A ski holiday usually does not come cheap. But you won’t just be lying on a beach; you’ll be taking part in the thrilling action and then winding down in the evening with great food and drinks. You might be taking the whole family, all of who have their own needs to be catered for. Or you might be living it up with a group of friends. But it’s still doable on a budget.
costs down is dependent on the resort, so it’s important to make the right choice. Think about the exchange rate: North America and Switzerland are ruled out because of this. So Europe, and specifically, The Alps are more in reach.
You also need to consider the extras: ski hire, lessons, lift pass, and food and drink. Again, this is dependent on the resort. Below are the top four destinations to ski on a budget. They take into account reasonable costs across skiing and the added extras, plus the accommodation and surrounding areas to explore. They all offer brilliant skiing action and are rated top for their atmosphere and hospitality.
1. Val d’Isere, France
As Val d’Isere has grown from a rural village to modern resort, it has kept its charm, making it obvious why it’s one of the top destinations to ski in France. It also helps that it is more than affordable to ski there. The slopes vary in difficulty but all are surrounded by beautiful scenery. Then into the night time, the pubs come alive and offer a very reasonably-priced night out.
2. Les Deux-Alpes, France
At around 2300m, this high altitude of the Les Deux-Alpes does not command a high price. This is unusual, so this resort really is a gem. The snow is good and the accompanying town is large and lively. It has reasonably-priced hotels, apartment blocks and chalets. The queuing that comes with this availability is inevitable but worth it!
3. Livigno, Italy
Although Switzerland is off our list due to the exchange rate, why not stop somewhere close-by? Livigno is close to the border of Switzerland and so offers a good alternative. It’s tucked away and quite inaccessible, but those who make the effort to find it will be rewarded with a traditional village, modern lift system and open slopes for everyone from easy to intermediate. The snow is good due to the high altitude, even in this less snowy area of the Alps. And the reason why it’s so cheap? It has a duty free status.
4. Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria.
Saalbach and Hinterglemm form two villages, which have traditional architecture but lively atmospheres. They house a number of 4-star hotels but are still inexpensive for a skiing holiday overall, with food and drink prices helping keep the budget down. The slopes are mainly easy and there are gondolas and detachable chairlifts, plus are surrounded by woodland. The unique characteristics of this skiing area can be found in more detail here.
Images:
Les Deux-Alpes: Ruth Hartnup – https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruthanddave/83767327
Livigno: Luca Mascaro – https://www.flickr.com/photos/lucamascaro/4875672558