HNWI Advisory in the Swiss Alps

St. Moritz is Switzerland's most famous luxury winter resort:

• Lifestyle: World-class skiing (Corviglia, Corvatsch), luxury hotels (Badrutt's Palace, Kulm Hotel), high-end shopping, celebrity sightings, winter polo, exclusive events.
• Real estate: Chalets CHF 10M-50M+, apartments CHF 3M-15M. Limited supply, extremely high demand. Lex Koller restrictions require residence permit for property purchase.
• Tax considerations: Canton Graubünden. Lump-sum taxation (pauschalbesteuerung) very limited availability in St. Moritz commune. High-income HNWI may find standard rates acceptable given lifestyle benefits.
• International community: British, Russian, Middle Eastern, Latin American ultra-wealthy. English widely spoken. Discreet privacy respected.
• Advisory focus: Property acquisition strategy (Lex Koller navigation), lifestyle concierge coordination, wealth management, estate planning for multi-property portfolios.

Best for: Global HNWI seeking winter sports, luxury lifestyle, international social scene. Seasonal residence (winter focus) common. Full-time residency possible but requires commitment to alpine lifestyle year-round.

Gstaad attracts wealthy families and dynasties seeking discretion:

• Lifestyle: Traditional Swiss chalets, discreet luxury, family-oriented, excellent hiking/skiing, boutique shopping, Michelin restaurants, wellness spas.
• Real estate: Authentic chalets CHF 8M-40M+, family estates with land. More traditional architecture than St. Moritz. Long-term family ownership common.
• Education: Proximity to world-class boarding schools: Le Rosey (Rolle/Gstaad), Aiglon College (nearby). International schools Lausanne/Geneva 90 minutes. Major draw for families.
• Tax considerations: Canton Bern (Gstaad commune). Lump-sum taxation (forfait fiscal) possible in select cases. Requires negotiation with cantonal authorities. Minimum CHF 400k+ annual tax typical.
• Privacy & discretion: European aristocracy, business dynasties, entertainment industry. Less ostentatious than St. Moritz. Privacy highly valued.
• Advisory focus: Family office coordination (multi-generational wealth), trust structures, boarding school placement, property acquisition with Lex Koller navigation, discreet lifestyle services.

Best for: Wealthy families with children seeking private education, dynasties requiring privacy, HNWI preferring traditional Swiss alpine lifestyle over jetset scene.

Zermatt offers unique car-free alpine luxury at foot of Matterhorn:

• Lifestyle: Car-free village (electric taxis only), iconic Matterhorn views, year-round skiing (glacier), luxury hotels (Mont Cervin Palace, The Omnia), fine dining, hiking paradise.
• Real estate: Luxury chalets CHF 5M-30M+, ski-in/ski-out properties premium. Limited new construction due to car-free restrictions and topography. High demand, scarce supply.
• Tax considerations: Canton Valais. Lump-sum taxation (pauschalbesteuerung) available in Valais canton. Zermatt commune receptive to HNWI. Minimum CHF 400k+ tax, negotiable based on property value/living expenses.
• Residence permits: Limited quotas due to high demand. Property ownership facilitates permit application but not guaranteed. Advisory agencies navigate permit strategy.
• Sports & wellness: World-class skiing/mountaineering, alpine climbing, ultra-trail running. Wellness spas, private fitness trainers, mountain guides.
• Advisory focus: Property search (scarce inventory), permit navigation (quota limitations), lump-sum tax negotiation with Valais authorities, lifestyle concierge (mountain guides, property staff).

Best for: HNWI passionate about skiing/mountaineering, those seeking car-free tranquility, sports enthusiasts wanting year-round alpine activities, Matterhorn enthusiasts.

Andermatt is Switzerland's newest luxury alpine development:

• Development: Andermatt Swiss Alps mega-project by Samih Sawiris (Egyptian billionaire). New luxury apartments, chalets, hotels (The Chedi Andermatt 5-star), golf course (18-hole designed by Kurt Rossknecht).
• Real estate: New-build luxury apartments CHF 2M-10M+, chalets CHF 5M-20M+. Modern architecture mixed with traditional alpine style. Purchase opportunities in new developments.
• Skiing: SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun, modern lifts, excellent snow conditions, proximity to Gotthard Pass. Less crowded than St. Moritz/Zermatt.
• Tax considerations: Canton Uri. Standard Swiss taxation. Lump-sum (pauschalbesteuerung) not commonly granted in Uri. Entrepreneurial residents welcomed for economic contribution.
• Investment angle: Real estate investment opportunity in growing resort. Rental income potential from luxury apartments. Golf course memberships, resort amenities.
• Advisory focus: Property investment analysis (new developments, rental yields), golf membership coordination, entrepreneur-friendly residence permits, wealth structuring.

Best for: HNWI investors seeking alpine property appreciation potential, golf enthusiasts, those preferring modern luxury amenities over traditional villages, entrepreneurs wanting Swiss residence.

Crans-Montana attracts French-speaking HNWI and lifestyle-focused residents:

• Language & culture: French-speaking Valais. Attracts Francophone HNWI (French, Belgian, Middle Eastern French speakers). Different cultural feel than German-speaking St. Moritz/Gstaad.
• Lifestyle: Sunny plateau (300+ sunny days/year), golf courses (Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club hosts European Masters), luxury hotels, Michelin dining, thermal baths (Leukerbad nearby).
• Real estate: Villas CHF 3M-20M+, luxury apartments CHF 1M-8M. More affordable than St. Moritz/Gstaad while maintaining luxury standards. South-facing sunny plateau prime real estate.
• Tax considerations: Canton Valais. Lump-sum taxation (pauschalbesteuerung) available. Crans-Montana commune receptive to HNWI applications. Minimum CHF 400k+ tax, negotiated based on property/lifestyle expenses.
• Education: Montana Institute (international boarding school), French/bilingual schools. Proximity to Lausanne international schools (90 minutes).
• Advisory focus: French-language advisory services, lump-sum tax negotiation with Valais, property search (sunny plateau), lifestyle coordination (golf, wellness), family office integration.

Best for: French-speaking HNWI, golf enthusiasts, those seeking sunny alpine climate, families wanting French-language education, HNWI preferring lower-key luxury than St. Moritz.