The weather is getting colder, the nights are getting darker earlier and ski resorts around the world are preparing themselves for another jampacked season of snowsports. Every year, millions of us grab our passports and race to the slopes to spend a week of skiing (and snowboarding) in the picturesque mountain range ski resorts.
It’s no secret that a ski holiday can equal to one of the most expensive trips of the year – ski pass, accommodation, flights, equipment rental and then of course money for après-ski parties each day, it definitely is not cheap. Fear not, Holidu, the search engine for holiday homes, has done the hard work for you. Here we have formed a round-up of the cheapest ski holiday destinations in Europe after checking more than 250 ski resorts and focusing on those that contain more than 50km of ski area in The Alps. Keep reading to find out which locations are the cheapest!
The cheapest ski resorts in The Alps! (price per person per day, including ski pass + accommodation)
France
- Thollon les Mémises – £35
Nestled between Lake Geneva and the Mémises mountains you will find the Thollon les Mémises ski resort. Located in the village of Real Savoyard, this is the perfect location for a family-friendly holiday on a budget, with a variety of activities on offer including a ski school for kids to take lessons at and cross country tracks. A trip here will only cost you £21 for the day ski pass and £14 per person for accommodation.
Total ski area: 50km Recommended for: beginner and intermediate
- Hirmentaz/Les Habères – Bellevaux/Habère-Poche – £37
The second French location is another one that is ideal for the whole family, and a place where you will definitely get more for your money. The ski stations of Hirmentaz, in the Bellevaux commune and Domaine des Habères, in the commune of Habère-Poche, link together giving you access to all of the ski areas they both offer. Only costing £22 for your day ski pass and £15pp for your accommodation, this location is cheap and cheerful.
Total ski area: 50km Recommended for: beginner and intermediate
- Arêches (Beaufort) – £41
Last up on our list for France is a charming, eco-responsible ski village which is overlooked by the stunning Mont Blanc. With 50km of mixed ability ski runs, numerous off-piste natural areas for the thrill seekers and a Freestyle Snow Park, this resort definitely has something to suit everyone. Also, there is no need to worry about snowfall levels here, as this resort boasts one of the highest annual snowfalls in the entire Alps. A daily ski pass costs only £26 and holiday rental for a night £15pp.
Total ski area: 50km Recommended for: all abilities
Holidu GmbH Riesstr. 24 Sarah Siddle, PR & Online Marketing UK 80992 Munich E-Mail: [email protected] Germany
Italy 1. Riserva Bianca – Limone Piemonte – £56
First up for Italy is the amazing Riserva Bianca resort, which is home to a mighty 80km of ski km and is known to be one of the most complete ski resorts you will find in the Southern Alps. Snowboarders will love it here due to the wide width of the runs, allowing you plenty of space to shred and carve your way down the slopes. A ski pass will cost £30 and home for the night £26pp, making this our cheapest Italian resort this year.
Total ski area: 80km Recommended for: intermediate skiers and snowboarders
- Pragelato – £68
At first glance this Italian village may seem like your average ski resort, but Pragelato has a number of very special features that make it a must-see for all mountain lovers. Firstly, it has its own links to sporting history: it was a major host location for many events during the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics! Secondly, Pragelato is linked via a modern cable car system to Via Lattea, also known as the Milky Way, which is one of the worlds largest ski domains. £31 for your ski pass and £37pp for an overnight stay.
Total ski area: 50km Recommended for: intermediate skiers and snowboarders
- Aprica – £59
Head to Aprica and you will not be disappointed – here you will find slopes to accommodate beginners taking to the slopes for the first time and seasoned professionals looking for some challenging runs. Just a two hour transfer drive from Milan airport, this a well-connected resort to reach. Still coming in cheap at £34 for ski pass and £25 per person for a rental, Aprica is another affordable choice for this winter.
Total ski area: 50km Recommended for: intermediate skiers and snowboarders
Holidu GmbH Riesstr. 24 Sarah Siddle, PR & Online Marketing UK 80992 Munich E-Mail: [email protected] Germany
Austria
- Nassfeld – Hermagor – £64
Boasting a whopping 100km of ski runs, this resort is surprisingly the cheapest Austrian one available but offers the most km of runs out of our entire 2019/20 list. This is the largest ski resort in southern Austria and lies directly on the border to Italy, meaning you can easily hop over and enjoy some Italian delicacies for lunch. The ski pass is on the pricier end at £42, but accommodation will only cost you £22pp making this an amazing deal considering the facilities on offer.
