Where is the best place to buy a ski property in Europe? It all depends on your budget; are you on a tight budget or seeking a luxurious home?
In France, where do the wealthy go skiing?
1850 Courchevel – Courchevel 1850, known for its wealthy citizens, once attracted Russia’s aristocracy, which is one of the reasons it is such a prestigious ski resort today.
Is skiing in France or Switzerland less expensive?
Switzerland is unquestionably more expensive, but I’m not convinced Austria is cheaper than France. It will vary greatly depending on the resort, and there are numerous tiny and even quite a few large but less well-known resorts in France where lodging and other amenities are less expensive.
Is it wise to invest in ski apartments?
With hundreds of resorts of various sizes to choose from, the French Alps are the world’s top skiing destination. French ski property is a fast-paced, ever-changing market with a steady influx of off-plan, new build, and resale apartments and chalets for sale. Are ski homes a good investment? As the ski market is buoyant, yes it is!
What do you need to look for before buying a ski property?
A long-term infrastructure strategy that is committed.
A summer and winter tourism action plan that includes a diverse range of off-piste activities.
The airport, trains, and roads all provide easy access.
Season length, altitude, and snowfall.
Slopes, elevators, and other facilities.
Your budget and lifestyle preferences.
Which ski resort to choose?
Chamonix
Chamonix Mont-Blanc is a popular tourist destination. Chamonix keeps ahead of the game by ticking all the boxes of a well-structured town and is only 90 minutes from Geneva Airport. The car-free core, which offers a diverse choice of stores, restaurants, and a busy après-ski scene, has drawn skiers from all over the world.
Beginner skiers may be frustrated by the lack of facilities tailored to their skill level, while intermediate and advanced skiers will appreciate the 173 kilometres of pistes available. The ski season lasts 17 weeks, but the alpine landscape welcomes outdoor enthusiasts with breathtaking views, a golf course, and summer activities during the summer.
Meribel
Meribel’s flair and range have enchanted audiences for decades. The resort has worked hard to keep an alpine atmosphere despite being purposefully created. Meribel is also known for its diversity. With varying grading of pistes and guaranteed snowfall, it attracts skiers and snowboarders with a busy après-ski scene, family-friendly events, and its excellent location in the centre of the Three Valleys. Mountain bikers like Meribel during the summer months, which run from July to September, are stunning views and challenging trails.
Val d’Isère
Val d’Isère attracts property buyers and investors due to its numerous projects to convert the resort into a premier skiing destination. The five-year plan, which began in 2017, emphasizes the town’s architecture’s classic alpine atmosphere and will streamline traffic. Val d’Isère, which shares a ski area with Tignes and uses the Espace Killy ski region, is always in demand with British visitors.
Tignes
Extremely high elevation Tignes is made up of four villages and has a perfect grade for snowfall. Newcomers to the area should go exploring because each town has something unique to offer. Les Brévières is the oldest and most popular, with a classic Savoyard atmosphere and a low-key entertainment scene. It is also promoting itself as a summer destination with a lot of promise for outdoor enthusiasts.
Beginner skiers flock to Tignes 1800, also known as Les Boisses, while buy-to-let investors flock to Le Lac due to excellent transportation links, a large selection of off-piste activities, and a variety of ski-in ski-out chalets. Val Claret, at an elevation of 2300m, draws skilled skiers and offers a summer skiing season.
Courchevel
Courchevel, is favoured by British royalty and celebrities, is the place to go for luxury ski chalets and apartments. Think enormous amounts of champagne, Michelin-starred restaurants, and premium brand name boutiques to get a sense of the social environment. Choose Courchevel 1850 for the wide choice of stores, bars, and restaurants. However, 1650 is a better option for families and beginner skiers. Given its location in the Les Trois Valles, which opens up 600 kilometres of pistes, new lifts and gondolas for this season make moving across the area much more accessible.
