Admitting defeat..need some help from chalet operators

I'm really desperate for some help really - my sources and searching has come to nothing.

Really simple request - I would like a chalet for the whole season, how the heck does one go about doing it?

Most of the websites are for vacation rentals, the one seasonaire site seems to be mainly smaller accommodations and my searching the immobiliers in French hasn't yielded much either.

If I wanted a chalet that slept 12 people, central location, biggish resort (Morzine ideally) how much of a deposit would they look for and what would the monthly rent look like? I would rather get it direct from the owner as from an operator they are marking it up anyway.

If anyone can help me or point me in the right direction I would be extremely grateful! This would be for solo skiing holidays only so don't feel that I would be "yet another chalet operator" if you were going to pass on any info :wink:

Kind Regards
Sarah

Well, it should be quite easy. The resort typically have a website with all real estate agents listed. Or you can google them separately. Then you need to go from one agency to another one as not everyone deals with season rent. I am renting in Verbier and this is how I proceeded. I filled online forms with 6 agencies that had apartments for season and in July I got replies with offers. Alternatively you can send them emails with your query or call every single one. Price will depend on the accomodation and the deposit will depend on a price. You might also expect to pay the full amount of rent before January 1st, with the first installment within 10 days upon signing the contract, and the second - 1-2 weeks before you move in.

Oh, and chalet operators are unlikely to provide accomodation for the season as they prefer to deal with people on weekly basis. So you need a real estate agent. Check classified adds too.

Many thanks. No i didn't want to get a chalet from an operator but felt they would be the best to guide me as they would need to do the same thing hunting for suitable chalets (unless they owned them outright)

So thanks - that's what I suspected would be the process, just looking on the agents site they didn't have anything on offer but perhaps like you said - they come back to you after several months.

kind regards
sarah

Well, they wouldn't know now how many properties they will have available, this season hasn't finished yet and often their clients will take the option to keep the apartment for the next season. I would suggest you start the process around end of June.

This might help http://frenchalps.angloinfo.com/

Some resorts have a general town notice board outside the mayor's office where longer term rentals, job positions, small ads etc. are posted, or maybe even the local supermarkets? I'm sure that Morzine have if you were to contact them directly, you may be able to get them to post a notice for you detailing what you are looking for?

Hi,

Have you any idea's where abouts in the Alps you would like to stay, I am off to Bourg-St-Maurice in 9 days and while I am there I will pick Rose and Gordon's brains at the Polairestar ski hire shop to see if they know anyone in the area.

I may have a couple of other people who may be interested in providing a season rental....what size group are you looking for ( is it just for yourself and the other half with friends coming out etc ).

Jon.