France: the world's number one ski destination
France is the world's number one ski destination, according to new figures, which show that the country is more popular than any other. A report from Domaines Skiables de France ranks the country as the most sought-after skiing destination, with 53.9 million skier days to its name, a fair way ahead of the closest contender (the USA on 53.6 million).
Why is France is so popular among tourists? Another study by the Ski Club of Great Britain found that size and guaranteed snow were the most appealing qualities for France's many ski resorts. French skiing is also thought to offer the highest quality in Europe, which means that the Alps not only attract visitors but also keep them coming back: over 40 per cent of skiers travelling from the UK head to aiports serving the area, while France has a retention rate of 72 per cent, significantly higher than second place Austria (64 per cent).
"We’ve all known for years why British skiers head to the French Alps - good snow records, large ski areas, easy access and a choice of traditional villages and modern purpose built resorts that offer convenience," says Julian Walker, of SkiingProperty.com.
As well as holidaymakers, though, French Alpine property is also increasingly sought-after by investors. That is partly due to the market's resilience in a steady Eurozone environment.
"In the past year ski homes in Europe’s top resorts have continued on the same trajectory that they have been following since 2008; no radical acceleration or deceleration just small single digit shifts year-on-year," explains Knight Frank.
Indeed, the agency's latest Prime Ski Property Index only saw a marginal 1 per cent fall overall in the year to June 2015.
French resorts are leading the way in terms of price increases in the skiing sector, with all the top five spots in Knight Frank's rankings located in France. Val d’Isere and Meribel enjoyed the biggest lifts, with the price of a typical 4-5 bedroom chalet in each resort up by 5.8 per cent and 4.5 per cent respectively in the year to June.
Knight Frank attributes Val d'Isere's popular to its long season, with snow guaranteed for both Christmas and the Easter holidays, while Meribel benfits from its location and impressive facilities at a lower cost.
Regardless of the choice of resort, though, the French Alps have become considerably more attractive than their rivals, thanks to uncertainty surrounding Lex Weber in Switzerland. The weaker euro, meanwhile, continues to bolster demand from British buyers, keen to take advantage of the spending power of the sterling.
Indeed, France is now the third most popular destination on TheMoveChannel.com, according to the portal's latest Top of the Props report, with enquiries in real terms more than doubling in September 2015 compared to August 2015.