If mountain holidays are your preferred getaway, you may recognise the benefits of buying a chalet in the Alps. Not only do they make great holiday homes all year round, but rental chalets are also extremely profitable investments.
The Alps are a hotspot for chalet investment, with the French Alps in particular being home to some of the biggest and best ski areas worldwide. But with so many resorts to choose from, how can you know which one suits you best?
In this post, we highlight the key criteria you need to follow to select your preferred location, as well as some of the best ski resorts in the Alps to invest in.
Where to buy a chalet in the Alps
Before selecting your preferred resort, you need to assess some key criteria, such as:
1. Your budget is going to be the main factor which determines where you buy. Indeed, different resorts have different levels of tourism and offer different levels of services and luxury. Resorts such as Courchevel and Megève are perceived as luxury resorts, whereas other resorts such as Les Menuires or Flaine offer more affordable skiing in a relaxed and family environment. Therefore, the budget you want to allocate to a property will highly influence the location of your investment.
2. Your target market will also influence your investment choice if you’re planning on renting your new property. Families, for example, will have different preferences than couples or groups of friends. Remember – different resorts attract different core markets, so think carefully about what your chosen location has to offer.
3. The location of your chalet will also determine where to buy. Do you want your property to sit right in the heart of the resort? Or would you prefer a more remote, peaceful location?
Ski-in ski-out chalets are very popular. But, central, on-piste locations come at a cost, so you’ll need to evaluate if it’s within your budget.
Properties in more secluded areas appeal to groups who are comfortable driving or using the ski bus. Some guests prefer to stay a little further from the town centre so they can enjoy undisturbed views and not have to worry about neighbours.
4. If you want to maximise the number of nights available to guests, aim to choose a resort with a strong year-round reputation. Activities and seasonality are key to a good investment.
Thriving summer destinations offer many activities including biking, hiking, Via Ferrata, paragliding, etc. We’ll highlight some of the best summer spots later in this post.
Who are we?
OVO Network is a high-end rental company operating in over 40 Alpine destinations.
With over 10 years of experience, we help owners achieve high profitability on their rental investments. But before you can make money from your investment, you need to decide where to buy a holiday home in the Alps. Our partner Alpine Property has provided us with their expertise and market insight, to guide you towards the best investment in the Alps.
Here are our top 12 destinations to buy a chalet in the French Alps:
(Please note, we have provided the most up-to-date information possible, but property prices may vary depending on location, inflation and added fees).
Top destinations for investing in the Alps
La Plagne – family-friendly
Located in the Tarentaise Valley in the Savoie region, La Plagne is an ideal investment location for families.
Having held the ‘Famille Plus’ label for a number of years, the resort provides activities and entertainment suited to all ages, a great choice of childcare, and budget-friendly prices.
Made up of 11 villages, La Plagne offers a lot of variety. And, with the esteemed Olympic bobsleigh track open to the public, you can rely on a steady flow of tourism throughout winter.
With no shortage of summer activities either, your rental property can benefit from bookings all year round.
Average property price: 4520€/m² for a chalet or 4190€/m² for an apartment
Closest airport: Chambéry (1h45)
Other family-friendly resorts: La Rosiere, Avoriaz, Flaine, Le Grand Bornand
Méribel – consistently strong reputation
Consisting of 3 villages, Méribel is one of the most well-known resorts in the French Alps.
A true ‘all-rounder’, Méribel offers activities for all, from its lively après ski scene to numerous outdoor activities. Plus, its location in the Tarentaise valley boasts reliable snowfall and fantastic accessibility.
Average property price: 13,080€/m² for a chalet or 14,225€/m² for an apartment
Closest airport: Chambéry (1h20)
Other resorts with strong reputations: Val-d’Isère, Tignes, Morzine
Morzine – a solid investment
Located in the heart of the Portes du Soleil, in the Haute-Savoie region, Morzine is a prime location for investment opportunities. With a proposed €147.9 million funding project to connect Morzine to Avoriaz, now is the ultimate time to secure real estate in this area.
