The best budget ski holidays for this winter
Let’s not kid ourselves, ski holidays have never been easy on the wallet. Uncertainty over Brexit and the possibility of the introduction of strictly enforced staff labour laws in France are currently driving a demolition ball through the model of the traditional chalet holiday. The result this winter is a 20 per cent reduction in mass market packages, with the lower price end of the market bearing the brunt of the blows.
Whether you choose to holiday in Europe or North America, sterling exchanges rates are an added burden. But while there are fewer holidays available, there are still budget bargains to be found. Here are seven of the best.
Unless otherwise stated, prices are per person for seven nights, based on two sharing a double or twin room and include half-board, flights and transfers.
Best for self catering
Châtel, France
The farming village of Châtel is one of eight French and four Swiss villages that form the giant 650km Portes du Soleil ski area, which includes better-known Avoriaz and Morzine. Unlike most resorts linked to major ski areas, Châtel remains relatively unspoiled and retains a very French feel. Affordable self-catering in the heart of the village is offered by Erna Low in the three-star Les Fermes de Châtel résidence. It’s close to the main gondola, shops, and restaurants.
Need to know
From £388pp with Erna Low based on six sharing a two -bedroom apartment. Travel not included.
Best for easy access to snowsure slopes
Passo Tonale, Italy
Hotel Eden is a recently-renovated, family-run three-star offered by Crystal Ski in purpose-built Passo Tonale. While the resort doesn't have much in the way of charm, snow cover is always reliable. This convenient base allows easy access to a compact lift system and sunny slopes that are mostly above the tree line and linked to the snow-sure Presena glacier.
Need to know
From £582 with Crystal Ski Holidays.
Best for ski-in ski-out convenience
Reberty, France
Sapin de Reberty is a traditional wooden chalet located in the purpose-built hamlet of Reberty above the much less attractive Les Menuires in the Trois Vallées, the world's largest lift-linked ski area. It sleeps 15-18 and can be booked by the room. There’s a big balcony with a hot tub, a living area with central fireplace, and the food far surpasses anything you’d expect from this price range. It’s up there, in culinary terms, with the luxury chalets.
Need to know
From €630pp, excluding travel, with Powder n Shine.
Best for backcountry enthusiasts
Jasna, Slovakia
Don’t make the mistake of lumping Jasna together with the rest of the skiing in Eastern Europe. It’s a class apart. For a start, it has a modern lift system. Then it offers a variety of pistes ranging from gentle beginner slopes, to fast long reds and challenging moguls. But the 50km of marked pistes doesn’t begin to cover what there really is here, for there are a dozen freeride zones, much of it easy to get to from a lift, some of it in open bowls and some down narrow couloirs. Tuition costs roughly a third of what it does in the Alps, food and drink are good value too. Dragon’s Lair is the only tour operator chalet here concentrating on the UK market. It sleeps up to 19 in comfortable and attractive rooms and is owned and run by an Australian and his Slovak wife.
Need to know
From £610pp B&B, including a 6-day lift pass, with Jasna Adventures. Excludes travel.
Best for skiing in the US
Breckenridge, Colorado
This high-altitude former gold mining town is considered one of the best-value resorts within reach of the gateway airport of Denver and staying in a catered chalet, a rarity in North America, offers excellent value for money. Skiworld’s Chalet Victoria in Breckenridge sleeps up to eight and makes a comfortable base, with spacious rooms and an outdoor hot tub. There’s a complimentary resort shuttle bus to the lifts, while bars, restaurants and nightlife are a three-block walk away.
Need to know
From £1,172 with Skiworld.
Best for all-round good value
El Tarter, Andorra
El Tarter and adjoining Soldeu form the central core of the Grandvalira ski area with its 210km of piste. Despite its duty-free status, Andorra is no longer the cheap and cheerful destination it once was before it joined the eurozone and aspired to head upmarket. However, prices are still much lower than in the Alps, recent snow record is good, and it best suits beginners and intermediates. By staying at Neilson Chalet hotel Casale in El Tarter guests can take advantage of guiding and coaching included in the holiday price. The accommodation sleeps 38 in reasonable comfort.
Need to know
From £559, with free equipment hire and half-price lift passes through Neilson.
Best for big-value appeal
La Rosière, France
This underrated resort lies in the Tarentaise valley above Bourg St Maurice, on the other side of the valley to Les Arcs. Prices here are markedly lower than in the household name resorts in the region - and the skiing is just as good. It is connected to La Thuile in Italy via the Petit St Bernard pass (the road becomes a piste in winter). With 160km of runs served by 37 lifts, Espace San Bernardo suits all standards. On the Italian side of the mountain there’s a clutch of fine restaurants with much lower prices than in France. Chalet Papillon 1 is a six-bedroom apartment at a bargain price on two levels in the little hamlet of Les Eucherts. The nearest lift is 75m and the village centre is a 15 min walk away.
Need to know
From £579 with Ski Beat.
