Dec 12, 2022 / PROPERTY

Discover why a ski chalet in Morillon makes such a great escape

L’Echappee des Reves is a charming new gated residence with incredible mountain views, designed in the style of old mountain villages. There are forty-two 1-3 bedroom apartments, complete with a small winding road connecting the four chalets.

The brand new development offers superb accommodation close to Morillon and Samoens. Balconies with mountain views, community gardens, and a perfect location make this a place to enjoy with family and friends of all ages. It’s a development that offers every modern comfort, without any of the modern stress.

The property can be bought with the support of a rental management company too, making it a superb choice for anyone who wants a hassle free investment to enjoy as a holiday home. The property is due to be completed in 2024 and buyers have the option to specify fixtures and fittings, so you can help create your dream mountain escape. 

Why choose to buy a ski chalet in Morillon? 

L’Echappee sits close to Morrillon, part of the Haut Giffre valley and the Grand Massif ski area, Morrillon is curiously under the radar. Set between boisterous Flaine, pretty, authentic Samoens and petite Les Carroz, Morillon is an attractive alpine village, bursting with genuine rural life and one of the best spots in the area to achieve that sense of escape that is the soul of our mountain experience.

Aspects such as the Fer a Cheval, a dramatic horseshoe of limestone at the foot of the valley elevate the area beyond being simply pretty to somewhere that feels like it is at the heart of the mountains. It’s a fabulous place for a holiday, and a place that has strong appeal for the rental market, as well as those seeking a second home or peaceful primary residence. 

What's skiing like in Morillon? 

Morillon is perfect for families. There is a children’s village that caters to children from 6 months through to ten years and is well equipped with sledge runs, ice rink and a host of free activities.

Morillon has a vertical range of 1212m to 690m and is ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers. There are 16 runs and 9 lifts in Morillon itself. For more advanced skiers, hopping on one of these lifts connects you to the powder bowls of Flaine and runs like the glorious 14 km Pistes de Cascades that finishes in Sixt - where Everest climbers trained - just a short shuttle ride away. 

Morillon also has a reputation for good quality nordic skiing and a JamPark and boardercross are easy to reach in Flaine. This is an area that offers mountain joy to people at every age and at every stage of their skiing adventures - you could even attempt the Pas de Sales, a famous backcountry ski tour complete with 50 m abseil section. 

Traditional alpine setting

What’s it like to stay in Morillon? 

One of Morillon’s major charms lies in its authenticity. The village dates back to the 12th Century, when the Abbey was built in Sixt. It is a place of unassuming Savoyard charm, with a handful of traditional restaurants and bars.

There is a weekly market bursting with local cheeses, wines and charcuterie as well as local souvenirs. This is a place to escape the noise and bustle of modern life, a place to reconnect with loved ones, with the mountains and yourself. 

So close to Samoens

If you need something a little livelier, then Samoens is a mere 5 minute drive (or thirty minute ski) away. This gorgeous village is home to traditional shops, selling unique ware such as handmade puppets, as well as cafes and food shops that embody Savoyard charm.

Samoens is famed for its stonemasons, and you can see their skills first hand in the 12th century church and town buildings. You’ll find an abundance of snow-related activities such as dog-sledding and snowshoeing to enjoy before you indulge in a fondue or other delights in one of Samoens excellent options for apres ski.

The best of both worlds all year round

Morillon is a real break from the bustle of the purpose built resorts. It’s part of the mountain landscape, and offers as much relaxation and rejuvenation in summer as it does in winter. You or your guest can enjoy a dip in Lac Bleu, numerous hikes through breathtaking countryside, as well as the simple joy of being at peace in clear mountain air.

Saying somewhere offers the best of both worlds is a hackneyed phrase, but being so close to the charms of Samoens, the buzz of Flaines and the impressive variety of excellent skiing offered by the Grand Massif area means this quiet Savoyard hamlet offers exactly that. 

Set in a gated development

Why choose to buy ski property in L'Echappee? 

The big draw of L’Echappee des Reves is its setting. The gated development creates a sense of community that is ideal for families seeking to enjoy all Morillon and Samoens have to offer.

This makes it a superb base as a second home or primary residence, and creates appeal for the rental market to enjoy being able to sample life in a more authentic setting. The proximity of l’Echappee to bolder resorts like Flaine means appeal continues after toddlers become teens, and the property will offer a welcome retreat for many years.

