Winter has arrived in most parts of Europe and the ski season is kicking off. We’ve taken a look at the most popular ski destinations in Europe based on hotel searches, then added 6 skiing essentials to reveal the best destinations for you bargain hunters out there.
For skiers who want to get big air as well as big savings, we’ve considered accommodation, rental equipment, a one day ski pass, lunch, dinner and the ever necessary après-ski aperitif.
The verdict? Germany is the cheapest country for your next ski holiday. On the opposite end of the scale, perhaps unsurprisingly, are Switzerland and France, coming in at a whopping 22% more expensive than Austria, the fourth most expensive.
If you still fancy Switzerland, head to Geneva for the best deal. However, if saving money on food and drinks is most important, Trento in Italy or Salzburg in Austria are your best bet, with the daily average food including lunch, dinner and an après-ski beverage coming in at just 19GBP. To save on accommodation, León, Spain is a good option, where the average price for one night in a hotel is just 43GBP.
Why not ski the slopes less travelled? Accomplished skiers looking for new trails to blaze this season, will appreciate trending off the beaten track destinations in Eastern Europe. New slopes to conquer is one thing, but some in particular will also save you a pretty penny. Nab the ultimate bargain by planning your ski trip to Macedonia’s northwestern city of Tetovo (near Popova Sapka resort), where you can save up to 82% on accommodation compared to Poland. In fact, the median price for a one night hotel stay in Tetovo is less than half the price (62% less) of the cheapest destination in Western Europe (Wernigerode, Germany), making it a dream come true if you want to ski on a budget.
We know skiing is right up there on the list of winter holiday activities for many Brits. It really pays to account for the costs off the slopes, including travel to and from, when choosing your final destination. Breaking it down can help you choose between the most popular destinations and some very affordable alternatives.
*This analysis is based on hotel searches for the most popular ski regions in Europe. Hotel prices are based on the average median price for any travel dates between 01.12.2015-15.04.2016. Average prices for local goods and services are based on desktop research. Prices are subject to change or offers may no longer be available.
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