Booking a skiing holiday can often lead to a slippery slope of costs. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
If you are willing to shun the glitzy likes of Verbier in Switzerland and Courchevel 1850 in France, plenty of bargains are to be had at less fashionable resorts – which still offer excellent skiing.
Some people may remain sceptical about skiing (and the price tag).
American humourist P. J. O’Rourke was reported to have said, somewhat cynically perhaps: ‘The sport of skiing consists of wearing three thousand dollars’ worth of clothes and equipment and driving two hundred miles in the snow in order to stand around at a bar and get drunk.’
However, with a bit of planning – including steering clear of overpriced gear – hitting the slopes can be affordable.
Here’s our ultimate budget guide for the snowy season ahead.
AUSTRIA FOR LESS
Kitzbuhel Alps in Austria boast impressive and gorgeous mountains and slopes
Alpbach in the Kitzbühel Alps is often voted Austria’s ‘most beautiful village’ due to its pleasant cluster of wooden A-shaped chalets, elegant central church and winding lanes.
It may not be as well-known as the likes of St Anton, Ischgl and Verbier, but the skiing is extensive – it’s part of the Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschõnau ski area with more than 113km of slopes.
Enjoy Tyrolean hospitality at one of the many cosy restaurants, cafes and bars.
BOOK IT: Seven nights from £518pp staying at Haus Edelweiss hotel with flights from Birmingham or Gatwick on February 7 (igluski.com).
CHEAP IN ANDORRA
Andorra promises fantastic slopes – as well as excellent prices
Expect excellent slopes suited to intermediate skiers and beginners in Andorra, with some first-rate ski schools featuring English-speaking instructors.
The tiny principality in the Pyrenees between France and Spain is sometimes overlooked by those determined to go to the Alps, which means good prices are to be had. And with most slopes above 1,950 metres, snow is usually reliable.
BOOK IT: Seven nights at Hotel Kathmandu in Pas de la Casa, part of the Grandvalira ski area featuring 215km of pistes, is from £678pp half-board departing from Glasgow on February 1, with flights and transfers included. Or from Gatwick from £698 (crystalski.co.uk).
BANK ON BANSKO
Bansko in Bulgaria is perfect for skiing – as well as snowboarding
Bulgaria enjoys a low cost of living in resorts, especially its food and drink – you can have a slopeside lunch for less than £10, while a bottle of beer can be as low as £1.35.
Bansko is the country’s biggest resort with 75km of slopes, while Borovets has 60km. It’s a great place to go for a family ski holiday with plenty of nursery slopes for beginners and decent English-speaking ski schools. Lifts reach 2,500 metres, so it’s snow-sure.
BOOK IT: Seven nights’ B&B at Hotel Mura from £485pp with flights from Birmingham on February 7 – or from £480pp from Gatwick (igluski.com).
CUT-PRICE FRANCE
If you like the French Alps, you’re sure to love Chantemerle
Chantemerle is a charming town connected to the Serre Chevalier ski area of the Alps, with 250km of slopes.
It can get lively during après-ski at Bar Yeti and the Extreme bar. There’s also a nightclub, called La Dune, and L’Escapade Karaoké bar. Slopes suit all levels and include some challenging black runs, including one named after local French Olympic champion, Luc Alphand.
BOOK IT: Seven nights at Pierre et Vacances Serre Chevalier Chantemerle, a self-catering apartment, is from £803pp departing from Luton on February 8 or £747 from Gatwick (heidi.com).
CHAMONIX BARGAIN
Chamonix has challenging slopes, meaning plenty of top skiers flock here
At the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps at 4,806 metres, Chamonix enjoys some of the most testing slopes anywhere, with black runs and off-piste sections that attract some of the world’s top skiers.
The ski area is divided into distinct parts, including Aiguille du Midi (where the famous 22km Vallée Blanche offpiste route begins, requiring a guide) and Les Grand Montets, reached via the village of Argentière, featuring some of Europe’s best runs.
BOOK IT: Seven nights at Residence La Riviere self-catering apartments in January from £469pp including Gatwick flights (inghams.co.uk).
SPA HOTEL FOR A SNIP
Borovets is perfect for skiing in the winter in Bulgaria
It may look a tad old-fashioned but Hotel Samokov in Bulgaria’s second largest ski resort, Borovets, is bang in the centre of the resort, making lift access easy – and it also comes with a large spa with a lap pool.
There are saunas and hot tubs, too – and you may wish to book a massage to ease any sore muscles from skiing. The hotel also has a six-lane bowling alley (about £4 a game).
BOOK IT: Seven nights from £623pp with flights from Birmingham on February 21 (crystalski.co.uk).
VALUE IN FINLAND
Yllas ski resort slopes in Finland make for a perfect winter vacation
Yllas is the biggest ski resort in Finland, covering 53km with 62 slopes and 26 lifts – the longest run is 3km.
It’s a good choice for beginners and intermediates (with a few black runs) and slopes are quiet in a pretty setting amid pine forests. Cross-country skiers can explore endless tracks through the trees. Many people stay in lovely log cabins with fireplaces and private saunas.
BOOK IT: Seven nights in Yllas Log Cabins from £619pp with flights from Gatwick (inghams.co.uk).
TEMPTING ITALY
Skiing in the Dolomites is popular for a reason – the scenery is amazing
A treat awaits in the Dolomiti Superski area in the Italian Dolomites: the Sella Ronda, a 44km ski circuit connecting four resorts – Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba, and Val di Fassa.
