Smart 2-bedroom apartment, great lake views, minutes from ski runs and beaches

This second floor apartment was modernised in 2011 to provide comfortable and smart accommodation for 4 to 6 people. Overlooking Lake Geneva, the views from the two balconies are spectacular. The apartment has an open plan kitchen/ diner/ lounge with balcony. The apartment is light and bright, with views from every room. The kitchen has an oven, induction hob, fridge-freezer, microwave, dish washer and washer dryer, and is fully equipped. There is also a Raclette grill/ fondue set for 8. There is a dining table which can seat 6-8. There is a large 3 seater sofa (convertible) in the lounge, with TV/ DVD. The main bedroom has a large double bed and has its own balcony. The second bedroom has bunk beds and a comfortable sofa bed. Both bedrooms have ample storage. The bathroom has a large walk in shower with rain shower head and a hand held shower, large basin and cabinet. There is a separate WC.

We also own the studio apartment next door, which sleeps up to 4 people. If you are looking for a second rental property in Thollon for friends or family, please see https://www.homeaway.co.uk/p10691079 for further details.

Access is via a lift or stairs. The apartment is only 30m from the cable car, and is only a short walk from all of the village amenities.

Thollon - village amenities: The apartment is located in 'Station', which has direct access to the ski runs via the Télécabine (cable car). There are only a couple of hamlets beyond Station, so there is very little through traffic. Thollon offers peace and quiet in abundance, while there is still plenty to do. However, the village can be very lively in the Ski season during the Christmas, New Year and Winter/ half term holidays, when there are many activities organised by the community. Station has several restaurants and bars, a mini-supermarket selling bread and fresh food, several ski hire shops, a cinema (open during the holidays), the tourist office and a laundrette. Just a short walk or drive to Le Nouy, you will find a traditional bakery a cheese shop and another mini-supermarket which also sells international newspapers and gifts. A little further on is Chef-lieu, where the post office, Mairie, library, school and church are located. There are tennis courts and a pétanque club here too.

The Télécabine (cable car) takes you up to the Mémises mountains behind the village, and is open throughout the ski season (Dec-March) and also in July-August, and at weekends in June and September. In the summer, there are walks for all abilities, or simply enjoy the views and some lunch on the terrace at 'Le Repaire de l'Aigle'. In the winter, Thollon is a well-managed, family friendly ski resort with 50km of runs, ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers. Most of the pistes are north facing, between 1000-2000m altitude (16 pistes: 1 black, 9 red; 4 blue; 2 green and a 6km cross country ski track). There are also tracks for snow shoe walks. There has been a lot of investment bringing improvements to the resort over the last 10 years, including a snow park with a half-pipe for snowboarders, the 10-person télécabine with disabled access, a 4-seater chair lift to the top of the resort, new and increased snow cannons and machines across the resort, and scheduled for completion in 2021, a new restaurant and visitor centre with viewing platform over Lac Léman. The resort is very well-managed, and has many snow machines to ensure good coverage on the main pistes throughout the season. The resort is served by 3 chair lifts and 11 ski lifts. With the ski school (ESF) in the village, the resort is ideal for beginners and intermediates, and is particularly good for families, with lessons for 4 years and up. There is also a crèche in the village. There are several good ski hire shops. The town organises many events and activities, especially during the school holidays. One ski pass, three ski resorts - Thollon-les-Mémises, Bernex and Abondance created a new ski pass “Les Montagnes d’Évian“. If you purchase a ski pass for 5 days or more, you automatically access the Montagnes d’Évian ski pass which allows you to use the ski domains in all 3 villages. In addition to skiing it also gives access to the Bernex ice skating rink, La Cité de l’Eau in Publier, the Abbey and the Maison du Fromage in Abondance. A shuttle bus runs between the villages on specific days. See the website https://winter.thollonlesmemises-tourisme.com/ski/ for more details. The Portes du Soleil (Morzine, Les Gets, Châtel) with 650km of runs, is only a 45-50 minute drive away.

The great outdoors: Thollon is surrounded by beautiful scenery and there is plenty to do all year round. There are many walks for all abilities, straight from the apartment. The Tourist Office produces a local map. For one of the best views of Lake Geneva, take the cable car and walk 20 min to the Pic des Mémises. Paragliding is popular in Thollon, and the conditions are ideal. There are many options for swimming; a short drive from the village is the Plage de la Beunaz, a natural lake with slides and diving boards. 15 min by car / bus is the Olympic sized pool in Evian. Thonon-les-Bains, approx. 30 min drive, also has a lido. Both towns have Spas. The lake itself offers endless free swimming opportunities with beaches at: Lugrin, Meillerie, St Gingolph, Amphion, Publier, Anthy and Excenevex, where there is a 3km shallow, sandy beach. Sailing, paddle boards, pedalos and motor boats can be hired. There are several passenger boats. Other options include rafting, horse riding, fishing, tennis, mountain bikes (VTT), climbing. Ask at the Tourist Office for info.

Surrounding areas - attractions: Where to start! Nearby towns in France that are well worth a visit: Evian (very chic, casino, art gallery, concert halls, gardens, esplanade, funicular, Spas / Thermal baths (municipal and Hilton), boat trips) ; Thonon (very pretty harbour, funicular, museums, thermal spa, shopping, boat trips); Meillerie (pretty fishing village, swimming, harbour); Yvoire (medieval fortified village, gardens). There are many local vineyards - arrange a guided tour at the Château Ripaille. Travel into the High Alps where many cable cars and funiculars are open in the Summer or visit ancient monasteries; Morzine, Chatel, Abondance, St Jean D'Aulps - all within 1 hr drive. The apartment is only 12km from the Swiss border at St.Gingolph. Catch the lake steamer here to Montreux, Vevey and Lausanne or visit the Château de Chillon. Also, catch the ferry from either Thonon or Evian to Lausanne - great shops and museums. A little further afield are Chamonix, Annecy, Gstaad, Sion. You won't be bored.