The most affordable ski resorts in 2024

With the cost of a ski holiday to Europe reaching up to GBP1,980 per person including lift passes and rentals, it’s important to pick a resort that fits your budget. 

To help narrow the search, travel insurance experts PayingTooMuch have looked at 30 popular locations based on factors like the average cost of hotels, a ski pass, and lessons in each of the resorts to find the most affordable whilst you are at the resort.

The world’s top 10 most affordable ski resorts

Szymoszkowa in Poland is the most affordable resort for skiers on a budget

Szymoszkowa in Poland is the most budget-friendly resort on the list, thanks to affordable hotel rooms (£76.50 per night on average) and day ski passes (£32.37 for adults and £19.95 for children). Szymoszkowa also offers the cheapest ski lessons, at an average cost of only £28.57 per hour for both adults and children. It’s important for skiers to be aware that this small resort only has two main runs, which may also be a reason for its more affordable prices.

In second place is Borovets in Bulgaria, where ski lessons are slightly more expensive (£44.09 per hour on average), but day ski passes are a cheaper £26.76 for adults and £15.52 for children

Arinsal in Andorra rounds up the top three most affordable ski resorts for 2024. With reasonable prices for hotels (£95.00 per night) and adult and child ski lessons (£38.04).

Top tips for saving money on your next ski holiday

Darren Saunders, Managing Director at PayingTooMuch, shares his knowledge for how to save money on your ski holiday.

1. Book your holiday in advance

Booking your winter sports trip well in advance can help you make big savings on your holiday. Not only do the resorts and accommodations offer early-bird discounts, but you’ll also enjoy a wider selection of options to choose from.

2. Consider off-peak times

Peak times will be expensive, so if you’re able to, why not head to the resorts early or late on in the season? Lift passes, accommodation, and equipment rentals are often cheaper during these periods due to the lower demand.

3. Look for family and group discounts

One of the best ways to save money on a ski trip is by travelling as a group. Resorts in the Alps will offer excellent discounts to groups. With slopes catering to all skill levels, you’ll not only save money but also create memories with your loved ones.

4.  Cook your meals 

It’s easy to be lured by the charm of a chalet holiday, with the temptation of mulled wine and fondue making you feel like you have to dine out. However, restaurants in ski resorts can be expensive. Consider staying in accommodation with kitchen facilities, where you can prepare packed lunches for the day outings and cook homemade meals in the evenings.

5. Compare travel insurance 

Winter sports come with a higher risk that usually won’t be covered by a standard travel insurance policy. Choosing a winter sports add-on that can cover you for well-known winter sports, including on-piste skiing and snowboarding will help cover you for any unexpected scenarios.

Once you know what you need from your travel insurance, you can use a comparison site like PayingTooMuch, to compare the cover and the costs of different policies. Don’t be tempted to choose the cheapest policy without researching it. While you could save money in the short run, the cheapest travel insurance policy may not include everything you potentially need.

If you injure yourself and need hospital treatment, you could end up out of pocket if you don’t have enough medical cover. Similarly, if something happens to your equipment, or you’re affected by piste closures, a cheap policy might not cover the costs. That’s why it’s important to choose the right level of cover, to protect you from anything unexpected and let you enjoy the slopes with peace of mind.