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Being situated at the upper end of the stunning Matter valley (or Mattertal to the locals), Zermatt enjoys a lofty perch among the many ‘four-thousander’ peaks that dot this epic landscape - not least the iconic Matterhorn itself.

It’s no secret that there’s a great deal to do besides skiing when you stay in Crans-Montana and the surrounding Valais canton - and, unsurprisingly, much of the off-piste activity that this stunning Alpine region has to offer is also centred on making the most of those breathtaking mountain backdrops.

However you choose to arrive in this breathtaking Alpine haven at the foot of the Matterhorn, you’re guaranteed a spectacular, smooth and memorable trip both in and out. And, while the town doesn’t have an airport of its own, the short answer is of course yes - you absolutely can get a flight to Zermatt.

At an altitude of 1600m, the views commanded from almost any vantage point around this bustling yet pristine village-town have long been world famous. In fact, you’ve almost certainly already seen a stunning mountain vista snapped from the forested foothills above Zermatt, even if you’ve never been anywhere near the place.

Perfect powder, breathtaking scenery and sun-drenched descents from the iconic crags of Mont Fort and the Bec des Rosses make Verbier (and indeed the wider Four Valleys area) an irresistible lure for winter sports fans of all ages and abilities.

Are you hoping to sell real estate in Zermatt, Verbier, Crans-Montana or any of the picturesque Alpine destinations that collectively make this region a crown jewel for second home buyers around the world?

As any reasonably experienced property developer will tell you, no two development projects are exactly the same. The sheer range of variables to consider in every case - along with the number of other agencies and contractors liable to become involved at various stages of the process - means that a degree of variance from project to project is more or less guaranteed.

If you’re not excited by the prospect of a spectacularly picturesque drive-in transfer from any of the major hubs slightly further out - Geneva, Bern, Basel, Zurich and Milan Malpensa are all within 2-3 hours by road - then by far the nearest drop-off point for international visitors is Sion Airport, just 27km to the southwest.

Crans-Montana is a rare and prized gem in terms of mountain holiday retreats - a unique hybrid of two characteristically distinct, yet effortlessly harmonious Swiss destination resorts.

Although every individual property development project will be entirely unique in a whole host of ways - both predictable and unpredictable! - there is a general workflow pattern that tends to be common all projects of this type, both large and small.

Whether you’re considering starting out in property development and investment, or looking for the ideal project to expand your portfolio, there are a few fundamentals it’s always worth bearing in mind.