Luxury Market Trends & Research

Insights on the Luxury Ski Market: Vermont and Canada

In our third luxury ski market report, Luxury Defined provides an in-depth guide to two of the Northeast’s top ski destinations

Stowe Mountain Resort in the U.S. state of Vermont and the Mont Tremblant resort in the Canadian province of Quebec have been attracting skiers and snow-sports enthusiasts since the ’30s. Ranked among North America’s top ski resorts for their world-class skiing and après-ski attractions, Stowe and Mont Tremblant are also thriving four-season communities that offer year-round recreational opportunities as well as an attractive blend of cultural activities, gourmet dining, luxury hotels and spas, and excellent schools and services.

Luxury Defined spoke with Christie’s International Real Estate’s exclusive Affiliates in Stowe, Vermont, and Mont Tremblant, Canada, for expert advice on buying property in two of the Northeast’s most coveted ski destinations.

STOWE, VERMONT
Insights provided by Christie’s International Real Estate exclusive Affiliate, Pall Spera Company Realtors

Stowe, Vermont
Stowe, Vermont

Vermonters love their snow. It’s the top state in the Eastern U.S. for skier visits with an average of 4.1 million per season — third in the country after California and Colorado. Stowe reigns as the Grand Dame of Green Mountain Resorts with 116 runs, blanketed in packed power, traversing Vermont’s highest peak — the 4,395 foot Mount Mansfield.

While Stowe remains the epitome of New England quaintness, the ski resort recently completed a US$400 million upgrade, including a new high-speed quad on Mt. Mansfield, an inter-mountain transfer gondola connecting Mt. Mansfield and Spruce Peak, and renovations to Stowe Mountain Lodge, a 312-room hotel and spa that has already been recognized as one of the greenest and most luxurious mountainside lodgings in the world.

Beneath all the modern improvements, Stowe still feels like a quaint Vermont town appointed with whitesteeple churches, covered bridges, and a folksy Main Street.

Worth Foregoing the Slopes for an Afternoon: Go antiquing — there are some 20 antique stores less than an hour’s drive from downtown Stowe. Those with a keen sweet tooth may want to take a tour of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory, which is located just down the road in Waterbury.

Up Your Ski Game: Stowe offers a top rated race-training program during the week and on weekends, as well as ski programs for kids, teens, and adults of all skill levels. Parents of budding Olympians may want to think about buying a home or condo to
save on weekly hotel bills.

Luxury Defined 2016: Insights on the Luxury Ski Market – Stowe
Luxury Defined 2016: Insights on the Luxury Ski Market – Stowe

MONT TREMBLANT, CANADA
Insights provided by Christie’s International Real Estate exclusive Affiliate, Mont Tremblant Real Estate

Mont Tremblant, Canada
Mont Tremblant, Canada

Mont Tremblant has been called North America’s answer to skiing the Alps and attracts snow enthusiasts and foodies from the U.S., Canada, and Europe who appreciate authentic French onion soup, raclette and fondue, crème brulée, and other Gallic delicacies. The elegant resort, with its decided European flair and sited on the highest peak in the Laurentians, has been voted one of the top 10 most scenic ski resorts in the world and recently celebrated its 75th anniversary.

In the past decade, a significant investment in the resort’s Versant Soleil and Versant Nord areas resulted in an expansion of the resort’s terrain to 1,000 acres from 625, greatly increasing Tremblant’s number of skiers per day. Three snow parks, ranging from family friendly to the aptly named Adrenaline, will satisfy the action junkie.

Worth Foregoing the Slopes for an Afternoon: The full spectrum of activities includes beginner ice climbing, dog sledding, ice fishing, and sleigh rides but snowshoeing to a fondue dinner in a log cabin nestled in a forest is hard to beat. The resort also has its very own casino.

Up Your Ski Game: Flaik GPS system — a cool feature for parents and skiers interested in their slope statistics. Parents can use the system to keep track of their kids on the mountain during their ski school or lessons. Skiers can use the system and go online to view their skiing statistics for the day, included total vertical elevation, traveled distance, cruise speed, time on mountain, trails visited, etc., and share those stats on social media.

Luxury Defined 2016: Insights on the Luxury Ski Market – Mont Tremblant
Luxury Defined 2016: Insights on the Luxury Ski Market – Mont Tremblant