Its close proximity to Geneva airport, the wide variety of slopes and its year-round reputation are just a handful of reasons why Morzine is such a great location to buy a rental chalet.
From a sustainability point of view, companies such as Montagne Verte are taking action to ensure a greener future for Morzine and its surrounding areas. And, with more and more people becoming increasingly environmentally aware, it’s a good idea to invest somewhere that values ecology.
Plus, if you’re a UK or international buyer, you’ll be able to find plenty of English-speaking Estate Agents such as Alpine Property who can help you complete your purchase.
Average property price: 8,164€/m² for a chalet or 8,164€/m² for an apartment
Closest airport: Geneva (1h15)
Similar resorts: Samoëns
Chamonix – all-year-round potential
Just North of Mont Blanc, this world-famous town is populated all year round.
As there is a strong network of locals, you’ll still find a good amount open in the off-season, as opposed to some resorts which are virtually closed during these times.
If you choose to invest here, you’ll want to keep your core market of athletic sports enthusiasts in mind, ensuring your facilities reflect their requirements.
Here are some ideas on how to attract both hikers and cyclists to your rental property.
Average property price: 10,064€/m² for a chalet or 13,441/m² for an apartment
Closest airport: Geneva (1h)
Saint Gervais – undiscovered and on the rise
Local experts are recognising steady growth and price increase in this up-and-coming resort in Haute-Savoie. The Tramway du Mont Blanc, Bettex/Mont D’Arbois Cable Car and Les Thermes du Mont Blanc are three of the thriving tourist attractions on offer to the many tourists who visit, with many favouring its close proximity to Chamonix.
Saint Gervais has held the Famille Plus label since 2012, so it’s another great example of the perfect family destination. Plus, it’s a great year-round resort, (our team were lucky enough to stay in Chalet Woodman throughout Autumn and all noted how beautiful the resort is in the off-season!)
Although still considered by many as a hidden gem, the demand is still high, meaning property sells quickly in this resort.
Average property price: 6,186€/m² for a chalet or 5,341/m² for an apartment
Closest airport: Geneva (1h)
Courchevel – luxury and sophistication
Located in the 3 Valleys in Savoie, Courchevel is considered one of the most luxurious ski resorts in the Alps. So, if you want to cater for affluent guests seeking opulence and indulgence, investing here is a good choice.
Couples looking for a romantic getaway will be sure to find it here too. With stylish bars, Michelin-star restaurants and chic boutiques, Courchevel makes for an unforgettable idyllic escape.
Average property price: €10,667€/m² for a chalet or 15,115€/m² for an apartment
Closest airport: Geneva (1h15)
Similar resorts: Megève
Peisey – for the nature lovers
Searching for a property immersed in nature? Then Peisey is the ideal spot for you. One of the gateways to the Vanoise National Park and surrounded by stunning scenery, its quaint charm and wide open slopes create a laid-back setting.
The Vanoise Express cable car transports skiers from Peisey to La Plagne, while conserving the valley of Peisey-Nancroix, meaning you can take advantage of an extra 100 km2 of skiing.
The typical Peisey property investor is a mountain lover and outdoor enthusiast aged roughly 40-50.
Average property price: 8,698€/m² for chalets and 3,595€/m² for apartments
Closest airport: Chambery (1h30)
Manigod – for peace and quiet
If you’re looking for a remote location which still reaps all the benefits of fantastic skiing and year-round activities, then Manigod could be a great option for you. In fact, you’ll find a good range of quieter resorts across the whole Aravis region.
With peaceful surroundings, beautiful views and a traditional Savoyarde feel, this resort suits those who enjoy escaping the crowds. Yet, despite its tranquil reputation, Manigod still gains from year-round tourism.
