Holiday homes in the Alps: head to Les Gets for some of Europe's best skiing and traditional alpine charm

What makes the perfect Alpine home? Most buyers want a pretty village, an easy transfer from the airport and to be close to the slopes or lifts.

Overall they want that compelling combination of a small, thriving village in a big and well-linked ski area.

That combination comes together wonderfully in Les Gets, a traditional French village full of Savoyard charm that has long been a favourite with British skiers.

It is one of 12 villages in the Portes du Soleil, the second largest ski area in the world, with 400 miles of linked piste on either side of the French-Swiss border.

Les Gets is only 70 minutes from Geneva airport making it ideal for quick-getaway weekends in summer or winter. And unlike many French resorts, it has a strong summer season based around hiking, golf and mountain biking.

“Les Gets is a safe and family-friendly resort where you ski directly into the village centre,” says James Ross of Erna Low. “It is truly dual season, with summer activities and festivals from Bastille Day through to the end of August.

“It is comparable with Morzine, its near neighbour, a little smaller but more exclusive and while not especially high, its position in the mountains means it keeps its snow well through the season.”

A further sign of the popularity of Les Gets is that Erna Low has more developments there than in any other resort, nine in total, with homes priced from £240,000.

In the village centre surrounded by Les Gets’ shops and restaurants Residence Le Vieux Chêne is a new wood and stone building with contemporary styling that will have 25 apartments with one to four bedrooms, priced from £420,000.

Homes come with balconies, underground parking, ski lockers and storage rooms and will be completed for Christmas next year. Early buyers can customise their apartments.

Also in the heart of the village on Rue du Centre just one minute’s walk from the slopes, the Stella Hotel is being replaced with three new wood and stone buildings holding 49 apartments with one to five bedrooms, for sale with Athena Advisers.

These new Stella Residences will have underground parking, a communal wellness centre and a rental management service. Prices are £285,000 to £1,888,000 for 376sq ft to 1,680sq ft.

Furniture packages start from £23,210 and annual service charges from £730.

Hardcore skiers and snowboarders will like Chalet 1839, 18 new-build apartments directly on the Front de Neige where the lifts leave Les Gets and the skiers return.

Simon Malster of selling agents Investors in Property says the ski-in-and-out location of this new project is a rarity in Les Gets.

Prices for the final two apartments are £566,000 for the one bedroom and £766,000 for two bedrooms.

Elodge, also through Investors in Property, are contemporary apartments with one, two or four bedrooms, duplexes and townhouses overlooking Les Gets and a short bus ride from the slopes.

Prices start from £441,000 and include private garages and ski lockers.

“Les Gets is the most sophisticated village in the Portes du Soleil, family friendly with a decent nightlife and a good number of restaurants,” says Malster.

“It’s perfect for buyers with a decent budget who want to be close to Geneva with access to a huge ski area. The new developments are all of a high quality, the majority with hotel-style facilities.”

Travel just half a mile from the immediate centre and prices fall.

Les Terrasses de Chery are eight one- to three-bedroom apartments priced £240,000 to £642,000 for 355sq ft to 936sq ft, for sale through Erna Low.

All homes have balconies and private parking.