Meet the Team
A contemporary apartment in Courchevel, a traditional wooden chalet in the heart of Verbier or a modern masterpiece on a Colorado mountainside: the choices for a ski home in the finest global resorts are many and varied. Do you want a home to entertain family and friends, or to spend prolonged periods of the year? Are you focused on rental yields? Perhaps you want a lock-and-leave apartment close to Geneva for frequent weekends on the piste? At Knight Frank we are your partners in property, primed to help you buy or sell. Our expert team know the resorts intimately and are adept at matching property to your lifestyle. Let us guide you through the options to find a mountain home that makes your heart beat faster, whether you’re an avid ‘first tracks’ skier or simply someone who relishes the healthy Alpine air.
France:
Roddy Aris, Knight Frank's French Alps property expert, works with the Alpine network, sourcing best-in-class properties in Chamonix, Val d’Isère, Courchevel, Meribel, Megève, Saint Martin de Belleville, Combloux, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains and Argentière. Born in the French mountains, he has skied in Chamonix for over twenty years. “Chamonix is a vibrant resort with just as much going on in summer as winter,” he says. “We’re selling a five-year old chalet close to Planards nursery slopes that epitomises exactly what clients want. It’s at the heart of the valley, an easy walk from the shops and restaurants, has wonderful views of the Chamonix peaks. There’s a small garden to enjoy in summer and all the toys to attract strong rentals: cinema, gym and sauna. The current owner rented it for 21 weeks last year and could have achieved 30 weeks with less personal use.”
France:
Laetitia Hodson, another Alpine property expert of Knight Frank’s French Alps team, agrees that rental potential is now a major consideration. That’s one reason she tips Falcon Lodge in Meribel, the heart of the Three Valleys. The development, due to complete in December 2022, has 44 apartments and two chalets priced from €925,000 for one to six bedrooms. On-site facilities include a spa, concierge and underground parking. “Falcon Lodge’s location is superb, 150 metres from Morel ski lift, 500 metres from Meribel itself and a short stroll to a delightful restaurant, Aux Petits Oignons,” Laetitia says. “There are few new developments in the Three Valleys at this price point with such excellent facilities. With a VAT rebate of 20% possible and no restrictions on rentals, this appeals to people who want a foothold in the mountains while also making their assets work for them.” For sellers too, Knight Frank offer an unbeatable service built on years of experience. “Our strength is our global network with local, national and international reach,” says Laetitia. “Our access to worldwide wealth is unmatched by any other agency while our detailed research means we filter out the noise to bring qualified leads. Throughout the process, we are a single point of contact, dealing with the notary, mortgage brokers and currency dealers as required. Several buyers this season have bought Alpine homes without viewing in person because they had the confidence to lean on our knowledge.”
Switzerland:
Alex Koch de Gooreynd, Knight Frank's Swiss property expert, is clear on why Knight Frank’s resorts in Switzerland lead the Knight Frank Ski Report for the first time. “The currency is strong, your investment feels very secure, properties are built to a high standard and while it can be complex to buy there, once in you can benefit from lump sum taxation, an increasingly interesting prospect for high-net-worth individuals,” he says. “Then there’s the wonderful Swiss lifestyle filled with wondrous mountains and lakes, clean air and healthy living.” Alex’s property choice is a beautiful, traditional wooden chalet in world-famous Verbier. Built in 2003, it has seven bedrooms, self-contained floors that could be rented independently and perhaps the ultimate prize for hard core skiers – an on-piste location. “Verbier has invested heavily in its infrastructure and made it ideal for the increasing number of buyers who want to live here year-round,” he explains. “Improvements to the train station at Le Châble mean it’s just over 2 hours to Geneva airport. The restaurants are excellent, the après-ski suits all ages and your children will thank you for having a home in a resort where there’s always something to do.”
Aspen:
Log cabins have been superseded by sleek, contemporary homes as the most in demand properties in Aspen says Jason Mansfield, who is Knight Frank’s alpine expert for the exclusive Rocky Mountain resort. “People come to Aspen to spend time with their family and entertain friends so extensive indoor and outdoor space is important. The resort takes great care to invest in itself, improving the infrastructure and making it a magnificent place to live year-round. Post-pandemic many families are choosing to stay here all year.” For these buyers, Jason selects a modern masterpiece close to the Double Bar X Nature Reserve. Built to maximise outstanding mountain views while sinking sensitively into the landscape, it has seven bedrooms, 3,000 square feet of entertaining space and four acres of grounds. “People cherish their time in Aspen and this top quality house has extensive games room, a bowling alley, wine cellar and cinema to enjoy,” says Jason. “It’s exactly what the market wants right now.” This winter Aspen celebrates its 75th anniversary as a ski resort. The former silver mining town is now a solid gold destination for the wealthy, a four mountain ski resort with extraordinary natural beauty, chic restaurants, strong culture and an ardent focus on health and wellness. “Aspen is a very special place with dramatic scenery and clean air,” says Jason. “Just being there is positive for your physical and mental health. For skiers, it is all about the powder. The high resort – a base elevation of 2,423 metres with a vertical rise of 1,000 metres – and the incredibly dry air creates the most wonderful snow. We call it our Colorado champagne.”
