Samnaun – the secret resort between two countries

Settled east of Switzerland in the Engadin valley, Samnaun is a small but special resort tucked away from the masses. This remarkable town just 1.5 hours from the airport is rich in authentic Swiss culture, has some of the world’s most reliable snow, and happens to be the only duty-free village in Switzerland. Samnaun also shares the Silvretta ski area along with Ischgl in Autriche, meaning you can easily ski between the two countries!

With properties becoming increasingly popular, a 50-million-euro investment into the resort and great projects on the horizon, we thought it was time to give you an overview of this lesser-known resort before it gets bigger. Take a read to hear about the 2026 updates, property opportunities and general vibe of Samnaun. 

Ski

From November up until May, the 239 km of slopes are available for all levels of skier with a wide variety of runs. Over 90% of the slopes are above 2000m with the highest point at 2872m; these high altitudes guarantee fantastic snow and long seasons. There are over 140km of red runs making it a paradise for intermediate skiers. The slopes of Samnaun are often basked in sunlight and offer peaceful and more tranquil crowds compared to Ischgl. However, if you want to ski into Austria, you can do so on the famous ‘Smuggler’s Run’. This iconic route has been made available to all levels of skier with bronze, silver and gold runs. It covers 40km of pistes and boasts many authentic restaurants along the way to keep the energy levels high! 

The resort is also known for its highly efficient lift system with a total of 46 ski lifts including brand new 8-seaters with heated seats warming you up as you go up the snow-capped mountains. Samnaun is famous for being the first ever ski resort with a double decker cable car which they have proudly integrated into their modern system. With the recent grand investment into the resort more lifts are on their way and will turn luxury developments such as The Edge, into ski in, ski out properties.

Other new updates include new lifts called the Höllboden C1 and Sassgalun C3 opening this year and Höllkar C2 opening next year. Samnaun is also working on improving their sustainability by adding solar panels on lift roofs as well as investing in mini hydropower projects for snowmaking and lifts.

Samnaun is also joining the prestigious Ikon Pass this winter season, opening it up to more international skiers and creating a global name for the resort. 

Investing

Buying property in Samnaun is becoming increasingly popular, as investors recognise the unique advantages of owning here. Thanks to its excellent proximity to Autriche, buyers who face restrictions in Ischgl often turn to Samnaun, where they enjoy the best of both worlds - Swiss ownership benefits combined with direct access to the Ischgl slopes. The resort is also highly accessible, located just 1 hour 30 minutes from Innsbruck airport, making it quick and convenient for international travellers.

One of the main beneficiaries from the infrastructure upgrades is the brand-new project The Edge. From spring 2026, work will start on a the brand-new lift system just 50 metres from the door of the development, giving owners ski in, ski out access directly into the Silvretta Arena. 

The Edge features 22 extraordinary apartments, designed with high quality and contemporary interiors. Owners can enjoy spa facilities, access to a swimming pool, on-site dining, and stunning balcony or terrace views. Two and three bedroom properties are available, with great prices starting at CHF 1,386,478.

With Samnaun’s rising popularity, rental demand is strong and fortunately for owners of The Edge, the flexible rental scheme enables high investment return. A professional hotel operator manages the entire process leaving the owners with only one job – to relax. With the new update of the Ikon Pass, Samnaun’s visibility and number of visitors is set to rise with prices inevitably going up in the near future too.

L'été

Samnaun is a true dual-season resort and has visitors arriving all year round. Once skiing ends, the sports continue into the summer with various events and festivals such as the Ischgl/Samnaun Ironbike and the Discgolf Swisstour – Samnaun Mountain Challenge. For exceptional Alpine food the Samnauner Gipfelgenuss festival is one to certainly attend. There are over 250km of hiking paths, countless biking trails and the iconic Sulnerferner residual glacier to visit if you’re up for a 7-hour hike! Of course, paragliding, rafting, tennis, padel, swimming and more are on offer too. 

As a tax-free haven, the town attracts visitors for the duty-free shopping alone. From Swiss watches to perfumes and clothes, the shopping in Samnaun is unbeatable and available every month of the year.

Due to the resort’s quiet nature, it is renowned as one of the most family-friendly resorts in the Alps. With nightlife thriving over in Ischgl, residents of Samnaun can enjoy peace away from the chaos, making it a great place for families with children. The resort complements into this with its many facilities and events just for the youngest generations such as the wooden-ball tracks and fairytale hikes.

Samnaun’s presence and status is set to rise high in the coming years making now a fantastic time to invest. If you would like to find out more or have any questions on properties in the Alps, don’t hesitate to get in touch and we would be more than happy to assist you.