Beyond the slopes: the rise of year-round alpine living

A four-season lifestyle in Switzerland

Year-round living is firmly established in many of Switzerland’s most desirable resorts, driven in part by the Lex Weber law, which caps the amount of holiday homes in an area at 20%, and further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of remote working. It's a trend that has only gained momentum in recent years.

According to the Alpine Property Report, in Switzerland’s Four Valleys - the ski domaine encompassing Verbier, La Tzoumaz, Nendaz, Veysonnaz, and Thyon - permanent residents increased by 7% between 2021 and 2025, with foreign nationals now accounting for 17% more of the permanent population over the same period.

Alex Koch de Gooreynd, a Partner in Knight Frank’s International team, highlights the appeal of Switzerland’s globally recognised schools, combined with its reputation for security and the excellent connectivity of key Alpine resorts to international transport hubs like Geneva Airport. “Verbier, Gstaad, Villars-sur-Ollon and Crans-Montana excel in this area, offering top educational options and the strong year-round community that comes with this,” he says.

Koch de Gooreynd notes a particular rise in popularity for Crans-Montana, which offers relative value compared to stalwarts like Verbier and has benefitted from investment by U.S. company Vail Resorts. “There’s incredible walking and cycling routes, festivals and golf courses, with the Omega European Masters played there each year,” he adds. “More and more people are looking to relocate and base themselves in the area longer term.”

Vail Resorts is also helping to transform Andermatt, which now leads the Alpine Property Price Index with 14.6% annual growth. Crucially, Andermatt sits outside the restrictions of both Lex Weber and Lex Koller - laws that limit the purchase of residential property by foreign nationals and cap property size. “This has made it an incredibly interesting market,” says Koch de Gooreynd. “It is attracting a lot of interest, particularly from American buyers.”

He also highlights growing demand in the German-speaking Graubünden region. “Resorts such as Klosters, Davos and St. Moritz have seen more interest, although lack of stock is affecting the pricing,” he notes. “With the right advice, there’s plenty of opportunity to find your year-round home in Switzerland.”

Alternative alpine living in New Zealand

As interest in year-round alpine living grows among high-net-worth individuals, New Zealand's spectacular mountain landscapes are emerging as a compelling option. The country's appeal has been further enhanced by recent changes to foreign ownership laws: under the newly relaxed Golden Visa program, eligible overseas buyers can now purchase a single residential property valued at NZ$5 million or more (approximately US$3 million).

The Lodges at Mt Cardrona Station, New Zealand

True year-round alpine living is rare in New Zealand. “Unlike the Northern Hemisphere, our ski resorts don’t typically offer extensive residential accommodation,” explains Suzie Wigglesworth, National Director of Projects at Bayleys Real Estate. This scarcity is part of what makes developments like The Lodges at Mt Cardrona Station so exceptional. Located just 20 minutes from Wanaka and adjacent to Cardrona Alpine Resort, the Lodges provide direct access to New Zealand’s largest ski area, along with premier hiking, mountain biking, and walking trails, offering four-season appeal and strong rental investment potential.

The development’s design caters to the rising demand for wellness-oriented lifestyles. Residents enjoy access to premium amenities including a state-of-the-art gym, sauna, outdoor hot pools, and dedicated work and meeting spaces. The Station Club offers curated, year-round activities for all ages, helping to foster a vibrant and connected village community that helps turn alpine living from a seasonal retreat to a true home.