Budget Friendly European Ski Resorts
Skiing and snowboarding are awesome activities that should be accessible to everyone. The beautiful mountain scenery coupled with the adrenaline of turning down a pristine ski slope is hard to beat. That is why millions of people enjoy a European ski trip on a yearly basis.
Sadly one of the major barriers preventing potential skiers from trying a ski holiday is the price. Many people assume that skiing and snowboarding can only be enjoyed by the wealthy, but this is not the case. However, if extravagance and luxury are what you are after there are also plenty of European ski resorts that will fit the bill.
With this in mind, I have used my experience to handpick a selection of great-value ski resorts that won’t hurt your budget but still have great facilities. Could these be the best-value European ski destinations?
1. BULGARIA
Bulgaria is a great option as a budget-friendly ski and snowboard destination. With three main resorts; Bansko, Borovets & Pamporovo, not to mention a number of smaller resorts, there is plenty to choose from. Bulgaria is also a great option for those looking for a holiday with no stress.
Most accommodation options in Bulgaria offer attractive prices on half-board accommodation close to the slopes. The ski schools are fantastic and have English-speaking instructors. Your lessons will be much more affordable than learning in France.
A quick google search found a one-week ski holiday to Bansko on a half-board basis for £500pp. That’s; flights, transfers, accommodation and food all taken care of, allowing you to make the most of your stay.
To learn more about Bulgaria as a ski holiday destination click here
2. SLOVENIA
The secret is out and Slovenia is now a mainstream destination. Luckily for you, a lot of the focus on Slovenia surrounds summer travel to the famous Lake Bled. Therefore people neglect winter trips ensuring that Slovenia remains one of the cheapest European ski destinations.
Photo @grotandthemob Krvavec Slovenia
The location of the Julian alps is a beautiful setting for a ski resort and Vogel doesn’t disappoint. Close to the shores of Lake Bohinji and a short drive from Lake Bled, Vogel is a small ski area offering 22km of uncrowded, unspoilt slopes.
Vogel is a perfect resort to learn at with a number of gentle slopes .The more experienced will be able to take advantage of the off-piste and terrain park. The resort has a few places to eat at very reasonable prices with a large pizza costing around €7.
For those considering this idillic location expect to spend around €600 for a weeks half board accommodation, including flights and transfers. Cheaper options can be found by booking Airbnb stays and considering a self-drive transfer from the airport.
3. ITALY
Italy is a big hitter on this list. It is home to some incredible ski resorts, some of which can be the opposite of budget-friendly! That being said I have dived into the archives to find some Italian ski resorts that offer exceptional experiences but remain affordable.
Recently I took a trip to the Skirama Dolomiti ski area where I was able to have a week’s holiday living on a very strict budget. Booking my accommodation via Airbnb I stayed in a self-catering apartment in the town of Castillo near Marilleva ski resort. Castello was perfectly suited to access 150km of pistes that allow skiing in the more pricey Madonna di Campiglio. You can find the apartment here
Similarly, there are a number of great Italian ski resorts that allow cross-border skiing. This means the budget-savvy can get their accommodation in Italy where the Euros go further but still ski in France as well. Consider La Thuile as a base to ski between Italy and Frances La Rosière ski resort.
A number of factors for your ski trip will be cheaper in Italy without sacrificing the quality. The food, ski school and lift passes are all generally cheaper than across the border in France.
4. FRANCE
Ok, I get it. I have just spent the last three suggestions stating how a trip to Bulgaria, Slovenia or Italy will be cheaper than France. For the most part, I stand by that statement however there are resorts and options in France that will allow you to stretch your budget.
In general, a ski trip to France will work out more expensive due to the ski-in ski-out accommodation and the cost of getting food in those purpose-made villages. However, there are destinations in France that will allow you to ski some incredible resorts but at a fraction of the cost.
Grand Massif
The Grand Massif is a combined ski area with snowsure skiing in the resort of Flaine. Linked to Flaine are the resorts of Les Carroz, Samoèns, Morillon and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval which offer great value for a trip to the Grand Massif. The resorts of the Grand Massif are linked by lift and free bus meaning that it is really easy to base yourself in Sixt but ski in Flaine. Similarly, Samoèns and Les Carroz have some great accommodation options. For example, I stayed in a small but convenient apartment in Samoèns. The apartment Les Rhodos was adjacent to the main gondola and above a brilliant French bakery.
The Three Valleys
Similarly to the Grand Massif, The 3 Valleys or Les Trois Vallees is a combined ski area. This world-renowned ski area is home to the resorts of Val Thorens, Meribel and Courcheval. These are fantastic but not for the budget conscience. If you are looking to save some money opt for Orelle or Brides Les Bains as your entry point to The 3 Valleys. A stay in Orelle offers access to the three larger ski areas via a gondola and lift links to Val Thorens. Once in Val Thorens your options are unlimited and allow you to explore the whole area. Staying in Orelle is great and you can see what this great ski area has to offer on a powder day here. Alternatively, a stay in Brides-Les-Bains means you are more central to the Three Valleys ski centres. A journey up the Télécabine De L’Olympe takes you into Meribel but at a much more affordable price.
5. ANDORRA
Andorra has favourable tax laws that bring down the cost of any trip to this beautiful mountainous region. There is no sales tax so consider the impact that will have on the cost of your lift passes, lessons, rentals and consumables.
A trip to Andorra still means modern resorts with fantastic facilities in an easy-to-reach location. Grandvalira offers 200km of pistes with a range of slopes to suit everyone. Set amongst the backdrop of the Pyrenees the views are stunning.
A real money saver for your trip to Andorra can be found in the cost of flights with the most popular access coming via Barcelona. Barcelona is an International airport where many budget operators will run multiple daily flights through. The transfer to the resort can be considered a little arduous at around 3 hours but buses run for around €15.
6. CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech Republic is well known for cheap holidays with its capital city Prague a favourite amongst budget backpackers. Renowned for its nightlife and cheap beer, the Czech Republic should not be cast aside as a boozy city break destination but embraced as a winter treasure chest. There are a number of incredible mountain areas around the Czech Republic including; the Krkonoše Mountains, Šumava and the Jeseníky Mountains.
All offering something different, the resorts of; Špindlerův Mlýn, Kouty nad Desnou and Klínovec are amongst the most popular. The latter of which forms part of a linked ski area with 140km of pistes in the North West of the country.
Harrachov, another Czech resort even offers lift passes for €10 per day with Rokytnice and Jizero offering 6-day passes for £75. Throw in the costs of accommodation and cheap flights into Prague and the Czech Republic might be a great option for a European ski trip.
