British homebuyers' interest in North America is largely confined to an area within a 30-minute drive of Disney World.
Florida is the traditional finish line in the mass winter migration of the snowbird, a second-home buying species that flees the cold winter to enjoy the warm weather and cloudless skies of the Sunshine State.
With US property prices tumbling, Florida property is still hot, so to speak, but there is another British species that eschews the blue-skies-thinking of the snowbirds and instead crosses the pond in search of the very snow they have left behind. Of course, you don't have to love skiing to join this winter-wonderland-loving group, but it certainly helps.
Skiing in Canada and the USA is big, in every sense of the word. Like most things North American, the resorts are big, the mountains are big, the property is big - even the skis are big. Bigger, of course, does not always mean better, but compared with the prices being asked for ski property throughout Europe (and that includes newer markets such as Bulgaria), North America can certainly offer you a lot of snow-covered real estate for your money.
Property in Canada
In Canada, British Columbia (BC) has historically been a world-class draw for the skiing fraternity, and its centrepiece, Whistler, claims numerous accolades, such as the greatest skiing area, the most glaciers, and the longest season in North America. This resort is truly world-class; unfortunately, it's also been well and truly discovered and property in Whistler prices there reflect that fact.
There are, though, some terrific alternative resorts in this neck of the woods. The biggest and newest has to be Revelstoke, which is set to be another world-beating resort, and has huge scope for growth and development. Currently, it's probably most attractive to the thrill-seekers - there's very little there in terms of nursery slopes - but that will change very rapidly as a reported £500 million of investment rolls in. By 2023, Revelstoke is predicted to comprise some 3,000 residential units, 20 lifts and 100-plus runs.
Ski travel and property specialist Ski Safari is marketing Nelson Lodge at Revelstoke, a ski-in, ski-out development of 200 apartments located at the foot of the largest vertical descent at any ski resort in North America. The Lodge, which has spectacular views across the Columbia River to the Monashee Mountains, is the first building in the development of Revelstoke's pedestrianised mountain village.
Prices range from $545,000 (£300,000) for a 58-square-metre, one-bedroom apartment to just over $2 million (£1.1 million) for a 162-square-metre, three-bedroom unit.
Another new kid on the BC ski development block - and possibly an even bigger kid than Revelstoke - is Kicking Horse, which aims to rival Whistler in terms of scale and quality, by completion in 2017. The resort offers a wide variety of property, including apartments with from one to six bedrooms, plus villas and townhouses with living areas of up to 560 square metres. Around $200 million has already been invested in improving the infrastructure at Kicking Horse and, as well as world-class skiing, the resort also offers championship quality golf, two hotels, six restaurants, a spa and four shopping areas.
Kicking Horse Properties currently on the market through Pure International include three- and four-bedroom on-piste properties of 186 square metres at The Cabins from £520,000, and one- and two-bedroom apartments at The Aspens from £139,000. Prices for plots of land at Cedar Creek start from £163,000.
For those keen to enjoy the British Columbian skiing experience, but happy to pass on the grander developments in favour of something smaller and more personal, ParkHouse is a new development in Squamish, just 45 minutes from Whistler.
Richard Rice of Ski Safari, believes many Brits will see the benefits of ParkHouse. "I think Squamish is a good investment as the area is set to expand following the Winter Olympics in 2010." And he continues: "It is an affordable place to buy property in Squamish and the lifestyle benefits are huge - Squamish is an outdoor paradise with excellent climbing, mountain biking and windsurfing, and Whistler (certainly one the best resorts in the world) is just up the road."
ParkHouse is a collection of 65 properties, situated close to the Squamish estuary and within walking distance of the town's shops and amenities. The contemporary apartments have expansive windows and quality finishes, and the development will include a large gym, bike storage and a bike wash station.
One-bedroom apartments are on the market from $240,000 (£133,000), with two-bedroom units from $385,000 (£213,000).
British Columbia has so much to offer British snow and ski lovers, but on the downside there is the small matter of a nine-hour-plus flight to contend with. Quebec, on the other hand, is a far less onerous seven hours from the UK, and is itself a pretty special destination in winter and summer.
