How Much Does A Ski Holiday Really Cost

Flights

Image source: Deniz Altindas

• £388 (£97 per person)

Budget airlines have offered cheap flights to Europe and the Alps for years. Prices tend to rise nearer the flight date - booking sooner rather than later is best.

If you have ski equipment, it can be more economical to choose a premium airline such as SwissAir or BA that offer free ski baggage.

Alternative travel options are also worth considering. Such as taking the train (find out more about travelling to the Alps by train) or driving to the resort. Both options can work out cheaper than flying and allow you to take more luggage.

Transfer

Image source: Peter Kasprzyk

• £347 (£86.75 per person, return)

Depending on the distance from the airport transfers can end up costing more than you think. It may be cheaper to pay more for a flight to an airport nearer your destination. A good way to keep costs as low as possible is to book a shared minibus rather than a private one.

Accommodation

• £828 (£207 per person) – for a hotel/chalet room, double bed and two singles, incl breakfast)

With the introduction of Airbnb and other more flexible accommodation options, tour operators are adjusting their hotel prices. This competitive market has led to a slight drop in accommodation prices with deals easy to find throughout the winter.

Food

Image source: Ali Inay

• £472 (6 evening meals 2 adults and 2 children)

Whether your accommodation is half-board or self-catered, the food costs can vary. One way to save money is to take sandwiches out with you, avoiding those pricey restaurants on the hill.

Ski Rental

• £248 (£78 per adult, bronze level, 6 days) (£46 per child, beginner level, 6 days)

There are different levels of rental skis ranging from the cheapest 'Bronze level' through to 'Platinum' - the most expensive. Try and be realistic about what type of skiing you will be doing. Do you really need a fat-waist twin-tipped ski or will a standard piste ski be okay?

One piece of equipment you should invest in is ski boots. Without a proper fitting consultation, custom moulding and the correct footbeds your feet will likely hurt.

Buying a pair of skis lets you practice on the same model of ski before you go abroad. It removes the hassle of collecting equipment from a rental shop and saves you money if you're planning on going on multiple ski holidays.

If you do rent skis you should book them before you travel rather than booking on the day; you can save up to 50% booking ahead.

Lift Pass

• £898 (6 day pass)

You can buy tickets that only allow you to use one gondola and practice on a few runs for the first day, saving money. For small children or first-time skiers, the 'magic carpet' conveyor belt is often free to use.

For a family of four that all want to ski, a family ski pass can be better value than individual tickets. Some resorts split their winter into peak and off-peak periods meaning that a trip in December or March might offer cheaper passes.

• £380 (£190 per child, half-day ski lesson - over 6 days)

There are a lot of options for kid's ski lessons from full-week camps to 1 hr private lessons. A reasonable compromise is half-day mornings. You can ski in the morning while your children are with qualified instructors in a safe environment.

• £500

This one is down to personal preference. On average, £500 will be enough spending money for a week-long ski holiday. Setting aside a certain amount of money for little luxuries like a glass of Vin Chaud or hot chocolate on the hill is what makes a holiday a holiday.

Average Ski Holiday Price

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