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It is a very popular resort due to its authentic, welcoming feel with the small centre providing a daily meeting point for regulars so new arrivals can quickly settle in and get to know who’s who and what’s where. Its prices compare very favourably to the more expensive resorts higher up the valley, and it offers enough to keep most members of a group happy.
It welcomes a wide range of visitors; families, those with a basic budget, and a wealthier clientele who don’t subscribe to the glitz of 1850. It has a life of its own throughout the year although it is very quiet out of season with just a shop, bar and restaurant remaining open. In the main summer season, July and August, it is also fully open and the winter season usually runs from mid December to the end of April.
The lake, frozen in winter, makes a stunning backdrop for the huge fireworks competition held here each year along with many music festivals both summer and winter. At the back of the lake is a huge ski jump which is used on the national and international competition circuit which along with walking, horse riding, parapointing, painting, golf, flying, climbing and many other superb mountain activities brings life beyond skiing to this village. Le Praz boasts a good selection of lively bars, mouth-watering creperies and fine restaurants including "La Table de Mon Grand-Père" in Hotel Les Peupliers - a favourite treat of mine. It has a good standard of accommodation with a mix of hotels, apartments and chalets. It is situated at the foot of the Courchevel ski area and is also known as the ski resort of Courchevel 1300.
The Courchevel ski area links in to the massive 3 Valleys ski area. From the foot of the Gondola lift you are 2 lifts away from either Méribel or Courchevel 1850. So for skiing Le Praz is excellently situated with the two télécabine lifts, the Praz and Foret running from the centre. These can become hectic at peak weeks but locals and seasonnaires (winter workers) know it’s just a matter of timing your departure.
The Praz télécabine lift takes you directly into the centre of Courchevel 1850. The Foret télécabine lift takes you up towards the summit of "La Loze" at 2196m, giving easy access to the wonderful skiing of Courchevel and La Tania or the Meribel valley. Skiing back to Le Praz is a breathtaking experience in itself; tree lined pistes, some of the prettiest in the three valleys, lead you to the village. The jockey’s black run into Le Praz is quite something and a superb challenge to those who like to ski a bit closer to the edge. But don’t worry there are red runs too or the option to come down in the lift or free ski buses which run non-stop throughout the day.
The traditionally good snow, north facing slopes and extensive network of snow cannons enable you to ski back to the village throughout the season, but regardless just in case the pistes get a little scratchy you can always catch the bubble down.
- Price
- €237,500
- Ref:
- 12532HB73
- Resort
- LE PRAZ
- Area
- Three Valleys
- Desc
- Mountain village house for sale near ski resorts of Courchevel, local bars, bus route 10mins to Courchevel 1300.
Property Features
Property type
- Mountain village house
Property Description
This lovely semi-detached mountain house with some good features has been nicely divided into two decent ski apartments; one duplex of about 55m2 with two bedrooms, and a one bedroom apartment of approximately 30m2.The house, a great ski base, is situated in a very friendly village with a couple of bars – unusual and highly valued in the smaller hamlets. It’s at the back of the village on a road that turns into a mountain track so a very quiet location and just along from the local marie (small, local council office) and church. The road through the village is cleared of snow which means you should be able to drive to your door throughout the winter season. There is parking nearby.
The residents are a mix of locals who work in the stations such as ski instructors and guides, and a handful of Brits who also see the attraction of living in a small, genuine community whilst being able to take advantage of the huge Three Valleys ski area. The nearest ski lift is in fact in Brides-les-Bains, which is also a thermal spa town, but most drive or take the ski bus up to La Praz, Courchevel 1300 - about 10 minutes away. You can also use Champagny-en-Vanoise which is about a 20mins drive. The predominant view from this village is walls of green forest covering the surrounding mountains and it certainly doesn’t feel as though you’re on the doorstep of one of the biggest ski areas in the world.
Back to the house. It is joined to the house next door on one side, with its own land of about 37m2 on the others. At the moment this land is just used to move round the house to the entrances but a small garden is possible.
