The Best Ski Resorts for Airbnb in France

Imagine owning a chalet in the French Alps. A dream lifestyle waiting to be lived! Having ski property in your vacation rental portfolio can be a lucrative investment since mountain resorts are popular all year round. Despite the varying climate conditions throughout the year, the snowcapped mountain landscape works very well for rentals year-round. Spring brings mountains alive with wildflowers, and melting snow cascades down into waterfalls, creating opportunities for river rafting, kayaking, and country walks. Summer brings mountain views, high altitudes, and outdoor activities, while autumn attracts tree-huggers and nature enthusiasts making the alps an around-the-year destination spot.

In addition to being one of the most coveted landscapes in the country, the French alps are visited by millions of tourists every year. In fact, according to climatechangepost, more than 60-80 million tourists visit the Alps annually with tourism generating close to EUR 50 billion in turnover. The Alps include more than 600 resorts and 10,000 ski installations, and France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy account for over 85% of Europe's skiing area. France has the highest winter season turnover, making it prime location for vacation rentals.

What makes French Ski Resorts a Good Investment?

Investing in ski property is always a smart decision, regardless of whether it's for holidays or lifestyle. Many ski property investors and owners purchase their property to generate rental income. And most holiday homeowners also want to turn their vacation home into a source of income, when the property is not in use.

Did you know the French Alps is a great place for investing in vacation rental properties in addition to being a world-renowned winter sports destination? According to Le Monde From August 2018 to August 2022, the average nightly rate for accommodation in France increased by 16.4%.

Vacation rentals are in high demand due to the growing popularity and international recognition of French ski resorts for winter and summer vacations. In this segment of the industry, if you plan and execute your investment strategy, you will have a lucrative rental income throughout the year with a tidy profit!

What to look for when investing in a Ski Resort vacation rental property

You should consider the following factors when investing in a French Ski Resort Vacation rental property:

1. Choosing the location for rental

The right location is crucial. Rental properties near ski resorts and hiking trails are more likely to be rented all year round. Ski-in-ski-out properties always command a higher rental rate, as they are easily accessible to amenities such as chairlifts, gondolas, and trails.

2. Rental Property Size

Those traveling as a group or a family will need more space than those traveling alone or as couples. Investing in Ski property you should take this into account as you can choose which audience you will predominantly cater to.

3. Furnishing the Vacation Rental

Invest in modern furnishings and amenities for the property. When it comes to Ski vacation rentals, tourists expect high-end furnishings, decor and appliances. If you lack the right amenities you may find it challenging to find guests who select your vacation rental on channels such as Airbnb. It is unlikely for your rental property to earn top market rates if it does not have these features.

4. Market your Vacation rental on the right channels

French Ski resorts present many challenges when it comes to managing an Airbnb. To gain recognition and rank on the channels you list your property on, you will need to be 100% committed. In addition to having a direct booking website, Facebook marketing, and Instagram, listing your property on multiple channels will ensure that you have a fully booked calendar throughout the year.

5. A Feasible Business Plan and ROI

Create a feasible vacation rental business plan. Investors need to remember that vacation rental properties' ROI can vary greatly based on factors such as seasonality and occupancy rates. Make your investment decision based on long-term ROI potential, not immediate ROI.

6. Deep Market Research

Conduct extensive research on the location you plan to invest in. It is important to consider this before getting started. Check out neighboring vacation rentals and find out what amenities they offer, their pricing and what additional services they provide.

These indicators will help you find a rental property that meets your needs, as well as those of potential guests.

Top French Ski Resorts to Invest in an Airbnb Business

1. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

A picturesque alpine village nestled in the French Alps, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is one of the world's most popular ski resorts. Ever since the Winter Olympics took place here in 1924, Chamonix has been a world-renowned ski resort. Chamonix is also an excellent place for hiking, climbing, paragliding, golf, and tennis, in addition to skiing, and is a popular destination for travelers looking for breathtaking mountain scenery of the French Alps. The highest peak in Europe, Chamonix is 3,500 meters.

During the summer months, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy such as mountain biking, golf, and swimming. In the winter, the area is a winter wonderland with plenty of ski resorts and trails to explore. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley, in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, hosts nearly 2.5 million visitors annually.

According to AirDNA, As of January 2023

• Active Rentals: 2613
• ADR €164
• Occupancy Rate 53%
• Median Revenue €1846

According to RealAdvisor, the median price for houses on the market is €1,800,000. The asking price for 80% of properties falls between €1,189,200 and €4,784,000. The average price per m² in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (74400) is €11,000 / m² (price per square meter).

2. Tignes

Tignes is a ski resort in the French Alps located in the Tarentaise Valley, Savoie, France, and is part of the Espace Killy ski area. Tignes is known for its high-altitude ski terrain, year-round ski season, and diverse range of activities, including skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice climbing, and more.

