Want to try skiing but on a tight budget? This article is for you!
To make the most of your snow holiday, the key is to plan ahead. Book your accommodation and passes as early as possible, and arrange the rental of your gear and clothing. It's important to map out what you want to do during your stay — you don't have to ski every day, for example, so your ski pass won't necessarily be the same.
Photo by Victoire Joncheray on Unsplash
Our tips and tricks for heading to the mountains on a tight budget!
1 – Set your budget
First things first: set a maximum budget for your ski holiday and stick to it. This will help guide your decisions. For a cheaper ski trip, skip the upscale resorts and look instead at family-friendly resorts or a less fashionable but equally enjoyable area. You may have slightly fewer piste kilometres, but the prices will be far more attractive.
2 – If you can, opt for the off-season
The period in March and April just before the school holidays is ideal. Snow is still present in some high-altitude resorts. The same apartment can be rented for half the price in March/April compared to January. On top of that, ski resorts offer lower off-season prices, which is a real advantage. You'll also benefit from quieter resorts: more available staff, less crowded restaurants and shops alike.
3 – Find out about accommodation
Look out for resorts offering group rates. If you want to keep costs down, invite family or friends to join you on your mountain stay — that way you can easily split the rental price. Another option is to book your ski trip well in advance to take advantage of the best deals and have the widest choice available.
4 – Find out about ski passes
If you're travelling with family, there are often good deals for children — and even free passes for under-5s. Some resorts also offer family pass rates that are more cost-effective.
5 – Diversify your activities
Take part in free or low-cost activities during your stay. When heading to the mountains with family or friends, why not try sledging, snowshoeing, ice skating, a heritage visit or hiking? Equipment rental for these activities is far cheaper. And you'll have just as much fun!
6 – Save money on gear and equipment
The best solution is to rent equipment if you don't ski regularly or every year. You can also buy second-hand gear or ask people around you to lend you equipment.
7 – Eating out
We recommend doing your food shopping at a supermarket away from the resort, or before you leave home where you usually shop, before arriving at your rental. The small shops in ski resorts tend to be very expensive. Also, opt for a packed lunch format at midday if you're on the slopes.
And finally, here is a ranking of ski resorts for tight budgets:
- Gérardmer (Hautes-Vosges)
- Les Angles (Pyrénées)
- Méaudre (Vercors)
- Les Rousses (Jura)
- Chamrousse (Isère)
