Swiss ski resorts poplar with property investors

Ski resorts in the Swiss Alps are likely to be popular with property investors over 2008, one expert has said.

The "chic appeal" of Switzerland will see its mountain chalets in high demand from property buyers looking for their own home from home.

Steve Thomas, managing director of Alpine Property Investments, suggested that the Swiss resorts of around Canton Vaud and Geneva would see a particular surge in interest. He explained: "Buyers wanting chalets will always look at Switzerland, owing to its chic appeal. [It] will continue to be popular this year."

"We are, however, now seeing a significant increase in investors wanting to buy in Canton Vaud - closer to Geneva which includes resorts such as Villars, Gstaad, Les Diablerets and Leysin."

Canton Vaud in the relatively quiet south-west of Switzerland spreads from Lake Geneva to Lake Neuchatel and is home to the picturesque municipality of Avenches.