A common misconception still remains around the ski industry, that ski holidays are for the chosen few and are expensive. Like all holidays, they can be as expensive or in this case, as inexpensive, as you want.
Whether you are a seasoned skier family returning to the slopes for the next season or a family considering your first ever ski holiday (which you won’t regret), the options open to you are endless and this is all reflected in your budget.
Family Holiday
Let’s consider the options available for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children). Your first port of call has to be looking at your flight options, do you have to fly Saturday to Saturday? The answer is simply no! With the emergence of low cost carriers and competition between the others, flight prices vary significantly, why not fly on a Friday or any other week day that works for your party. This will have a significant effect on your flight prices for the whole family.
The Resort
Your choice here will have some effect on your budget, but most resorts will have a wide range of accommodation types with deals to be found in all. For you, looking for resorts within as short a distance as possible from your airport will start reducing costs from the get go. Transfer times to resorts range from an hour and thirty minutes up to four hours, depending on your chosen airport and chosen resort, so do your research.
Most big resorts are situated in a particular ski area, like the Portes du Soleil, the Espace Killy or Les Trois Vallées, the majority of these ski areas have what are known as satellite resorts. These satellite resorts are just smaller villages nestled in the same ski area and here you can make savings on accommodation and also enjoy a quieter space if that is what you like. So why not consider Les Menuires as an option when visiting Les Trois Vallées.
Les Menuires, Les Trois Vallées
Transfers
Coach, shared or private, they scale in price accordingly. There are numerous operators providing one or all of these options to and from resort. For a family on a budget, your best option will be a return coach transfer to and from resort. With return prices ranging from €56 per adult and €50 per child, this will be your best option in keeping you within budget.
Accommodation
Self-catering accommodation has to be next on your list for a budget driven ski holiday. An apartment for a family of 4 will start off at €500 for non-peak season weeks. Non-peak season weeks are a good option to consider if you want to keep your price down and stay away from the large crowds in resort. Peak weeks around Christmas, New Year’s, February mid-term, and Easter see prices increase and large numbers travelling, so if you can avoid these peak periods for your winter holiday, you will save accordingly.
Self-catered apartments in resort.
Ski Pass
Let’s be honest, you do not need a full area access ski pass, people will try to sell you this, but if it is your first time skiing, a local area ski pass is going to be more then you need for your first trip and your next one (once you start skiing, you won’t stop). The difference between the two options is significant; you will save between €50 and €60 per ski pass. This will aid greatly in reducing your overall price.
Rental
It’s your first time skiing, let’s be honest, you will be learning how to ski and spending some time on your bum laughing in the snow, so you will require basic equipment. You’ll need an economy pack for the week which will cost you around €90 per adult and €60 per child. A must recommend for us is a helmet, not everyone wears them (but you should), some insurance companies have gone as far as stating that you must wear a helmet under their insurance policy. An adult helmet will cost another €20 with children’s helmets costing around €13.
Lessons
The only way to ski, is to learn. With numerous operators in each resort, you will have a choice to make in terms of who to go with. Some of the big names have been around for years and subsequently charge accordingly. However these operators provide some of the most reliable and focused ski / snowboard lessons on the mountains. For a family of 2 adults and 2 children having lessons every morning (half day) for the duration of their stay (6 ski days) the cost will be €740, that breaks down to €185 per person. To keep these costs down take your lessons in a group, where up to 6 people share a lesson with a dedicated instructor. These people will be of the same level and it is a great way to meet new like-minded people while in resort.
Don’t forget to book as early as possible to always ensure you and your family get the best deal.
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