Global warming - Ski property

MortgageMate said:

so, Europe freezed over last year and due to global warming this year there's barely enough snow to get your toes cold. Global warming is a long term problem, as Ned said,

Click to expand...

Ah well, if Ned said so then it must definitely be the case - Ill tell the environmentalists, scientist, Al Gore to step down till Ned gives them the go ahead.

Every year there are adverse changes in our environment. It is not all of a sudden going to start in 200 years. In the 5 years I have lived in switzerland there has been a big difference in the amount of business resorts in switzerland and austria do in December compared to what they did 5 years ago. 5 years ago the OP would have had gauranteed rental income here in December, now the OP wouldnt. In recent years CH has resorted to wrapping some glaciers in gigantic foil (similiar to what you'd put on a turkey!) to protect them as there is such a difference now from year to year in how much the glaciers retreat.

Unfortunately people going around with the "its not my problem, its not happening for the next 200 years" are not only not helping but also actively contributing to the problem with their lack of knowledge and consuming resources inefficiently.

Proon....

I'm doing my bit for you at the moment by driving a Smart car (only for two days tbh) anyway...I'm not getting into the global warming debate as I don't know enough about it but having just got back from Saalbach I will say that the whole Alpine area surrounding Salzburg is beautiful.....If things change 'consistently' and there's little or no snow during the Dec-March window, the resourceful Austrians will shift the holiday emphasis to walking/hiking and mountain biking....Even mountain bikers need somewhere to stay !

r2d2

r2d2 said:

.....If things change 'consistently' and there's little or no snow during the Dec-March window, the resourceful Austrians will shift the holiday emphasis to walking/hiking and mountain biking....Even mountain bikers need somewhere to stay !

Click to expand...

The Austrians already do focus on walking/hiking and mountain biking in the summer. As others have pointed out, the summer tourism numbers in these resorts is significantly less than the winter tourism numbers. Global warming may reduce the snowfall enough to put a serious dent in the numbers going skiing in the winter, but nobody expects it to get so warm and dry that you can go mountain biking in the Alps during the Winter. (OK, maybe technically you could with all the right gear, but I don't think you'd be able to sell it to more than a few hardcore mountain bikers).

Speaking as a keen skier - at that height not with a bargepole. Just check out the price different ski resorts sold for at different heights in the French Alps.

Lads, the Global warming things, thats real..

I know of a new french development going at that height for 95k for a 1 bed. Only naive brits buying it - no french. In the 3 valleys, same size property is 200k...

Its about access to slopes, the amount, quality, and especially their altitude. Good facilities follow if the local is right.

Thanks for all the feedback. Certainly gives food for thought.

Re: the development. I spoke to the local town planner and he said that this is the last development in the village which is allowed for tourism. There is no more land to build on in the village except for local affordable housing schemes. These schemes keep are to keep local people in the area and not priced out of the market. Will this have a positive impact on the property price? The development is 50m from the ski lifts and 150m from the town centre.

Also spoke to the tourism board about % occupation rates in winter and summer. They are currently at 70-80 in winter and 60-70% in summer, hiking and biking are very popular in the area. There is also nothing in the area (except for a 4* hotel) offering the facilities this development will offer.

Still pondering, melting ice caps or not! I'm gone green myself, I walk to work, have solar panels on roof of the house and windmill out the back!!

Have to agree with barryo - those altitudes are way too low to consider, although it may not be quite as bad if the slopes are north facing (but then you don't get to ski in the sunshine!).

Look at the height difference with the top resorts in France where very often you'll have the accommodation at 1800-2000m and skiing above that (obviously ).

Have you looked at other ski resorts - even smaller cheaper ones aimed at beginners to intermediates like ones in Bulgaria, even some ones in Germany, Spanish resorts and so on...

Before taking the plunge look at some other areas unless you particularly love Austria and it certain is lovely.

Rachel

This article may be of benefit.

http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1751511&issue_id=15084

My 2 cents worth : I would not invest. Whilst there will be skiing there in 20 years time, in 5 years time more people will understand global warming and its effects its having and will shy away from such investments.

But if for personal use and there is good summer season also, then not such a bad investment.

casiopea said:

Unfortunately people going around with the "its not my problem, its not happening for the next 200 years" are not only not helping but also actively contributing to the problem with their lack of knowledge and consuming resources inefficiently.

Click to expand...

Well said. But times are changing. In years to come , for example, a past ignorance of global warming may effect your house sale if it receives a poor energy rating, when at the time of buying, you didn't care.

thetravelbug said:

But if for personal use and there is good summer season also, then not such a bad investment.

Click to expand...

Summer season rentals in ski resorts exist primarily in the minds of salesmen selling ski property. It doesn't happen, it won't happen, and wishful thinking won't change the realities. Go to Austria in summertime and see where the tourists are -- they are around the lakes, and the ski resorts higher up are mostly closed down with an occasional lift open for walkers. The percentage of summer visitors vis a vis winter skiers is in low single figures; don't even consider such proposed income stream in your business plan.