11 December 2023 , 14:31
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Skiing may have a reputation for being an expensive hobby, but savvy travellers know that there are ways to bring down the cost of a European ski holiday.
Right on our doorstep, Europe is home to some of the best ski resorts the world has to offer, and with short flights and open borders, it may be easier than you would think to find affordable options. From the Alps in France to the Pyrenees in Andorra, you could be on the piste for less in the new year.
Online travel agents like lastminute.com, Love Holidays and ski-specialists Iglu Ski are offering great deals with flights and accommodation included, but don't forget that you'll still need to buy ski passes and ski school lessons separately.
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The resorts of France, Austria and Italy are more or less guaranteed snow during the winter, which is one reason the prices can be on the heftier side. But by looking a little at less popular destinations, such as Bulgaria, Andorra and some of the lesser-known European resorts, you could be able to get more for less.
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We've found five great affordable ski holidays that you can book today to get you dashing through the snow in 2024.
Hotel Mura, Bankso, Bulgaria
The beautiful resort of Bankso in Bulgaria (Getty)Set at the foot of the Pirin Mountains in southwest Bulgaria, the town of Bankso is the gateway to numerous ski and snowboard slopes on Todorka Peak, including the challenging Tomba run. It is also known for its cheerful demeanour with a wonderful selection of cheap eating and drinking options on offer with UK-themed pubs and traditional taverns serving Bulgarian craft beers.
Prices in Bankso are very affordable compared to many other European resorts, and there is a good mix of slopes for skiers of all abilities to enjoy.
The cosy interior of the Hotel Mura (Mura)The Hotel Mura offers cosy and comfortable lodgings and is located just outside of the old town. 1.2km from the ski lift, guests can unwind in the hotel spa and sauna after a long day on the slopes. Ski storage is available and there is parking on a first-come, first-served basis.
With a four-star rating on TripAdvisor, The Mura represents excellent value for money. One recent visitor left a review saying "Second visit to the Mura. Again for the price, it is an excellent hotel. Clean, comfortable and secure. Decent boot room and better breakfast than previously. The courtesy bus is always on time. Nearby there is a good Chinese also a great Baker and a very reasonable café called Traffic. We'll be back."
A seven-night stay departing on March, 5 starts from just £243 per person. Travelling with Love Holidays, the price includes return flights from London Luton to Plovdiv and seven nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. Hotel transfers and hold luggage will cost extra.
Vacancéole - Résidence Champamé, Les Deux Alpes, France
Les Deux Alpes is a ski resort in the French department of Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The village sits at 1,650 m and it has the largest skiable glacier in Europe and is France's second oldest ski resort behind Chamonix.
The famous French resort of Les Deux Alpes (Getty)Unlike some of the other big ski resorts in Europe, Les Deux offers lots of opportunities to save money on your ski trip, with reasonably priced French supermarkets and eateries available throughout the town, along with mid-range hotels and a range of lift passes and equipment shops available.
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Vacancéole - Résidence Champamé offers self-catering rooms and apartments that are great for a family holiday. They come with a seating area with TV, a fully equipped kitchenette and a private bathroom. Each unit has a coffee machine, while some rooms have a balcony and others also boast mountain views. Ski storage is also available.
The apartments at the Vacancéole - Résidence Champamé (Lastminute.com)Lastminute.com is offering a seven-night stay from January, 6, with flights from London to Lyon also included. Prices start from £249 per person for two people staying in one studio. One small cabin bag is included, but larger bags and checked luggage are extra.
Résidence Bordes D'Envalira, Soldeu, Andorra
The Andorran resort of Soldeu in the Pyrenees (Iglu)Soldeu is one of the most popular ski resorts in the vast Grandvalira ski area in Andorra. Perfect for learning to ski or snowboard, the region has an excellent ski infrastructure, fantastic ski schools and an abundance of English-speaking ski and snowboard instructors.
For intermediate and advanced skiers, there are over 210km of varied terrain and snow parks to enjoy and the six lift-linked sectors include the incredible slopes of Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo and Encamp.
