Alpine property defies global slowdown as price of luxury homes surges 23% in five years

Alpine property defies global slowdown as price of luxury homes surges 23% in five years

 

  • Andermatt tops Knight Frank’s 2025 Alpine Property Index with prices rising 14.6%

Mumbai, October 23, 2025- The latest Knight Frank Alpine Property Report 2026 shows Europe’s Alpine property market continuing to outperform wider global luxury trends, with prime prices for alpine homes rising 23% on average over the past five years, fuelled by surging year-round demand, the rise of remote working, and a growing appetite for permanent mountain living.

The Knight Frank Alpine Property Index rose 3.3% year-on-year, led by Andermatt (+14.6%), Davos (+10%) and Cortina d’Ampezzo (+10%), confirming the region’s resilience and growing international appeal.

According to the report, 73% of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) surveyed would now consider living full-time in the Alps – a sentiment driven by flexible work lifestyles and a renewed focus on wellness, nature and community.

Key Takeaways

  • Alpine property outperforms: The price of prime alpine homes is up 23% in five years, defying global luxury slowdowns.
  • Andermatt leads the way: Switzerland’s Andermatt tops the Knight Frank Alpine Property Index with 14.6% annual growth, exempt from key ownership restrictions.
  • Cortina d’Ampezzo’s Olympic effect: Prices up 10% year-on-year ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, with values still 30–40% below St Moritz.
  • Regulatory shake-up: Chamonix’s new “one out, one in” rule tightens supply and pushes premiums on properties with development rights.
  • Sustainability in focus: Nearly half of buyers now factor climate resilience into purchase decisions, with Val Thorens, Val d’Isère and Zermatt leading Knight Frank’s Alpine Sustainability Index.
  • Alpine living goes year-round: Lift pass sales up 46% in two years, confirming the Alps’ growing summer appeal.
  • Costliest alpine destination: Gstaad, followed by St Moritz and France’s Courchevel 1850.

Kate Everett-Allen, Head of European Residential Research at Knight Frank, comments: “The Alpine property market has shifted from seasonal playgrounds to year-round sanctuaries. The surge in full-time residents, alongside rising summer tourism, is rewriting what it means to own in the mountains.

“While other luxury residential markets have plateaued, the Alps continue to deliver both lifestyle and long-term capital resilience. Regulatory shifts and the 2026 Olympics are creating new dynamics that investors cannot ignore.”

 

Additional Insights

  • Millennials lead the charge – 80% say they would consider full-time Alpine living.
  • Investment confidence remains strong – 92% of respondents are either very confident or somewhat confident about long-term value.
  • Entry-level opportunity – 44% of HNWIs target homes under €2 million, proving the Alps are not only for ultra-high-net-worth buyers.

Knight Frank’s Alpine Property Index

Annual % price change year to June 2025

Resort

Country

% Change

Andermatt

Switzerland

14.6%

Davos

Switzerland

10.5%

Cortina

Italy

10.0%

St Moritz

Switzerland

7.1%

Méribel

France

7.1%

Gstaad

Switzerland

6.2%

Alpes d'Huez

France

5.7%

Villars-sur-Ollon

Switzerland

5.1%

Klosters

Switzerland

4.8%

Val Thorens

France

4.2%

Champéry

Switzerland

3.8%

Crans-Montana

Switzerland

3.3%

Courchevel 1850

France

3.3%

Grimentz

Switzerland

3.0%

St-Martin-de-Belleville

France

1.5%

Courchevel Village (1550)

France

1.2%

Zermatt

Switzerland

1.0%

Val d'Isere

France

0.7%

Verbier

Switzerland

0.5%

Chamonix

France

0.2%

Courchevel Moriond (1650)

France

0.0%

Nendaz

Switzerland

0.0%

Les Gets

France

-0.5%

Morzine

France

-1.0%

Méribel Village

France

-1.9%

Megève

France

-4.3%

Source: Knight Frank Research. Note: The annual price change of a chalet in a prime location

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How far does €1 million go?

Sq m of prime residential real estate €1m buys you in each resort

Resort

Sq M

Morzine

102

Les Gets

99

Champéry

97

Alpes d'Huez

90

St-Martin-de-Belleville

72

Grimentz

72

Val Thorens

71

Chamonix

70

Nendaz

69

Megève

67

Méribel Village

65

Villars-sur-Ollon

60

Crans-Montana

60

Courchevel Moriond (1650)

60

Courchevel Village (1550)

58

Méribel

55

Cortina

49

Klosters

45

Davos

44

Andermatt

42

Val d'Isere

42

Zermatt

39

Verbier

31

Courchevel 1850

31

St Moritz

27

Gstaad

22

Source: Knight Frank Research. Calculated using prime property prices € per sq m for each location