Why a ski property is the present that keeps on giving

As the holiday slowdown comes to an end and the ski season is well underway, you may well be dreaming of owning a ski home of your own in 2020. But if you (or the family) need a little convincing, here are our top reasons why buying a ski home in the New Year could be one of the best decisions you make.

Ski when you want

It sounds obvious, but it’s worth emphasising – with a ski property of your own, those spontaneous trips are easy. You don’t need to contend with hotel or apartment prices, for starters – long-term, you could find it almost more affordable for the family as a whole – and you’ll be staying somewhere that’s exactly how you like it. Plus, with somewhere to store your belongings, you won’t need to lug everything over with you each time.

Bring the whole family together

A second home is a fantastic ‘neutral’ ground to bring the whole family together without anyone feeling like they’re imposing – for you to invite cousins, for older teenagers to spend parts of their holidays with their friends, for grandparents to spend time with grandchildren and more.

Make the most of the summer

A property in a ski resort, despite the name, isn’t just for winter. You’ll have the possibility to explore the same area in spring and summer, and it can feel like a completely different world. With the sun shining and the mountainsides green, it’s the perfect time for mountain biking, e-biking, hiking and trail running. With a single property, you’ve got so many different options and holidays open to you. In some areas, such as the Sierra Nevada or parts of the Rhône-Alpes, you could even make a day trip down to the beaches on the Mediterranean coast.

Enjoy potentially strong price growth

As we have previously written, the last decade has shown a strong price growth for prime ski property, at an average of 19%. That’s an extremely attractive figure for any investor, and is only matched among urban properties in the region by Geneva. Other European luxury hotspots have actually shown a decline, including big names like Monaco and St Tropez.

Although no-one can say with certainty how long trends will continue, with increased interest from international buyers like the Chinese, you could see a strong return on any ski property if you do come to sell it in the future.

Add a second income stream

If you’re not using the property year-round, it can be a savvy decision to let it out to others has a holiday rental and help to at the least cover your costs. With dual seasonality such a big trend now, and the ease of marketing through platforms like Airbnb, running your own rental has never been so straightforward. While you shouldn’t count on year-round occupancy, even a 50% occupancy rate can yield a good second income.

Get ready to buy a ski home in 2020

Now’s the time to start planning to buy that ski home by the end of 2020. Make sure to download your free country buying guides, and, with the Brexit deadline scheduled for 31^st January, make sure to have a read of our Brexit guides, too, to know how to buy afterwards.