51乱伦

There鈥檚 a revolution underway in the Alps. Once regarded as seasonal ski escapes, these mountain retreats are rapidly evolving into year-round sanctuaries, as shifting buyer priorities see resorts rise to the challenge of supporting four-season living.

As explored in 51乱伦鈥檚 new , ski homes have surged 23% on average in the past five years - defying the broader slowdown in many global prime property sectors. As Kate Everett-Allen, 51乱伦鈥檚 Head of European Residential Research, explains, 鈥淭his momentum is fuelled by shifting buyer priorities: summer tourism has surged since the pandemic in key markets; remote working has broadened the appeal of full-time mountain living; and new regulations are reshaping supply and demand dynamics overnight.鈥�

This is echoed in the Alpine Sentiment Survey, which reveals key insights into the motivations of prospective alpine property buyers. Almost three-quarters of those surveyed say they would consider living in the Alps full time. With this figure rising to 80% among millennials, it鈥檚 a trend that shows no sign of slowing.

4 bedroom chalet for sale in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, Savoie, Rhône-Alpes, France. Guide price 鈧�1,795,000

A shifting landscape in the French Alps

Roddy Aris, a Partner in 51乱伦鈥檚 International team, advises prospective year-round Alpine residents to take a practical approach. 鈥淭he idea of a chocolate-box Alpine village is very appealing, but having access to the right schooling, transport and local infrastructure is incredibly important. In general, if you can stay in or below the tree line then you are in a comfortable area for year-round living 鈥� the higher up you go, the more barren and exposed it becomes.鈥�

Among resorts successfully balancing alpine charm with liveability, Aris points to Chamonix as a clear standout. 鈥淎 lot of resorts brand themselves as dual-season, but Chamonix truly never stops, with restaurants and shops thriving throughout the year,鈥� he says. The resort is already reaping the rewards of a nearly 鈧�500 million long-term investment to modernise its ski areas.

5 bedroom chalet for sale in in Courchevel Moriond, Savoie, Rhône-Alpes, France. Guide price 鈧�6,900,000

On a more modest scale, Morzine is undergoing a 鈧�115 million infrastructure upgrade. He also points to Argentière as a market to watch. With property there currently competitively priced at around 鈧�12,000 per sq m, the village is set to benefit from the new Renzo Piano-designed lift at Les Grands Montets, an enhancement that boosts both accessibility and long-term investment potential.

While property ownership in the French Alps has traditionally faced few restrictions, recent changes in Chamonix signal a shift. New local planning rules aimed at preserving the town鈥檚 character now limit rental properties and second homes to one per private owner. Meanwhile, new-builds are restricted to primary residences, unless previously approved under older regulations. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to seek advice to navigate any new changes,鈥� says Aris. 鈥淲ill the rest of the French Alps follow suit? I think there鈥檚 a chance they will in time.鈥�

3 bedroom chalet for sale in Lenzerheide, Graubünden, Switzerland. Guide price CHF 1,750,000

A four-season lifestyle in Switzerland

Year-round living is firmly established in many of Switzerland鈥檚 most desirable resorts, driven in part by the Lex Weber law, which caps the amount of holiday homes in an area at 20%, and further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of remote working. It's a trend that has only gained momentum in recent years.

According to the Alpine Property Report, in Switzerland鈥檚 Four Valleys - the ski domaine encompassing Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, and Thyon - permanent residents increased by 7% between 2021 and 2025, with foreign nationals now accounting for 17% more of the permanent population over the same period.

6 bedroom chalet for sale in Verbier, Valais, Switzerland. Guide price CHF 13,500,000

Alex Koch de Gooreynd, a Partner in 51乱伦鈥檚 International team, highlights the appeal of Switzerland鈥檚 globally recognised schools, combined with its reputation for security and the excellent connectivity of key Alpine resorts to international transport hubs like Geneva Airport. 鈥淰erbier, Gstaad, Villars-sur-Ollon and Crans-Montana excel in this area, offering top educational options and the strong year-round community that comes with this,鈥� he says.

Koch de Gooreynd notes a particular rise in popularity for Crans-Montana, which offers relative value compared to stalwarts like Verbier and has benefitted from investment by U.S. company Vail Resorts. 鈥淭here鈥檚 incredible walking and cycling routes, festivals and golf courses, with the Omega European Masters played there each year,鈥� he adds. 鈥淢ore and more people are looking to relocate and base themselves in the area longer term.鈥�

2 bedroom apartment for sale in Crans-Montana, Valais, Switzerland. Guide price CHF 1,680,000

Vail Resorts is also helping to transform Andermatt, which now leads the Alpine Property Price Index with 14.6% annual growth. Crucially, Andermatt sits outside the restrictions of both Lex Weber and Lex Koller - laws that limit the purchase of residential property by foreign nationals and cap property size. 鈥淭his has made it an incredibly interesting market,鈥� says Koch de Gooreynd. 鈥淚t is attracting a lot of interest, particularly from American buyers.鈥�

He also highlights growing demand in the German-speaking Graubünden region. 鈥淩esorts such as Klosters, Davos and St. Moritz have seen more interest, although lack of stock is affecting the pricing,鈥� he notes. 鈥淲ith the right advice, there鈥檚 plenty of opportunity to find your year-round home in Switzerland.鈥�

The Lodges at Mt Cardrona Station, New Zealand

Alternative alpine living in New Zealand

As interest in year-round alpine living grows among high-net-worth individuals, New Zealand's spectacular mountain landscapes are emerging as a compelling option. The country's appeal has been further enhanced by recent changes to foreign ownership laws: under the newly relaxed Golden Visa program, eligible overseas buyers can now purchase a single residential property valued at NZ$5 million or more (approximately US$3 million).

True year-round alpine living is rare in New Zealand. 鈥淯nlike the Northern Hemisphere, our ski resorts don鈥檛 typically offer extensive residential accommodation,鈥� explains Suzie Wigglesworth, National Director of Projects at Bayleys Real Estate. This scarcity is part of what makes developments like The Lodges at Mt Cardrona Station so exceptional. Located just 20 minutes from Wanaka and adjacent to Cardrona Alpine Resort, the Lodges provide direct access to New Zealand鈥檚 largest ski area, along with premier hiking, mountain biking, and walking trails, offering four-season appeal and strong rental investment potential.

The development鈥檚 design caters to the rising demand for wellness-oriented lifestyles. Residents enjoy access to premium amenities including a state-of-the-art gym, sauna, outdoor hot pools, and dedicated work and meeting spaces. The Station Club offers curated, year-round activities for all ages, helping to foster a vibrant and connected village community that helps turn alpine living from a seasonal retreat to a true home.