Those who want the best of both worlds can reach Manigod’s livelier neighbour La Clusaz in under half an hour, where there’s a whole host of activities and events to enjoy. Between the two resorts, they share 125km of slopes which are suitable for all levels, as well as a fantastic hiking and biking domain in summer.
Average property price: 3237€/m² for chalets or 4485€/m² for apartments
Closest airport: Geneva (1h)
Other peaceful resorts: Les Contamines
Val d’Isère – timeless and iconic
Val d’Isère is arguably one of the most iconic resorts in the French Alps. Linked with Tignes, the two resorts share 99 lifts which carry 161,000 skiers per hour!
The high influx of visitors is well catered for with the aforementioned efficient lift systems, numerous restaurants and buzzing nightlife.
But what about the properties? The architectural landscape of Val d’Isère differs from that of many stark 1960s ski villages. Many properties have been built using granite, wood and traditional materials, maintaining an authentic and picturesque aesthetic throughout the resort.
Average property price: 21,000€/m² for a chalet or 20,515€/m² for an apartment
Closest airport: Chambery (2h10)
Avoriaz – a winter wonderland
Avoriaz is located in the Portes du Soleil ski area and technically belongs to the commune of Morzine. As it’s completely pedestrianised, visitors can ski through the town and access the pistes with ease. That’s why we’ve selected it as one of the best winter destinations.
As it’s a purpose-built resort, the majority of properties are contained with high-rise buildings. So, if you’re looking to invest in an apartment, then this is a great location for you.
Families especially will love the convenience of having everything on their doorstep. From the 75km of pistes to a number of ski schools and the plethora of restaurants and bars that await – Avoriaz attains practicality on all fronts. What’s more, you can enjoy easy access to Switzerland!
In summer, the Portes du Soleil becomes a playground for outdoor activities including hiking and biking. However, the closeby resorts of Morzine and Les Gets tend to be much more popular throughout this time.
Avoriaz has also begun using a dual-energy wood and electricity heating plant to provide power to its assorted holiday properties.
Average property price: 12,519€/m² for chalets and 5,203€/m² for apartments
Closest airport: Geneva (Roughly 1h30)
Les Gets – a summer biking Mecca
Not only is the skiing remarkably popular in Les Gets, (and widely appealing to all levels), but the renowned mountain biking scene in summer is also internationally recognised. The bike park is home to over 128 km of marked trails open to all abilities, as well as trails adapted for e-bikes.
Following tight environmental guidelines, the properties are built in a specific way to maintain consistency and respect the local architecture. Generally, the resort is making great efforts to become more sustainable too. They capture and re-use the energy that is generated by their solar-powered lifts, as well as provide self-service electric mountain bikes in the village.
Average property price: €10,000/m²-€30,000/m²
Closest airport: Geneva (1h20)
Other summer resorts: Samoëns, Chamonix, Morzine
Combloux – value for money
We asked our sales team at OVO Network where they’d most consider buying a chalet in the Alps and Combloux was top of the list! With stunning panoramic views of Mont Blanc, high-quality builds and a tranquil vibe, it’s easy to see why.
As Combloux is still relatively undiscovered, you’ll get more for your money compared to some of the better-known resorts in the Alps, with the added authenticity of a comparatively untouched location.
Average property price: 3,000€/m² to over 11,000€/m² (depending on location)
Closest airport: Geneva (40 mins)
Of course, every single destination in the Alps is a good choice when it comes to owning a mountain holiday home. Where you buy should be based on personal preference, budget and project (rental, family home, easy access to the slopes in winter, etc…).
Feel free to browse our properties for sale page to discover a fantastic range of high-end chalets currently on the market if you wish to invest, or contact our partner Alpine Properties to help you in your venture. The OVO Network team are here to help you start your business, once you’ve acquired your dream chalet and want to start renting it. Try out our short-term rental income calculator to see how much your chosen property could earn.
Finally, find out more about investing in the Alps with our related blog posts.
