Tips for saving money
Skiing is not a cheap hobby so it makes sense to be as canny with your euros as possible. We're not talking about stealing bread from breakfast to eat on the chairlift at lunchtime, but following our Mad Dog tips should reduce your visits to the cash point and get you some real bargains in the pricier places.
Travel
- Book your flights as early as possible to get the cheapest fares
Phone
- If you're planning to go to the same country more than once in a season, or you have friends that are, buy a local SIM card and share it
- Lost your friends on the mountain? Sending texts is usually cheaper than calls made or received on your UK mobile - alternatively buy some walkie talkies for free communication
Cash
- Check the charges imposed by your bank on cash withdrawals abroad. Some banks like Nationwide make no charge making it cheaper than a bureau de change
Equipment hire
- Pre-book your equipment hire via the internet - you can even ask for discounts if you're in a group
Food and drink
- All too often you turn up at a mountain restaurant and the food prices match the altitude. Use your our guide books or listings section to check prices before you turn up
- Beautiful weather? Find the local supermarket in town and treat yourself to a champagne picnic on the slopes rather than eating at a mountain restaurant
- On a budget? Find the bar used by the locals (there's always at least one) for your apres-ski rather than the one that's full of Brits on tour
- Fixed price menus usually offer the best deal even at expensive restaurants, and in France at least, the house wine is usually a good bet
- En famille? Check the our books or the our Listings pages to find restaurants that offer children's menus
Good-value places to eat: Tignes, France:
- Le Caveau, Val Claret centre, +33 (0)4 79 06 52 32.
One of the top restaurants in Tignes that offers a less expensive set menu of three courses for €27. Or try their fondues which are some of the cheapest in resort but also some of the best.
Courchevel, France:
- Le Chabichou Hotel, Rue des Chenus, +33 (0)4 79 08 00.
The weekday lunchtime set menu in the 2-Michelin-star restaurant is fantastic value for the quality of food and setting. Sit on the sunny terrace.
Meribel, France:
- Le Rond Point, near Marmotte and Rhodos pistes, +33 (0)4 79 00 37 51.
Generous happy hour every day from 4pm.
Val d'Isere, France:
- La Folie Douce, at the top of the La Daille gondola, +33 (0)4 79 06 01 47.
Ignore the expensive restaurant and eat in the high-quality self-service section, grab a beer from the keg on the terrace and dance to the music in your ski boots in the sun.
Verbier, Switzerland:
- Powder Spirit Bar, at the top of 105 Attelas 2 gondola, +41 (0)27 771 3291.
Budget spaghetteria on the mountain - pasta and a wide choice of sauces. Regular DJs as well.
Zermatt, Switzerland:
- The Pipe, Kirchstrasse 38, +41 (0)79 758 5324.
The season workers' local - serving African fusion food at reasonable prices. Nice for a change from cheese, pasta and meat-based dishes.
