SKI PROPERTY REPORT 2017 - ASSESSING PROPERTY MARKET CONDITIONS ACROSS KEY ALPINE RESORTS - Knight Frank

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SKI PROPERTY REPORT 2017 - ASSESSING PROPERTY MARKET CONDITIONS ACROSS KEY ALPINE RESORTS - Knight Frank
RESIDENTIAL RESEARCH

SKI PROPERTY
REPORT 2017
ASSESSING PROPERTY MARKET CONDITIONS
ACROSS KEY ALPINE RESORTS

    2017 ALPINE       HOW ARE            HOW ALPINE
  INDEX RESULTS   RESORTS EVOLVING?   RESORTS COMPARE
SKI PROPERTY REPORT 2017 - ASSESSING PROPERTY MARKET CONDITIONS ACROSS KEY ALPINE RESORTS - Knight Frank
SKI PROPERTY REPORT 2017                                                                          RESIDENTIAL RESEARCH

    KEY FINDINGS                                        OVERVIEW                                                                                                            ALPINE PROPERTY PRICE INDEX
                                                        Ski resorts are investing heavily in their facilities to                                                            Chamonix leads the 2017 index but performance is mixed with some Swiss resorts
    Chamonix leads our Alpine                           establish themselves as a dual season resorts and the                                                               registering weaker growth.
    Property Index with prime prices up
    4.8% in the year to June 2017                       shrewd buyer is paying close attention.
                                                                                                                                                                            Chamonix has leapfrogged Val d’Isère and                                          luxury residential prices across 16 ski                      Price growth in Gstaad, last year’s highest
                                                                                                                                                                            Gstaad this year to take the top spot in our                                      resorts in the French and Swiss Alps.                        performer, remains in positive territory
    The strength of the Swiss Franc and                 In this, the ninth edition of our Ski                         look at how resorts are realigning their              annual price growth rankings. The resort,                                                                                                      with a lack of supply supporting prices.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              The resorts of Val d’Isère and Gstaad
    restrictions on foreign buyers are                  Property Report, we take the pulse of                         leisure offer, with water parks, spas and             which is widely-regarded as the most well-                                                                                                     The resort is also popular with those
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              occupy second and third position this
    behind the Swiss resorts’ weaker                    the world’s top ski destinations.                             mountain bike trails now broadening                   equipped year-round resort in the Alps,                                                                                                        seeking permanent residency due to the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              year, recording annual price growth of
    price performance                                                                                                                                                       has now seen prime prices increase by                                                                                                          quality of its international schools.
                                                                                                                      their appeal.                                                                                                                           2.5% and 1.8% respectively. At an
                                                        The results of our Alpine Property Index                                                                            almost 5% for two consecutive years.
                                                        highlight the impact the strong Swiss                                                                                                                                                                 altitude of 1,850m Val d’Isère offers one                    The majority of the Swiss resorts sit
                                                                                                                      The Alps’ tourist offices report growing
    Buyers increasingly fall into two                                                                                                                                       The Alpine Property Index is now in its                                           of the longest seasons due to its reliable                   towards the foot of our rankings table
                                                        Franc and policies such as Lex Weber                          global appeal for the Alps with more
    camps; those seeking a dual-season                                                                                                                                      ninth year and tracks the movement in                                             snow cover.                                                  as the strength of the Swiss Franc and
                                                        (the 20% second home cap) are having                          tourists – and in some cases buyers –
    resort to maximise year-round rentals                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  restrictions on foreign buyers have
                                                        on Swiss market performance. It also                          now emanating from the US, Asia and the
    and those targeting high altitude                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      prompted some hesitancy on the part of
                                                        shows the extent to which those resorts                       Middle East.
    resorts offering reliable                                                                                                                                                  FIGURE 3
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           buyers. This, combined with a degree of
                                                        offering a range of year-round activities
    winter snowfall                                                                                                   With the Alps covering more than 80,000                  The Knight Frank Alpine Property Price Index, 2017
                                                        are outperforming the wider market                                                                                     Annual % change to June 2017*
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           intransigence on the part of vendors has
                                                                                                                      square miles, the decision on where to                                                                                                                                                               slowed sales and also reduced budgets
                                                        (Chamonix, Gstaad, Courchevel 1650).
    Investment in ski and non-ski                                                                                     buy can be complex. On pages 6 and 7                                                                                                                               CHAMONIX +4.8%                    meaning the market below CHF2m is the
    infrastructure is influencing buyer                 Investing in infrastructure has always                        we’ve crunched the numbers, allowing                                                                                                                                                                 most active.
    demand. We outline some of the key                  been critical to tourism and the local                        buyers to see at a glance how the                                                                                                                                  VAL D’ISERE +2.5%
                                                        economy. However, it is difficult for                         resorts measure up when it comes to                                                                                                                                                                  In St Moritz, the market has proved mixed
    projects planned, with Courchevel                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    GSTAAD +1.8%
                                                        buyers to get an accurate picture of how                      altitude, travel times, ski passes and                                                                                                                                                               with the area close to Suvretta House
    and Villars raising their game
                                                        much resorts are investing and in what                        season length.                                                                                                                                                     ANDERMATT +1.6%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           and the centre of the resort seeing strong
                                                        facilities. With this in mind we asked                                                                                                                                                                                                                             growth over the last 12 months but other,
                                                                                                                      In the final section of the report, we                                                                                                                             COURCHEVEL 1650 +1.0%             more peripheral areas have seen activity
                                                        the key tourist offices for their facts and
                                                                                                                      reveal the experts behind our analysis,                                                                                                                                                              and prices decline.
                                                        figures to gain a better understanding.
                                                                                                                      they offer their valuable insight into                                                                                                                             COURCHEVEL 1550 +1.0%
                                                        However, it is not all about ski facilities.                  current market conditions, assess where                                                                                                                                                              Villars’ annual decline of 5% comes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         MERIBEL +0.7%                     despite strong investment in the resort’s
                                                        With non-skiers now estimated to                              still offers good value and share the
                                                        account for 25% of alpine visitors we                         outlook for their respective markets.                                                                                                                                                                infrastructure as well as its ski and non-ski
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         COURCHEVEL 1850 +0.5%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           amenities but we expect we will see this
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ST MORITZ +0.5%                   translate into price growth in the coming
FIGURE 1                                                FIGURE 2
Capital values – how a ski home in The Alps                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                two to three years.
                                                        Alpine Property Price Index                                                                                                                                                                                                      MEGEVE 0.0%
has performed against other investment and              Indexed, 100 - Q2 2008
property assets                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Tucked within the Canton of Valais, the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         VERBIER -1.7%                     resort of Crans Montana saw prices slip
                                                        105                                                                  Swiss Franc unpegged
                                                                                                                                   from Euro                                                                                                                                                                               15% in the year to June 2017 as older
                 Change to         1    3     5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ST GERVAIS -2.9%
                 Q2 2017         YEAR YEARS YEARS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          stock accounted for a large proportion of
                                                        100
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         VILLARS -5.0%                     the inventory and vendors displayed
                                                                        Start of Global
                                                                        Financial Crisis                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   a greater willingness to negotiate on price.
                 SKI HOME        -1.8% -0.6%    6.2%     95                                                                                                                                                                                                                              KLOSTERS -7.0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The Three Valley resorts of Courchevel
                 PRIME CENTRAL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           DAVOS -8.2%                       and Méribel recorded similar levels of
                                                         90
                 LONDON          -6.3% -5.0% 10.1%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         growth of around 1% this year, marginally
                 RESIDENTIAL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             CRANS MONTANA -15.0%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           lower than last year but a weak pound,
                                                         85
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Brexit and the French election saw the
                 FTSE 100        12.4%   8.4%   31.3%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      French property market as a whole pause
                                                         80
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           for breath in the first half of 2017.

