Where are the best ski and spa resorts?

If you’re looking for the perfect property as somewhere to get away from it all, what about a dual ski and spa resort? As a plus, if you’re looking to rent out your property while you’re not using it, you’ll have an extra USP, if not an expanded market to promote your home to.

So, where are the best ski and spa resorts to buy property in Europe?

Leukerbad

Leukerbad is the Alps’ largest thermal and wellness resort, with an extraordinary 30 spas to choose from. Its bubbling hot springs attract visitors year-round, and its one million overnight stays a year make it one of the top tourist attractions in Canton Valais.

The ski area has about 50km of runs – relatively small but well groomed and with good snow coverage, between 2,350m and 1,540m. For children and novices, the Sportarena is a good place to start learning.

Val Thorens

Val Thorens’ five-star spa is a luxurious experience with magnificent views onto the Trois-Vallées. While not originally a thermal-springs resort like much of our list, the sheer variety of skiing together with the luxury make it a strong contender.

The 600km of slopes across the eight resorts of the Trois-Vallées means you’re never short of new slopes to try. There are 312km of easy slopes, 216km of intermediate slopes and 72km of difficult slopes.

Ax-les-Thermes

Ax-les-Thermes has the hottest natural springs in the Pyrenees, at 70ºC, and is one of the few natural springs with a year-round opening in France. With a long history, the springs were first developed back in medieval times for soldiers returning from the Crusades. Nowadays, you can also ski at the Ax 3 Domaines of Bonascre, Saquet and Campels, making it a great choice as a ski and spa resort.

Les Thermes itself offers a more traditional feel than the modern Domaines resort, with older-style, typically ‘Pyrenean’ properties.

Saint-Lary-Soulan

Again in the French Pyrenees and just a few kilometres from Spain, Saint-Lary-Soulan is a beautiful, traditional Pyrenean ski and spa resort. Its sodium-sulphide- and silica- rich waters are located right in the heart of the village, surrounded by a stunning landscaped park. They open from March to November, helping to extend the season of any property in the region to year-round.

The skiing here is extensive, with over 1,000km of slopes to pick from. Unlike Leukerbad, it is more oriented to family skiers, with 60km of easy slopes, 30km of intermediate slopes and 10km of more challenging advanced slopes. 290 snow cannons help to guarantee snow cover throughout the season.

Cauterets

One of the oldest spas in France, it’s now developed into a fantastic ski and spa resort. The thermal baths have been renovated and now sit inside a magnificent dome with a view of the surrounding nature.

The ski resort is quite small, so it’s perhaps better suited to those for whom skiing would be an addition to a spa weekend or break, rather than the other way around. There are 36 km of slopes, with 3km of difficult runs.

Bad Gastein

Bad Gastein is one of the most picturesque ski and spa resorts you’ll find, with Belle Epoque-era apartments and the famous church clustered in the slopes of the Gasteiner valley. In Hofgastein, the 36,000m2 Alpentherme offers extensive thermal baths, cures, saunas and family spaces.

The 86km of slopes range from 2,300m down to 860m, with 30.6km for beginners, 52.8km for intermediate skiers and 2.6km of black runs.

Buying a ski property overseas

If you’re considering buy a home in one of our top resorts for spa and ski, then make sure to have a read of your free Buying Guides today.

It’s a volatile time for the currency markets, but it’s simple to send your money without exposing it to the live markets – and the risk of it losing value by thousands in the transfer. Find out more in your Property Buyer’s Guide to Currency.