Get your skates on: the real estate at ski resorts of Germany. Part 1

Get your skates on: the real estate at ski resorts of Germany. Part 1

It seems only recently embankments of Hamburg were passing outside the window, neon signs of Berlin were flashing, and skyscrapers of Frankfurt were sparkling under the sun. And now we can no longer hear the big cities sounds, the road goes up so quietly, taking us to completely different world. If you are going to buy a property in Germany, please join our travel to the province, where prices are lower, and the demand for rental is the same as in the capitals. In the first part of the study we describe where you can buy a ski property in Germany.

It seems small resort towns in the foothills and slopes live their own quiet and measured life. But soon it becomes clear that the locals don't feel isolated or lost. First, the resorts are connected with major cities by a network of highways and railways. Second, there is the incredible nature, beautiful mountains and great opportunities for ski sports. You must agree that healthy cheerful people who prefer active outdoor recreation just can’t live in boring places.

However, the real estate in German ski resorts has its own specific aspects. The main and most obvious one is seasonality. For example, in the Zugspitze Mountain (2962 m), a stable level of snow cover lies only seven months in the year. And notice that Zugspitze is the highest and coldest place in the country! In other ski resorts, where the average height ranges from 1000 to 2000 m, the season lasts five months, beginning in December (though professional athletes don’t advise to arrive before early January) and ending in April. But life does not stop here, and when the heat comes, yesterday's skiers transform to paraplaners, and the residents of lakeside districts spend their time sailing, swimming and surfing.

Residential real estate in the mountains of Germany is represented mainly by houses sold with small plots of land, and rarely by apartments in low-rise buildings. Apartments and houses in ski resorts of Germany are acquired not only for living but also for renting. In this case, the profit may be up to 5-8% per annum.

The country has more than one hundred of ski resorts, and we are not able to visit each of them. But instead we can travel to the five most interesting mountain ranges. Let's start with the most famous one.

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Alps

In the state of Bavaria, south of the country, the famous Alps is a natural barrier between Germany, Austria and Switzerland. But if Innsbruck , Davos and Courchevel has been on everyone's lips for a long time, the alpine resorts of Germany, being not worse than their neighbors, are less known. If you love nature and winter sports, if you want to buy a big house or a cozy chalet in the mountains in Germany and at the same time be able to get to the Munich or cities in Austria, Switzerland and Northern Italy, the Alps is ideal place. By the way, due to more liberal law, it is easier for foreigners to buy property in Germany than in other "alpine" countries.

Oberstdorf and Garmisch-Partenkirchen claim to be the most prestigious ski resorts not only only in German Alps but in entire country.

Journey from Munich to Oberstdorf takes less than three hours. This small town with a population of less than 10 thousand people has already held FIS Nordic World Ski Championships three times. The resort consists of two ski areas. Nebelhorn, where the maximum height is 2,224 m, is rather for advanced skiers and snowboarders while Fellhorn is perfect for beginners. When the snow melts, Oberstdorf does not become deserted: new people come here to rest and recuperate. Thanks to local water that contains soda, the town became a famous spa resort. It is obvious many potential buyers will pay attention to such a unique year-round resort as Oberstdorf.

Oberstdorf

Garmisch-Partenkirchen is even more famous though this name is quite unpronounceable. In 1936 it hosted Winter Olympic Games. Actually it is one town divided into two parts by railway line, so that is has double name. By the way, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is located only 60 km from Innsbruck and 120 km from Munich, and trains comes here from central stations these cities. It looks like we’ve discovered the most accessible ski resort in Germany. Zugspitze, the Germany highest mountain, is located here. No wonder that at winter, when up to 40 thousand tourists and athletes can be accommodated in local hotels, the city's population triples and you can feel the unique spirit of cosmopolitanism in the frosty air.

In mountains of Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Portal ee24.com already wrote that few years ago Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has bought a villa in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and the resort has become very popular among wealthy Russians. City officials say they have no prejudice to Russian buyers if they keep their property neat and tidy.

The prices of housing in the ski resorts in Germany here in the Alps, starts from €1 million and could reach €17 million, it is a cost of a three-story castle built in 1894 and located in the resort of Bad Wiessee. In Garmisch-Partenkirchen you can buy a 12-room house of 395 sq. m for €1,950,000. Apartments in this town cost from € 2,500 to € 4,500 per square meter. Less known alpine resorts have more affordable offerings: for example, a small apartment of 42 sq. m. can be bought just for € 79,500 in Berchtesgaden, border town in 20 km from Salzburg, Austria.

Berchtesgaden

Bavarian Forest

To the north-east of the Bavarian Alps, there is another mountain range, the Bavarian Forest. Its highest point is located near the border with Czech Republic. It is called Great Arber, or Großer Arber in German and Velký Javor in Czech (1456 m). Potential buyers will be pleased with the Bavarian Forest not only because of nature and first-class mountain resorts, but also because of great location: Munich, Karlovy Vary and Prague can be reached by car in a few hours.

One of the most famous ski resorts in this area is Sankt Englmar (pop. 1,600). It is ideal place for beginners and experienced skiers, but professionals will be disappointed: none of 15 tracks with a total length of 11 km belongs to extreme category. On the other hand, noisy championships do not disturb town’s residents. If skiing and snowboarding for you is rather entertainment than sport, take a look at real estate in Sankt Englmar. There are interesting and inexpensive offerings. The small apartment in a building with a swimming pool and sauna, located at an altitude of 900 m above sea level and just in 5 minutes from ski lift, costs less than €18,000. Six-bedroom apartment in the same building costs € 19,500. Apartments in new buildings or after repairing are a bit more expensive: an apartment of 52 sq. m costs € 48,000.

Sankt Englmar

The resort town of Zwiesel (pop. 9,300) is close to Sankt Englmar. At low altitude of 570-750 m there are two short routes for beginners. However, you can always drive from here to the nearby resorts with more extreme tracks. Entrance to the huge National Park "Bavarian Forest" is located only in half-hour from Zwiesel. You will enjoy the unique nature and meet such animals as lynx, peregrine falcon or deer. A small but cozy apartment in Zwiesel can be purchased for €9,900. Isn’t it a perfect option for vacation? Similar offerings (for example, the flat of 25,7 sq. m for €12,000) can be found in Hauzenberg, town on the border with the Czech Republic and Austria.

Houses and apartments in German Alps and Bavarian Forest are available for everybody regardless of wage level. In the 2nd part of the article we’ll take a look at other mountain regions and ski resorts of Germany.

Text: Alexander Fetyukov, ee24.com