It’s been more than a year since we were able to travel freely – if at all. But there is light at the end of the tunnel and some day we really will be able to pack our bags and reach for our passports again. While we wait, our local agents remind us of what we’re missing.

It has been an extraordinary 12 months for the property market in Les Portes du Soleil. We have had one of our busiest selling seasons here at Savills international associate Morzine Immo, quite some feat given the restrictions faced by all during the pandemic.

In 2020, we predicted that those resorts within striking distance of major towns and cities and with good communications would fare better than more remote Alpine destinations. Being only about an hour from Geneva and with an established local population and services, Morzine and Les Gets were well positioned to take advantage of the WFH experiment.

The dual seasonality of both resorts has always held broad appeal. Summer activities range from golf on Les Gets’ 18-hole course, with stunning views of the Mont Blanc Massif, to the infamous 128km mountain bike park that hosts the annual MTB World Cup Finals (the event is on in 2021). The area is regularly visited by the Tour de France and just a few weeks ago the Critérium du Dauphiné rode through Morzine to finish in Les Gets. It’s very popular with amateur road cyclists, offering world renowned climbs on the doorstep.

Following previous successes of the Morzine-Montriond Triathlon and a break last year, 2021 sees the introduction of the first Olympic distance race, which will feature the Morzine to Avoriaz climb. Savills is delighted to be both sponsoring and hopefully competing in the event that takes place on 28 August.  

The centre of Morzine continues to go through a metamorphosis, with some exciting new apartment schemes springing up in and round the village. These include Le Tyrolien and Le Carlina which, after exceptional demand, are now sold out and well on their way to completion.

Average prices for the best new build apartments have evolved from circa €8,500 per sq m to €12,000 per sq m in less than five years, driven by lack of supply, a demand for larger high end apartments and longer gestation periods to obtain construction permits. We only see this trend continuing with a shortage of stock that cannot meet current levels of demand. Fortunately, we have another prime scheme launching soon in the centre of Morzine.

Les Gets also continues to see price growth, with strong demand for chalets and central apartments. 2021 has been the year when overseas buyers from all quarters have come out of the woodwork and have been keenly snapping up prime chalet stock. My colleagues there see demand continuing for the right product during the next 6-12 months.

A much talked about planned new lift system, connecting the centre of Morzine with Avoriaz, via an underground moving walkway and a high-speed lift to the bottom of Prodains, has been long anticipated. This ambitious project envisaged a cable car to replace existing bus links the length of the Ardoisières valley and traffic re-routed in the centre of Morzine. Funding and logistics mean that the project may never come to fruition, but its absence is unlikely to inhibit the annual flock of summer tourists this, or any other year. Vive Les Portes du Soleil!

• Paul Watts is Director of Morzine Immobilier, Savills international associate in Morzine 

Further information

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• Paul Watts and the global residential team are available remotely for any questions about the market or to simply share stories about their beloved locations.