Why so many Chinese are flocking to these top 5 ski resorts – from the French Alps to Colorado
Those who want to rent their properties part time in Switzerland and in the US are attracting a new type of paying guest: one that rarely ventures onto the slopes
Perhaps you are among the legions of skiers – estimated to number more than 1.2 million on the Chinese mainland alone – who head to overseas snow fields each winter.
Maybe you fancy a place of your own on the slopes: a cosy retreat for family and friends, which you can rent out to help pay its way.
But where can you buy that ticks all the right boxes? And how do the running costs compare in the various alpine locations?
In its Prime Ski Property Report 2020, Knight Frank weighs up five of the top destinations: the French Alps; the Swiss Alps; Aspen, Colorado in the United States; Queenstown, New Zealand and Niseko, Japan. Though there are differences in each market, a key finding is that healthy rental demand, low mortgage rates and strong resort-led investment are supporting the sector overall.
The researchers point out that, as a lifestyle asset, the purchase of a ski home is often an emotive decision, but for today’s savvy buyers, investment is a big factor.
“Few buy a ski home expecting double-digit capital growth each year but a look at the performance of ski homes over the last decade reveals average price growth of 19 per cent over the period, outperforming several tier one cities,” explains Kate Everett-Allen, partner, International Research, Knight Frank.
In terms of what they want in a property, buyers share common ground. For most, the list includes easy accessibility, low mortgage rates, hassle-free rental, stable or rising prices, market liquidity to facilitate their future exit, “and ideally a currency advantage”.
