How to go skiing on a budget?

You want to discover skiing but you have a tight budget, this article is for you! In order to have the best skiing holiday, the key word is anticipation. Think about booking your accommodation and ski passes as early as possible. And plan to rent your equipment and outfits. It is important to plan what you want to do during your stay, you don't have to ski every day, so the ski pass would not be the same.

Photo by Victoire Joncheray on Unsplash

Our tips and tricks for going to the mountains on a budget! 

1- Determine your budget

First of all, set a maximum budget for your ski holiday. This will help you make your decisions. For a cheaper ski holiday, forget the posh resorts and choose family resorts or a lesser-rated but equally pleasant mountain range instead. You may have a few less kilometres of slopes but the prices will be more attractive.

2- If you can choose the off-season 

March and April, just before the school holidays, is a good time. The snow is still present in some high altitude resorts. The same flat can be rented for half the price in March/April than in January. In addition, the ski resorts have lower off-season prices and therefore more advantageous for you. You will also have the benefit of having quieter resorts: staff are more available, restaurants are less full, and shops are also less crowded.

3- Ask about accommodation 

Look at resorts that offer group rates. If you want to minimise costs, ask your family or friends to come with you on your stay in the mountains so you can easily split the price of your rental. Another option is to book your ski holiday well in advance to get the best deals and the widest possible choice.

4- Find out about ski passes 

If you are going as a family, there are good prices for children and often even free for under 5s. Some resorts also offer family ski passes which are more advantageous.

5- Diversify your activities

Try free or low-cost activities during your stay. When you go skiing with your family or friends, why not try tobogganing, snowshoeing, ice skating, visiting heritage sites or hiking. Renting the necessary equipment is much cheaper. And you can have just as much fun!

6- Save money on equipment 

The best solution is to rent equipment if you do not ski regularly or every year. You can also buy your equipment second hand or ask your friends to lend you some.

7- To eat 

We advise you to do your shopping in a supermarket far from the resort or before leaving home, where you usually do your shopping before arriving at your rental. The supermarkets in the ski resorts are very expensive. And choose a picnic lunch if you are on the slopes.

And finally, here is a ranking of ski resorts for the budget conscious:

• Gérardmer (Hautes-Vosges)
• Les angles (Pyrenees)
• Méaudre (Vercors)
• Les Rousses (Jura)
• Chamrousse (Isère)