White Fir Valley, Bansko, Bulgaria

With Bulgaria now in the European Union, hopes are high for a property boom. Bansko, the country’s top ski resort, has had more than £20 million spent on new lifts in the past two years and could well be a good investment. White Fir Valley is at its heart, with apartments from £64,400 for a one-bedroom unit rising to £128,000 for one with three bedrooms. Communal facilities include an indoor pool, a spa, gym, restaurant, cocktail bar and convenience store. The development should be ready in May 2008.

020-7753 7696, www.whitefirvalley.com

PERFECT FOR THE SMART SET

Mer de Glace, Nendaz, Four Valleys, Switzerland

Properties are like gold dust in Switzerland’s much sought-after Four Valleys, one of the best ski spots in the Alps — and most reliable for snow because of its high altitude. Nendaz is next door to vastly expensive Verbier, but its prices are much more reasonable. Mer de Glace consists of 13 upmarket chalets linked to a boutique hotel. Apartments ranging from three to five bedrooms start at £369,000, and should be ready by the end of 2008. Underfloor heating, fireplaces, connections for hot tubs, and cellars for ski storage are standard.

020-7016 3740, www.alpinehomesintl.com

PERFECT FOR SERIOUS SKIERS

Three Sisters Mountain Village, near Banff, Alberta, Canada

This huge new resort covers 2,000 acres just outside the vast expanse of Banff National Park and an hour’s drive west of Calgary. There are four big ski resorts within a 40-minute drive, Banff, Sunshine Village, Nakiska and Lake Louise. Townhouses, family homes, apartments and chalets are offered. Two-bed apartments start at £236,000 with four-bed houses at £709,000. Snow is usually reliable and it’s a good place for heliskiing.

020-8605 9550, www.newfoundproperty.com

PERFECT FOR YOUNG COUPLES

Les Naturelles, Leukerbad, Valais, Switzerland

Leukerbad is known for hot springs, and there are two big spa facilities within a short walk of Les Naturelles, a two-hour drive from Geneva. Gondolas to the top of the mountain are close by, taking skiers to 50km of slopes. One-bed flats are from £133,047 to £155,172 and there is a five-year guaranteed rental income. Underfloor heating, cable TV, well appointed kitchens and balconies are standard. There is a bar, underground parking and a housekeeping service.

01202 331616, www.overseashomesearch.co.uk

PERFECT FOR BIG FAMILIES

St Martin Chalets, Lungau, Austria

An hour’s drive from Klagenfurt airport (with Ryanair flights from Stansted) and Salzburg, the Lungau region offers more than 300km of skiing. The ten St Martin chalets, each with three bedrooms, are 600m from a chairlift to the resort of Grosseck-Speiereck. Each will be built in timber and have larch shingle roofs and balconies. They will have large boot rooms, open-plan living rooms with fireplaces, a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom, another double and a bunk room. Prices start from £229,000. Completion date is early 2008

020-7590 1624, www.ernalowproperty.co.uk

PERFECT FOR BARGAIN HUNTERS

Les Aiguilles Rouges, Vallorcine, France

Vallorcine is in the Chamonix valley, one of the most popular ski areas. Les Aiguilles Rouges is being developed by Immoconcepts, known for its stylish, modern designs; the first phase will include 80 apartments in three buildings. Owners will be able to ski in and out and there will be free use of a swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and fitness centre. There will also be a restaurant and a bar. The apartments, which start at £151,500 on leaseback, are close to a new bubble lift. They should be ready by December 2008.

020-7590 1624, www.ernalowproperty.co.uk

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