Cheap skiing holidays?

The way things are going you should still be able to get 2 Pounds on a US Dollar next year. If you are in a position to go NOW, you're gonna have to head to the Rockies. Vermont is getting a bit mushy..but I'll be there next week anyway.

Killington, VT (for example) had $112 per person/per night for lift tickets and hotel rooms. That's 56 Pounds (roughly) given the exchange rate. That was the mid-season rate. Granted you have to fork over the cash for airfare to the states which is probably more costly than flying to France, Italy, or Switzerland.

That doesn't include food or ski rentals, but you're still getting away dirt cheap because of the exchange rate.

I work at a Resort Spa in Pennsylvania. We've had a steady stream of UK residents all winter. We charge $350 per night (all inclusive) and it was like the British Invasion some weeks. Likewise, when I went to New York City for Christmas shopping I think every fifth person I bumped into was from England. If you have Pounds to blow...go to the US.

Ski passes and equipment hire are never quoted in any holiday price and yo are correct with passes in the Alps costing 300 euros plus in some resorts this is a massive cost.

I have found the cheapest way is to buy your own equipment as soon as you can. It may cost initially but with ski and pole hire being £50 a week it will quickly pay itself off. Once yo have your own equipment go for non packaged options but take friends with you to share the cost. You can actually get a week apartment that sleeps 4 people for about £800 so that's only £200 each. If you go in one car and share the driving and the petrol and the tolls you can get to the Alps for about another £60 each so you will keep the cost down especially if you self cater and buy food and wine at the supermarkets.

In my experience however no matter how you work it a weeks skiing in Europe is likely to run to about £800 - £1,000 for a week.

You are right, that is expensive.

The only time I have got a ski holiday really cheap is when I booked literally 2 days before we went. We got a catered chalet (all meals included except for one evening meal as the staff had a day off), coach travel for only £300 each. However we still needed to buy the ski pass. It really was a last minute thing and we risked not getting a holiday by leaving it that late.

I guess enjoying the snow is simply an expensive sport!

Having a ski vacation is really fun, yet costly. Maybe the deal you had inquired was not a complete package at all. I suggest you try Val d'Isère in France. Ski Vacation Packages (http://skivacationpackages.co.uk)/ offers a complete ski package in this gorgeous place. They have a ski vacation package in Chalet Hotel Moris in Val d’Isère. The Hotel is just a 5-minute walk away from the Solaise and Bellevarde lift stations and ski school meeting points. The package includes direct flights, resort transfers, accommodation, welcome drinks and canapes, breakfast, afternoon tea and 3 course dinner & wine. It also has a Lift Pass Collection Service in Skiing while an accommodation in the Chalet Hotel includes Adult chalet and where children are welcome during school holidays. The complete package is just £466 per person; two adults are allowed and can stay for 7 nights in a Gatwick Quad WB Balcony Bedroom. For other info, visit Ski Vacation Packages UK’s site on the link I have provided. I hope this information helps.

The most expensive part of the holiday is usually the accomodation. Package deals will usually work out close to the cheapest if you book with a large group and go self catering somewhere that is reasonably priced. Some tour operators offer cheap deals on lift passes, or throw them in. As a complete beginner, you will probably not even need a lift pass on the first day as you will be skiing in the beginners area which is usually free (i.e. no lift pass required) if you are taking lessons. You could buy the passes one day at a time, as you may decide to take a rest on one day. Some areas have ever expanding areas you are allowed to ski on, with varying prices. You cannot allow for that in a pre-booked ticket. Beginners can save a lot on lift passes, as they usually only ski in a small area initially. Buy clothes second hand on ebay! Beer is very expensive in resorts on draft. Spirits tend to be much cheaper, especially local spirits (like pastis in France) The last time I was in Val d'Isere it was nearly £4 a pint of Murphy's or Guiness. Probably closer to £6 now. Cheapest way is not to stay in a large expensive resort. Stay in a smaller lower resort, which shares the same ski area. Brides les Bains is very cheap for beers and accomodation compared to Meribel. The lift from Brides les Bains takes 30 minutes, but you are then in Meribel ready to ski. Catch the first lift up in the morning and you are then in the beginners area. (you will need a lift pass in Brides les Bains to ski the beginners area)

Try any of the resorts in North America on the western side of the continent. We got an outrageous amount of snow this year and the crowds are gone except for a couple of the top resorts. Whistler/Blackcomb in BC Canada, Banff/ Lake Louise Ab, Canada. Tahoe in Ca, USA, any other USA resorts in the western US should be great for another month. Try their web sites and enjoy.

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