The best ski resorts in Europe: the premium-class

With the beginning of the new ski season, the question of acquisition of property in European ski resorts is once again becoming relevant to investors around the world. “Tranio” were the guide to the best ski resorts in Europe, which included the most famous and expensive ski area (with prices from 10 thousand Euro/m2 and above) and less known, but no less promising and thus accessible locations (with prices up to 10 thousand euros/m2 and below).

The resorts that are chosen by the rich and famous can be counted on the fingers on the hillsides and the party “après-ski” (après-ski) here you can meet members of Royal families and stars of show business. Most of these exclusive resorts in Switzerland, but there are exceptions:

• Courchevel 1850 (Courchevel 1850), France;
• Gstaad (Gstaad), Switzerland;
• St. Moritz (St. Moritz), Switzerland.
• Zermatt (Zermatt), Switzerland;
• Megeve (Megève), France.

Courchevel 1850

Courchevel 1850 headed the rating of European ski resorts with the most expensive real estate and one of the twenty most expensive resort areas in the world. According to a recently published report, Savills Alpine Property Market — 2015/16, the cost of housing an ultra-premium here is on average 31.3 thousand euros/m2 is 93 % higher than in the Alpine resorts of the middle class.

Chalet in Courchevel — very expensive

The cost of apartments requiring repair, Courchevel 1850 varies from 8.0 to 15.0 thousand € /m2 new apartment can be bought for 17,0–30,0 thousand Euro/m2. Prices for a luxury Chalet with a swimming pool, a home cinema and a private direct access to the ski slopes reach 30,0–50,0 thousand Euro/m2 rental house in the middle of the season will cost 40,0–250,0 thousand Euro a week.

Offer in Courchevel are very limited: in the high zone, located at an altitude of 1850 m (hence the name of the resort), is located about 200 chalets, and practically non-existent under construction.

Infrastructure of the resort to the reputation of the elite vacation spot: in Courchevel more five star hotels than any other city in France. There are six Michelin-starred restaurants, the boutiques of the most famous brands, spas, fitness centres, a helipad and a small airport for private planes. In 2015, neighbouring Courchevel 1650 was opened at the resort Wellness centre Aquamotion. Also from Courchevel half an hour to get to Geneva and an hour from Saint-Tropez, Monaco or Milan.

Gstaad

Once a star of Broadway musicals Julie Andrews (Julie Andrews) called Gstaad “the island of calm in a stormy world”. The resort became popular with movie stars and members of Royal families after the Second world war and still remains aduim of the favorite places for living and recreation for celebrities from around the world.

Average real estate prices ultra-luxury apartments in Gstaad only slightly lower than in Courchevel: 31,2 thousand Euro/m2. Prices for apartments in new buildings reach 37,0 thousand Euro/m2 for apartments in houses built 10 to 30 years ago — about 29,0 thousand Euro/m2. To rent during high season for the price of 75,0–130,0 thousand euros per week.

Most of the buyers on this resort, investors from the Middle East and Northern Europe.

The famous Gstaad Palace for over a hundred years

For lovers of sport and healthy lifestyle in Gstaad there are pools, saunas, massage parlors, fitness centers, tennis courts, horseback riding, four rink and paragliding, as well as more than one hundred restaurants, many top-quality hotels, bars and casinos. In addition, in Gstaad hosts major sports events — professional men’s tennis tournament Swiss Open Gstaad Championships in volleyball and Polo.

St. Moritz

St. Moritz is an elegant resort located on the shores of the lake, in the heart of the valley Engadin (Engadin). The town is located at an altitude of 1800 m above sea level, which ensures a stable snow cover, pure air and 320 days of sunshine a year.

St. Moritz has twice hosted the Winter Olympic games, this honor was awarded to only three cities in the world (the other two — the German Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Cortina d’ampezzo). Property prices in St. Moritz high: the average price per square meter here is 30,9 thousand euros. The most expensive villas of St. Moritz, the Suvretta hill is located, are from 25.0 to 35.0 thousand euros/m2, and housing in the Central streets (the via Tinus, via Brates and via Serlas) from 15,0 to 25,0 thousand Euro/m2.

Lake St. Moritz in the Engadine valley

Infrastructure in St. Moritz is very good: in addition to traditional boutiques, expensive restaurants and bars, there are a number of medical institutions and Spa complex. Among the entertainment events Championships in bobsled, skeleton and food festival, world Cup Polo on snow, the international horse races on snow, festival of classical music, Jogging, roller skating, an Opera festival and numerous regattas on the lake and a competition of kite flying.

Zermatt

Zermatt lies at the foot of the Matterhorn (Matterhorn), the famous Alpine peak, and is a member of the best mountain resorts Best of the Alps. The most common opinion about staying in Zermatt: “Unforgettable cool and incredibly expensive.” Real estate prices here range from 10.0 to 16.0 million euros/m2, and the cost of luxury objects reaches 29,0 thousand Euro/m2. Housing prices here average of 72% higher than other Alpine resorts.

Zermatt from the height of bird flight

Most trails in Zermatt — for advanced skiers. In particular there is one of the most challenging ski areas in the Alps — Tripti (Triftji), as well as the largest snow Park in Europe — a Gravity Park.

In addition, in Zermatt you can visit carved in the thickness of the glacier cave to do the incredible beauty of the path on the “glacier Express” to see the highest altitude vineyard in Europe and the continent’s largest underground lake, listen to the world’s oldest functioning organ, and to ride on the highest in the Alps cable car.

Megeve

The French resort of Megeve is a kind of analogue of the Swiss St. Moritz. Most trails (total length is 226 km, maximum altitude 2 350 m) suitable for beginners. Megeve is in the top ten Alpine ski resorts with the most expensive real estate: the prices for luxury housing here reach 17.5 thousand Euro/m2. Apartment in Megeve can be purchased for an average 4,0–12,0 thousand € /m2 house — from 5.0 to 13.5 thousand Euro/m2. Prices for chalets with four to five bedrooms starting from 2 million euros, in apartment — from 250 thousand euros.

Prices for Chalet with four or five bedrooms in Megeve starts at 2 million euros

Infrastructure of the resort is amazing, for the residents and guests of the resort are more than 90 restaurants, sports Palace with an indoor ice rink, swimming pool, sauna and fitness centre, an outdoor skating rink in the village centre, three cinemas, a theatre, jazz club, casino, bowling, disco seven, three galleries and more than 200 shops and boutiques.

Yulia Gushchina, “Tranio”