Skiing doesn't have to cost you a lot. You can relax for adequate money at popular ski resorts in France, Austria, Italy, and at less popular ones in Slovenia and Bulgaria.
So, the Time Out collection includes 9 places.
Note that the prices are for the 2024-2025 season.
Le Menuir, France
Le Menuir often finds itself in the shadow of the powerful trio of Val Thorens, Meribel and Courchevel.However, the resort shares a ski area with the latter two. Thus, staying here gives you access to 370 miles of world-famous slopes, where there is an option for everyone, from those who are starting to ski for the first time to experts who want to ride off-piste. The housing is represented by buildings from the 1960s and high-rise buildings: it is simple, but this is what makes the resort affordable.Besides, when the days are spent on the tracks and the evenings are spent having an aperitif, aesthetics are not a priority.Ski passes for three valleys, including Les Menuires, in the 2024/25 season cost 395 euros for six days.
Borovets, Bulgaria
Borovets, along with Bansko and Pamporovo, is one of the most underrated and budget ski resorts in Europe.Borovets is guaranteed to have a lot of snow due to its location in Rila, the highest mountain range in Bulgaria.
Comfortable hotels, equipment rental and skiing lessons are waiting for you for less than half the cost of a trip to St. Anton or Val d'Isere.
In terms of the length of the trails (58 km), Borovets is inferior to many other European ski resorts. The slopes here are mainly designed for beginners and intermediate skiers. The place is ideal for those who want to try their hand at this sport.
The cost of accommodation in Borovets hotels starts from 45 euros per night.
The resort is easily accessible from Sofia.Vogel-Bohinj, Slovenia
Slovenia, usually popular for summer trips to the shores of Lake Bled, is also famous for heavy snowfall in Triglav National Park.There are only 22 km of trails, many of which are simple and gentle, but there are also many unspoilt sections for adventurers.
A lift pass is about two times cheaper than at other well-known European resorts. Climbing up, you will admire the view of the ice-covered Lake Bohinj.
Ski passes in Vogel cost 220 euros for seven days for adults and 110 euros for children.Bled and Ljubljana are less than an hour's drive from the resort.
Livigno, Italy
Livigno is part of the Italian Dolomites.More than 115 km of ski trails, a snowboarding park with black trails and duty-free shops are what attracts tourists here.
Food in Livigno is inexpensive, as is comfortable chalet-style accommodation, and ski passes can be combined to gain access to nearby Swiss St. Moritz, which, of course, is not at all budget-friendly Livigno is located near Milan, where you can go to have fun in night bars and clubs. Due to this neighborhood, the resort is popular among young people.
In the high season of 2024, the cost of a ski pass for a week is 363 euros, and hotel accommodation starts from 250 euros for two.
The nearest airport to the resort is Milan-Bergamo.
Arinsal, Andorra
Andorra is a small country, but what it has a lot of is mountains - they are almost everywhere you look.
The Vallnord resort in Arinsal has 90 km of trails reaching heights of over 2,500 m. Red and black trails are located closer to the peaks, and intermediate skiers should go to the Pala area, where there are difficult trails and ski schools to practice their skills.On those days when you take a break from skiing, you can go to the capital of Andorra la Vella.
Conveniently, multi-day ski passes do not have to be used in a row.
Ischgl, Austria
Ischgl is located in the mountains of the Tyrolean Highlands. Regardless of whether you are snowboarding, skiing or just relaxing, the resort will delight you and (in most cases) will be cheaper than staying at other resorts. Ischgl has joined forces with the nearby Swiss resort of Samnaun, which means that there are 365 km of trails for skiers of various levels of training, as well as excellent off-piste areas. The season usually lasts from November to May, and if you arrive at the beginning or end of the season, the ski pass will be slightly cheaper. The accommodation is diverse, with lots of "ski-in, ski-out" options, but they are usually booked before the first snow falls.
Serre-Chevalier, France
The resort boasts 250 km of ski trails, the largest ski area in the Southern Alps. At the same time, Serre-Chevalier is more accessible due to the variety of accommodation options. Nearby towns are Saint-Chaffrey, La Salle-les-Alpes, Le Monetier-les-Bains, Brianson and Chantemerle, each of which has a variety of accommodation options.By the way, the last three cities have their own ski passes if you do not want to use the Serre-Chevalier combined pass.
The resort is suitable for skiers of all levels, but it is considered especially good for family holidays: jogging for beginners is held here, family passes are valid, and the number of night parties is limited.
Ski passes for a week in Serre-Chevalier for a family of four in December 2024 cost 1,156 euros.San Vito di Cadore, Italy
There is a place in the Italian Dolomites that attracts the attention of skiers from all over the world, Cortina d'Ampezzo.However, there is a budget alternative very close by, in the tiny town of San Vito di Cadore.
The resort with 20 km of trails is ideal for those who are just learning to ski, or for families with small skiers. There are children's trails, family discounts and an amusement park.
San Vito di Cadore is part of the Dolomites-Superski region, which covers as many as 1,200 km of trails.By purchasing a single ski pass, you can access them all, including Cortina d'Ampezzo, Alpe di Susi and Val Gardena.
Weekend ski passes in San Vito di Cadore cost 37.5 euros per adult. The nearest airport is in Venice.
Jasna, Slovakia
In Jasna, the largest resort in Slovakia, located in the Low Tatras mountains, you can enjoy the fresh snow, evaluate the quality of equipment, and taste the local goulash in the evening after skiing.
Given that accommodation often costs less than 34 euros per night, the restaurants serve hearty Eastern European cuisine, and the length of the ski slopes is 50 km, Slovak Jasna claims to be the best affordable ski resort in Europe.
There are trails for both beginners and experienced athletes.
On days off from skiing, you can visit the Tatralandia Water Park. Night clubs are open. They are not ignored by either locals or tourists.
The cost of ski passes in high season in Yasna is 45 euros per day.
The nearest airport is in Bratislava.
Source: Time Out
Photos used: Depositphotos.com
