Posted on 03 February 2018
As travel trends change, so does the real estate market. Gone are the times, when we only travelled in summer and these days, getting away for Christmas, New Year or a 4-day break during winter is a common theme, hence the rising demand for ski property in France.
France is one of the best ski playgrounds in the world, making it a popular holiday destination as well as home to many expats of various nationalities. Its multi-cultural views combined with traditional French lifestyle are hard to ignore and these days, when owning a second home is easily accessible to the middle-class brackets, buying ski property in France is easily tempting for anyone who likes winter breaks or is looking for a buy-to-let investment.
Where is the Cheapest Ski property in France?
The Alpine lifestyle, as well as defined and highly unique travel niche presents many real estate options, especially appealing to British buyers. However much the same as any real estate market, locations separate the luxury and budget ends of the market.
Note: Each suggested location below comes into their own in summer so anyone looking for a buy-to-let income can make sure their new home works for them all year round.
The cheapest ski property in France is in the resorts of…
1: Combloux : A Budget Buyer’s Haven
Sitting in the southeast of France, Combloux is a small but charming village with 2000 permanent residents, that have a stunning year-round view of Mount Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. Retaining much of its French ambiance, the family-friendly village is also a hive of activity in summer with a wide range of outdoor activities. Hence it can be an all-year-round holiday home.
Cultural landmarks include the Alpine museum as well as the Calvary way and a few, nostalgic churches. Combloux shares its skiing fame with the Mount Blanc area that also consists of the more upmarket Megeve district.
2: Authentic Chatel
Sitting two hours’ drive, northeast from Combloux is the famous alpine village of Chatel. This is another location attracting buyers of ski property in France because of its authentic French feel, with traditional Savoyard stone and wood architecture.
Likewise, it is much more than a ski resort with a wide range of outdoor activities in summer including mountain biking, paragliding gliding and zip-lining, and of course, those beautiful meadow green landscapes.
Despite its low altitude, skiers have a massive choice of marked runs because it belongs to the Portes Du Soleil region. With prices starting from roughly £175,000 for a new build 1-bedroom apartment, buyers will be pleasantly surprised at its long-term potential.
3: Les Arcs Ski in Ski Out Property
Les Arcs is part of the three resort Paradiski System sitting in the Tarentaise Valley and including 425 kilometres of runs of which a vast majority are suited to beginners and intermediate skiers. The Les Arcs district itself separates into five distinct regions covering various altitudes.
While buyers of ski property in France will be hard pressed to find traditional architecture in Les Arcs, the cultural heritage is surprisingly welcoming. Comprising mostly of ski-in, ski-out homes with a starting price of roughly £156,000, Arc 1800 is a popular area with a small choice of bars and restaurants in the centre. Buyers of holiday homes in Les Arcs will also benefit from summer activities including biking and white-water rafting, and uniquely golf.
4: Les Menuires – Europe’s Hidden Property Gem
Established in 1964, In the past, Les Menuires had a terrible reputation due to the urban infrastructure, yet it has cleaned up its act and the Evening Standard also called it “Europe’s hidden gem.”
Sitting at an altitude of 1850 metres, and with prices starting from roughly £160,000, Les Menuires has some of the cheapest ski property in France of which most are ski in, ski out homes. Certain sellers also offer high returns for buyers looking for a rental income.
Les Menuires has an ideal location in the Three Valleys ski area and anyone wanting to scale up their lifestyle has easy access to the more prestigious resorts of Meribel and Courchevel. The family-friendly resort has 62 runs and 39 ski lifts, hosts a range of cultural heritage events and also promotes spa and wellness activities.
5: Alpe d’Huez : Mass Future Potential for Growth
With prices starting from roughly £280,000, the cost of ski property in Alpe d’Huez, the fifth largest ski area in France jumps into the next price bracket but for an excellent reason. A planned 350-million-euro infrastructure gondola link between Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes will change the face of skiing in the Alps by enlarging the area and choices in the process.
With completion plans of 2021, this has generated much interest in the real estate market of Alpe d’Huez. With its already existing ability to accommodate novice and experienced skiers and snowboarders, the potential is enormous. Things to do in Alpe d’Huez during summer include rock climbing, biking, walking and of course, enjoying those fantastic mountain views.
Would you like to know more?
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