                 GOLD            -5.9% -5.5% -22.3%      75                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Overall, the index declined by 1.8% in 2017
                                                         2008 Q2        2009 Q2         2010 Q2   2011 Q2   2012 Q2    2013 Q2    2014 Q2     2015 Q2   2016 Q2   2017 Q2                                                                                                                                                  year-on-year. More reflective of the current
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           landscape is the split by country; French
Source: Knight Frank Research                           Source: Knight Frank Research
                                                                                                                                                                               Source: Knight Frank Research, UBS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           resorts saw prices rise by 1% on average,
                                                                                                                                                                               * Based on a 4-bedroom chalet in a prime central location, not of ‘super-prime’ specification. Prices reflect an average for the resort,   whilst their Swiss neighbours registered
                                                                                                                                                                                  including both new and resale properties
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           a 5% dip over the 12-month period.

                                                        105                                                                  Swiss Franc unpegged
                                                                                                                                   from Euro
2                                                       100             Start of Global             Please refer to the important notice at the end of this report                                                                                                                                                                                                   3
                                                                        Financial Crisis
SKI PROPERTY REPORT 2017 - ASSESSING PROPERTY MARKET CONDITIONS ACROSS KEY ALPINE RESORTS - Knight Frank
SKI PROPERTY REPORT 2017                                                            RESIDENTIAL RESEARCH

HOW ARE RESORTS EVOLVING?                                                                                                                                                                                                                    FIGURE 6 Population and tourism by resort
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 TOURIST OVERNIGHT STAYS PER ANNUM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          88K              1.74M             1.70M              1.50M         852K        2.00M             724K                 688K                    1.93M                         1.57M
Investment is key to both the performance of the local property market and                                                                                                                                                                           ANDERMATT VAL D’ISERE                  MERIBEL COURCHEVEL VERBIER                    MEGEVE        ST MORITZ               VILLARS                CHAMONIX                 CRANS MONTANA
a resort’s longevity.
The ski market is an evolving landscape                                       The latest data shows that around 25% of                               healthcare, transport etc. Such provisions
and resorts have to adapt if they are to                                      annual visitors to the Alps are non-skiers.                            as evident in Chamonix, now home to
continue to attract tourists, residents                                                                                                              over 13,000 residents, further cement the
                                                                              The uptick in non-skiers, along with the                               town’s reputation as a dual-season resort.
and investors. Twenty years ago
                                                                              significant increase in summer tourism,
participation was on the rise as the
                                                                              has prompted resorts to host a prolific
baby boomer generation took to the                                                                                                                   FIGURE 4 The Alps: Visitor breakdown
                                                                              calendar of social, cultural and sporting                                                                                                                                 1,442               1,600            1,912              2,419         3,166       4,000            5,300               7,466                     13,731                       15,675
slopes. According to the International
                                                                              events and deliver more non-ski activities                                                                                                                                                                                                               PERMANENT RESIDENTS
Report on Snow and Mountain Tourism,                                                                                                                                                                                                          Source: INSEE, Tourist Offices, Knight Frank Network
                                                                              including mountain bike trails, WinterGolf,
skier numbers in the French and Swiss
                                                                              paragliding, zip-wires, polo and ice-skating
Alps peaked at around 80 million ski
                                                                              amongst others.                                                          RESORTS                                            NO. OF
visits per annum in 2008/09.                                                                                                                                                                              HOTELS                           FIGURE 7
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Which resorts are popular with which nationalities?                                                                 Belgium Brazil France Germany Ireland Italy Russia Saudi Arabia Sweden Switzerland Netherlands UK   US
Today, not only are ski visits starting                                                                                                                Chamonix                                             50
to plateau or even dip – France saw
                                                                              Why does                                                                                                                                                               CHAMONIX              COURCHEVEL                MEGÈVE                MÉRIBEL        VAL D’ISÈRE             CRANS                ST MORITZ              VERBIER                 VILLARS           ANDERMATT
                                                                                                                                                       Courchevel                                           46
numbers slip by 3.5% and Switzerland                                          investment matter?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 MONTANA
                                                                                                                                                       Megève                                               37
by 4.4% in 2015/16 compared to the                                            Unless resorts adapt and deliver what the
                                                                                                                                                       Val d’Isère                                          26
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1
previous season – but skiers also have                                        new generation of skiers want, they will see
higher expectations when it comes to                                          tourist numbers decline. For those seeking                               Méribel                                              19                              2
the reliability of snow, the quality of                                       to buy a ski home, it’s logical that they will
accommodation and the facilities                                              target those resorts who keep ahead of                                   St Moritz                                            40                              3
on offer.                                                                     the curve in an effort to maximise rental
                                                                                                                                                       Crans Montana                                        32
Most resorts have managed to stay
                                                                              bookings and as a result improve yields.                                                                                                                      4
                                                                                                                                                       Verbier                                              18
ahead of the game by investing in snow                                        Investment should also boost the resort’s
cannons, improving lifts and adding                                           permanent population, which in turn
                                                                                                                                                       Andermatt                                            16                              5                                                                                                                                                                                                              US

telecabines, but they have also realised                                      will lead to increased services and                                      Villars                                               7
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Source: Knight Frank Network
that not all visitors are ski aficionados.                                    amenities in the form of schools,                                      Source: Tourist Offices

FIGURE 5 Investment by resort: the facts and figures

    FRANCE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   SWITZERLAND

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ANA
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           MONT
                                                                                                    HEVEL

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           T
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   SÈRE

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          RMAT
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    RITZ
                                                 ONIX

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      IER

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            RS
                                                                                                                                                                                 VE
                                                                                                                                        EL

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       ’I

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        CRANS
                                                                                                  COURC

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ST MO
                                                                                                                                      MÉRIB

                                                                                                                                                                                MEGÈ

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 VAL D

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          VILLA
                                              CHAM