You can travel either clockwise or anticlockwise and it’s essential to start early to avoid being stuck with the lifts closed at the end of the day. The scenery is dramatic with soaring peaks, while the skiing suits all levels.
BOOK IT: Seven nights at Hotel Cesa Rotic in the village of Alba, a short bus ride from Sella Ronda, from £554pp B&B with Birmingham flights on February 21 (igluski.com).
FRANCE FOR FAMILIES
Les Deux Alpes in the French Alps boasts snow-capped peaks
Les Deux Alpes has long been a favourite with British skiers due to its wide slopes, including many on Europe’s largest skiable glacier – which means snow reliability is good.
The village is at 1,650 metres on a high plateau close to Ecrins National Park, southeast of Grenoble, while the glacier skiing rises to 3,421 metres. Reasonably priced apartments add to the appeal as do a good selection of restaurants and après-ski bars.
BOOK IT: Seven nights at Vacancéole Résidence Andromede self-catering apartments from £364pp in January with Luton flights (heidi.com).
NORWEGIAN DEAL
Skiing in Norway is becoming an increasingly popular option for winter sports fans
Though many people associate Norway with high prices, rates at Geilo are reasonable – in fact, it comes second in the best-value resorts listed by the latest Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report.
Geilo has 46 alpine slopes covering 34km and 20 lifts. It’s suited to beginners (with good nursery runs for children) and intermediates, with reliable snow. The village overlooks the frozen Ustedalsfjorden lake.
BOOK IT: Seven nights at the Bardola Fjelltun self-catering apartments, which comes with an indoor pool, is from £654pp in February with Manchester flights (crystalski.co.uk).
ITALIAN-SWISS SPECIAL
Skiers enjoying summer skiing on Plateu Rosa in Cervinia
If you stay in the good-value Italian ski resort of Cervinia, you can ski over to glitzy Zermatt in Switzerland, enjoying the brilliant (often challenging) slopes beneath the Matterhorn mountain.
It’s linked to the Matterhorn Ski Paradise area and has a decent selection of beginner slopes. There are well-priced restaurants in the pretty village, while Lino’s Bar and the Thistles Pub are the places to go for après-ski.
BOOK IT: Seven nights at the Miramonti hotel from £478pp with Gatwick flights in April (weski.com).
COOL TIP-OFF
Panoramic views of Bardonecchia village, a ski resort in Italy
Bardonecchia in Italy is a quiet resort with 100km of slopes that has repeatedly come top for value in the Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report – based on costs including ski passes, rental equipment and the price of lessons.
Runs weave between pine forests with beginner slopes nearest to the village and more advanced slopes higher up. Snowboarders will enjoy the 2006 Olympics snow park.
BOOK IT: Seven nights at Residence Villa Linda self-catering apartments from £575pp with Luton or Liverpool flights (heidi.com).
MOREISH MORZINE
Morzine, popular for its excellent ski options for many levels, is situated in France
This popular French resort is within the Portes du Soleil ski area (covering a massive 650km of slopes suited to all levels) in the Savoyard region. It’s great for intermediate and beginner skiers, while the advanced can take on the famous (terrifying) Swiss Wall run above neighbouring Avoriaz.
The village is pretty and nightlife is buzzing, especially at Le Tremplin (with live bands), the Coyote Bar and the Cavern, open daily until 2am.
BOOK IT: Seven nights at Hotel Le Crêt from £739 half-board with Gatwick flights in January (igluski.com).
SAVOIE DELIGHT
Valmeinier mountains are popular for ski in the French Alps
Valmeinier is a medium-sized resort with 160km of runs reaching as high as 2,750 metres in the Galibier Thabor ski area in the Savoie area of south-eastern France. It’s mainly used by French skiers, so prices are not inflated by international visitors. It suits beginners and intermediates.
Activities include a ‘snake gliss’ – linked sledges that weave down like a snake – and husky rides.
BOOK IT: Seven nights at Les Hauts de Valmeinier self-catering apartments from £441pp including sixday lift passes. Return flights from Luton to Grenoble from £35 (snowtrex.co.uk, wizzair.com).
POLISH SECRET
Skiing in the Polish mountains could be a fantastic option if you’re saving money
Zakopane is considered the ‘winter capital of Poland’, lying in a valley between the Tatra Mountains and Gubalòwka Hill in the south, close to the Slovakian border.
The ski areas, mainly for beginners and intermediates (with a few black runs), are spread across 16 pistes with 20 lifts.
Expect cosy tavernas and restaurants serving grilled meats at reasonable prices. Activities included snow tubing, ice skating and sleigh rides.
BOOK IT: Seven nights at the Rezydencja Sienkiewiczòwka hotel from £381pp B&B, including Gatwick flights (weski.com).
How to save on the slopes Travel off-peak – avoid half- term and Christmas. January and March are usually best. Check whether avoiding Saturday travel reduces prices.If you book lift passes and rental equipment in advance, discounts are often offered. Go for self-catering apartments to save on the cost of evening meals. Take packed lunches rather than pay for expensive slopeside meals. Buy used ski gear – try whoski. com, usedski.co.uk, and ecoski. co.uk, which also offers rentals. Buy small tubes of suncream in the UK – it’s usually pricey in resorts. Ask locals for good-value restaurant tips – there are usually cheaper places hidden away from the main busy tourist areas. Take advantage of apres ski happy hours.
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