CHAMONIX DESTINATION GUIDE

ABOUT THE LOCATION

Chamonix is one of the easiest resorts to access at just over an hour's drive from Geneva, making it an attractive option for property buyers. Whether you are looking for a family chalet or a weekend apartment, our local experts have an intimate understanding of this famous resort and have handpicked the finest properties for sale in Chamonix.

Whilst the imposing Mont Blanc is, of course, a big pull, it’s the dazzling array of pistes that has positioned it as a go-to for both families and experienced skiers on the trail of fresh, virgin powder and high-quality family-friendly infrastructure. Pairing an incredible ski experience with a lively summer season, where you can enjoy unforgettable hiking, golf and so much more, it is easy to see why property in Chamonix is highly sought after by both international and domestic buyers

INVESTMENT POTENTIAL

Whilst properties for sale in Chamonix can reach up to €13,000 per sqm for new and well-located ski properties, generally, high-quality new-build ski apartments by reputable developers can be found for around €11,000 per sqm depending on their location.

Due to the resort’s nature as a year-round destination with incredible winter and summer sports offerings, property prices in Chamonix have risen steadily over the past five years with 2019 seeing an increase of 5.4% – the highest price growth recorded in the French Alps (source: UBS).

MIGHTY MONT BLANC

ADVISERS’ OPINION

The skiing is outstanding and it is one of the easiest resorts to access, making it ideal for weekend breaks. It is no surprise that Chamonix remains one of the most popular ski resorts for high-end properties.

WHY TO BUY

150km of groomed pistes
5,000 acres of off-piste skiing
Dynamic town with a year-round population
Famille Plus destination
Lively summer season

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Vallée Blanché is the longest run in the world
Famille Plus destination
Skiing altitude from 1,035m to 3,845m
1 hour 10 mins from Geneva airport
18-hole golf course

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Whilst Chamonix is one of France’s first ski resorts and is, therefore, an established destination, it has continued to revamp and improve its infrastructure. In the 2019/20 season, works on the new €20m revamped gondola at Flégère became the most recently completed phase of the overall €477m investment plan for the resort.

This new lift increased capacity by over 300%, taking the original 450 skiers per hour to 2,000 per hour. The journey now only takes six minutes and its mono-cable design is the first of its kind in France, reaching an eye-watering seven metres per second.

HISTORY

Chamonix’s endless lift system extends up to 3,842 metres (that’s 2,807 metres above the resort) with highlights including the 20km glacier run of Vallée Blanché. It’s little wonder that locals refer to Chamonix as ‘Le Grand Ski’. With the terrain divided between a number of smaller resorts, including Les Houches and Argentiere, no two days in Chamonix are the same.

Increasingly, Chamonix has also evolved into a mecca for extreme adventure sports, with expert providers offering everything from mountain climbing to paragliding, dog sledging, canyoning and speed-riding – the latest craze combining paragliding with skiing for die-hard daredevils.

THE VILLAGE TODAY

Unlike purpose-built ski resorts, the charismatic village of Chamonix has evolved organically over time, from simple farming to the mountain sports mecca it now is.

With older resorts that have this historic dynamic to their property stock, it’s very important to consider the age of the property and how this works into any plans for the future. For example, older ski properties for sale in Chamonix can generally be more affordable, but often require lots of renovation costs. Whereas new-builds are often bought off-plan which means you won’t be able to use them until they’re complete, but they won’t need renovation, come with lower notary fees (buying costs) and also have the potential to recuperate VAT from the purchase price.