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ANDE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    VERB
                               • Renovation CHAMONIX
                                               of the Montenvers                               COURCHEVEL                              MÉRIBEL                                  MEGÈVE                • The
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   VAL D’ISÈRE
                                                                                                                                                                                                              new Solaise    Centre                       • New   CHAMONIX
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   snowmaking equipment                    COURCHEVEL                           MEGEVE                    • New         MERIBEL
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Ski facilities including new                        VALandD'ISERE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         • Improvement      Expansion Ski
                                    Site (€6.5m)                                    • New     snow making system                                                                                                                                            (CHF7m)                                • Railwaystation                                                      Gondolas, day lodge, magic carpets              Arena (CHF130m)
                                                                                                                                                                   • New    ski cannons,               (Gondola, day lodge,
                                                                                    • Aquamotion     park (€70m)       • New     snow making system                                                   magic carpets, new                              • Ice  skating rink and                       (CHF60m)                    • Médran    ski lift (CHF50m)         and a beginners’ area (€20m)               • Hotels  (The Chedi and Radisson
                               • New   La Parsa chairlift, new beginners                                                                                              lifts, retail (€200m)
    RECENT                          area at Planpraz (€330m over 40 yrs)                                                                                                                                  4-seater chairlift and      RECENT                   curling centre (CHF24m)                • Spa   (CHF75m)              • W   Hotel (CHF80m)              • New Swimming Pool Complex                       Blu) & golf course (CHF728m)
                                                                                    • Ski   lifts upgraded (€120m)     • Newmountain bike trails
    INVESTMENT*                                                                                                                                                    • Four    Seasons Hotel €80m)        beginners’ area) (€20m)     INVESTMENT*
                               • Compagnie du Mont-Blanc now                                                              (€500,000)                                                                                                                   • Golf   driving range (CHF10m)           • Ski and non-ski             • Sports   centre (CHF20m)            (€18m)                                     • New   Railway station at
                                                                                    • New  night sledging in                                                    • Sports   centre (€37m)
                                  majority shareholder in Megève-Mont                                                                                                                                 • New   mountain restaurant                                                                       infrastructure (CHF250m)                                        • Expansion                                       Nätschen (CHF20m)
                                • Renovation of the Montenvers                           Moriond (3km)                                                                                                                                                    •• Opening of Le Regents
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              New snowmaking        College
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               equipment                                                                                  •   Le Centraleofdevelopment
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            the Beau Soleil School        •   Improvement and Expansion Ski
                                  d’Arbois ski lift system (€14m)                                                                                                                                         (L’Étincelle)                                                                                                                                                       (€50m)                                     • M edical(CHF130m)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Centre (CHF5m)
                                    Site (€6.5m)                                                                                                                                                                                                               (CHF7m)                                •   Railway station                                                 •   New Ski facilities including new               Arena
                                                                                                                         •   New ski cannons,                                                         •    The new Solaise
                                •   New La Parsa chairlift, new beginners            •   New snow making system                                                     •   New snow making system             Centre (Gondola, day                            •   Ice skating rink and                       (CHF60m)                    •   Médran ski lift (CHF50m)            Gondolas, day lodge, magic carpets          •   Hotels (The Chedi and Radisson
    RECENT                                                                                                                   lifts, retail (€200m)                                                                                    RECENT
                               • H osting
                                   area     Kandahar(€330m
                                         at Planpraz Alpine Ski World
                                                             over 40 yrs)            •   Aquamotion park (€70m)                                                                                            lodge, magic carpets                                curling centre (CHF24m)                •   Spa (CHF75m)                •   W Hotel (CHF80m)                    and a beginners’ area (€20m)               • FBlu)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               our &new
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      golf4&5-star
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           course (CHF728m)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   hotels, apartments
                                                                                                                                                                        New
                                                                                                                                                                   •• C    mountain bike trails
    INVESTMENT*                     Cup in 2019/2020 (€10m) now
                                                                                                                              Four
                                                                                                                         •• R             of the€80m)
                                                                                                                                   Seasons Hotel
                                                                                                                               efurbishment                               ompte Capre 200-bed                                         INVESTMENT*                                                                                                                         •• LNew
