Posted on 02 October 2018
Deciding where the best place to buy a ski property in France is all about you, your personal preferences and lifestyle. When looking at global architecture styles, ski homes stand in a class of their own.
Dominating the Alpine Mountains of which a small part belongs in France, property buyers have many villages and towns to choose from. Budget plays a large part in deciding which home is for you, but ski homes are no longer winter confined.
Resorts are adapting to year-round tourism seasons, and council are pumping thousands into alternative activities and infrastructure, so buyers are entering the market at an ideal time.
Leaseback and Appreciation
Some buyers toy with the idea of buying leaseback property. If done with an established management company, the investment can pay its way. Approved by the French government to encourage tourism, you use the home for a set duration of weeks during the year, and let the management company rent it out at other times, therefore generating income and/or a way to pay the mortgage.
The other aspect to consider is annual appreciation records but at the moment, they are aren’t accurate indicators, because many districts are modernising and upgrading, so there is much potential for the future. In 2017, French alpine property rose by an average of 1% with resorts like Chamonix and Val D’Isère performing better than others.
For further insight into capital appreciation potential, or to discuss leasebacks homes, call or email us, but until then, this list of popular destinations for buying homes in the French Alps will give you plenty of ideas.
Best Place to Buy Ski Property in France
Best for Skiing
Die-hard skiers love the Three Valleys district. Comprised of eight resorts including Courchevel, Meribel, Val Thorens, Menuires, St Martin De Belle Ville, Orelle, and Brides Les Bains, it is the largest skiing area in the world. Guaranteed snow cover from a minimum altitude of 1300 metres includes varied access to blue, green, red and black runs.
Best for Dual Season
Dual season resorts are driving the market, for buy-to-let incomes, and buyers who want a summer holiday destination and winter. They also increase liquidity chances should you need to sell. Many resorts offer summer facilities, activities and amenities including Les Gets, Chamonix, Courchevel 1650, Meribel, and Alp d’Heuz.
Family Friendly Atmosphere
As the saying goes, keeps the kids happy and it will delight the parents, and certain places strive to do just that. The traditional atmosphere of Megeve often attracts upmarket buyers, while at the lower end of the market, Les Gets revolves around family moments, with child-friendly slopes and loads of summer activities.
Best for Dining Out
Out of Courchevel’s 70 plus restaurants, a staggering seven are Michelin stars proving that skiers have ambitious standards, when it comes to satisfying the tastebuds. Also offering traditional cuisine, menus focus on chefs’ specials, tailored dishes and international food to curb hunger pains after a long day on the slopes. Courchevel’s most excellent restaurants also stock fine French wine and spirits to wash down a plate of gourmet food.
Nightlife and Après-Ski
Après-ski first came about in 1951 and since then has become an integral part of many resorts. If Après-ski, live music and night-time partying are what you want, look at Chamonix, Courchevel 1850, Val d’Isère, and Meribel. Courchevel’s reputation for letting your hair down earns it a legion of fans who adore the sports bars, nightclubs, cocktails establishments and much more.
Ideal for Adrenaline Summer Activities
Certain resorts are putting in tremendous efforts into becoming dual season. Adrenaline junkies will fall in love with Chamonix, where you can paraglide, rock climb, go mountain biking, golfing, trekking, cycling, horse riding, sightseeing and enjoy water sports like canyoning, rafting and kayaking. Otherwise, the Grand Motte glacier in Tignes offers 20 kilometres of summer skiing.
For Price and Budget Buyers
While places like Courchevel demand figures of six digits and up, buyers often choose alternative districts to get more for their money. Combloux, an ideal alternative to top market Megeve, sits in the Haute Savoie regions, while properties in Chatel, a traditional alpine destination start at around £180,000.
Les Menuires damaged its reputation in the past with ugly architectural landscape but efforts to turn back the clocks paid off as budget buyers flock back, to the area, called “Europe’s hidden gem” by the Evening Standard. Last, for budget buyers, Les Arcs could be the best place to buy ski property in France because it offers affordable prices without compromising on the Alpine atmosphere.
Further Reading
See our portfolio of ski properties for sale in France. For more information about any home, just fill in the enquiry form on the right-hand side or call or email us, to speak to a local sales rep.
