THE advent of COVID-19 and its impacts on our lives appears to have only heightened the interest in alpine real estate.

Lachlan Castran, director at Castran, which is a major player in alpine real estate, particularly at Dinner Plain where father John was one of the original developers many decades ago, said interest has certainly grown significantly in the past 12 months, which was helping to drive up prices.

“There is an accute shortage of stock, and time on the market has greatly condensed for both blocks of land, small and large chalets,” Mr Castran said.

“The depth of the market is also very wide, ranging from families looking to get in for their first alpine property to others looking to trade up.”

Castran recently sold one of alpine Australia’s most significant chalets on the highly sought after Big Muster Drive, achieving the highest sales price so far this year at Dinner Plain.

Mr Castran said the agency also recently sold a block at Skyline in Dinner Plain for $500,000.

“It came with finished designs and all the plans and permits for a side by side duplex development,” he said.

“This was a good entry into the market and the build will start soon.

“It will be interesting to see the level of new builds in the stimulated market.

“From industrial land to the height of Mt Hotham’s most expensive properties the market is strong.

“I think people recognise the uniqueness of having Dinner Plain - a four season resort - in close proximity to a premiere mountain ski resort at Mt Hotham - with easy access on the Great Alpine Road all year round.”

Mr Castran said the agency was getting strong interest in two of the most significant chalets ever to be offered at Mt Hotham.

“Both are brand new, on freehold land...their level of finish, quality of build, size, location and views are outstanding,” he said.

The four bedroom, four bath fully furnished property at 12 Skyline Terrace at Mount Hotham has been designed by one of Melbourne’s leading architectural firms and its asking price of $2.7m includes priceless panoramic views across Australia Drift and Avalanche Gully.

For more details go to https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-mount+hotham-136558206

The brand-new freestanding freehold four-bedroom chalet at 5 Skyline Terrace has an unobstructed view of Hotham Village, the Summit and surrounding mountains, and is priced at $2.5m.

For more details go to https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-vic-mount+hotham-136558198