The best ski resorts in the world to live in

Where are the best places in the world to live, if you love skiing??!

As so many of us rethink how we work, live and socialise, in the aftermath of the pandemic, homes in the mountains are more popular than ever. Jana Korpova-Harris of The Luxury Property Collections suggest some exciting options as the best ski resorts in the world to live in, for anyone really going for it, or just for the day-dreamers... Of course, upping-sticks completely for a life in the mountains could be such a change from city or suburban life, that it makes sense to rent a property first, to ensure you like the area. It’s also worth bearing in mind that post-Brexit restrictions mean that moving to live within the European Union will either limit you to 90 days in every 180, or require a visa. Happily, that's where The Chalet Company comes in, if you're looking for an apartment or chalet in Méribel. Alternatively, The Ski Company have apartments and chalets to rent in resorts all over the French Alps.

The greener choice – Méribel, France

There’s no doubt that letting the train take the strain is the eco-option when it comes to traveling to the Alps. Although the weekly ski train, TravelSki Express which leaves London on Friday nights in winter at 19.45 and arrives at early in the morning in Moutiers and Bourg St Maurice is only for package deals, there are plenty of regular trains too. All avoid the stress of airports, non-EU passport controls post-Brexit and three-hour transfers by coach. The resorts with the shortest and easiest transfers onwards include Les Arcs, Méribel and La Plagne. A benefit of owning a family-sized property in such high-end resorts is the easy possibility of renting it out at the height of the season. Catered chalets in Méribel, for example, can be rented out for £10,000-plus per week while you pop somewhere warm for a change of scenery.

The easiest travel from the UK – Les Carroz, France

With the possibility of working from home – wherever home happens to be – many of us are opting either to live abroad and head back to the office for a few days each month, or to use our ‘90 days per 180 allowed in the EU without requiring a visa’ to live somewhere more exciting. But, that does require easy access to-and-from the UK. Les Carroz, even at 1,140 metres, is the most easily-accessible of the five resorts in the Grand Massif ski area. It is just an hour’s drive from Geneva airport on a good day and offers convenient access to the neighbouring resorts Flaine, Samoëns, Morillon and Sixt. Combined, that offers around 265 kilometres of skiing. Les Carroz is known as a family-friendly option too, having been awarded the status of “Famille plus” for its family-friendly facilities.

All-season appeal – Kitzbuhel, Austria

With British cyclists like Tom Pidcock and Mark Cavendish leading the world in riding up and down mountains at top speed, British buyers have embraced the year-round appeal of the ski resorts. It’s not just cyclists either. Hikers, paragliders, climbers, white-water rafters and adventure sports fanatics of all stripes can find non-stop excitement in the mountains. There are always gentler options, such as tennis! Moreover, this is where being at a lower altitude has distinct advantages too, such as gentler, greener landscapes, with lush forests, rushing streams and less wind. You’ll have closer access to cities and big towns too, for shopping, nightlife and culture. A good option is the Austrian resort of Kitzbuhel. Famous as it is for skiing and the infamous Hahnenkamm downhill race, it also has a beautiful medieval centre and is just a short hop from Salzburg. The Berchtesgarden National Park is on the doorstep.

English speaking – Whistler, Canada

It may seem as though the world of skiing speaks English, but if you’re going to live in the area full time it can be considerably easier if your children are in an English-speaking school and that you can find work in your own language. That opens the door to Canada and the USA. Toronto is the first choice for many Brits heading for new lives in Canada, and the city has several excellent resorts on the doorstep. Blue Mountain, about two and half hours away, is closest, if not exactly huge. Also in Ontario are Glen Eden, Lakeridge, Dagmar, Hockley Valley and many others. On the other side of the country, Vancouver offers arguably even better skiing, as you would expect for a city that hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics. The best and nearest ski resorts are Whistler Blackcomb or Cypress Mountain, just 30 minutes from downtown. While our options for earning a living in Europe have shrunk post-Brexit, Canada continues to throw out the welcome mat, with a relatively easy process compared to Australia and New Zealand the USA too.

A holiday or new home?!

Considering the last year or so we've all had, 2022 might not be the year for more life-changing events, 2022 might be the year of the best-ever-ski-holiday-to-make-up-for-last-season. If that's the case, get browsing catered chalets in Méribel from The Chalet Company, or self-catered apartments and chalets all over the French Alps from The Ski Company. Alternatively, if 2022 is the year to break free from the hum-drum of the status quo and make the leap to living in a ski resort - go for it! (We can't wait to come visit!) (If you can't see anything available on the website, we may have some other options up our sleeve!)