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 e Centrale residences  & shopping            &New
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                sports centre (CHF1,000m)
                                    Compagnie  du Mont-Blanc                        •• New   chairlift,
                                                                                          Ski lifts        Aquamotion
                                                                                                    upgraded   (€120m)                                                  (€500,000)                    • Land beginners’
                                                                                                                                                                                                            e Coin de Val –area)                           •   Golf driving range (CHF10m)                Ski and non-ski                 Sports                                     Swimming    Pool Complex             •        Railway  station at
                                •
                                                                                                                         •   Télécabine from
                                                                                                                             Sports centre    Brides les
                                                                                                                                           (€37m)                       5* hotel (€50m)                                                                                                               •
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • New Grace Hotel
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      •
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • B ruson centre (CHF20m)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  regeneration                centre
                               • Q C Therme
                                   majority   Spa opening
                                            shareholder     2018
                                                        in Megève-Mont                   to Courchevel                                                                                                     (€20m) mixed-use
                                                                                                                                                                                                          large-scale                                      •   Regent Convention Centre                   infrastructure (CHF250m)                                            (€16m)(CHF40m)                                 Nätschen
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         • R         (CHF20m)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               oad access Schöllenen
                                                                                                                             Bains to Méribel                      • Les Veriaz 950-bed 4*                                                                                                             (CHF50m)                        project (CHF300m)
    FUTURE                          d’Arbois ski lift system (€14m)                 • New    telecabine, Moriond                                                                                        regeneration project        FUTURE              • New
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               (CHF4.8m)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   250-bed hotel                                                                                          •• N ew Ski facilities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Expansion           - snow
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          of the Beau     cannons,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Soleil School     •   gorge (CHF105m)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Medical Centre (CHF5m)
                               • Merde Glace gondola to be moved                                                                                                      hotel (€60m)
                                                                                                                         • New  Roc de Tougne chairlift in                                                                                                                                          • New  cable cars &           • Mandarin
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Oriental Hotel
    INVESTMENT                    and new glacier/climate centre                         to the Ariondaz                                                                                                  (€200m)                     INVESTMENT               (CHF180m)                                                                                                      pistes & gondola (CHF20m)                  • Retirement   home and post
                                • Hosting Kandahar Alpine Ski World                  •   New chairlift, Aquamotion           Méribel-Mottaret                      • Ski facilities: Gondolas and                                                                                                       connection of ski               (CHF100m)                                                                       •   Four new   4&5-star hotels, apartments
                                  (€30m)                                            • Jointbid (with Méribel) to      •   Comte Capre 200-bed hotel                                                • New  40-room boutique                                                                                                                                           • Refurbishment   of the Elite Hotel              office (CHF14m)
                                    Cup in 2019/2020 (€10m)                              to Courchevel                   • Joint
                                                                                                                                 bid (with Courchevel) to
                                                                                                                                                                    •   Refurbishment
                                                                                                                                                                        snow            of the
                                                                                                                                                                             cannons (€85m)                                                                                                               areas (CHF75m)               • Sport   centre (CHF50m)                                                            & sports centre (CHF1,000m)
                               • Replacement   of the Tramway du                       host 2023 Ski World Cup             (€50m)                                     eggs from Brides les Bains        hotel on Solaise                                                                                                            •   Bruson regeneration             • Refurbishment   of the Hotel du Golf       • New   Railway station at Andermatt
                                                                                                                             host 2023 Ski World Cup               • Snowmaking
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      •   New Grace Hotel
                                •   QC Therme Spa opening 2018                       •   New night sledging in                                                                       (€5m)            •   Le Coin de Val –                                                                                                                                                                                                •    Road access Schöllenen
                                    Mont-Blanc railway track (€20m)                                                      •   Les Veriaz 600-bed hotel                   to Meribel                                                                                                                        (CHF50m)                        project (CHF300m)                                                                   (Glacier Express hub) (CHF20m)