It really is a space that can grow and change with a family, and meet the needs of each generation. 

Impeccable interiors

The property itself showcases some of the things we love about this type of high end development. Abundant use of carefully sourced natural materials connects the fabric of the building with the mountains that inspired it, and clever design means that this is a place to truly unwind.

Sweeping balconies are the perfect palace to enjoy the clean mountain air, and knowing you’re just moments from some of the loveliest parts of the valley makes it as easy to top up your thrill levels as it is to relax.

Maximum flexibility

Having the opportunity to specify fixtures and fittings means you can create somewhere that meets your personal aesthetic, and the practicality of being able to opt in to a rental mandate gives you the various tax benefits available as well as offering a hassle free way to bring your home to the rental market. 

Outstanding value

L’Echappee has a sense of being a hidden gem, and being under the radar means it presents an opportunity to enjoy exceptional value without compromising quality. Nick Dowlatshahi from Leapfrog Properties explains why. 

“L'Echappee is a unique development on the market. It’s situated near the charming villages of Morillon and Samoens which are not purpose built resorts and offer a more relaxing break away from the big queues but still with quick access to the slopes and the busier places.

The price point is very attractive - €357,500 for a 3 bedroom apartment just 300m from the ski lift and village centre is highly unusual in the French Alps and I don’t think the prices will be this attractive for long. Even in the resorts which were considered good value about 10 years ago like Alpe d’Huez you are now paying about €850,000 or more for a new 3 bedroom apartment. Morillon and Samoens are a fraction of that and for many people even preferred because they are not purpose built.

This is particularly relevant in the summertime when a traditional Savoyard town like Samoens comes into its own and offers a very pleasant spot for spending a week or two away from it all - something a purpose built resort in the summertime lacks.

When owners buy through Avecoeur and sign a rental mandate with them they can also get the 20% VAT rebate which brings the price down even further; a 3 bed at 357,500 Euros now only costs 297,917 Euros after the rebate. This is an incredibly low price for a 3 bed apartment in the Alps in a good size ski domain with 265 km of slopes.”

Why choose to use a ski property management company? 

Choosing to use a property management company offers a stress free way to enjoy a beautiful property like L' Echappee des Reves as both a holiday home and a sound investment. A property management company offers a range of services that make bringing your property to the rental market easy, and various incentives such as the 20% VAT rebate system make this a lucrative way to enjoy a second home in the mountains. 

What does a ski property management company do? 

A property management service will take care of various aspects renting your home, including : 

  • Managing booking enquiries
  • Managing marketing
  • Offering several hotel style services such as reception, cleaning and local information

Services offered do vary and it’s worth taking a close look at what the company offers before taking the plunge. If we look at Avocouer, who manage l’Echappee, as an example, we can see a huge range of additional support such as: 

  • Advice on rental pricing
  • Superb marketing including photos and advertising
  • Enhanced booking services including real-time tracking so you can make the most of any last minute gaps
  • Interior design services with a focus on design for dual purpose properties
  • Liaising with local services such as handymen or cleaners
  • Hotel style guest services including cleaning, concierge and inventory check
  • Insight into rental income
  • No leaseback arrangement, which means no lengthy tie-in to a rental agreement

Avocoeur even offer a snagging service, which is invaluable for anyone investing in a new property,and their inherent wish to make things as smooth as possible for new owners even extends to helping out with furniture assembly. It’s these kinds of details that make a real difference to your move and to the enjoyment of your investment for both you, and your rental guests.

Save 20% on your new ski property

Choosing a new build ski property offers the opportunity to reclaim 20% of the purchase price. By offering your property for rent, you deliver a steady stream of visitors to the resort, keeping things feeling busy, and offering a steady influx of people to spend in local businesses. You can find out more about how to save 20% on your next ski property here and if you choose wisely, you may find a property rental service that offers full support with the VAT rebate.

Property Alert Service

If the Giffre Valley and L'Echappee have sparked your interest just contact us and we’ll arrange a viewing. To stay ahead of the market in the area, you can join our property alert service. SnowOnly is a ski property portal which gives us access to thousands of ski properties worldwide. Our detailed search service means you can find exactly the right property in exactly the right area without trawling countless websites, making it one of the easiest ways to find your dream ski property and get ready to enjoy a mountain escape.