Ski holidays need not be an expensive luxury, as a new ranking of European ski resorts identifies budget-friendly options that can cost as little as £33 per day. A study by holiday search engine Holidu, which analyzed 265 resorts, found that France boasts nine of the 10 cheapest destinations for skiers.
Top Affordable French Ski Resorts
The top spot was claimed by Roubion-les-Buisses in France, with daily costs of approximately €40.50 (£33.78) and 30km of slopes. This family-friendly resort, located an hour from Nice, offers a variety of runs suitable for different skill levels, from green to black pistes. The resort provides panoramic views of the Mercantour peaks, and on clear days, vistas can extend to Corsica.
Réallon, also in France, secured second place with daily costs around €42.95 (£35.82) for its 30km of slopes. Known for its relaxed ambiance, this Hautes-Alpes resort offers accommodation for less than €16.68 per person per night.
Gresse-en-Vercors, situated at 1,200m in the Vercors Massif, came in third. Priced at approximately €49 (£40.85) per day for 20km of skiable terrain, it is noted for its unique setting and suitability for families, beginners, and intermediate skiers. The resort also offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities.
Le Mourtis, France, ranked fourth with daily costs of €51.50 (£42.95) for 25km of pistes. It has been described as a good resort for beginners and children, featuring a dedicated area for them and sledding. Lans-en-Vercors followed in sixth place at €54.98 (£45.85) for 24km of slopes, offering diverse activities including Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and sledging.
Le Collet d’Allevard, eighth in the ranking, offers 35km of slopes for around €55 (£45.87) per day, appealing to families and skiers of all levels with its location in the Belledonne range. Chabanon, also in France, is eighth on the list with daily prices of €55.20 (£46.03) for 40km of terrain, notable for having one of Europe's longest night-skiing slopes.
Aillons-Margériaz, ninth, provides 24km of slopes for €55.40 (£46.20) and is situated within the Massif des Bauges Regional Nature Park. Rounding out the top 10 is Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes, France, offering skiing for €57.50 (£47.95) per day across 24km of slopes, presented as a nature-focused mountain village for a quieter getaway.
Spanish Skiing Option
Sierra de Béjar in Spain is the only resort outside of France to make the top 10 list. Located in the Sistema Central Mountains, it offers 26.8km of slopes at a daily cost of €53 (£44.20) and provides good snow quality throughout winter, along with cross-country skiing.
In comparison, the study's most expensive resort, Zermatt in Switzerland, can cost significantly more, with daily passes almost seven times the price of the cheapest French options.