_International Property Digest: Ski-in-and-out Properties in France and USA

For serious skiers who value every minute on the slopes, the appeal of a home with ski-in-and-out access to the pistes is obvious: open your chalet door, click into your skis and push off into a perfect Alpine day. No long walks in rigid ski boots, no unwieldy skis to manage and no waiting for local buses. All skiers, and especially families with younger children, will appreciate the efficiency that brings.

Ski properties for sale in France

Above: Vall Lodge, Val d’Isère, France

“For buyers looking primarily for a winter home instant access to the slopes can be their main priority,” explains Roddy Aris, Knight Frank’s Partner for the French Alps. “But a home directly on the slopes will always carry a hefty premium. Precise comparisons are impossible but it could certainly add up to 20 per cent to the price.” 

And finding a property on the slopes is not always easy with some resorts offering more options than others. “Ski-in properties are generally found in higher resorts, those over 1,500 metres,” continues Mr Aris. “Courchevel 1850 for example has many good options.”

Bellecôte in Courchevel 1850 has some of the biggest and best chalets in the Alps making it an iconic super-luxury reference point not only for the massive Three Valleys ski domain but throughout Europe. Properties there are directly on the slopes and also an easy walk from the resort centre and consequently are in a price league of their own.

In Meribel, the heart of the Three Valleys, favoured locations include Route des Chalets, Rond Point des Pistes, Route de la Renarde and Belvédère. Some determined buyers will only consider these locations, waiting up to five years to secure their dream ski home.

At the foot of the slopes in Val d’Isère offering the opportunity to be first on the lift every morning, Vail Lodge is a contemporary development under construction. Eleven one to five-bedroom apartments close to the shops and restaurants of this perennially popular resort are priced from €1,705,000 to €8,530,000 with completion planned for winter 2021.

Alpine ski properties in the USA

Above: Snowmass, Colorado, USA.

In the USA, a ski-in-and-out location is also high up the wish list but a shortage of suitable properties means they carry premiums of up to 30 per cent. Buyers often sacrifice the convenience of being on the slopes in favour of other criteria including excellent mountain views and an easy walk into the resort centre. 

For buyers determined to be as close to the slopes as possible, Knight Frank’s USA team recommends looking at the resorts of Snowmass, Breckenridge and Park City. Snowmass is one of four mountains in affluent Aspen’s ski area with 150 miles of pistes and a range of slopes to suit all abilities.

This is where Knight Frank are selling a contemporary home with five bedroom suites that offers the very best of mountain living. Detailed craftsmanship, excellent entertaining space and panoramic mountain views mark it as a special family home but it is the immediate access to two ski trails on Snowmass Mountain that will best please skiers of all abilities. The property is for sale for $8,000,000.

For further information on Knight Frank’s portfolio of Alpine homes contact our International Team on 020 7629 8171 or visit our webpage.