Are you one of the many avid skiers who dream of owning your own ski property? If you are, where do you start to look? If you reside in Europe the best choice for you could be a ski property for sale in the French Alps. There is a wide choice of properties and France is easy to reach.
Which location in France is best for a ski property? Do you want to buy a property in a well-known resort such as Val d’Isere or Courchevel? You will pay top dollar but these resorts are exclusive and the rental potential is high. Courchevel is situated in the Tarentaise Valley, this is where world class ski resorts can be found. Neighbouring resorts include Espace Killy (Val d’Isère and Tignes) and Paradiski (Les Arcs and La Plagne).
The next question is, what type of ski property should you choose? That very much depends on your budget as to whether you invest in a ski apartment or ski chalet. Ski properties aren’t cheap, therefore choose a property in a location that you can use year round. There are plenty of resorts that cater for the summer season, meaning maximum use of your apartment or chalet. Tignes is an excellent choice for a year round resort. The best way to find out what a location is like, is to visit throughout the year. Visit in the winter and summer, check out what amenities are offered at both times. Christmas and New Year are also great times to visit, when the atmosphere in the villages is festive.
What activities are available in winter and summer? Skiing and snowboarding, tobogganing, ice skating plus many other snow related activities. In the summer you can go cycling, walking, hiking, climbing and swimming. Golf is available plus archery and even horse riding. Choose a high altitude resort such as Tignes and Val Thorens where you are virtually guaranteed snowy slopes and look for a resort with easy access to an airport. Geneva Airport is where most international flights land and the transfers from here to resort are usually an hour or less.
If you are on a budget, consider buying in a smaller resort, such as Les Carroz, in the Grand Massif ski area. This delightful area is outstandingly beautiful, with authentic alpine chalets that blend beautifully into the pretty landscape. It’s perched at 1,140m above sea level and there are lots of activities in both summer and winter. You could also take a look at Saint Martin de Belleville which is located in the Three Valleys ski area for affordable ski apartments and chalets. Again this is a great location that enjoys summers and winters alike.
Possibly your budget is high and you want to invest in a high end resort. If this is the case lucky you, the ski properties are spectacular and you can choose from resorts such as Courchevel, Val d’Isère, Megève or Chamonix. Here you are paying for the location and you will no doubt bump in to a famous face or two. These are the ski resorts to be seen in and people are happy to pay the high rental fees. Luxury properties can be found in these resorts and they are something else. Typically these chalets are set in beautiful woodland with magnificent views of majestic mountains are the norm. They have from four bedrooms upwards with extra-large living spaces, a ski room for all your ski equipment with heated boot warmers. An indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and a hot tub on your own private terrace.
Enjoy your property search!