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| In the next few weeks | |
| 25% | |
| Before Christmas | |
| 26% | |
| A few days before I go | |
| 25% | |
| I've booked for next year! | |
| 23% | |
When ski holidays cost so much, many people can only afford one a year which just isn’t enough. But if you choose your resort wisely, you can find places that are not only a joy to ski but are kind on your wallet too. Although resorts such as Courchevel, Val d’Isere and Verbier are widely touted as the crème de la crème of skiing, there are many resorts in Europe and beyond that aren’t as well known but still have great pistes, lifts and villages – at a cheaper price to the bigger names. And even with the top places, there are still ways and means to make them affordable – see our Skiing on a budget article for top tips.
Soldeu
http://www.soldeuonline.com
No guide to cheaper resorts would be complete without a mention of Andorra, the original budget destination. Soldeu is another resort ideal for beginners, with reasonable lift pass rates and plenty of budget restaurants too (try Fat Albert’s for supper, then head upstairs to the bar). Although Soldeu is heading upmarket, you can still find deals here through companies such as If You Ski.
Schladming
http://www.schladming.at
Situated in the Enns Valley, the resort of Schladming has a thriving local community and offers skiing across the Ski Amade region (www.skiamade.com). Only an hour away from Salzburg (Thomsonfly, British Airways and Ryanair have direct flights) you can either visit for the week or the weekend. There’s a good selection of reasonably priced accommodation in and around the town. Try Pension Hoffelner in nearby Ramsau which has simple modern rooms and apartments. For food, head to Onkel Willy’s Hütte, on the Planai, for the hearty Haus Toast (griddled pork on toast with cheese).
Sölden
http://www.soelden.com
A popular, busy resort (famous for its classic Austrian après-ski scene) that has never really taken off with the Brits but has some bargain accommodation plus enough happy hours to save you plenty of euros. Fast Track Ski (www.fasttrackski.co.uk) has bed and breakfast holidays from around £350 per week.
Bansko
www.bulgariaski.com
Beginners are fast working out that there’s little point in paying a huge whack for your ski pass in the Three Valleys or Espace Killy if you’re only going to be skiing a handful of runs. That’s where smaller, cheaper resorts such as Bansko really excel. Foodwise, although traditional Bulgarian mountain food is on offer (try Kasapinova House) there are more and more Italian-style places to eat. Great for families too, as childcare is very reasonable – try First Choice for some family-orientated package deals.
Brides-les-Bains
www.bridesksi.com
Just a (25 minute) gondola ride from the heart of Méribel in this pretty valley town. The nightlife is a lot calmer (which some will see as a bonus) but you do have access to the Three Valleys’ amazing skiing without the scary price tag. Mountain restaurants in the area can be expensive though: the Cactus Café and Tremplin Brasserie (at the Chaudanne, Méribel’s main ski lift area) are good places to have a budget bite before hitting the slopes. Or buy your lunch in Brides and have a panoramic picnic. See www.brideski.com for apartments and hotels or book a package with Iglu Ski which often has special offers.
Courchevel
www.courchevel.com
Not a place that immediately springs to mind when saving money, to make Courchevel a budget resort you have to know your way around. Pleisure offers excellent value snowboarding holidays in catered chalets (you purchase your own flight to Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble or Chambéry). So far as eating and drinking goes, Le Forum in 1850 has a number of cheaper cafes including Au pain d’Antan and Chez le Gaulois. For après-ski head to places with free nibbles such as Bar Le Jump, next to the main ski area in 1850, or a good happy hour, such as the Bubble Bar in 1650.
Flaine
www.flaine.com
Increasingly popular with families, Flaine is the highest resort in the Grand Massif ski domain. Though the resort itself is no beauty, the skiing is great for intermediates and the good value childcare and restaurants are pulling the crowds in. Week-long holidays with Iglu Ski can be picked up for a steal – especially in low season.
Tignes
http://www.tignes.net
Snowsure Tignes has a couple of satellite villages – Les Boisses and Les Brévières - which are the ideal places to head for cheaper holidays with easy access to the Espace Killy. Chalet Chardons in Les Brévières offers half-board accommodation from £145 a week. You don’t need to spend a fortune on lunch either, though it’s sensible to avoid neighbouring Val d’Isère’s mountain restaurants. Try Alpage (near the Chaudannes lift) and Le Palet (near Tichot) which both offer good value food.
Cervinia
www.cervinia.it
On the other side of the Matterhorn from Zermatt is Cervinia; a smaller and cheaper base from which to experience the Matterhorn Ski Paradise. Crystal run cheap package deals in low season. Skiing on the Swiss side will incur an upgrade fee and you’ll also need to watch where you have lunch or your weekly spending money will be eaten up; a good choice is Testa Grigia, just on the border, where the huge portions are great value.
Lake Tahoe
www.skilaketahoe.com
Take advantage of the weak dollar and head to the States for some January skiing; with more than 500 runs in the area, you can cover a lot of distance for your money (plus you have the
opportunity to make a fortune at the local casinos). Virgin Holidays (www.virginholidays.co.uk) can be a good place to start looking for good-value packages.
