As we approach the 2021/22 ski season, many property buyers will be wondering if and where they should buy their perfect home on the slopes. We update you on how French ski resorts have fared so far this year.
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When are ski resorts opening?
France is gearing up for its 2021-22 ski season, with the Les 2 Alpes and Tignes already open for glacier skiing. Most other resorts, including the popular Chamonix and Val Thorens, have announced their opening dates for November and December.
France’s health pass is not currently needed for ski lifts, although this has been subject to some debate. The health pass is required in France for most indoor hospitality venues, public transport and large events. If it is deemed mandatory for lifts, this would mean that only cross-country skiing is available to the unvaccinated.
Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Secretary of State for Tourism has tried to appease ski industry professionals, saying recently that “the message is very clear: This winter, we will ski!” Despite this, ski resorts are calling for more clarity over the rules and restrictions that will need to be implemented this winter. It’s widely expected that mask-wearing and social distancing will be in place in all French ski resorts.
Ski property market news
At the end of October, Knight Frank released their 2022 ski property report, covering the world’s best ski destinations and tracking prices across 20 Alpine resorts.
Out of the 20 resorts listed, Courchevel led the way for the highest daily rental rate at an average of €516. It also came second in prices of properties per square metre at €26,800. In contrast to this, the most affordable French resort was Chamonix at €12,500 per square metre.
Not only was Chamonix the most affordable, but it was also ranked the best ski resort for remote working due to its range of retail, cultural, sporting amenities, as well as its range of bars and restaurants. It was closely followed by Megève, which ranked highly due to its broad range of amenities and family-friendly slopes.
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Chamonix and Megève were also cited as the two of the most eco-friendly resorts in France. Both have received the Flocon Vert or ‘green snowflake’ award for their plans to make eco-responsible actions.
It may be the culmination of all of these things that caused property prices to rise the most in Chamonix by 6.1%, followed by Megève, 4.7%, in the second quarter of this year. As well as the qualities listed above, both resorts are easy to access from cities such as Milan, Turin, and Geneva, making properties here extremely useable at any time of year.
The report also showed that, although there has been a dip in international buyers over the past year, French buyers have filled this gap, especially those from big cities such as Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux. Interest from UK buyers is still prevalent, however, and demand is expected to increase from China.
