Ten of the best affordable ski resorts in the Alps, France, Austria and Italy
Go for some holiday in ski will never be cheap, but it is possible to limit costs by choosing the good station , in which you will have for your money, without compromising your experience on the tracks.
A list of 10 resorts has been drawn up that allow all this: where the rental price of skis (or snowboard, surf, or other), the package, the accommodation and the food is reasonable, and the practice of skiing rewarding.
All these stations are located in the Alps, France, Austria and Italy. The 6-day package is the best value for money on all stations.
Les Carroz (1120 m), France
The Carroz shares the domain of Grand Massif with Samoëns, Morillon, Sixt Fer in Cheval and Flaine. The vast estate is ideal for families. Most of these villages are an excellent base to access the Grand Massif, often underestimated (although it has 265 kilometers of slopes). In bad weather you can ski in the woods, and when the sun shines, you can go for the high peaks to survey the slopes (2480 m). Count about 240€ for the four villages and about 270€ for the Grand Massif for a 6-day package.
Les Deux-Alpes (1650 m), France
Flickr – Will
High altitude and high prices normally go hand in hand in France, so that the station of the Deux-Alpes is really worth an interest in it. You spend your days mainly at altitudes between 2300 and 3600 m, the snow is usually excellent, even when it melts in sunny stations and at lower altitudes.
It is a large, lively city that stretches along the bottom of the slopes, which stands out for most of the other high French stations by offering a range of affordable hotels as well as many apartment buildings (and some cottage rentals). There are a lot of beds, and therefore waiting lines to the ski lifts and crowds on the tracks can be a problem in high season. The package is a little more expensive (231€ for 6 days), but you have access to one of the largest ski areas in Europe.
Serre Chevalier (1200 m), France
Wikimedia – FredrikLähnn
There is only one short drive by the top of the Lautaret Pass from Les Deux-Alpes to Serre-Chevalier, but it’s another world: you’re “entering” in the south of France. Serre-Chevalier consists of a series of old villages with a Provencal touch, but with many modern facilities. It includes Briançon, an important city with a beautiful old fortified city above. The slopes, spread over a mountain range are equally characteristic. Suitable for all slides, from skiing in vallon or melèze forest, the slopes have a high mountain atmosphere. Mechanical lifts are not the most modern, but the station progresses every year on this subject. Price of the package 6 days : 238€.
Ellmau (800 m), Austria
The largest connected ski area in Austria is the SkiWelt, which is shared by the resorts of Söll, Hopfgarten, Brixen and Ellmau (more smaller villages). All stations offer low prices compared to the usual standards. Ellmau combines a seductive traditional village atmosphere with reasonably easy access to the slopes. Apart from the authentic black slopes at the top of the Hohe Salve (at 1830 m, the highest point in the field), what the SkiWelt offers is a vast area of easy trails on pleasantly wooded slopes. Mechanical lifts are effective, just like snow removal. There are long descents in the villages of the valley, but most of the trails are short. Price of the package 6 days SkiWelt : 225€.
Mayrhofen (630 m), Austria
Wikimedia - Bunny
At first sight, Mayrhofen does not seem to be a good ski resort, located on the dish of the valley, without obvious slopes around it. But above the steep and wooded sides of the Ziller valley are high fields of slopes (mostly between 1750 m and 2500 m) offering what to satisfy skiers of all levels. Mayrhofen is a charming village that can suit families as well as groups of friends. Package price 6 days : 230,50€
Saalbach-Hinterglemm (1000 m), Austria
Saalbach and the slightly separated Hinterglemm station are not necessarily a cheap destination in view of the many four-star hotels, and it is the most expensive resort (lightly more) that is listed here. But it is far from being out of price, and the barely higher price is compensated by the incredible ski lifts: almost all cable cars and chairlifts are fast. Snowing is usually very good from Christmas to April, with the low altitude being compensated by a micro-climate that ensures cooler temperatures and rainfall significantly more abundant than in the nearby valleys. On the north side, the Schattberg (2095 m) offers shady and steep slopes.
The two villages enjoy a traditional style, and Saalbach in particular has a lively and very popular "post-ski" that keeps people in their ski boots until the evening. Price of the Skicircus package 6 days: 227,50€
Schladming (745 m), Austria
Schladming is the largest station in eastern Austria. She has something in common with Kitzbühel. It is a city of valley with a medieval centre that has a long history with competition skiing, but does not have the glamour of its famous rival. It is a traditional and pleasant city without being remarkably charming. Just a few meters from the pedestrian heart of the city is the ultra modern resort to reach the local mountain, the Planai. From there there are links to the east for another mountain, and to the west towards two others. Many forests, and an altitude of 2015 m, the difficulties of the slopes are mainly intermediate. Price of the package 6 days : 227€
Cervinia (2050 m), Italy
Flickr – James Preston
Located on the border of the charming but incredibly expensive station in Zermatt, Cervinia is different from its Swiss neighbour in all ways except altitude. The village does not have the beauty or the slopes out of competition that Zermatt has to offer, but it is an ideal resort to enjoy the simple sensations of skiing. And with a maximum altitude of 3480 m, you can count on good snow. Don’t think it’s the low-cost way to Zermatt, the Swiss track reaches several hours... But if the local trails suit you, the Swiss link still deserves to explore them for a day or two during your week. Package price 6 days : 204€
Livigno (1815 m), Italy
Nestled in a remote and hardly accessible valley near the border with Switzerland, Livigno enjoys a duty-free status, which can help explain its modest prices. It is a pleasant and traditional village with a pedestrian heart, which stretches along the foot of the slopes. It is not the most snowy area in the Alps, but the high altitude contributes to its snowing (altitude approaching 2800 m). The slopes, served by a very modern uphill system, are almost entirely open all the time, and they are relatively easy to ski. The 42 km of cross-country ski trails will be enjoyed by some. Price of the package 6 days : 215€
Monterosa Ski (1600 m), Italy
Monte Rosa is a high glacial massif with its highest point in Switzerland, near Zermatt. Monterosa Ski is in fact a ski area of three valleys on its southern slopes, as large as the famous French estate of the Trois Vallées, but a size below in terms of slopes and uphills. One of the main attractions is the off-track terrain, accessible by ski lifts (up to 3275 m) and even by helicopter. But there are excellent intermediate and long tracks too (some of the black tracks are really hard). The stations are deliciously preserved and relaxed. Champoluc and Gressoney are good bases, but Alagna closes in case of bad weather. Price of the package 6 days : 204€.
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