Tignes hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics, the 1992 Winter Paralympics, and the Winter X Games as well as its freestyle skiing venues. As a result of this, Tignes has become the go-to training ground for snow sport athletes due to its year-round skiing, long season length, and a large number of ski parks/slalom run. The exact number of visitors to Tignes ski resort annually is not publicly available, but it is estimated to receive hundreds of thousands of skiers and snowboarders each year during the ski season. The peak skiing season runs from November to May, but Tignes remains popular year-round.

It’s estimated that approximately 80% of Tignes homes are second homes, while 50% are tenants instead of owners, thanks to its high footfall, mostly from foreign travel. Among 1,950,000 overnight stays in Tignes, 50% are foreign travelers.

According to AirDNA, As of January 2023,

• Active Rentals: 2154
• ADR €121
• Occupancy Rate 53%
• Median Revenue €1528

According to RealAdvisor,

• The median price for houses on the market is €2,500,000
• The asking price for 80% of properties falls between €1,200,000 and €7,347,500
• The average price per m² in Tignes is €11,156 / m² (price per square meter).

3. Val D’Isère

Val d'Isère is a ski resort in the French Alps. It is located in the Tarentaise Valley, Savoie, France, and is part of the Espace Killy ski area. Val d'Isère is known for its challenging ski terrain, high-altitude ski season, and lively après-ski scene. The resort offers a wide range of winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing, as well as other activities like ice climbing and snowshoeing. The area also offers many alpine activities, including hiking, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, climbing, and many others.

Val d'Isère is also famous for hosting international ski events, such as the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. This stunning and varied part of the French Alps is visited by more than four million people each year.

The beautiful towns and villages that surround Val d'Isère make it a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year. It features shops, restaurants, bars, and all the activity you'd expect from a European ski resort.

From hotel apartments to cottages to vacation residences to condominiums, Val d'Isère has something for everyone.

According to AirDNA, As of January 2023

• No of Active Rentals: 1,007
• ADR €230
• Occupancy Rate 58%
• Median Revenue €2653

According to RealAdvisor,

• The median price for houses on the market is €4,863,000
• The asking price for 80% of properties falls between €2,580,000 and €13,640,000
• The average price per m² is €24,074 / m² (price per square meter).

4. Combloux

Combloux is a mountain village located in the heart of the Northern Alps. it is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.

The village offers an excellent view of Mont-Blanc from the top of the ski area to the center of the village. A breathtaking 360-degree view of sumptuous mountain peaks invites you to discover a whole palette of colors and landscapes with the biotope lake of Combloux which is the first ecological body of water open to swimming in France. In addition to being a starting point for the Baroque Trail, Combloux is the ideal village for a cultural stay to discover the architectural treasures of the Pays du Mont-Blanc, such as the Saint-Nicolas Church, which is a jewel of Alpine Baroque art Ride on a 210 m long pump track with 2 circuits in the heart of Combloux, in the mountains of France! Combloux is also known for its natural hot springs, which have been used for therapeutic purposes for centuries.

In addition to its 360° panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, Combloux is part of two different ski areas, "The Gates of Mont-Blanc" and "Mont Blanc Escape". These two areas offer you beautiful slopes and attract thousands of visitors every year. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the ski resort also offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice climbing, and other winter sports. Combloux is a great place to hike, mountain bike, and do other outdoor activities during the summer.

According to AirDNA, As of January 2023

• Active Rentals: 502
• ADR €113
• Occupancy Rate 46%
• Median Revenue €1268

According to RealAdvisor,

• The median price for houses on the market is €1,450,000
• The asking price for 80% of properties falls between €660,000 and €3,000,000.
• The average price per m² is €7,197/ m² (price per square meter).

5. Alpe D’Heuz

In the French Alps, the ski resort of Alpe d'Huez is located in the Isère department in the Rhône-Alpes region. Alpe d'Huez is located 90 minutes from Grenoble Airport, in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region of France. With more than 250 kilometers of slopes, there's something to suit everyone's skiing ability in this ski destination.

With its 16-kilometer-long slopes, the 3,330-metre Blanc Glacier is a highly popular attraction. This resort is connected by 63 lifts, making transportation convenient. The Grandes Rousses gondola is two-stage and consists of funiculars, aerial tramways, chairlifts, and aerial tramways.

Alpe d'Huez is known for its high-altitude ski terrain, long ski season, and sunny weather, which gives it the nickname "Island in the Sun." The resort offers a wide range of winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing, as well as other activities like snowshoeing, ice climbing, and snowmobiling.

Alpe d'Huez also has a lively après-ski scene and a range of non-ski activities, making it a popular destination for families and groups of friends.

