Here at Alpine Property Search we are increasingly being asked which resorts represent a future-proofed investment opportunity in an era of climate change. In this article we take a look at some of the most snow sure ski resorts in the French Alps.

Our Top 7 Snow Sure Ski Resorts – France

Val Thorens – 2,300m
Tignes – 2,100m
Alpe d’Huez – 1,866m
Val d’Isère – 1,850m
La Plagne – 1,800m
Courchevel – 1,850m
Chamonix – 1,040m

1. Val Thorens, the highest ski resort in Europe.

If you want to be assured that your ski holiday is snow sure and your property purchase future-proofed then you need look no further than in Val Thorens, the highest ski resort in Europe and part of the Trois Vallées Ski Area. The top lifts in the resort go as high as 3,200m. It’s suitable for all levels of ability of snow boarders and skiers. Most of the property in the village is ski in/ski out – the resort has been designed with easy living in mind and despite being largely car free it is easy to get around once you are there, and there are plenty of car parks. With the right lift pass you can ski all over the Belleville valley resorts of Les Menuires and St. Martin and over to Méribel and as far as Courchevel and La Tania. Prices have been rising over the past few years and start at around €10k per sqm.

2. Tignes, with the Grand Motte glacier

Situated at 2,100m above sea level the middle village of Tignes le Lac is the original site that was developed to take advantage of the high altitude skiing and has attracted tourists since the 1960s. The main town is arranged around the banks of a pretty lake and there is easy access to the skiing. The highest lift is situated at 3,450m and it is part of the Espace Killy Ski Area which links in to the legendary resort of Val d’Isère. Situated just 2km above Tignes Le Lac is the Val Claret area of the resort which is the ideal location to stay to give you access to the summer and winter skiing of the Grande Motte Glacier. Lavachet is the area below the lake and offers cheaper accommodation and a traditional and local atmosphere. Property in Tignes is highly sought after as an investment both as a summer and a winter resort due to the glacier skiing. Prices start around €10k per sqm and rise to above €20k per sqm for new chalets.

3. Val d’Isère and its Pisailas glacier

Val d’Isère exudes superlatives and simply has world class snow sports facilities and natural terrain with ski lifts as high as 3,450m and a glacier, like its Espace Killy Ski Area neighbour Tignes. Property prices are high here due to the long standing reputation of the resort and its high altitude – prices start around €15k per sqm and rise well over €30k. Night life rules here and you and your family will be guaranteed a great time both on the piste and off it!

4. La Plagne and the Paradiski area

La Plagne is part of one of the largest ski areas in the world, Paradiski which includes Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry and offers a whopping 425km of ski pistes. La Plagne itself is a group of 10 villages that are all extremely well interconnected to bring you hours of enjoyment on the slopes. Belle Plagne is the prettiest of the villages, and it also provides the easiest access to the gondola. If you want ski in/ski out accommodation then head to Plagne Soleil and Plagne Villages, however if it’s nightlife, shops and cafés you want then book into Plagne Centre. All the villages have their own distinctive character, making this resort unique and interesting to all visitors. Over 70% of the runs are over 2000m so this ski area earns its snow-sure credentials with ease. The highest lifts in the resort whisk you up to 3,250m so snow cover is easily assured throughout the season. Property here is becoming more sought-after as interest rises in snow sure ski resorts in France, with a price range of between €5-15k.

5. Alpe d’Huez, altitude and sun

Alpe d’Huez has ski lifts that go as high as the Pic Blanc at 3,330m so the ski season is pretty assured. Alpe d’Huez is considered to be a world class ski resort mainly because it has a large vertical range. The Grande Domaine ski area caters for all levels with something for everyone. What’s more the village is South facing and sits on a plateau so the Vitamin D-deprived British are guaranteed winter sun as well as snow! There is a good selection of new property coming to the market at reasonable prices (€10-15k per sqm) which makes it worth considering for a property investment.

6. Courchevel, chic and stylish

Courchevel is part of the enormous Trois Vallées Ski Area and offers over 600km of skiing with lift heights reaching to 2,740m, so snow cover is assured throughout the season. The full lift pass will take you to La Tania, Les Menuires, Méribel, St. Martin-de-Belleville and the highest resort in Europe, Val Thorens. Courchevel comprises the villages of Courchevel 1850, Courchevel Le Praz, Courchevel Moriond and Courchevel Village. In terms of buying, prices correspond directly with the altitude so the highest village of Courchevel 1850 is the most expensive and Courchevel Village, the lowest altitude area, is the least expensive. The resorts are all linked by an impressive bus system so that you can easily move from one area to the other with minimal effort.

7. Chamonix, with the outstanding backdrop of Mont Blanc

Chamonix is most skiers’ idea of heaven, with the Aiguille Verte and the majestic Mont-Blanc providing the most awesome backdrop. The village itself lies in a long valley floor and sits at only 1040m, however it does have lifts that reach as high as 3,300m (Grand Montets) and up to 3800 for the offpiste Vallée Blanche, so you are virtually guaranteed to find snow during a long winter season. The Mont Blanc Unlimited pass gives you access to all the ski areas of the valley such as Les Houches, Le Brévent, La Flégère, Les Grands-Montet and La Balme as well as the famous Aiguille du Midi cable car. All areas are interlinked by a free shuttle bus service. There are over 160km of down hill ski pistes in Chamonix, which cater to all levels of ability, as well as nearly 3km of vertical drop, making this resort a truly special destination for winter sports. The town of Chamonix is always lively throughout the year making a property purchase in this popular resort a sound investment with plenty of rental potential. Chamonix has seen an increase in new developments in recent years to accommodate the demand for property in this world-renowned resort. Encouragingly all new developments come with a proportion of social housing so local inhabitants are not forced out of the valley.