Why The Orma in Briançon Could Be the Best Ski Property Investment of 2025

For decades, British buyers have chased the glittering pistes of Courchevel and Méribel — only to find sky-high prices, overcrowded lifts, and second homes gathering dust nine months a year.

Now, a quiet shift is underway.

Investors are turning to Briançon, a historic alpine town long overlooked, now emerging as one of the most compelling ski property plays in the French Alps.

And at the heart of this resurgence? The Orma, a new development that combines town convenience, ski-in access, and future-proof sustainability — all at a price point that still makes sense.

With one- to four-bedroom apartments starting at €194,000 (excluding VAT), and a typical price of around €5,000 per square metre, this is not merely affordable. It is a rare opportunity to acquire new, eco-certified property in a connected alpine town — before the broader market takes notice.

The Briançon Advantage: Affordability Meets Accessibility

Briançon does not trade in alpine clichés. There are no helicopter transfers or designer boutiques. What it offers instead is increasingly rare: a living town with altitude, heritage, and direct access to 250 kilometres of ski terrain.

Situated at 1,326 metres, it is France’s highest city — and one of its sunniest. The Prorel gondola ascends to 2,400 metres in under eight minutes, delivering skiers straight into the Serre-Chevalier ski area, a sprawling, family-friendly domain stretching from Chantemerle to Villeneuve.

Yet despite its connectivity, prices remain accessible:

Resort	Average Price per m² (2025)
Briançon (The Orma)	€4,800 – €5,500
Courchevel 1850	€12,800
Méribel	€7,600
Val d’Isère	€8,100

Compare that to a two-bedroom apartment at The Orma — from €278,000 (excluding VAT) — and the contrast becomes clear.

Unlike remote chalets requiring shuttle buses and snow-clearing contracts, this development sits fifty metres from the gondola, steps from bakeries, a cinema, and a four-star hotel. There is no logistical burden. One simply walks to the slopes, returns, and stores skis in a private locker. This is convenience, refined.

The Numbers: What Is the Real Return?

We examined the financials. Here is what a typical owner can expect.

Case Study: 72.21m² Two-Bedroom Apartment (B25, Second Floor)

Price (excluding VAT): €353,000
Price (including VAT): €423,600
Price per m²: €4,895 — exceptional for new, ski-in, eco-certified property

Metric	Estimate
Winter weekly rent (peak)	€1,500
Summer weekly rent (cycling/hiking)	€950
Projected occupancy	6 winter weeks + 4 summer weeks
Gross annual income	€14,800
Management, fees, charges	~€6,400
Net rental income	€8,400
Net yield (short-term rental)	2.4% (long-term) → 4.8% (short-term)

Short-term rentals are permitted and in high demand. Many owners achieve eight to ten weeks of occupancy annually, with strong summer interest from mountain bikers and hikers.

With tourist nights in Briançon up 18% since 2020 (source: Office de Tourisme), and the town investing €20 million in public spaces — including a two-hectare park opening in 2026 — demand is only rising.

Full Price List (Excluding VAT)

The following table reflects all available units at The Orma as of April 2025. Prices are exclusive of VAT (20%), which applies to new builds unless leased under a furnished rental scheme (LMNP).

Unit	Floor	Type	Total Area (m²)	Aspect	Price (€ excl. VAT)	Price/m²
A18	1	1 Bed	39.98	North-West	194,000	4,852
B16	1	1 Bed	40.82	North-West	199,000	4,875
A28	2	1 Bed	40.11	North-West	205,000	5,111
A31	3	1 Bed	40.33	North-West	210,000	5,207
B26	2	1 Bed	40.82	North-West	215,000	5,267
B36	3	1 Bed	40.82	North-West	219,000	5,365
A16	1	1 Bed	49.30	South-West	264,000	5,355
A17	1	2 Bed	58.18	West	278,000	4,778
A27	2	2 Bed	58.45	North-West	298,000	5,098
A37	3	2 Bed	58.45	West	309,000	5,286
B13	1	2 Bed	60.85	South-East	323,000	5,308
B15	1	2 Bed	72.43	North-West	323,000	4,459
A12	1	2 Bed	74.96	North-West	328,000	4,376
B12	1	2 Bed	64.69	South-East	343,000	5,302
B25	2	2 Bed	72.21	North-West	353,000	4,890
B35	3	2 Bed	72.69	North-West	358,000	4,925
A22	2	2 Bed	73.09	North-West	359,000	4,912
A32	3	2 Bed	74.91	North-West	363,000	4,846
B21	2	3 Bed	83.15	East	397,000	4,774
B11	1	3 Bed	83.15	North-West	407,000	4,894
B31	3	3 Bed	83.15	East	411,000	4,943
B43	4	4 Bed	141.00	North-West	755,000	5,355
B41	4	4 Bed	135.36	South-East	806,000	5,954
A41	4	4 Bed	152.80	North-West	830,000	5,432

Best value per square metre:
• A12 (2-bedroom, 74.96m²) – €4,376/m²
• B15 (2-bedroom, 72.43m²) – €4,459/m²
• B21 (3-bedroom, 83.15m²) – €4,774/m²

Top investor entry point: The one-bedroom units from €194,000 (excluding VAT) offer the lowest capital outlay and highest potential for rental turnover.

Built for the Future: Passive House Standards, Not Just Aesthetic Appeal

The Orma is not another generic new build. It is constructed to 2025 thermal regulations, achieving a performance level equivalent to passive house standards, with a ground-source biomass heating system powered by Briançon’s municipal network — reducing heating costs by up to forty per cent compared to conventional alpine apartments.

Additional features include:

Individual thermostats per room
EV charging-ready garages
Home automation readiness (heating, electric shutters)
NRA-certified acoustic insulation
Private ski lockers and secure bicycle storage
Lift access to all floors, including underground garage

The architecture draws inspiration from the historic Berwick barracks, blending alpine tradition with modern efficiency. This is not a property designed for speculation, but for long-term living and lasting value.

The Location Edge: More Than Just Skiing

One can ski to Montgenèvre — and from there, into Italy — in under twenty minutes by car. But Briançon’s true strength lies in its year-round vitality.

Summer: World-class mountain biking, trail running, white-water rafting on the Durance, and access to Les Écrins National Park, one of Europe’s last great wildernesses.
Culture: UNESCO-listed Vauban fortifications, lively summer festivals, and a growing culinary scene.
Transport: Free public buses, dedicated bike lanes, and TGV access to Paris in five hours and thirty minutes via Grenoble.

Unlike resorts that empty in May, Briançon remains active — with hikers, climbers, and families sustaining demand well beyond the winter season.

The Bottom Line

The Orma does not attempt to emulate Courchevel.
It offers no pretence of glamour or exclusivity.

Instead, it provides something rarer:
• A real town with genuine amenities
• Ski-in, ski-out access without the premium price
• Energy-efficient design that reduces running costs and future-proofs the asset
• Strong rental potential in a market with demonstrable growth

For buyers who value practicality, sustainability, and long-term capital appreciation, this may well be the most intelligent alpine investment of the year.

Request the Full Investment Pack

We have compiled a comprehensive dossier:
• Full price list (all units, VAT included and excluded)
• Floor plans
• Rental yield projections
• Tax and regulatory guidance for French property owners

Download the Orma Investment Guide (Free, No Spam)

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Jane Thornton covers alpine property for Domosno Travel and has advised over 200 clients on French ski investments since 2010. He owns a holiday home in the Haute-Savoie.