According to AirDNA, As of January 2023

• Active Rentals: 502
• ADR €135
• Occupancy Rate 55%
• Median Revenue €1691

According to RealAdvisor,

• The median price for houses on the market is €1,360,000
• The asking price for 80% of properties falls between €399,000 and €3,112,540.
• The average price per m² is €9,645 / m (price per square meter).

6. Les Arcs

Les Arcs is a ski resort in the French Alps, located in the Tarentaise Valley, Savoie, France, and is part of the Paradiski ski area. Les Arcs is known for its high-altitude ski terrain, long ski season, and modern architecture. The resort offers a wide range of winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing, as well as other activities like snowshoeing, ice climbing, and snowmobiling.

Les Arcs also has a range of non-ski activities, including ice skating, bowling, and a cinema. In the summer, Les Arcs offers hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities.

According to AirDNA, As of January 2023

• Active Rentals: 126
• ADR €113
• Occupancy Rate 60%
• Median Revenue €1335

According to RealAdvisor,

• The median price for houses on the market is €435,000
• The asking price for 80% of properties falls between €260,500 and €985,000
• The average price per m² is €3,526/ m² (price per square meter).

7. Morzine

Morzine is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. This destination in the french alps is a dream come true for ski enthusiasts. Its traditional mountain village boasts a wealth of modern sports facilities, and is part of the famous Portes du Soleil ski area, connecting 12 French and Swiss resorts with 650 kilometers of slopes.

With Lake Geneva to the north, Mont Blanc to the south, and the Swiss border a few miles away, Morzine finds itself nestled in the Alps, surrounded by mountains and forests. A village whose traditional charm has not lost any of its franco-characteristics continues to dazzle thousands of tourists annually throughout the year.

An extremely popular tourist destination renowned for its ski resort offers skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports, as well as activities like snowshoeing, ice climbing, and cross-country skiing. The resort is also known for its lively après-ski scene and its range of non-ski activities, making it a popular destination for families and groups of friends. In the summer, Morzine is a popular destination for outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, and white-water rafting.

According to AirDNA, As of January 2023 Active Rentals: 2167 ADR €204 Occupancy Rate 45% Median Revenue €2147

According to RealAdvisor,

• The median price for houses on the market is €1,540,000
• The asking price for 80% of properties falls between €904,000 and €3,120,000
• The average price per m² is €7,916/ m² (price per square meter).

7. Megève

Megève is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.

Located at a confluence of mountains and pastures, Megève is a beautiful destination to visit for holiday goers and ski enthusiasts alike. There are groves of conifers in this area that release a crisp, fresh air that is decorated with sweet, and refreshing pine. The softness of snow-capped rooftops, along with delicious gourmet specialties, attract an abundance of tourists every year. A famous tourist destination, known for its ski resort, it offers skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports, as well as activities like snowshoeing, ice climbing, and cross-country skiing.

In addition to its elegant and sophisticated atmosphere, Megève has a wide range of high-end shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. Downhill runs, snow parks, and cross-country trails are offered along with links to La Giettaz. There are rustic-chic chalets, luxury hotels, designer boutiques, and cobbled medieval streets in the pedestrian center of Megève. The summer is a popular time for hiking, mountain biking, and golfing in this area.

According to AirDNA, As of January 2023

• Active Rentals: 1072
• ADR €247
• Occupancy Rate 40%
• Median Revenue €2172

According to RealAdvisor,

• The median price for houses on the market is €3,790,000
• The asking price for 80% of properties falls between €1,400,000 and €7,950,000
• The average price per m² is €13,200/ m² (price per square meter).

8. Les Allues

The commune of Les Allues is located in southeastern France in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes department of the Savoie department. In addition to being classified as a tourist resort, it is made up of thirteen villages surrounding Méribel and Méribel-Mottaret, two of the ski resorts in the Trois Vallées.

The scenic beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities make it a popular tourist destination. As a part of the Vanoise National Park, the French countryside is also ideal for hiking to discover the local fauna and flora. The commune of Les Allues is in an area of the appellation that permits the production of beaufort, a cow's milk cheese, as well as Tomme de Goes Allues, a local specialty cheese.

The world-renowned winter sports resort Méribel is situated in Les Allues. Located in the Trois Vallées ski area, the resort has an international reputation for excellence and luxury. It stands at more than 1400 meters and has 76 slopes. Besides ski slopes, the resort offers golf, tennis, mountain biking, ice karting, climbing, hiking, and several wellness spots to relax. Casinos are open throughout the day and night. Saint-Martin des Allues church, with its baroque interior decoration, is one of the best tourist attractions in the area. The chapel of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, built in the late 1950s, for Anglican worship, is now home to the little museum of Les Allues. Visits to the sawmill and Raffort mill are also popular tourist attractions.

