As of 4 December, the winter season has officially begun and those who can will gladly treat themselves to a skiing holiday. But how much does it cost to live in a place where it's ski week all year round? Abitare Co. has analysed prices and demand for mountain homes in the snow, noting that interest has grown by 6.5 per cent over 2021, both from private individuals lkooking for second homes, and from investors attracted by a large potential pool of ski and mountain enthusiasts.
A house in the Alps, how much does it cost in different countries?
The average cost per square metre for buying a new or renovated home in a major mountain resort ranges from €4,500 per square metre in Bormio in Lombardy to €11,000 per square metre in Cortina d'Ampezzo in the Dolomites. That said, Italy is one of the cheapest options to buy properties in the Alps: if you look across the border to Switzerland or France, average prices rise to levels seen only in the most exclusive Italian resorts such as Cortina and Courmayeur. In these countries we can find many of the most popular skiing destinations in Europe. However these destinations often come with a much higher price-tag on properties than Italy, as can be seen in locations such as St. Moritz in the Engadine (€25,000 per sqm), Gstaad (€33,000 per sqm) and Courchevel (€27,000 per sqm).
Mountain homes, how to choose the most beautiful one
What are buyers looking for in mountain homes? In the highest segment of the market, with sales prices starting from 7,000 euro per square metre and upwards, there is a preference for high-tech (automation systems and digital connections) and energy-saving properties, locations close to ski resorts or in the centre of the countryside, with covered parking spaces, gym and spa areas (including private ones), ski and boot storage areas, fireplaces, terraces and balconies.
A house in the mountains in Italy, how much does it cost?
How much does it cost to buy a new or renovated home in the main ski resorts? According to Abitare Co. analysis, the offer in Italy is very wide and varied. Taking some of the most popular destinations, in Italy the most exclusive is undoubtedly Cortina d'Ampezzo, the "Queen of the Dolomites", a glamorous place with irresistible landscapes and UNESCO World Heritage mountains: to buy a new or recently built home you have to expect an average price of €11,000 per square metre (+7.8% compared to 2020), but this can go up to €14,000 in the city centre, such as on the Corso Italia, the main shopping street, and €17,200 for the most exclusive chalets.
High prices are also found in the famous ski resort at the foot of Mont Blanc, Courmayeur. The most sought-after residential properties are located in the centre, where luxury chalets and new residential buildings with views of Mont Blanc are particularly in demand. A residence costs on average €9,500 per square metre, but with peaks of up to €13,800 for luxury chalets and new residential buildings with views of Mont Blanc.
The resorts in Val Gardena offer more intimate ski terrain than Cortina D'Ampezzo, and offer 175 kilometres of slopes for both experts and families. Skiers do not come for the glamour and the spotlight, but to ski and relax in the typical atmosphere of authentic alpine villages such as Selva Val Gardena, Ortisei and Santa Cristina Val Gardena. In particular, to buy a flat in Selva di Val Gardena the average price is €8,700 per square metre (with top values of €10,200). Just a few kilometres away is Ortisei, where the average price per square metre is €8,100 (with top values of €12,000), and Santa Cristina with its €7,300 per square metre.
The analysis also considered famous but cheaper locations such as Bormio (€4,500 per sqm), Gressoney-Saint-Jean (€4,800 per sqm), Champoluc (€5,700 per sqm), Sestrière (€6,500 per sqm) and Breuil-Cervinia (€6,900 per sqm).