Modern accommodation at the Résidence Bordes D'Envalira (Iglu)The Résidence Bordes D'Envalira lies in the village Bordes D'Envalira, in the district of Peretol, around 2.5 km from the resort centre of Soldeu and from the lift station. The comfortable accommodation comprises well-equipped self-catering apartments with kitchenettes that sleep between four and eight people.
Iglu Ski is offering a three-night stay with ski passes for as little as £254 per person. Flights and transfers cost extra.
Gartenhotel Rosenhof Kitzbuehel, Oberndorf, Austria
The village of Oberndorf is just outside St. Johann (lastminute.com)Austria is well known for its incredible skiing and the village of Oberndorf in Tirol offers lots of great skiing for much less than some of its more expensive neighbours. Close to 40 km of slopes and 1 km of ski routes winding through the Kitzbühel Alps, the area is well-known among winter sports fans, with many family-run inns and good snow conditions throughout the season.
Visitors can invest in a ski area pass called the 'Schneewinkel' that opens up a wealth of other possibilities, all linked by local bus services. But this area comes into its own when it comes to family ski holidays, with lots of ski schools, tobogganing, ice skating and of course, a lovely apres scene for the adults to enjoy.
A cosy room at the Gartenhotel Rosenhof Kitzbuehel (lastminute.com)The Gartenhotel Rosenhof Kitzbuehel is a friendly hotel located a short drive from the ski lifts. Guests can grab a bite from the snack bar/deli and buffet breakfasts are available daily. It also features a full-service spa, including a sauna and a fitness centre, and there are games and an arcade for non-ski days.
Lastminute.com is offering a three-night stay with flights included from London Gatwick to Salzburg with prices starting from £278 per person on January, 9.
Rio Piccolo, Molveno, Italy
The picturesque village of Molveno in Italy (Getty)The Dolomites are a fantastic place to ski, with some of the largest ski resorts in the country located close by. Molveno however is a small and intimate ski resort that offers Italian beauty by the bucket load.
Staying on the shores of a lake just steps from Skirama Dolomiti Adamello Brenta ski area, this resort is surrounded by the striking beauty of the Adamello-Presanella and Ortles-Cevedale mountain groups.
Alpine vibes aplenty at the Rio Piccolo (lastminute.com)The Rio Piccolo Hotel has a homely feel with each guestroom featuring its own kitchen with a refrigerator and stovetop. Rooms have private balconies with incredible views out across the village.
Lastminute.com is offering a seven-night stay with flights from London Stansted direct to Venice for £229 per person. Departing on February, 26, this is a brilliant price for a ski trip to Italy.
How to go skiing for less in 2024
With the additional costs of ski passes, tuition, protective clothing, skis, boots and more, this type of holiday is always going to cost a little bit more.
But if you live for the smell of that fresh mountain air and the feel of the snow beneath your skis, these tips could help you save money on your next trip:
- Choose when you go - it's cheaper if you can avoid the February half-term and Christmas. If you want to go as a family, look at the Easter end of the season to find better deals.
- Choose where you go - some resorts are better value than others with Bulgaria, Andorra, Italy and France all offering cheaper alternatives to some of the busier ski destinations.
- Buy second-hand - ski hire is expensive and even though you may have to pay extra to take your skis on the plane with you, bringing your own could save you money in the long run.
- Go as a group - skiing is one type of holiday where more is more. Groups can often get discounts on passes, ski school and other extras.
- Book afternoon ski lessons - most people want to get up and get their lesson out of the way before heading out on their own. This means that a cheeky afternoon lesson could work out cheaper in many ski resorts.
- Pack your own lunch - as lovely as it is to enjoy lunch in a posh piste-side restaurant, it can get pricey. Most ski accommodation is self-catering so grab something to take with you.
- Apres happy hours - Apres is as much a part of skiing as the snow that covers the mountaintop. Many bars offer happy hours in the early evening to encourage skiers off the slopes, have a drink or two now and save money later.