Source: Knight Frank Research, Zahlen und Fakten, Ferienregion Andermatt, UBS AG, LuzernerZeitung     *Last 5 years

4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       5
SKI PROPERTY REPORT 2017 - ASSESSING PROPERTY MARKET CONDITIONS ACROSS KEY ALPINE RESORTS - Knight Frank
SKI PROPERTY REPORT 2017                                                    RESIDENTIAL RESEARCH

          AT A GLANCE....
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          G

          Buyers need to weigh up multiple factors when deciding                                                                                                                            €11,000         1,035       1 hr 8                                                           G
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     G

          where to purchase a ski home. Advanced skiers may                                                                                                                 G                                                                                                                                              CHF34,600    1,050      2 hrs 3
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                CHF12,350    1,300     1 hr 24
          prioritise altitude to maximise snow reliability throughout                                                                €6,800              810           1 hr 2
          the season, whilst families with beginners may consider                                                                                                                              155         €286        20 weeks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               220      CHF327 21 weeks
          a dual season resort with a broader range of facilities.                                                                                                                                   CHAMONIX                                                      125      CHF301 20 weeks
                                                                                                                                           325      €186.5        17 weeks
                                                                                                                                                                                                       Valley only
          Below we have presented the key facts and figures to                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         GSTAAD
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           VILLARS
          help determine where bests suits your needs.                                                                                         ST GERVAIS

