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The words ‘ski trip’ can make any bank balance break out in a cold sweat. But having an amazing time on the slopes doesn’t have to mean champagne in Gstaad. These cheap ski resorts in Europe offer plenty of powder in exchange for your precious pounds.
Considering it costs around €300 for a week’s ski pass in Chamonix during peak season, you’ll make a tidy saving by skiing a little way down the valley. In Les Houches, there are marked ski runs that range from 950m to 1,900m with epic views of the Mont Blanc Valley, so it’s perfect for leisure skiers. If you’re hankering for a black run and some open-air clubbing, Chamonix’s ski fields are only 8km away.
An ideal spot for couples or families, this Slovenian spot is a truly beautiful and peaceful ski area. Overlooking Lake Bohinj, Vogel is part of the Triglav national park. The modern cable car hauls people up from lakeside to the mountains in minutes, allowing skiers access to the largely treeless terrain which offers ample opportunity for off-piste exploration. Night life is low key, but with the capital Ljubljana a little over an hour away, a day trip is perfectly possible.
Jasná Nízke Tatry is Slovakia’s biggest ski resort, boasting more than 1,000m of runs and pistes on both sides of Mount Chopok. Beginners and experts (and very, very quick learners) won’t be disappointed by this cheap ski resort. But just because it’s a little-known snowsports destination, doesn’t mean that quality is lacking. It’s quite the opposite: world-class skiing facilities, just without the huge crowds.
Duty-free zone Livigno offers excellent slopes for intermediate skiers. But advanced skiers and snowboarders will be kept busy too – especially if they’re keen to explore off piste.
One of the Livigno’s big attractions is its excellent terrain park which has pro-sized jumps (think: house sized) as well as rails and kickers for mere mortals. The price of food and drink in and around the slopes is all very reasonable – meaning it’s popular with the younger ski crowd who come to party.
Söll is a small village in Tirol, often overshadowed by Kitzbuhel – which means it’s still relatively quiet and affordable, so practically perfect for families and new skiers.
This resort is part of Ski Welt, Austria’s largest network of linked ski slopes. Söll, Elmau and Westendorf are all great places to find a little chalet or ski-hotel, neighboured with local restaurants and bakeries.
Tirol’s other strength is its delectable baked goods. There are four different bakeries in Söll, so you’ll have to try kiachl (traditional fried dough) when you’re off the slopes, too.
While most of Europe flies to the centre of the Alps, some locals from France and Spain stay within the southwest. The Pyrenees mountain range has a totally different vibe to the Alps, with lower-key but no-less-stunning vistas.
If you want to ski but not obsessively, Andorra offers a great balance. Although Grandvalira is the largest ski resort in the Pyrenees, there’s much more to it than just skiing and snowboarding.
When your thighs need a break from the slopes, have a go at ziplining or go enjoy the alpine rollercoaster. And when it’s time to go, it’s easy to add on a city break into the neighbouring countries. Within three hours you can be in France’s Toulouse or Spain’s Barcelona.
Along with its cousins, Bansko and Pamporovo, the ski resort of Borovets is ideal for a bargain hunter. A lively, cheap and cheerful town, Borovets is the oldest ski resort in Bulgaria. Nestled at around 1,300m in the Rila Mountains, it’s made up of three separate zones.
The upper half of the mountain is largely above the treeline and offers plenty of wide-open pistes, most of which are fairly gentle – ideal for beginners and intermediates. The ski instruction here is top notch and the après-ski is lively, so it’s particularly popular with party animals and the younger crowd.
Away from the cheap ski resort, have a relaxing soak in the nearby thermal springs or go to Tsarska Bistritsa and stroll around a traditional Bulgarian village.
Poiana Brasov is Romania’s biggest mountain resort and certainly one of the nicest. The fairytale slopes, flanked by pine trees, are the perfect place to take your skis. With more than 24km of ski runs, there’s plenty to explore.
The nearby village has plenty of accommodation options and restaurants, with traditional Romanian fare and mulled wine keeping you warm at night. If you’re looking for day trips away from the slope, you’re only 14km from the medieval city of Brasov and 23km from Dracula’s Castle.
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