Cheap ski holidays to the Alps

Find cheap ski holidays that suit your budget

Skiing in the Alps needn't cost a fortune. With the right choice of destination, timing and booking strategy, you can experience fantastic skiing at an affordable price. We have compared prices and gathered the best tips for you who want to find cheap ski holidays without compromising on quality.

The Alps stretch across several countries and offer hundreds of ski resorts with very different price levels. Some resorts have built their reputation on exclusivity and apres-ski, while others focus on budget friendly skiing with a family friendly atmosphere. The price difference can be considerable per person per week, so it pays to compare.

We have hand picked the resorts that offer the most value for money. What they have in common is modern lift systems, well groomed pistes and good ski schools, but without the high prices that come with the most famous names.

The cheapest ski resorts in the Alps

If you're looking for cheap ski holidays to the Alps, there are several resorts that stand out with low prices relative to what they offer. Here are the six most budget friendly resorts we recommend.

Flachau in Austria is one of the most budget friendly ski resorts in the whole of the Alps. The resort is part of the large Ski amadé area with over 760 km of pistes and 270 lifts. Despite the enormous offering, prices for accommodation, food and lift passes remain at an affordable level.

Wagrain is right next door to Flachau and shares the same ski area. Wagrain has a slightly quieter pace and is perfect for families wanting a cheap ski holiday with good facilities for children. Accommodation prices are somewhat lower than in Flachau, and the ski schools are known for high quality at an affordable price.

Lofer is a charming small resort that rarely appears on the top lists, which keeps prices down. The ski area is perfect for beginners and families, with wide, gentle pistes. Accommodation and food cost considerably less here than at the larger resorts, and the resort has an authentic Austrian atmosphere that's missing from the more commercial destinations.

Maria Alm gives access to the Hochkönig ski area with 120 km of pistes. The resort is family friendly, and prices are among the lowest in the Salzburgerland region. Maria Alm suits those wanting a genuine alpine village with good skiing without paying top prices.

Schladming is one of the larger resorts on this list and offers the 4 Mountains tour with 123 km of connected pistes. Despite the resort's size and well known name, prices are surprisingly affordable compared to resorts such as Ischgl and St. Anton. Schladming is an excellent choice if you want a large offering at a good price.

Dachstein West is one of the Alps' best kept secrets for budget conscious skiers. The ski area offers 142 km of pistes with a fantastic view of the Dachstein glacier. Prices for accommodation and lift passes are among the lowest in the region, and the resort has retained its genuine charm without the high prices that come with mass tourism.

Cheapest country: Austria, Italy or Switzerland?

The price differences between the Alpine countries are considerable. Here is an overview to help you choose the right country for your budget.

Austria is the most budget friendly option for British skiers. The country has a huge number of ski resorts competing for visitors, which pushes prices down. Food and drink in Austria are also cheaper than in Switzerland, and half board at a hotel usually offers good value for money.

Italy is an interesting middle ground. Resorts such as Livigno have duty free prices on goods and food, which makes eating out and buying equipment particularly good value. Canazei in the Dolomites offers spectacular scenery and good Italian food at prices that are often lower than in Austria.

Switzerland is the most expensive option. Grindelwald does offer a world class experience with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, but prices for accommodation, food and lift passes are 30 to 50 per cent higher than in Austria. Switzerland suits those who prioritise exclusivity and are willing to pay for it.

How to save money on your ski holiday

There are several tried and tested strategies for finding cheap ski holidays without giving up the experience. Here are the most important tips.

Book early. The best prices for stays in the Alps can be found if you book in summer or early autumn. Operators often offer early booking discounts of 10 to 20 per cent. You also get the widest choice of accommodation.

Or book last minute. If you're flexible with dates and destination, last minute deals can give you very good prices. Stays that haven't been fully booked are sold with substantial discounts, sometimes up to 40 per cent cheaper than the standard price.

Avoid peak season. Half term and the New Year holidays are the most expensive periods. If you instead choose to travel in January after New Year, in early December or in late March, you can save a great deal of money. The snow is often just as good, and there's less crowding on the slopes.

Choose a stay with hotel and lift pass included. A stay where accommodation and lift pass are included is almost always cheaper than booking the parts separately. Operators have negotiated special prices that aren't available for individual bookings.

Choose half board. Half board, that is breakfast and dinner included, is the most cost effective way to eat. You avoid restaurant bills every evening and can instead spend money on lunch and a coffee break out on the slopes.

Compare lift pass prices. Lift pass prices vary considerably between resorts. Large ski regions such as Ski amadé sometimes offer "early bird" prices on season passes or multi day passes that can save money on longer stays.

Price comparison: Ski resorts in the Alps

The table below gives an overview of the price level for our most budget friendly ski resorts. The price level is based on an overall assessment of accommodation, lift pass and food.

€ = Budget. €€ = Mid range. €€€ = Premium.

Book your cheap ski holiday now

Ready to find your next ski holiday in the Alps? See current offers and stays with hotel and lift pass included. The earlier you book, the better the price you'll get.

Frequently asked questions about cheap ski holidays

Explore more ski resorts

Want to know more about the individual resorts? Read our detailed guides with information about pistes, lifts, accommodation and snow reliability.

• Ski holiday to Flachau
• Ski holiday to Wagrain
• Ski holiday to Lofer
• Ski holiday to Maria Alm
• Ski holiday to Schladming
• Ski holiday to Saalbach
• Ski holiday to Livigno

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