chalets and former mountain pasture farms, some of which have been converted into second homes, clustered around a central bell tower. Situated on the slopes of the Lauzière mountain range, Celliers is popular with ski tourers and snowshoers, whilst Nâves attracts lovers of Nordic skiing (skating and alternative) who come to enjoy the 40 kilometres of pistes, including the Savoie's highest cross-country trail.
In Valmorel, today's market is very dynamic, thanks to particularly strong demand. Buyers, predominantly French, take advantage of low-interest rates and attractive tax incentives to invest in new properties. Prices per square meter are lower than in more prestigious resorts which also attract foreign buyers, but Valmorel's advantages - easy access, an authentic lifestyle, environmental values, and the opportunity to enjoy winter sports in one of the Alps' most beautiful ski areas - make it a prime target for the current generation of buyers, for whom it fully satisfies their expectations in terms of space, design, comfort, and services.
Photograph: OT de Valmorel et des Vallées d’Aigueblanche Quietly located in the hamlet of Les Charmettes, but convenient for the resort centre and its many shops and amenities, this new development offers a quality investment opportunity. Bordered by a pine forest on one side and the ski slopes on the other, Lumi comprises 38 apartments ranging from one bedroom apartment to 3 edrooms apartment, spread over two buildings that hug the contours of the sloping site. Each apartment has a balcony or terrace with uninterrupted views of Valmorel and the surrounding mountains. The development also includes four free standing chalets with large picture windows, which harmoniously blend the spirit of traditional Tarentaise chalets with the creativity of contemporary design.
Photograph: OT de Valmorel et des Vallées d’Aigueblanche 
Photograph: OT de Valmorel et des Vallées d’Aigueblanche As with the Alps' most popular resorts, owners in Valmorel who rent out their properties can rely on excellent occupancy rates to generate an income from their investment. Occupancy rates are high in winter thanks to the good snow conditions, and are increasing in summer as the resort, close to the Vanoise national park, has capitalised upon the mountains' popularity as a warm weather holiday option by establishing itself as one of the best outdoor destinations in France. With an abundant range of activities on offer, including mountain biking, trail running, kayaking, rafting, canyoning, paragliding, climbing, via ferrata, glacier hikes, canicross and donkey treks, Valmorel attracts sports enthusiasts and families alike.
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