Swiss ski resorts are evolving to ensure year-round attractiveness by integrating summer sports, culture, and gastronomy. This strategy not only enhances visitor experiences but also boosts property values and rental potentialSwiss ski resorts are evolving to ensure year-round attractiveness by integrating summer sports, culture, and gastronomy. This strategy not only enhances visitor experiences but also boosts property values and rental potential
Switzerland’s snowfall, much like its renowned watches, is celebrated for its reliability. In ski resilience indexes, which rank resorts based on their winter season length, snow quality, and reliability, Zermatt consistently secures a top position, nestled at the base of the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, home to Europe’s highest mountain station. Crans-Montana and Andermatt also perform admirably, benefitting from their high altitudes and consistently low temperatures that ensure timely snowfall.
However, ski resorts worldwide, including those in Switzerland, are adapting to a changing climate. Last winter, Nendaz experienced a noticeable reduction in snowfall. While advancing technology allows resorts to create and manage snow more effectively, ski destinations are broadening their appeal to remain competitive and sustainable year-round.
Skiing is now part of a more extensive offering that includes summer sports, cultural activities, and gastronomy, aimed at attracting visitors throughout the year. Slopes that are perfect for winter skiing transform into ideal mountain biking trails come summer. The Swiss Alps provide endless opportunities for extreme sports, including paragliding, canyoning, and river rafting.
The Swiss Alps provide endless opportunities for extreme sports, including paragliding, canyoning, and river raftin
Andermatt, located 90 minutes south of Zürich, exemplifies a modern resort that has tailored its offerings from the ground up. Its attractions include a world-class concert hall, a golf course voted the best in Switzerland at the World Golf Awards 2023, and Michelin-starred restaurants. The resort prioritises environmental sustainability, employing innovative methods such as covering its glacier with a protective fleece in summer to reduce energy and water usage in snow creation during winter.
For property owners, all-season resorts offer excellent prospects. They enhance the rental potential of properties, appealing to holidaymakers seeking refuge from soaring Mediterranean temperatures and wildfires. This diversification boosts property values and attracts a wider range of buyers.
Slopes that are perfect for winter skiing transform into ideal mountain biking trails come summer. The Swiss Alps provide endless opportunities for extreme sports, including paragliding, canyoning, and river rafting
The synergy between skiing and golfing is significant in various resorts, with golfers contributing to shoulder-season demand. This is one reason Crans-Montana, home to the prestigious Crans-Sur-Sierre golf club, sees a greater influx of visitors in summer than winter. Pro golfers favour Crans-Montana for its central location, stunning mountain views, and extensive recreational offerings, including hiking paths, tennis, and a variety of dining options featuring Michelin-starred establishments like L’Ours and LeMontBlanc.
Property prices in Crans-Montana have surged by 14% over the past two years, according to Astore, with prices reaching up to CHF 45,000 (€46,300) per square metre for luxury chalets. The pandemic has shifted how ski properties are used, with owners increasingly opting for extended stays and remote work opportunities. Crans-Montana is welcoming a diverse mix of buyers, including French, Belgian, Italian, and South American nationals, but the primary buyers post-Covid are Swiss residents drawn to its year-round appeal.
Pro golfers favour Crans-Montana for its central location, stunning mountain views, and extensive recreational offerings, including hiking paths, tennis, and a variety of dining options featuring Michelin-starred establishments like L’Ours and LeMontBlanc
Resorts like Gstaad, Verbier, and Zermatt are also expanding their offerings to include downhill mountain biking routes, hiking trails, and traditional activities such as cheese-making.
Whether driven by a passion for cheese or the allure of Alpine living, many property buyers in Switzerland are reaping the rewards of a year-round resort. They capitalize on lucrative winter rentals—super-prime chalets in Crans-Montana can command CHF 150,000 (€155,000) a week over Christmas—to cover annual costs, leaving them free to enjoy the summer months in their mountain homes. In any assessment, this represents a reliably good solution for both investors and vacationers alike.