                                                                                                                                                 Espace Evasion

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Z
                                                          AIRPORT

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                CHF13,422     1,190      1 hr 47
                         Typical     Resort          Drive time Total Price of a Season                      Knight Frank
           KEY

                       prime price  height           to nearest pistes weekly ski length**                   sales office
                    (€/CHF per sq m) (m)            major airport (km)   pass*    (weeks)
                                                                        (€/CHF)                                                                                   G

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             CHF342 21 weeks
                         G = Geneva Airport         Z = Zurich Airport                                                           €13,500         1,110         1 hr 8                                                                                                                            ZURICH                                            305

                                                                                                                                                                                            FRANCE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Z

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         KLOSTERS                                        CHF13,249    1,550   1 hr 58

                                                                                                                                   325         €186.5      18 weeks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Neuchâtel                                                                                                                                                            311      CHF342 22 weeks
                                                                                                                                           MEGEVE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Klosters                                                                                 DAVOS
                                                                                                                  G                      Espace Evasion
                                                                                €15,610           1,450      1 hr 59
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     SWITZ ERLAND                                                  Davos

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Andermatt                               St Moritz
                                                                                      600     €241          21 weeks

                                                                                            MERIBEL                                                                                                           Lake Geneva                   Gstaad
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Crans
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Montana
                                                                                         The Three Valleys                                                                                                                        Villars
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Sion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Z

                                                                                                                                                                                    GENEVA                                              Verbier                                                   Lugano                                                                                    CHF23,396    1,770    2 hrs 45
                                                                                  G
                                                                                                                                                                                                             Chamonix
                                                    €15,655         1,550      1 hr 58
                                                                                                                                                                                                               St Gervais
                                                                                                                                                          LYON                                  Megeve                                                                                                                                                                                         350       CHF376 20 weeks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ST
                                                        600         €227      21 weeks                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  MORITZ
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Bourg-Saint-
                                                            COURCHEVEL                                                                                                          CHAMBERY
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Maurice
                                                               1550                                                                                                                                           Meribel

                                                            The Three Valleys                                                                                                         Courchevel 1550                             Val d’Isere
                                                                                                                                                                                      Courchevel 1650                                                                                                                      G
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Z
                                                                                                                                                                                         Courchevel 1850                                                                                             CHF12,623   1,500   2 hrs 4
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      CHF19,000       1,445       1 hr 44

                                                                                                                         G                                                                                                                                                      G
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        140      CHF349 23 weeks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         86           CHF273 24 weeks
                                                                                       €15,655            1,650        2 hrs 2                                                                                                                                                                                 CRANS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       CHF21,627   1,530     1 hr 51                                                                          ANDERMATT
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              MONTANA

                                                                                            600       €227            21 weeks                                                                                                                            412      CHF373 25 weeks
                                                                                              COURCHEVEL
                                                                                                 1650                                                                   G
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                VERBIER
                                                                                                                                                                                                              G
                                                                                              The Three Valleys                     €25,125          1,850            2 hrs 7                                                                               The Four Valleys
                                                                                                                                                                                  €18,450      1,850        2 hrs 44

                                                                                                                                         600        €227         22 weeks
    Note: *The weekly ski pass is based on the price of the wider ski domaine, in the case of Chamonix this is the Mont                     COURCHEVEL                              300       €214         23 weeks
    Blanc Unlimited pass providing access to Verbier, Courmayeur and Espace Evasion **Rounded to nearest full week
    The Knight Frank network includes representative offices
                                                                                                                                               1850                                    VAL D’ISERE
                                                                                                                                                                                            Espace Killy
                                                                                                                                            The Three Valleys
    Source: Knight Frank Research, Ski Club of Great Britain

6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       7
SKI PROPERTY REPORT 2017 - ASSESSING PROPERTY MARKET CONDITIONS ACROSS KEY ALPINE RESORTS - Knight Frank
SKI PROPERTY REPORT 2017                            RESIDENTIAL RESEARCH

INSIDE KNOWLEDGE…
Between them, Roddy Aris and Alex Koch de Gooreynd have over 16 years’ experience
working in the ski property industry. We asked them for their take on current market
conditions, where the best investment opportunities lie and their outlook for the market.

