Dec 07, 2018 / SWITZERLAND

Champery Property Investment Guide

Boasting a modern ski and bike resort, and a picture-postcard alpine village, Champery is the ultimate year-round destination for skiers, bikers and epicureans alike. Nestled in the Swiss mountains, between the summits of the Dents Blanches and the Dents-du-Midi peaks, this is a dream location for anyone who is a fan of the outdoors.

Champery became one of the founding villages of the Portes du Soleil ski area and resort in 1969. There are 11 other resorts in this location, with one lift pass for the entire ski area. The mountain village boasts an undeniable rustic charm, which lures people back year-on-year. It also has a quiet and relaxed feel, which appeals to many. Despite this, there is still plenty to do and see off the slopes. The location is ideal too, as by being on the Swiss side of the Portes du Soleil region, Champery provides quick links to Avoriaz in France.

One of the great things about buying a property in Champery is that there is a range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. You can find studio apartments from roughly $150,000 just as easily as you can find luxurious chalets for over $2,000,0000.

Living in Champery and things to do

According to the most recent figures, there are 1,259 people living in Champery. And what lucky people they are considering Switzerland was recognised as the best place to live in the world in the 2017 Best Countries Report. In a survey covering 36 countries and interviewing 21,000 people, Switzerland ranked high in quality of life, entrepreneurship, citizenship and several other categories.

Life in Champery is never dull, as it is part of the largest international ski area in the world. During the colder months, Champery is bustling with ski activities and competitions. The Champery resort guide extends beyond the realms of Champery itself, as tourists can use the Champery-Planachaux cable car to reach the Portes du Soleil recreational area. Here, you will find 650 km of ski slopes, 194 ski lifts, and an altitude of 2,000 m. The other 11 resorts in Portes du Soleil are as follows:

- Val-d’Illiez Les Crosets Champoussin

- Torgon

- St Jean d’Aulps

- Morzine-Avoriaz

- Morgins

- Montriond

- Les Gets

- La Chapelle d’Abondance

- Chatel

- Avoriaz

- Abondance

If you take a look at the Champery snow report, you will see that on average the area gets about 150cm of snowfall each month. In terms of the weather, weather averages are from lows of -6 to highs of 6 in the winter, and lows of 8 to highs of 21 in the summer. You can find the latest snow and weather updates here.

There are plenty of things to do in Champery throughout the summer too, as you have everything from rock climbing and fishing to biking and hiking to enjoy. The Portes du Soleil recreational area has 24 chairlifts available for use so that tourists and locals have access to more than 600 km of paths. The National Centre for Ice Sports, Champery’s Palladium, also offers outdoor and indoor activities. It regularly hosts international and national ice sports competitions and training camps.

You will also find a generous number of restaurants and bars in the area, as well as a number of music and cultural festivals that take place throughout the summer.

Champery and culture

It is clear to see that the Arts have a prominent place in Champery. You can expect to enjoy numerous gallery openings, vintage film projections, a well-stocked library, comedy shows and numerous concerts throughout the year. There is even a multi-generational local brass band in the area.

There are some great festivals to enjoy too, including the Champery Film Festival. This features premier films about the mountains, with one-night showcasing freeride snowboarding and skiing films and the other night showcasing films on adventure, travel and exploration. Other festivals include the Maxi-Rires Festival and the Bike & Sound Festival.

Investment potential in Champery

While Champery offers plenty to see and do, you will also be pleased to hear that property in the area is a sound investment. The booming tourist trade in the village means that property is sought after all year round. From hiking during the summer to skiing in the winter, there are plenty of activities to keep guests occupied no matter the time of year. This means you don’t really need to worry about an off-season if you are planning to rent to tourists. As a result, property prices remain strong. This means that a chalet that is well-looked after has a very real chance of growing in value as the years progress.

The economy is also booming in Champery. In most developed countries, unemployment rates tend to be between four and 12 per cent. In Champery, the current unemployment rate is a mere 2.8 per cent. The area sees continuous investment in its infrastructure, with funds recently being injected into a modern six-seater chairlift in Grand-Paradis and the Champéry–Planachaux cable-car.

Transport to Champery

Getting to Champery is easy. It is situated about 60 km from Geneva airport. If you can manage to get a flight to Sion airport, this is even closer to the ski resort; however very few airlines fly there. If you do manage to fly into Sion, it will take you roughly 45 minutes to then drive to your ski resort. Alternatively, Champery is only a 90-minute drive from Geneva.

It is also on the railway line Chemin de fer Aigle-Ollon-Monthey-Champery (AOMC). By using this line to reach Aigle, you can then easily get to the likes of Geneva, Basel and Bern by using the Swiss Federal Railway.

With a prime location, an abundance of activities and a thriving economy, it is not hard to see why Champery presents a great option for property investors.