Cheapest ski resorts for Brits have flights from £26 and budget ski passes

16 November 2023 , 14:08

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Hurray for a cheap skiing experience (Image: Getty Images)

A family of four could be whizzing down the slopes for a week for just £500, flights included, at one of Europe's cheaper ski resorts.

The ski season has got off to a very strong start this year, after a horrible first couple of months in 2022. The bare, muddy slopes of November and December 2022 have been replaced with an unusually significant snow fall that has led a number of resorts to open early.

Skiing, like almost everything else, is not immune to inflation. Some of the fancier resorts in the Alps such as Val Thorens charge around £300 for a week-long adult ski pass on top of chalets and an après ski offering that is anything but cheap. According Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner’s destinations and trends expert, "having an amazing time on the slopes doesn’t have to cost a small fortune".

If you have a passion for snowploughing but don't want to break the bank, then the below resorts - which have been highlighted by Skyscanner - are your best bet.

Les Houches, France - return flights from London to Geneva for £47

Bulgaria is a great bet if you're looking for a cheap ski break (Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RF)

Considering it can cost £260 for a week’s ski pass in Chamonix during peak season, you’ll make a tidy saving by skiing a little way down the valley where you'll get the same lift access for closer to £200 for adults, and around £160 for kids. Laura adds: "Les Houches in France is perfect for leisure skiers with its stunning view of the Mont Blanc Valley – plus if you’re after something a bit more fast paced both in terms of après and the slopes, Chamonix is only 8km away.

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Vogel, Slovenia - return flights from London to Ljubljana for £51

An ideal spot for couples or families, this Slovenian spot is a truly beautiful and peaceful ski area. A family of two kids and two adult can hit the slops here for around £600, which is a very competitive price considering how lovely an area to ski in it is. Laura adds that the resort overlooks Lake Bohinj which can make for a "beautiful and peaceful trip".

Jasná Nízke Tatry, Slovakia - return flights from London to Poprad for £28

Jasná Nízke Tatry is Slovakia’s biggest ski resort, boasting more than 1,000m of runs and pistes. If bought in advance, a week's adult access to the lifts can be yours for £160. The resort has a reliable snow making system which means the skiing there is good, while also having a few steep black runs above the main village that will keep more advanced skiers going. "For a wider range of runs, Jasná Nízke Tatry in Slovakia boasts world-class skiing facilities without the crowds," says Laura.

Livigno, Italy - return flights from London to Milan Bergamo for £26

Skiers on the mountains in Livigno, Italy (Getty Images/EyeEm)

Duty-free zone Livigno offers excellent slopes for intermediate skiers. Those under 15 can hit the slopes for around just £60, which spells big savings for families with younger children. "For off-piste adventures look no further than Livigno, Italy," says Laura. "It has an excellent terrain park with pro-sized jumps as well as rails and kickers for mere mortals. The price of food and drink in-and-around the slopes is reasonable and it’s popular with the younger ski crowd who come to party."

Söll, Austria - return flights from London to Munich for £84

Söll is a small village in Tirol, often overshadowed by Kitzbuhel – which means it’s still relatively quiet and affordable. That doesn't mean that there isn't great skiing to be found here. However, it does come at a bit of a cost, with a week's skiing during the high season for an adult costing £300.

Grandvalira, Andorra - return flights from London to Barcelona for £30

While most of Europe flies to the centre of the Alps, some locals from France and Spain stay within the southwest, making the most of diminutive Andorra's beautiful mountain range and its interesting tax laws.

Borovets, Bulgaria - return flights from London to Sofia for £26

Borovets Ski Resort (Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RF)

Along with its cousins, Bansko and Pamporovo, the ski resort of Borovets is ideal for a bargain hunter. If you love cheap beer and a cuisine primarily focused around grilled meat and white cheese, as well as a decent number of ski runs, then it's the place to go. According to Laura, it's also "known for its lively après-ski if that’s what you’re after".

Poiana-Brasov, Romania - return flights from London to Bucharest for £31

Laura says: "Poiana Brasov is Romania’s biggest mountain resort and certainly one of the nicest. The fairytale slopes, flanked by pine trees, are the perfect place to take your skis. With more than 24km of ski runs, there’s plenty to explore. The nearby village has plenty of accommodation options and restaurants, with traditional Romanian fare and mulled wine keeping you warm at night. If you’re looking for day trips away from the slope, you’re only 14km from the medieval city of Brasov and 23km from Dracula’s Castle."

During the peak season a family of four could spend a week on the slopes for just £360, which is one of the most competitive prices you're like to find in Europe. It is worth noting that Bucharest Airport is a three hour transfer from the resort.

Milo Boyd