Bulgaria knocked off top spot for cheapest ski destination for UK tourists
There's also a new resort topping the list for the best family ski getaway.
It may not have the glamour of St Moritz, Verbier or Courchevel, but Bansko and Borovets in Bulgaria have long been hailed the go-to ski destinations for those on a budget.
A quick scan online uncovers a week in a three star hotel, including flights and transfers, can cost from about £300 in the Balkan state.
But when it comes to all the extras needed for a skiing holiday, it falls short of Italy's Bardonecchia this year.
The Post Office Travel Money's 2024 ski resort report compared prices for a week's adult ski pass, ski and boot hire, lessons, drinks and lunch at 36 European resorts.
It found Bardonecchia in Italy would set adults back £531.65, while Bulgaria's Borovets cost £553.98.
France's Le Corbier took third spot, costing £611.32, showing good value ski holidays are available in the Alps.
Italy overall has the best value when looking at the 'big four' ski destinations of Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland. It has four resorts in the top 10, with Sauze, Sestriere and Le Thuile making up the list.
For the first time Spain also makes the report, with Baqueira Beret coming eighth with a cost of £696.
Cheapest ski resorts for adults
| Position | Resort | Cost | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bardonecchia | £531.65 | Italy |
| 2 | Borovets | £553.98 | Bulgaria |
| 3 | Le Corbier | £611.32 | France |
| 4 | Livigno | £614.25 | Italy |
| 5 | Sauze | £639.08 | Italy |
| 6 | Bansko | £641.62 | Bulgaria |
| 7 | Baqueira Beret | £695.63 | Spain |
| 8 | Sestriere | £698.93 | Italy |
| 9 | La Thuile | £709.85 | Italy |
| 10 | Ruka | £734.57 | Finland |
^The cost of a week's adult ski pass, ski and boot hire, lessons, drinks and lunch at 36 European resorts.
After the weak pound and rising costs saw ski holiday prices generally rise last year, this year's report found prices have fallen in more than a quarter of adult resorts, and more than half of family destinations.
The research, conducted in partnership with Crystal Ski Holidays, does not include the cost of flights or hotels. Laura Plunkett, head of Post Office Travel Money, said it was important for travellers to "do their homework before booking and factor in all the costs of a ski holiday to the package price".
She added: "The good news is that prices are lower in a number of popular resorts and, where they have risen, the increases are not as high as might have been expected, given inflation levels across Europe. Le Corbier, one of five new resorts surveyed for this ski season, looks great value for bargain hunters, while Italy’s Bardonecchia and Borovets in Bulgaria remain good choices for those on a strict budget.”
Cheapest ski resorts for families
Jahorina in Bosnia & Herzegovina is the cheapest ski holiday destination for families.
A family of four - two adults and two children aged six and eight - will pay £1,657 for a week's ski pass, ski equipment, tuition, meals and drinks.
It is one of eight new ski resorts making it into the Family Ski Resort Report.
The Post Office converted local prices (provided by Crystal Ski Holidays) into Sterling for 32 ski resorts.
New resorts making it into the top 10 for families are: Beitostollen and Geilo, both in Norway, and Kranjska Gora in Slovenia.
| Position | Resort | Cost | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jahorina | £1,657 | Bosnia & Herzegovina |
| 2 | Passo Tonale | £1,678 | Italy |
| 3 | Bardonecchia | £1,752 | Italy |
| 4 | Beitostollen | £1,862 | Norway |
| 5 | Bankso | £1,968 | Bulgaria |
| 6 | Rauris | £2,084 | Austria |
| 7 | Ruka | £2,098 | Finland |
| 8 | La Thuile | £2,181 | Italy |
| 9 | Kranjska Gora | £2,205 | Slovenia |
| 10 | Geilo | £2,205 | Norway |
^Calculations based on a week’s ski pass, ski equipment, tuition, meals and drinks for two adults and two children aged six and eight at 32 ski resorts.
How to save money on a ski trip
Heavy snowfall in the Alps has sparked a surge in demand for European ski holidays, the Post Office said.
A poll of 2,001 adults found 12 percent are planning a ski trip between December and April 2024.
Of those questioned, 43 percent said they would either stick to the same budget as their last trip, or try and cut costs.
A few ways families plan to save money on their ski holiday include:
- Switch to self catering
- Eat out in cheaper restaurants
- Reduce number of ski days
- Stay in a cheaper ski resort.
Don’t forget to buy travel insurance before you leave. To see our list of cheap travel insurance providers, click here.
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