Which is the cheapest family ski resort? It’s Bansko in Bulgaria which was also the best value last year, according to TripAdvisor which compared 42 destinations.
A week on the slopes in southwestern Bulgaria at the foot of the Pirin Mountains (above), including hotel, ski passes, ski hire, ski lessons, evening meals and drinks for a family of four will set you back £1,279. That’s nearly four times less than the price of a similar break in the most expensive destination, Switzerland’s Zermatt, which costs £4,809.
Not only has Bansko retained its position as Europe’s least expensive ski since last year’s TripIndex Ski study, overall costs have actually fallen by £352 since last year. By contrast, Zermatt has jumped three places from last year to knock Austria’s St. Anton off the top of the most expensive list.
Bansko and Eastern Europe in general are revealed as offering the best value for ski travellers this year. The region is home to three of the top six cheapest destinations; Bansko, Bulgaria; Sochi, Russia; and Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
When it comes to countries, Andorra (above) boasts the most entries in the Top 10 best value list, laying claim to three resorts. Switzerland is the costliest country to ski, home to half of the 10 most expensive resorts.
When it comes to analysing the cost of the individual aspects that make up a week long ski break, prices can vary dramatically from destination to destination.
For a week’s stay in a ski resort hotel, families will find Val Thorens in France is the most expensive destination at £3,091. Travellers could stay in Bansko for over a month at that price – a week’s stay in a Bansko hotel comes out at £636.
When it comes to ensuring you’re prepared and equipped to take to the slopes, Bansko once again comes out as the cheapest in most cases. One week’s basic package for skis, boots and poles will set a family back just £125, and a weekly ski pass for two adults and two children is £214.
Of the 42 ski destinations studied, Verbier, in France, is the priciest for ski hire, coming in at £450, while the Swiss resort of Zermatt offers the most expensive weekly ski pass at a staggering £880.
TripIndex Best Value European Ski Destinations (for a family of four for a week):
|
|
Destination | Hotel | Ski Hire | Ski Pass | Ski Lesson | Dinner | Beer | Soft Drink | Total
2015 |
Total
2014 |
| 1 | Bansko, Bulgaria | £636 | £125 | £214 | £125 | £137 | £21 | £21 | £1279 | £1631 |
| 2 | Sochi, Russia | £719 | £190 | £356 | £206 | £105 | £44 | £16 | £1636 | £2205 |
| 3 | Berchtesgaden, Germany | £942 | £225 | £360 | £131 | £192 | £29 | £25 | £1904 | £2476 |
| 4 | Candanchu, Spain | £1112 | £188 | £414 | £62 | £301 | £25 | £21 | £2122 | £2715 |
| 5 | Kranjska Gora, Slovenia | £1133 | £269 | £414 | £78 | £192 | £26 | £21 | £2134 | £2699 |
| 6 | Spitzingsee, Germany | £1236 | £166 | £417 | £164 | £215 | £35 | £32 | £2264 | £3190 |
| 7 | Arinsal, Andorra | £1084 | £185 | £648 | £85 | £233 | £26 | £18 | £2279 | £2532 |
| 8 | Baqueira Beret, Spain | £1217 | £184 | £573 | £113 | £197 | £30 | £19 | £2334 | £2803 |
| 9 | Ordino Arcalis, Andorra | £1093 | £165 | £648 | £191 | £199 | £24 | £22 | £2342 | £2504 |
| 10 | Pas de la Casa, Andorra | £1185 | £171 | £648 | £77 | £214 | £26 | £28 | £2349 | £2680 |
TripIndex Most Expensive European Ski Destinations (for a family of four for a week):
|
|
Destination | Hotel | Ski Hire | Ski Pass | Ski Lesson | Dinner | Beer | Soft Drink | Total
2015 |
Total
2014 |
| 1 | Zermatt, Switzerland | £2480 | £415 | £880 | £254 | £667 | £59 | £56 | £4809 | £4572 |
| 2 | Verbier, Switzerland | £2313 | £450 | £793 | £291 | £762 | £43 | £41 | £4694 | £4226 |
| 3 | St, Anton, Austria | £3053 | £293 | £647 | £233 | £307 | £54 | £26 | £4613 | £5026 |
| 4 | St. Moritz, Switzerland | £2483 | £391 | £745 | £262 | £524 | £53 | £45 | £4503 | £4811 |
| 5 | Courchevel, France | £2833 | £210 | £653 | £176 | £467 | £34 | £25 | £4397 | £3747 |
| 6 | Val Thorens, France | £3091 | £167 | £621 | £140 | £271 | £36 | £35 | £4361 | £4565 |
| 7 | Meribel, France | £2900 | £215 | £641 | £180 | £275 | £31 | £36 | £4278 | £3878 |
| 8 | Flims Laax Falera, Switzerland | £2093 | £356 | £761 | £306 | £566 | £47 | £41 | £4170 | £4500 |
| 9 | Saas Fee, Switzerland | £1829 | £386 | £833 | £239 | £686 | £50 | £41 | £4065 | £3598 |
| 10 | Ischgl, Austria | £2646 | £339 | £518 | £201 | £283 | £29 | £21 | £4036 | £4427 |
See TripAdvisor