Starting from the bottom there is an arched entrance to a cave, currently used purely as storage, then on the ground floor is an apartment of approximately 30m2. You enter this into an open plan kitchen/dining/lounge area with some extra storage space. Off this is a double bedroom with built in cupboards, then a really decent shower room all of which has all been decorated very well and is in good condition. Windows in all the rooms let in light and make this a very liveable and cosy space. There is underfloor heating which is a bonus. The owner is also considering selling the apartments as two units so this could also be brought separately - see reference 12529HB73
Next we have the duplex apartment with its own entrance of approx 50m2. This is very roomy. You enter into the open plan kitchen/diner/lounge with a wood burning stove. This is a very good size space and again has been decorated and finished well. Off this is a WC. The is also storage, the owner really thought about the conversion and wanted to provide the apartments with enough space and storage that renters could keep the property tidy and in good condition. All the windows let in light and offer good views. Moving up to the second floor of the duplex are 2 bedrooms, 1 single and 1 dbl both with built in cupboards. The hall also has storage. There is a bathroom also in good condition and well decorated. This too could be brought separately see reference 12530HB73.
Of course this could easily be turned into a lovely family ski home with a bit of imagination.
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LE PRAZ
Resort Ratings
Beginner 
Intermediate 
Advanced
Snowboarding 
Off Slope 
Party
Family
Charm
Luxury
Access
Summer
Resort Description
Le Praz is a charming ski resort based around a pretty, traditional mountain village. Even as the resort grows the centre remains full of character with narrow streets and attractive old buildings and in the main the new developments have been done with taste in the traditional materials of wood and stone. It has a small lake as its focus next to which the two ski lifts are situated.It is a very popular resort due to its authentic, welcoming feel with the small centre providing a daily meeting point for regulars so new arrivals can quickly settle in and get to know who’s who and what’s where. Its prices compare very favourably to the more expensive resorts higher up the valley, and it offers enough to keep most members of a group happy.
It welcomes a wide range of visitors; families, those with a basic budget, and a wealthier clientele who don’t subscribe to the glitz of 1850. It has a life of its own throughout the year although it is very quiet out of season with just a shop, bar and restaurant remaining open. In the main summer season, July and August, it is also fully open and the winter season usually runs from mid December to the end of April.
The lake, frozen in winter, makes a stunning backdrop for the huge fireworks competition held here each year along with many music festivals both summer and winter. At the back of the lake is a huge ski jump which is used on the national and international competition circuit which along with walking, horse riding, parapointing, painting, golf, flying, climbing and many other superb mountain activities brings life beyond skiing to this village. Le Praz boasts a good selection of lively bars, mouth-watering creperies and fine restaurants including "La Table de Mon Grand-Père" in Hotel Les Peupliers - a favourite treat of mine. It has a good standard of accommodation with a mix of hotels, apartments and chalets. It is situated at the foot of the Courchevel ski area and is also known as the ski resort of Courchevel 1300.
The Courchevel ski area links in to the massive 3 Valleys ski area. From the foot of the Gondola lift you are 2 lifts away from either Méribel or Courchevel 1850. So for skiing Le Praz is excellently situated with the two télécabine lifts, the Praz and Foret running from the centre. These can become hectic at peak weeks but locals and seasonnaires (winter workers) know it’s just a matter of timing your departure.
The Praz télécabine lift takes you directly into the centre of Courchevel 1850. The Foret télécabine lift takes you up towards the summit of "La Loze" at 2196m, giving easy access to the wonderful skiing of Courchevel and La Tania or the Meribel valley. Skiing back to Le Praz is a breathtaking experience in itself; tree lined pistes, some of the prettiest in the three valleys, lead you to the village. The jockey’s black run into Le Praz is quite something and a superb challenge to those who like to ski a bit closer to the edge. But don’t worry there are red runs too or the option to come down in the lift or free ski buses which run non-stop throughout the day.
The traditionally good snow, north facing slopes and extensive network of snow cannons enable you to ski back to the village throughout the season, but regardless just in case the pistes get a little scratchy you can always catch the bubble down.
