The Alps: The ultimate location for remote workers?
We reveal the best ski resorts for those no longer tethered to the office.
2 minutes to read
The work-from-anywhere workforce has expanded significantly due to Covid-19. A number of companies have announced either hybrid or remote working models with PwC, Google, British Airways and BP amongst them. Some, such as Unilever have gone one step further, confirming employees can work from abroad, provided they can be in the office at 24 hours’ notice. Plus, there is an army of entrepreneurs, freelancers and a new breed of bloggers, podcasters and copyrighters that are also reaching for their passports.
Fast broadband and good coverage is critical for most remote workers but the pandemic has also heightened the appeal of nature and pushed wellbeing to the forefront of buyers’ minds. Our Global Buyer Survey found that when choosing their next property, 71% of respondents said access to high-speed broadband would be more important to them. Some 55% considered views of nature more important and 65% said good air quality would be a key consideration as a result of Covid-19.
Remote working resort monitor
Combine these factors and it is perhaps no surprise that a new cohort of footloose workers are eyeing the Alps with interest. With this in mind we have created our own remote working resort monitor for those considering relocating, whether temporarily or permanently.
What do remote workers want?
Measuring broadband speeds, the choice of amenities in each resort, the proximity to an airport and the degree to which each resort is open to non-resident buyers we have ranked the Alpine resorts.
Chamonix comes out on top. A resort with a permanent resident population of over 10,000, it is one of the largest Alpine towns offering a range of retail, cultural, sporting and culinary amenities.
Resort amenities
Megève too benefits from a broad range of amenities and its slopes are particularly suited to families with young children. Villars-sur- Ollon and Verbier are Switzerland’s highest-ranking resorts, both have invested heavily in their ski and non-ski infrastructure, and in Villars-sur-Ollon’s case, the Magic Pass grants access to a wider ski domain incorporating Crans-Montana and Grimentz.
Photo by Sepp Rutz on Unsplash
If you are seeking a 'home from home' in the Alps, or have an alpine property that you are thinking to sell, why not speak with our Alpine specialists for further advice on where, why, and how to buy and sell in the mountains.