By far the favourite European ski destination, France consistently welcomes around a third of British skiers who are drawn by the convenience of a winter sports break in our near-neighbour country. Along with offering good no-fly travel options, skiers have a huge choice of wide-open slopes, lifts zigzagging across dramatic mountains and modern accommodation.
Best budget ski resorts in Europe this winter
09.11.2023 - 18:49 / lonelyplanet.com / Julian Alps
As every skier knows, there is something more fearsome than even the iciest cliff face: the cost of a ski trip.
A week’s lift pass in major European resorts can cost around €300/$321USD, with some rising to even dizzier heights. Add flights, accommodation fees and the breathtaking prices for standard burgers and flat beer and it’s enough to send shivers down your spine. In a time of rising cots of living; is there even such thing as affordable European ski getaway?
We slalomed across Europe to seek out the snowy grail: well-sized ski areas where a high-season six-day lift pass costs less than €275/$294USD. Here are the top ski resorts in Europe for budget travelers this winter.
Borovets has been a winter playground since the late 19th century. Hemmed by evergreens, its 36 miles (58km) of mostly blue (beginner) and red (intermediate) runs weave beneath Bulgaria’s mightiest peak, Mt Musala, reaching a height of 8398ft (2560m).
For better or worse, Borovets can be a favorite among snow-bound stag (bachelor party) groups who thunder down its pistes before stamping their ski boots in bars and basement clubs. Follow them towards cheap beers, but beware of drink promos involving rakia (a potent fruit-based booze).
Cost of accommodations: Budget accommodations often involve boxy hotels or basic apartments, but it’s hard to fault a week’s stay in a double room for around €300.
High-season lift pass price: Around €178/$190USD for six days.
How to get to Borovets: The journey from the capital city Sofia is around 90 minutes, with various companies running transfer services starting at €30/$32USD (and no extra charge for ski carriage). Even cheaper is a bus to Samokov and then a shuttle.
Beneath Slovenia’s mythic Mt Triglav, believed by early Slavs to be the home of a triple-headed deity, lies low-key Vogel Ski Resort. With 13 miles (22km) of blue and red pistes, it’s hardly one of Europe’s biggest resorts, nor is it reliably snow-sure: but Vogel’s a bargain, with unforgettable views of the Julian Alps.
After arrival, transport costs are zero if your guesthouse has signed up for the bus scheme across Bohinj Valley. Also free are beauty spots within close driving distance: Lake Bohinj (40 minutes) and ethereal Lake Bled (one hour), looking all the prettier under a dusting of snow.
Cost of accommodations: Some guesthouses shutter their doors for winter, but nightly rates in Ukanc, downhill of the ski lifts, skirt a budget-friendly €75/$80USD per double (with more options in Ribčev Laz).
High-season lift pass price: Around €188/$201USD for five days.
How to get to Vogel: Vogel is a 90-minute drive from Ljubljana Airport, or reduce costs with a train ride to Bohinjska Bistrica.
Sprawling across the France-Italy border, the
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
forbes.com
29.11.2023 / 09:03
European Ski Chalets For Billionaires
Searching for an over-the-top luxury ski chalet? Look at the poshest ski resorts in the Swiss and French Alps. In iconic resorts like Zermatt and Val d’Isère, you can find rarefied accommodations closer to contemporary winter palaces than ski houses, with dramatic views and amenities aimed at billionaires or would-be billionaires.
forbes.com
28.11.2023 / 18:27
Slow Skiing: 5 European Resorts For The Eco- And Wallet-Conscious
Skiing has long had a reputation as the sport of the ultra-wealthy, and this year it is set to be even more expensive as resorts hike up prices. However, if you look beyond the big-name slopes you’ll find plenty of alternative affordable options. You can also save money and do your bit for the environment by taking the train instead of flying.
traveldailynews.com
27.11.2023 / 09:48
Europe’s hotel construction pipeline shows slight year-over-year increases in project counts at Q3 2023
The European cities with the largest pipelines at the close of the quarter are led by London with 79 projects/14,078 rooms and Istanbul, up 20% by projects YOY with a record 48 projects, accounting for 7,936 rooms. Next is Lisbon, with 37 projects/4,070 rooms, then Dublin with 34 projects and a record 6,492 rooms, and Dusseldorf with 30 projects/5,465 rooms.
traveldailynews.com
27.11.2023 / 09:47
Launch of innovative ski transfer services by AirportTransfer.com for Winter enthusiasts
AT invites winter sports enthusiasts to experience the highest point of comfort and convenience. It has adopted the principle of providing a smooth and enjoyable transfer to passengers who want to go from the airport to popular ski spots with the first-class vehicle fleets and professional drivers of the most reliable local solution partners in different parts of the world.
traveldailynews.com
27.11.2023 / 09:44
Winner of the European Young Chef Award 2023 announced
The European Young Chef Award 2023 programme will conclude on 23 November with a visit to the Hauts-de-France region to discover the local gastronomy and producers, including Fromagerie des Freres Bernard in Wierre Effroy, and Brasserie des 2 Caps at the Ferme de Belle Dalle in Tardinghen.
euronews.com
24.11.2023 / 02:13
Healthcare, living costs and green space: The best places in Europe to retire to right now
Retiring abroad is a dream for many and often a shrewd decision as costs of living rise.
euronews.com
22.11.2023 / 23:59
Budget rail travel: Eurostar has announced thousands of discounted train fares for 2024
Train journeys are booming in popularity thanks to dozens of new rail routes and more eco-conscious travellers who want to avoid the hassle of flight delays.
lonelyplanet.com
22.11.2023 / 16:43
The world's best beaches to visit in winter
You don't need sunshine to visit the beach. These cold weather stretches of sand are just as majestic. Although they are usually packaged as sun, sea and sand, beaches do just fine without the sun part.
lonelyplanet.com
21.11.2023 / 14:55
12 of Prague's best cafes and bars to visit in winter
With fewer tourists and a frosted skyline of Baroque domes and soaring Gothic spires, Prague in winter can be the stuff of snow-filled fairy tales.
breakingtravelnews.com
21.11.2023 / 13:17
Ski Whizz! There’s snowfall in the Alps and 10% off ski flights too
There is ‘snow’ better time to take off to the slopes, as the first major snowfall of the season has hit the Alps, and Jet2.com is offering 10% off all ski flights for this winter too.
breakingtravelnews.com
21.11.2023 / 13:16
Val Thorens Voted ‘Best Ski Resort in the World’ for the 8th Time in 11 Years at World Ski Awards
Val Thorens, the highest ski resort in Europe at 2,300m, has again been named ‘Best Ski Resort in the World’ at the annual World Ski Awards, the only global initiative to recognise, reward and celebrate excellence in ski tourism.