With the cosmopolitan delights of Montreal just 90 minutes away, Mont Tremblant has become a huge success as a resort, not just for ski enthusiasts, but also those who just love the great outdoors. And right on the doorstep of all that Mont Tremblant offers is a beautiful and eco-friendly lakeside community of Fraternite-sur-Lac, on the market with Pure International. These spacious log cabins not only benefit from high-spec accessories and appliances, but also boast stunning views across Lake Superior. The resort also includes a luxury spa, gym, tennis courts, swimming pools, marina, sailing club, bars and restaurants.
The Mont Tremblant properties have three, four and five bedrooms and are available from £256,000 to £560,000, with a five per cent rental guarantee for two years.
USA Property
Some 2,000 miles south-west of Quebec, Colorado is the renowned heartland of US skiing, with world-class resorts such as Aspen and Vail given a run for their (large) money by a host of rising-star resorts. One such resort is Winter Park, constructed by the renowned ski developer Intrawest, and marketed by Playground. This genuine family resort has quality runs for every standard of skier, but also benefits from a chocolate-box pedestrianised village at its centre. With two interconnected ski areas (Winter Park and Mary Jane), the resort offers over 130 runs, and located right next to the Continental Divide, the area receives snow from all directions, giving skiers a good long season.
Compared with its better-known neighbours, Winter Park is a down-to-earth resort with down-to-earth prices, and properties within The Village are both stylish and value for money.
Studios at the Fraser Crossing development start from around $280,000 (£155,000), with two-bedroom properties rising to around $600,000 (£331,000). Similar priced properties are also on the market at nearby Founders Pointe.
Colorado's western neighbour, Utah, also boasts some top-class skiing, and the snow that falls close to the great salt lake of Salt Lake City fame, creates some of the best powder skiing in the world. Resorts here tend to be less extravagant and less family-oriented, with skiers basically invited to come and try their luck (or take their chances) on the mountain. And your luck is usually in here, with a stonking average of 1,200 centimetres of snow a year.
Salt Lake City property prices are currently very reasonable, with even apartments in sought-after communities, and with all the trimmings, offered at knockdown prices.
A destination such as Salt Lake City is great for those who enjoy the snow, but would rather not stray too far from civilisation, and that's certainly true of a New York State property currently on the market; a six-bedroom Aspen-style property, overlooking beautiful Orange County woodland. This stunning spacious property has vaulted ceilings, double-height windows and high-spec appliances, and two of the bedrooms enjoy en suite facilities. The property is on the market with The Move Channel and local agent Vanessa Saunders for $1.5 million (£828,000).
In terms of skiing, New York State may not boast world-class slopes, but there are plenty of good, family-friendly resorts, including Mount Peter. Interestingly, the resort (which famously offers a free kids' ski school) was opened in 1936 by Macy's department store to show off their range of skiwear. And speaking of Macy's, that's the real beauty of this part of the world: accessible slopes and fabulous Manhattan just an hour's drive away.
Vanessa Saunders believes access to the delights of Manhattan and skiing is enough to turn anyone's head. She says: "There is certainly a large influx of foreign investors buying million-dollar-plus properties in my area. Warwick, New York and the surrounding villages have easy access to Manhattan via road or rail. There is wonderful scenery in a valley full of orchards and horse farms. The quaint villages are full of antique shops and great restaurants brimming with local produce. International visitors come to shop in the world famous Woodbury Common Premium Outlets centre, ski the local slopes and enjoy five golf courses within five miles of each other." It's also just a 20-minute drive from the newly expanded Stewart International Airport.
So, whether you're a dyed-in-the-wool ski-bum or merely a lover of hot chocolate, GlŸhwein and furry boots, in the buyer's market that is North America, this could be the ideal time to snap up a slopeside property Stateside.
First published in December 2008.
Some information contained within this article may have changed since it was first published. Homes Overseas strongly advises you to seek current legal and financial advise from a qualified professional.
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