Whether you’re a seasoned slaloming pro who loves taking white-knuckled whizzes down black runs or a nursery-slope novice who prefers sipping vin chaud on sun-baked terraces, few things beat swapping the UK’s winter drizzle for the pristine snow of the Alps.
However, skiing’s magic often comes with a sting. Lift passes, equipment hire, even forking out for a lunchtime raclette, can all put a freeze on your finances. Put simply, powder is pricey.
Fortunately, there are ways to indulge your love of the slopes without breaking the bank, from selecting the right operator (such as ski specialists Sunweb) to investing in pre-loved skiwear. Here are eight ways to make your money go further …
1. Book packages with ski lift passes included
Reaching those pistes can be expensive. The price of ski lift passes has soared in recent years due to dynamic pricing and resorts investing in snowmaking machines. A one-day lift pass in the Trois Vallées in the French Alps now costs €81.80 (£70.40) for an adult and €67 for a child.
Booking through Sunweb can help. All its ski package holidays have lift passes included in the overall price, thanks to the travel firm having worked with resorts and lift-pass providers for the past 30 years to get the best rates. Found the same holiday at a lower price with another provider? No problem: Sunweb offers a lowest price guarantee.
2. Some packages cover ski and board hire too …
The cost of ski equipment can be daunting, particularly for beginners. Skis, boards, boots and goggles can all add hundreds to your trip.
If you’re heading to the French Alps, Sunweb offers free bronze ski and board gear as part of its flights-and-transfer ski packages. These skis are perfect for learners because the softer flex of the skis makes them easier to control. The best part? You won’t need to lug any kit through the airport (or pay sky-high baggage fees): simply pick up your equipment at a local ski shop at your destination.
3. Fill your suitcase with pre-loved gear
First-timer? One way of avoiding shelling out for pricey kit is leaning into the secondhand clothing trend. At the time of writing, a £5 pair of salopettes can be found on Vinted, while Depop has ski jackets for less than £30. Sustainable skiwear brands Ecoski and WhoSki also offer pre-loved winter clothing and rental gear.
If you’re staying in the French Alpine resort of Morzine, circular economy shop Montagne Verte is chock-full of pre-loved clothes and sports equipment. Don’t forget: a pair of yoga leggings make perfect stand-ins for thermals too.
4. Get travel protection (note: it’s a no-brainer)
Should your black run adventures go awry, remember mountain rescue no longer involves cute St Bernards bearing brandy. Instead, a pay-per-minute helicopter is likely to be scrambled (€1,000-10,000/£860-£8,600 overall), followed by costly hospital expenses (don’t even ask about repatriation bills).
Revisit your travel insurance documentation and check its winter sports coverage includes medical treatment, mountain rescue, repatriation, as well as lost lift passes, avalanches and lost or stolen equipment. Also, take note of anything that could invalidate your claim, such as skiing off-piste, ignoring helmet rules or snowboarding after too many glühweins.
Finally, book with an Abta- and Atol-protected operator (look out for these logos on the firm’s website), which will cover you if your flight is cancelled or the company runs into trouble.
5. Swap ritzy resorts for more affordable alternatives
If your social feeds swarm with travel content, you’ve probably stumbled upon the ‘destination dupe’ craze whereby well-known locations are substituted by more budget-friendly options. When it comes to Europe’s top skiing spots, destination dupes make a savvy financial choice.
While the likes of Courchevel, Gstaad, St Moritz and Verbier are justifiably famous for their swoon-worthy scenery and lively nightlife, they’re also playgrounds for the super-rich and so popular with the Moët-at-five set that a cappuccino can set you back €8 (never mind a glass of champagne).
Instead, check out Sunweb’s deals for SuperDévoluy, France (£132 a week w/ lift pass), Bardonecchia, Italy (£333 a week w/ lift pass) and Ischgl, Austria (£473 a week w/ lift pass). These resorts offer the same snow reliability, virgin powder and Insta-friendly vistas as their more celebrated siblings, but without the hefty price tags. Need more convincing? Just look at the après-ski prices. In Solden, Austria, a round of five drinks costs €22.50. In chi-chi Méribel, it’s €60.00.
6. Time it right
Granted, ski holidays are big-ticket purchases for most families, especially during Christmas and New Year, and February half-term breaks. Booking early, ideally before summer (sorry!) is the best way to lock in cheaper deals. Keep an eye out for promotions too, perhaps subscribing to Sunweb’s newsletter – which sends new deals directly to your inbox.
7. Drive to Europe, or take the train or coach
Given the hefty baggage fees imposed by airlines, driving to the continent (10-14 hours from London to the French Alps; 14-15 to Andorra) is far more cost-effective, especially when using Sunweb’s self-drive packages.
Of course, travelling by train is the most eco-aware option. You can get from London St Pancras to the Alpine hub of Bourg-Saint-Maurice in France in as little as eight-10 hours, via Lille or Paris.
Alternatively, the Snow Express coach runs from London to more than 40 French resorts. The trip takes 10-15 hours, with luggage included in the price, and no oversized baggage charges. Journeys are overnight too, giving you more days on the slopes.
8. Stay low, pay less
The higher up the mountain, the higher the prices, as businesses know their captive customers are unlikely to venture downhill to shop or dine. Staying at a lower altitude and taking a gondola to the pistes every day means you’ll still be able to carve turns without carving up your budget.
For those who’d rather be closer to the action, self-catering chalets are another cost-cutter, especially in the French Alps where many come with kitchens (and even fondue sets). Just remember to buy groceries in valley villages before heading up.
