When China announced her intention to build the world’s highest ski resort in Tibet in 2016, the decision was welcomed with much enthusiasm. The resort is part of China’s five year plan, and it is expected to provide athletes from Tibet the ideal conditions to train for the 2022 Olympics.
This move will definitely have a huge impact on the ski property industry. It will open the eyes of people around the world to the splendor of ski apartments and chalets, the massive potential of earning extra income through ski rentals, and the possibility of literally spending their holiday on a mountain top.
Although, the number of ski property owners has been growing at a fast pace especially in the past decade, the fact still remains that the amount of ski apartments for sale still outweighs the demand for it. This is why the move by China is considered a big boost for the industry in that region.
So if you’re looking to buy a ski property of your own, here are few things to consider before making your final decision.
1. Ability to ski
You might have fallen in love with the idea of owning a ski property, but you need to realize that skiing is no walk in the park. To really make your experience in the skis worthwhile, you must learn how to ski. You should know the right skiing posture, how to walk in skis, and how to maintain your balance when you’re going up or down the slopes. These lessons are not just for professional skiers, but they’re required for people who intend to have ski properties or go there for holidays.
2. Financial implication
Ski properties are usually very expensive. If you a want ski property that’s located in a high altitude, with well-equipped amenities and an easy accessibility, you must be willing to part with a humongous sum. Therefore, you should consider how affordable it is for you or try other properties that are cheaper but with fairly good features, and which are less competitive. Apart from the high cost of acquiring the property, you must also be privy of other costs such as cost of maintaining the property while you’re away.
3. Location and accessibility
Most people want their properties to be situated in the best locations, having amenities that are close by, and are easily accessible. Ideally, a good property should be good to visit all season; it must be accessible all year round; it mustn’t be too far from the slopes; and must be well secured. So it really doesn’t matter if your property is located in the Borovets, Lake Tahoe or La Plagne, what matters most is the availability of the features.
4. Suitability for investment
Ski properties should not be taken for ordinary acquisitions; rather they should be seen as valuable investment. Part of what makes a good location for your property is its strategic ability to serve economic purposes. Can you rent out part or whole of the facilities when you’re away? Is the property marketable enough to cover its cost of maintenance? Are there amenities close to it that can attract renters? These are some of the basic questions that’ll determine if your property has an investment potential or not.