According to AirDNA, As of January 2023

• Active Rentals: 2485
• ADR €192
• Occupancy Rate 55%
• Median Revenue €2158

According to RealAdvisor,

• The median price for houses on the market is €2,550,000
• The asking price for 80% of properties falls between €953,000 and €5,580,000
• The average price per m² is €12,476 / m² (price per square meter).

9. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville

Saint-Martin-de-Belleville is a commune in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. In addition to being an authentic French village, it is also a high-tech ski resort with some of the world's best snow-sure skiing.

Standing tall on a sunny plateau in the French Alps at 1450m high, St Martin is a popular property investment destination. The alpine village remains unspoiled and charming with narrow cobblestone streets, an old church, and traditional wood and stone buildings tucked away from the rest of the ski resort. Known for its charm, Saint-Martin-de-Belleville is home to a handful of French restaurants and ski rental shops. 3 Valleys ski area includes the Val Thorens resort, famous for its après-ski scene, and the surrounding slopes.

It is best known for its ski resort, which offers skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports as well as snowshoeing, ice climbing, and cross-country skiing. Summer activities include hiking, cycling, and fishing in the area's rivers and lakes.

Saint-Martin-de-Belleville also maintains local culture and traditions through its traditional architecture which is one of the key reasons it attracts throngs of tourists each year.

According to AirDNA, As of January 2023 Active Rentals: 4543 ADR €129 Occupancy Rate 64% Median Revenue €1595

According to RealAdvisor,

• The median price for houses on the market is €1,512,000
• The asking price for 80% of properties falls between €496,270 and €3,450,000
• The average price per m² is €9,796/ m² (price per square meter).

French Alps Ski Property Selection: Key Factors

1. The Vacation Rental Location

The location of a property is of utmost importance. As soon as you have decided on your preferred French Alps ski resort, you need to consider where your property will be located within it. A ski-in ski-out property in the French Alps can be more expensive, but it offers the greatest convenience for skiers since the slopes are literally at their doorsteps, and many have great views of them.

2. Proximity

Consider whether you would prefer something more intimate and do not mind driving to amenities and services or whether you prefer being central and having all amenities at your fingertips.

3. Type of Property

A property in the French Alps can be purchased as either a new build or a resale. The best type of residence is largely a matter of personal preference, and each has its advantages.

Newly Built Property

The benefits of buying a newly built property in the French Alps come with some great financial incentives such as,

• A newly built property in France comes with a guarantee.
• New properties stand to benefit from lower notary fees of 2-2.5% as opposed to the fee of 7-8% which is applied to existing properties.
• Owners who decide to rent out their property when not in use can also apply for VAT rebates, which can reduce their property purchase price by 20%.
• Newly built properties tend to have more modern amenities and do not need any renovation work, which enables owners to move in or rent out immediately.
• Buying a newly built property also allows the owner to personalize it as they desire. This can include choosing the final touches, modifying the layout, or adding extras such as a hot tub or jacuzzi.

While newly built properties have many advantages, they do have the potential drawback of taking a while to complete.

Buying Resale Ski Property

However, ski resale properties are ready right away, so you can move in or rent them out as ski rentals. As the property is already available, the owner will have the opportunity to see it personally, which can be a major selling point for anyone who is looking for ski properties that they can use or rent out right away. Typically, a resale property will have a higher notary fee of around 7-8%, which makes existing properties less expensive than brand-new properties.

4. Buy a Dual-Season Property

Investing in a property that serves as both a vacation rental and a summer home can maximize rental returns. With beautiful Alpine lakes, fantastic hikes, mountain biking and so much more, the French Alps are perfect for summer vacation. It is important to know whether the resort is active during the summer as well as what kind of activities they offer when buying a property in the Alps.

The occupancy rate in a dual-season resort can reach up to 60% during the summer, so having a home in a dual-season resort not only gives you a home to enjoy the mountains throughout the year, but it can also yield a decent rental yield, not just during peak seasons.

How can Hostaway Help?

You need a well-defined management strategy no matter what your business goals or challenges are, so you can focus on expanding your business while meeting all your requirements. You will find that most successful hosts all over the world are using automation tools to streamline their vacation rentals, a key tool being investing in vacation rental software.

The Hostaway Property management software is the industry's leading vacation rental management software and is recognized by Airbnb as a preferred partner. Key features include a unified inbox to organize your messages into one feed and ensure prompt responses from multiple short-term rental accounts and listings, Incorporate dynamic pricing using integrations, Create guest reviews automatically, Track cleaning tasks to completion, receive payouts, create invoices, Utilise direct bookings and create essential business reports to make informed decisions.

You can be an Airbnb Host located in another country and run your rentals remotely - with Hostaway as your PMS. Reach out to the industry experts for a scheduled demo call and find out more about how hostaway can fit your property management business.