Good news for winter sports fans… prices have plunged in ski resorts. Bargain-hunting skiers can look forward to paying less this winter as the eighth annual Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report reveals that prices have slid downhill since last year in 24 of 27 resorts.
The most dramatic price fall has been in Soldeu, according to the report – compiled from resort research by ski-holiday operator Crystal Ski Holidays. A comparison of costs for ski equipment, lift passes, ski school, meals and drinks across resorts in Europe and North America, shows prices have plunged 23 per cent to £331 in Andorra’s top ski resort. As a result Soldeu has moved up to fifth place in the best value top 10.
Getting more euros for your pounds is a major factor. But, evidence suggests the need to attract back UK skiers after the market dropped 3.6 per cent last season has led to price cuts in top resorts.
While Bansko (Bulgaria) remains the cheapest ski resort with a barometer total of £261, around four per cent less than a year ago, another Eastern European resort, Kranjska Gora (Slovenia), is closing the gap (£300, down eight per cent year-on-year).
A 15 per cent plunge in costs to £311 has helped Austria’s Ellmau resort move up to third position in the barometer table, while a fall of almost 10 per cent in Les Deux Alpes (£420) has enabled the French favourite to rise from 14th place to 10th this season.
European resorts in order of best-value:
- Bansko in Bulgaria
- Kranjska Gora in Slovenia
- Ellmau in Austria
- Livigno in Italy
- Soldeu in Andorra
- Sestriere in Italy
- Morzine in France
- Ruka in Finland
- Selva and Val Gardena in Italy
- Les Deux Alpes in France
- Mayrhofen in Austria
- Serre Chevalier in France
- La Thuile in Italy
- Kaprun in Austria
- Courchevel in France
- Val d’Isère in France
- Kitzbühel in Austria
- St Anton in Austria
- Saas Fee in Switzerland
- Wengen in Switzerland
- Zermatt in Switzerland
Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money said: “Although skiing is still cheapest in Bulgaria and Slovenia, growing competition for business means there are great bargains to be struck in many of the most popular European resorts this season. What’s more, the continuing strength of sterling against European currencies provides the added bonus of more pounds in their pockets for UK skiers.”
Among 10 World-Class Resorts surveyed, prices are down 13 per cent in Sestriere to £354, making the Italian resort best value in this category for the second year running. There has also been a 16 per cent fall in Courchevel (France) to £503, although the reverse has proved true in Zermatt (£687). High ski hire and lift price charges will make the Swiss resort 16 per cent more expensive than last year and highest-priced overall in Europe.
In the Best for Families category, Bansko (£848) remains the cheapest skiing for a family of four. However, Kranjska Gora (£1,110) has lost its runner up position because of a significant 18 per cent price fall in both Soldeu (£982) and Ellmau (£985).
Andrew Brown said: “It’s great news that families can look forward to lower prices in most ski resorts this season. However, it is important for them to check all the resort costs they will face and add these to the package price before deciding on a ski destination so they have a true picture of what their holiday is likely to cost them.”
A full breakdown of barometer costs for the 27 resorts surveyed can be found by visiting www.postoffice.co.uk/skireport2014
