Ceri Tinley
Founder, Consensio Chalets

What first brought you to the Alps
I was living in Jersey with my husband and we went to the Alps for what was meant to be one ski season. We wanted a proper winter in the mountains. That first season became a second, and then we stayed for eleven years. It wasn’t strategic. It evolved naturally.

When did you realise there was a business opportunity
Over time, I began to see a structural gap in the chalet market. Most operators followed a traditional, rigid model. I believed there was space for something more flexible: a genuine owner-operator partnership built on collaboration and long-term alignment. That thinking became Consensio.

What do people misunderstand about luxury in the Alps
From the outside it can look effortless. But true luxury is operational. It is recruitment, training and retention. It is compliance, logistics and supply chains. It is designing kitchens and staff areas so service flows naturally and the guest experience feels seamless.

It is also anticipation. Understanding a guest before they arrive. Tailoring menus, ski guiding, childcare, spa treatments and concierge support around their preferences. A beautiful chalet means very little if the service does not feel intuitive and deeply personal.

What has been the biggest challenge
Brexit and COVID tested every part of the business: recruitment, logistics, border regulations and supply chains. Nothing was straightforward. Those years reinforced the importance of strong resort-based leadership and long-term thinking. Today, we employ more than 76 operational staff each winter, with around 40 to 45 percent returning year on year. That continuity is vital. Guests notice when teams know the property, the owners and the standards instinctively. Service quality is built on experience and trust.

What’s next for Consensio
We want to continue refining the portfolio and taking on exceptional new chalets, particularly in high-altitude resorts where snow reliability matters. Partnerships are also a priority. We are also investing further in service. Strengthening our concierge network, building partnerships with wine houses, specialist coffee suppliers and food producers, and continuing to develop our senior resort leadership. Luxury evolves. Standards rise. Continuous improvement matters. It should never stand still.

What has being a woman in this space taught you
That confidence doesn’t need to be loud. It comes from preparation and from knowing your numbers, your team and your values.

One piece of advice for women building something from scratch
Find a mentor outside your immediate circle. Forecast thoroughly, model carefully and stay disciplined. Passion is important, but structure sustains growth.

Sian Maher
Agent Immobilier, Courchevel – Leggett Immobilier

You spent 25 years as a physiotherapist. How did property enter the picture
I first came to Courchevel on holiday while working in London as a physiotherapist and quickly fell in love with the resort. I returned for a season in 1995, which became a life in the Alps. After building a physiotherapy practice across eight French ski resorts for 25 years, I began buying and renting property. When COVID slowed the business, I joined Leggett Immobilier in Courchevel, a natural next step after so many years in the community.

You became the top agent out of 750 across France within two years. What made the difference
Trust. People already knew me. My background in physiotherapy taught me empathy and patience. Property transactions are emotional and often high-stakes. I focus on explaining things clearly, setting realistic expectations and removing surprises. Today, my portfolio ranges from €200,000 studios to €80 million ultra-prime chalets.

What do international buyers often misunderstand about alpine property
International buyers are often surprised by how property purchases work in France. Transactions typically take around three months between signing the promesse de vente and completion, as everything is handled by the notaire. Notaire fees include government taxes and legal costs, while agent fees are usually included in the advertised price.

For new builds sold under VEFA, buyers purchase off plan with staged payments and may be able to reclaim the 20 percent VAT if the property operates as a qualifying rental.

Ski in ski out properties are desirable but relatively rare, and a short walk to the piste can be just as valuable. The market also moves quickly, particularly in Courchevel 1850, so hesitation can mean missing the right opportunity.

Have you noticed a shift in buyer profiles
Nationally, we have seen more British sellers since Brexit, while French buyers now account for around 60 to 70 percent of purchasers. In Courchevel, however, the market remains highly international, with strong French demand alongside a wide range of international buyers investing in the area.

Luxury in the Alps is no longer confined to winter. Summer demand is growing, and buyers increasingly see property here as a year-round lifestyle investment.

Real estate at this level can still be male-dominated. Has that shaped your experience
I believe you earn and retain your reputation through how you work. When owners and buyers trust you, word of mouth naturally follows. Objectivity, transparency and kindness build long term relationships. Property is still a people business, so I focus on understanding my clients and their requirements and trust that success follows from that.

What advice would you give your younger self
Probably not to sell some of the properties I once owned. I strongly believe in property as a long-term investment. Otherwise, every experience contributed to where I am now.

The Alps Edit

 

Ideal Mountain Day

Ceri
Early breakfast. First lift for untouched snow. Hot chocolate mid-morning. Long lunch at Clos Bernard in Méribel. Early night.

Sian
First lift and perfect corduroy snow. A full Three Valleys circuit. Lunch in the sun with rosé.

Favourite Ski Run

Ceri
Jerusalem down to St Martin from Méribel.

Sian
Biollay in Courchevel.

Après Order

Ceri
A Hugo Spritz.

Sian
Rosé in the sun, or vin chaud when the temperature drops.

What Still Excites You

Ceri
Blue skies, fresh snow and empty slopes.

Sian
The views. Even after thousands of drives up the mountain, there are still moments of awe.