At least two-thirds of Europe’s ski resorts this season have been more accessible to tourists. These are the results of a joint study conducted by the British tour operator Crystal Ski and a division of the British postal service Post Office Travel Money.
The authors analyzed the prices for equipment rental, ski passes, instructor courses, as well as food and beverages for one week of rest at 50 ski resorts in seven European countries: 32 adult-only facilities and 28 family-oriented ones.
The best areas for value for money
The best resorts in terms of value for money were the Bulgarian resorts of Bansko and Borovets, as well as Italian ski resorts led by Bardonecka.
The most expensive ski resorts
The most expensive ski resorts are expected in Switzerland, but even there the average cost of a holiday can vary by hundreds of euros between several locations.
“Bulgaria and Italy look very good again, but both Andorra and Finland are good alternatives to more expensive resorts in France, Austria and Switzerland,” said Nick Boden, head of Post Office Travel Money.
The cheapest ski resorts for adults
The cheapest for adult skating, according to the study, was a Bulgarian wrestler. On average, a week of skiing here will cost 522 euros per person. For comparison, a similar holiday in Zermatt (Switzerland) will cost an average of 1393 euros, almost three times more expensive.
Family ski resorts
As for family resorts, prices fell by 19 out of 28 locations. For example, a family of four (two children under 12) will be able to relax in Bansko, Bulgaria for 1,632 euros. This is 12% less than last year and 8.5% less than in 2019.
From second to fourth place in the ranking of available family resorts are Italian Bardonecchia, Sestriere and Passo Tonale. In fifth place was the Andorran Arinsal.
At the other end of the list is again Switzerland: Saas-Fee (3750 euros per family) and Grindelwald (3845 euros).
France was one of the few destinations where prices rose this year. The industry has recovered significantly since the entry ban was lifted from the UK, which remains the main market for French skiers.
The most affordable so far is Morzin – 2565 euros. At the same time, the cost of holidays in the resorts of Tignes and Alpes-de-Hues increased by 8.1% and 11.1% compared to last year.