Total ski area: 100km Recommended for: intermediate
- Großeck Speiereck – £65
Suitable for skiers, boarders, cross-country enthusiasts and freeriding junkies alike, this Austrian resort has something for everyone. There is even the chance to hop on a horse- drawn sleigh ride that will take you through the snowy forest landscape! As well as having 50km of ski area available, Großeck Speiereck also has one of the longest slopes in the Lower Tauern mountains. Here it will cost you £37 for the daily ski pass and £28pp for overnight accommodation.
Total ski area: 50km Recommended for: beginner
- Grossglockner Heiligenblut – £67
Find yourself at the top of the highest mountain in Austria if you choose to take a trip to this ski resort. Take in the panoramic views of the 3,798m high Grossglockner as you drift down one of the many kilometers of piste. Wake up at the crack of dawn and catch the first lift up the mountain to get the sweet views that come with the bluebird day conditions and snag the first run of the day as the sun is rising and the powder is fresh. At £40 for your day ski pass and £27pp for your overnight stay, this definitely a reasonable price considering the magical setting.
Total ski area: 55km Recommended for: freeriding
Holidu GmbH Riesstr. 24 Sarah Siddle, PR & Online Marketing UK 80992 Munich E-Mail: [email protected] Germany
Switzerland
- Brigels-Waltensburg-Andiast – £68
The slopes at this ski resort have a reputation for being a suntrap, with the slogan “where the sun likes to shine” being attributed to the location. If skiing or snowboarding isn’t your thing but you still want to experience the tranquility that an escape to the snowy mountains provides, this resort is perfect as it also has a number of trails for sledding, snow tubes, snow mobiles and winter hiking trails to accommodate all types of outdoor adventurers. A daily ski pass will cost you £35 and an apartment for the night £33pp, making this the cheapest Swiss location.
Total ski area: 50km Recommended for: intermediate
- Mythen Region – £69
Gather up the whole family and head here where you can have hours of fun flying down the 3.5km long toboggan run! The ski area is well connected with 22 chair lifts allowing you to easily navigate yourself up each area of the mountain. Mythen Region’s close proximity to Zurich and cheap price means there is no excuse for you not to enjoy a trip to the Swiss mountains. A trip here will cost you £37 for the ski pass and £32pp for overnight accommodation.
Total ski area: 50km Recommended for: intermediate
- Savognin – £71
With an impressive 80km of ski slopes on offer, Savognin is our last but definitely not least resort we have to mention. Aside from the wide choice of beginner and intermediate slopes for the seasoned professionals, here you will also find a children’s piste which is tailored for all of the mini skiers and boarders who come to hit the slopes. Only setting you back £45 for the ski pass and £26pp for the accommodation, this is definitely a great offer in comparison to some of the more well-known resorts you can find in the notably expensive Swiss Alps.
Total ski area: 80km Recommended for: beginner and intermediate
Holidu GmbH Riesstr. 24 Sarah Siddle, PR & Online Marketing UK 80992 Munich E-Mail: [email protected] Germany
The most expensive ski resorts in The Alps
Unsurprisingly, our study revealed that the most expensive resort in The Alps is located in the notoriously pricey Switzerland. Skiing in Zermatt is incredibly popular due to its status as the best resort in the country, offering over 300km of ski area, but totals at £157 for a ski pass and overnight accommodation. If you choose Italy as your winter destination, a trip to Cortina d’Ampezzo is sure to leave you spending the most. A total cost of £143 is expected as this resort attracts a wealthy and aristocratic European crowd. Where Austria is concerned, the “Diamond of the Alps”, Obergurgl, is the most expensive resort in the country. Costing £134 for the day/night stay, it is frequently the location of choice by many British tourists and wealthy international clientele. Finally, a ski holiday to the world’s largest ski area, Les Trois Vallées, is where you will spend the most in France, at £89. Due to the unbeatable size of this resort, the high costs attributed to it do not come as a shock.