                                            There was a sudden rise of Swiss           Village and Moriond for Courchevel 1850,                                                    to take advantage of the preferential tax        the Swiss holiday regions. Clients seeking
                                            enquiries in 2015 when exchange            St. Gervais and Combloux for Megève,                                                        arrangements on offer. This has changed          residency are given confidence by the
                                            rates moved firmly in favour of CHF-       Les Houches and Vallorcine for Chamonix                                                     dramatically in recent years with Switzerland    strength of the currency while those
                                            denominated buyers as the Franc was        and finally, Le Fornet and Tignes les                                                       proving to be one of the more stable             seeking holiday homes are considering
                                                                                                                                                                                   economies for investment.                        whether to continue to rent rather than
                                            unpegged from the Euro. The resorts that   Brevieres for Val d’Isère.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    buy, although second-guessing the foreign
                                            benefitted the most from the pendulum                                                                                                  Today my clients are drawn to the region by
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    exchange markets can be a risky strategy.
                                            swing were Chamonix and Megève. Both       What is your outlook for the                                                                the stable economy, excellent personal safety
                                            being on the doorstep of Geneva and        Alpine market?                                                                              and world-class education. The property          Despite currency concerns, clients remain
                                            offering year-round appeal. The exchange                                                                                               market has also gone through changes but         drawn to the Swiss resorts due to the
                                            rate advantage has lessened recently and                                                                                               performance differs hugely from canton to        excellent quality of the skiing. A lack of

FRANCE                                      with it Swiss activity.
                                                                                       It is a very exciting time to be investing in
                                                                                       the Alps. There are of course challenges
                                                                                                                                       SWITZERLAND                                 canton. In the city centres, a lack of quality   overcrowding on the pistes and queues
                                                                                                                                                                                   stock has maintained price levels while          at the lifts are two of the most important
                                                                                       ahead such as the long-term implications        ALEX KOCH DE GOOREYND
RODDY ARIS                                  Which French resorts still offer                                                                                                       those regions with an abundance of stock         decisions when selecting a resort and
                                                                                       of Brexit and the erratic winter seasons        KNIGHT FRANK INTERNATIONAL
KNIGHT FRANK INTERNATIONAL                  good value?                                                                                                                            have undergone a price correction.               the Swiss are famous for ensuring that
                                                                                       but the draw of the mountains has never
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    the additional marginal cost provides an
                                                                                       been stronger. Resorts are having to
                                                                                                                                       Is Swiss real estate still the safe-haven   What impact has a) the strength of the           enhanced experience.
                                            Within each of the top resorts in the      evolve and adapt to meet the demands
Can a ski home be a good long-term                                                                                                     investment that it was?                     Swiss Franc and b) tight restrictions on
                                            French Alps there are ‘back doors’,        of today’s buyers. Huge investments                                                                                                          Aparthotels, a commercial not
investment? What proportion of your                                                                                                                                                foreign buyers had on demand?
                                            granting access to the wider ski           have been pledged across the Alps from                                                                                                       a residential acquisition, can be
buyers in the French Alps opt to rent                                                                                                  When we first started working in the
                                            domain at a fraction of the price that     artificial snow-making facilities to adapting                                                                                                purchased despite the 20% second
out their property?                                                                                                                    Swiss market eight years ago, most          The strength of the Franc remains a key
                                            is commanded by the more illustrious       and evolving activities for the summer and                                                                                                   home cap (Lex Weber). Are you seeing
                                            resort. These are as follows; Le Praz,     family market.                                  of my enquiries were from clients wishing   consideration for those looking to buy in        more of these developments?
A ski home is primarily an aspirational
purchase. The key to a good purchase
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    The Grace Hotel Apartments in St
is that the property is purchased at
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Moritz and a larger chalet project in
the correct market value and the asset
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Zermatt have been the only two resorts
proves highly rentable.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    to offer this product to date; two markets
Around 80% of Knight Frank’s alpine                                                                                                                                                                                                 that have always struggled with stock
buyers rent out their property. This is                                                                                                                                                                                             for non-residents. The concept is an
either through France’s ‘VAT rebate on                                                                                                                                                                                              interesting one and one that I fully expect
new builds’ initiative or simply to cover                                                                                                                                                                                           to see adopted throughout the resorts as
their outgoings.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    they adapt to life after Lex Weber.

