The total cost of a skiing holiday can vary widely depending on many factors – from the basics such as your choice of resort and accommodation, through to equipment and lessons. Different people have different needs, so the answer to the question “how much is an average skiing holiday?” can range from anywhere between a few hundred and several thousand pounds.
To help you plan and budget for your holiday, this article covers all the elements you need to consider to ensure you have a fantastic time.
Destination is likely to be one of the first things you’ll think about and it will have a big impact on the cost of your holiday. If you want to go to one of the most well-known resorts such as Courchevel or St Moritz then you’ll have to be prepared to pay a premium for it. There’s a reason they’re so highly regarded though, and you can be sure of a great time. However, there are plenty of options across Europe that a more budget-friendly and can be just as fun. The most important thing is to do your research as conditions and facilities will be constantly changing. Of course, the right amount of snow is key to a great skiing holiday so the time of year you are planning to go will also play a part. Check out independent websites like Snow Forecast to help you decide where is best for you.
Once you know where you’re going you need to work out how you’re getting there. You can typically get flights on low-budget airlines to most European destinations for under £100 per person. However, you need to book well in advance to get the best deals so planning ahead is key.
If you have your own ski equipment this will cost extra to take on the plane. And we all know how budget airlines like to charge for extras! You may well find that it’s cheaper to fly with a premium airline that includes free ski baggage.
Be sure to check out the transfer time from the airport to the ski resort too. That flight might be incredibly cheap because there’s a 5-hour bus ride at the other end. You may prefer to pay a bit more for a much quicker and easier last leg of your journey!
And don’t think that flying is the only option. Depending on where you’re going, travelling by train may be an option and whilst it may take a bit longer can give you some great views along the way. If time isn’t an issue you could even drive too. Check out all the options once you know where you want to go and you may find that flying is the most expensive once all your luggage is taken into account.
When people think of skiing holidays they often think of staying at a chalet next to the resort but this isn’t the only option. Chalets can be great for big groups as it helps bring the cost down but there will also be hotels to consider and Airbnb may have the perfect accommodation for you too. If you stay in a hotel you may get a package that includes some or all of your meals but otherwise, you’ll need to take food costs into account too. Eating out every day can get expensive so self-catered accommodation can help you save money..
Unless you’re an experienced skier you probably don’t have your own equipment. This isn’t a problem as it can be rented at every resort, and it’s probably not worth investing in your own until you’re sure of how serious you are about skiing.
Much like flights, equipment rental is much cheaper if you book ahead, so it’s best to arrange it at the same time as your flights rather than when you get to the resort. Resorts will typically have a range of different levels of gear based on quality and price – the lowest level will still cover all the basics though so consider your level of experience when deciding what you need.
If you’ve never been skiing before you’ll definitely need some lessons. Sure, you can go out on the slopes and try to wing it but you’ll probably spend most of your time sitting on your backside rather than skiing! Some basic training with an experienced tutor will help you enjoy your holiday much more and will help you to avoid getting injured. And even if you have been skiing before, it might be worth having some refresher lessons at the start of your holiday to get you back up to speed quickly.
All resorts will have lessons available – again, book ahead for the best prices and to make sure they have room for you. The quality of teaching will differ between resorts so do your research beforehand to ensure it’s right for you. Altitude Ski School provides the highest quality lessons at sites across Switzerland that can be easily booked online at any time. Whether you’re into skiing or snowboarding, we can offer private or group lessons for all ages and abilities. And if you’re feeling adventurous we also have off-piste and performance coaching.
Lift passes are an additional but essential cost to your ski holiday. Without them, you can’t get up to the top of the slopes! Some resorts may offer free passes to some slopes as part of the package but it will usually depend on how much skiing you intend to do as to which passes you need to buy. It will typically be cheaper to buy a pass for the whole week rather than individual days, and if you are a beginner you should only need a ‘local’ pass for the smaller slopes rather than a more expensive pass covering the whole mountain.
Did we mention doing your research?
With so many factors involved it’s really important to take them all into account when calculating how much is a skiing holiday. You might have a particular destination in mind but it’s best to work out all the costs before you make a final decision. And don’t just look at the prices, consider the overall value you’re getting. Is it really worth staying in a cheap hotel if it’s a long way from the resort and you don’t get a good enough sleep every night to enjoy the holiday? Or are you going to be able to make the most of the slopes if you don’t have the right lessons to get you up to speed at the start?
Here at Altitude, we firmly believe our ski lessons are great value for money and essential to enjoying your holiday. But don’t just take our word for it, check out our reviews to see how happy our customers are.
