Buyers Return To The Ski Market As They Look Increasingly For Year-Round Opportunities

Buyers Return To The Ski Market As They Look Increasingly For Year-Round Opportunities

  • Existing property owners in the French and Swiss Alps managed to either utilise their chalets and apartments over during the last two summers, or rent them out to local nationals that could travel during the winter.
  • With travel restrictions easing, pent-up demand is now driving buyers to take action and look at Alpine property as an all-year-round investment opportunity.
  • This is happening due to increased mountain resort summer infrastructure and a desire to own private accommodation post Covid, especially during the busier winter season.
  • Specialist ski property website, skiingproperty.com, is noticing a trend in the market.

There’s signs that British buyers are now returning to the Alpine property ski market as travel restrictions ease and countries such as France and Switzerland look to re-open ski resorts for this winter season.

Whilst Switzerland operated its ski resorts last winter, they were open mostly for Swiss nationals, whilst in France, resort ski lifts remained closed for the whole season. This didn’t deter many French holidaymakers and particularly property owners, from spending time in the snow over the peak season weeks – and existing British owners managed to take advantage of high demand, especially over the summer months, where some resorts experienced their busiest summer ever in 2020 and 2021.

As tourists saw the mountains as a ‘safe haven’ over the summer – lots of open space, far less crowded than beach resorts, they also experienced the kind of holiday that mountain destinations have increasingly been able to offer as their facilities grow. Mountain biking and road cycling in particular have grown and resorts see huge opportunities for tourism in the future during the summer months.

These resorts are helping to drive property prices as they offer dual season holidays for owners and those looking to rent during summer and winter. They offer world class skiing, but are also well placed to serve the summer tourist trade.

Julian Walker, founder of skiingproperty.com and judge on the Property4Media awards panel, said:

“A ski chalet is not just for Christmas. But of course it’s nice to have one as demand over peak season weeks for ski holidays gets tighter. We’re definitely seeing a trend for people looking to purchase ski properties during the autumn and winter, but want to ensure the resort has great summer facilities too. Last winter, despite the challenges with travel due to Covid, a lot of stock sold through, mostly to buyers outside the UK market. This continues to put pressure on price and general inflation is part of that too, although buyers recognise the safe investment property offers, especially in times of inflation. The combination of all these factors, post Brexit as the dust settles, is seeing the largest increase in our UK customer enquiries for the past two years”.

Skiingproperty.com lists properties for sale in 25 French ski resorts and 3 in Switzerland – some of those getting particular attention due to the all-year-round offering include:

Chatel, France
Linked to the huge Portes du Soleil ski area in winter and one of the world’s largest bike parks during summer. Good for families, easy access into Switzerland
2 bedroom apartments start from £330,300, 6 bedroom ski-in-ski-out chalet for sale at £1,940,312
skiingproperty.com/ski-properties/france/chatel

Les Gets, France
One hour’s drive from Geneva and linked to the Portes du Soleil ski area. Mountain bike and road cycling mecca in summer. Good for families, easy access to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc.
1 bedroom apartments start from £362,000, 3 bedroom chalet for sale at £1,461,500
skiingproperty.com/ski-properties/france/les-gets

Meribel, France
Popular ski resort in the 3 Valley’s ski area linked with Courchevel and Val Thorens. Arguably offers best location in the 3 Valley’s during summer. Close to other resorts including La Plagne, Les Arcs and La Rosiere (close to Italy during the summer).
1 bedroom apartments start at £435,750, 5 bedroom chalet for sale at £5,810, 990
skiingproperty.com/ski-properties/france/meribel

Verbier, Switzerland
Well known for its off-piste skiing and party après scene, the upmarket Swiss resort has an increasingly good mountain biking park during the summer, plus a world class classical music festival.
1 bedroom apartments start from £633,827, 8 bedroom chalet for sale at £21,173,699
skiingproperty.com/ski-properties/switzerland/verbier

Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Former home of Roger Moore, this stylish resort hosts the Women’s World Cup ski races during winter and in summer, offers world class golf, water sports and cycling. It recently hosted the World Cup Enduro mountain bike competition.
New Sixth Senses development opening in 2022 offers apartments starting at £6,131,972
skiingproperty.com/ski-properties/switzerland/crans-montana

Company Information

Skiingproperty.com is based in London and offers an unbiased assessment on where and how to buy the best mountain property. Established in 2003, the service specialises in attractive new-build and renovation development projects, in key prime ski property markets. Skiingproperty.com has extensive first-hand knowledge of the Alps, having built up solid and trusting relationships with leading developers over many years.

Skiingproperty.com is regulated by UK law and are members of the appropriate UK professional associations and is a member of the National Association of Estate Agents and the Property Ombudsman.

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