Which of the French resorts has seen                                                                                                                                                                                                Villars is investing heavily in its
the strongest sales activity in recent                                                                                                                                                                                              infrastructure; do you think will this
years and why do you think that is?                                                                                                                                                                                                 translate into higher tourist and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    buyer numbers?
Chamonix has gone from strength to
strength. Although it does not appeal                                                                                                                                                                                               The Villars story is a very interesting
to those buyers wanting ski in/out                                                                                                                                                                                                  example of a resort that was living off
options such as in The Three Valleys                                                                                                                                                                                                past glories but not investing in itself.
and Espace Killy, but it appeals to those                                                                                                                                                                                           The local authorities recognised this and
that love the mountains all year round                                                                                                                                                                                              embarked on an ambitious programme
and are seeking quick and easy access                                                                                                                                                                                               of renewal. Recent investment has seen
from Geneva International Airport.                                                                                                                                                                                                  the improvement of the ski domain
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    as well as major projects within the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    village. Confidence is swiftly returning
Given Switzerland’s 20% cap on
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    with existing visitors now deciding to
second homes, along with the strength
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    buy rather than rent and new buyers
of the Swiss Franc, are you seeing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    reconsidering the resort as a viable option
more Swiss buyers in France?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    for the long term.

8                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            9
SKI PROPERTY REPORT 2017 - ASSESSING PROPERTY MARKET CONDITIONS ACROSS KEY ALPINE RESORTS - Knight Frank
SKI PROPERTY REPORT 2017                                 RESIDENTIAL RESEARCH

FRANCE                                                                                                                                      SWITZERLAND

Méribel, France                                                       Megève, France                                                        Verbier, Switzerland                                                      Crans Montana, Switzerland
Prices from: €913,300                                                 Guide Price: €5,350,000                                               Guide Price: CHF 7,800,000                                                Prices from: CHF 990,000
A development of 15 apartments in a family friendly and lively        This exceptional recently built chalet is located overlooking the     Located on the heights of Verbier, this property is perched on a          The Hameau de Vermala is a residential project of 5 chalets with 5
residence, located close to the slopes and offering beautiful views   much sought-after Mont d’Arbois village. Built with high quality      breath-taking viewpoint offering stunning views of Verbier. Built         apartments in each and is situated at an altitude of approximately
of the mountains and the district of Altitude 1600. The Parc Alpin    materials; combining state-of-the-art technology with Megève stone,   with quality materials including exteriors built of traditional natural   1,600 metres. It benefits from a panoramic view of the Alps, within
will be located approximately 300 meters from the ski slopes.         old wood and solid oak or slate flooring. 7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms     stone walls, wooden facades and topped by a traditional style slate       a peaceful area near to the forest. This property is fully available for
                                                                      and spa area.                                                         roof covering.                                                            purchase by non-residents as a holiday home.

Chamonix, France                                                      Courchevel, France                                                    Villars, Switzerland                                                      Graubunden, Switzerland
Prices from: €340,000                                                 Prices from: €1,450,000                                               Guide Price: CHF 3,200,000                                                Price on application
La Cordee is a development of 80 apartments in one of Chamonix’s      Located on the top floor of the Residence Grandes Bosses in           Built in 2001, this elegant ski-in ski-out alpine chalet offers           This alpine hideaway project consists of 3 freestanding duplex
most exclusive residential areas, Plaine des Praz. The scheme is a    Courchevel Moriond. This new ski-in ski-out development will          approximately 316 sq m of living space including a double                 homes ensconced in a row along the southern hillside. Thanks
renovation of a former Residence des Vacances, with Phase 2 (30       offer 4 exceptional apartments of 97-123 sq m, with 3 en suite        height main reception room and 5 double bedrooms with en suite            to its south-facing orientation, the phenomenal vista reaches its
apartments) due for delivery in December 2018. Apartment owners       bedrooms, balconies, garage and panoramic views. VAT                  bathrooms. The chalet is south facing with stunning views and             full potential.
will have use of a heated, indoor swimming pool, sauna, hammam        rebate possible.                                                      sits ideally positioned alongside the piste above the small village
and gym.                                                                                                                                    of Barboleuse.

roddy.aris@knightfrank.com                                                                                                                  alex.kdeg@knightfrank.com
+44 20 7861 1727                                                                                                                            +44 20 7861 1109

10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          11
SKI PROPERTY REPORT 2017 - ASSESSING PROPERTY MARKET CONDITIONS ACROSS KEY ALPINE RESORTS - Knight Frank
KNIGHT FRANK
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  on the world of prime property, visit
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                               RESIDENTIAL RESEARCH
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Liam Bailey
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Global Head of Research
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               +44 20 7861 5133
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Kate Everett-Allen
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               International Residential Research
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                                                                                                                                                                                                                               SALES

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               FRANCE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Roddy Aris
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                +44 20 7861 1727
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               roddy.aris@knightfrank.com

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               SWITZERLAND
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Alex Koch de Gooreynd
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               +44 20 7861 1109
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               alex.kdeg@knightfrank.com

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