Where's cheapest to ski this season?

Kitzbühel and the Skiwelt in Austria, the Milky Way in Italy and three resorts in Norway have made it into the top 20 cheapest resorts for a snow-sports break this season, according to research by travel money expert Fairfx. They join a raft Eastern European resorts, but there’s good news for all winter destinations as skiing and snowboarding trips are at their cheapest since 2013/14.

Fairfx compared the weekly local costs of seven-day lift passes, a morning’s tuition each day for six days and hire of basic beginners’ skis and boots for seven days at 59 resorts in 19 countries in Europe and North America. The prices were calculated using local currency and then converted into pounds (rates correct as of October 23 2015). The resorts were chosen based on the most popular winter sports holiday destinations marketed by tour operators and then bolstered by up-and-coming resorts.

The research discovered that resorts in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Poland offered the lowest costs while America, Switzerland and Canada dominated the most expensive destination shortlist.

The pretty medieval village of Kitzbühel  Photo: Markus Mitterer

Based on the cost of equipment, tuition and lift passes, a week’s ski holiday in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic, is just £134 this season followed by Kekes, Hungary, which comes in at £153. In third and fourth place are Bled and Kranjska Gora in Slovenia with a weekly budget of £199 and £260 respectively.

• The best ski resorts in Eastern European

Of the ‘big four’ European hubs, Austria’s Kitzbühel is the cheapest with an average weekly cost of £263. The Milky Way is Italy’s cheapest ski area at £330, while the cheapest resort in France is Alpe d’Huez in 23rd position at £367, whereas two of Switzerland’s resorts feature in the top 10 most expensive.

Although Kitzbühel is the cheapest resort of the ‘big four’, the cheapest country overall is Italy, costing £391 per week on average, followed by Austria at £400, France at £408 and Switzerland at £665.

Of the top 10 most expensive resorts, seven are in North America. The top three spots are all taken by the USA: Breckenridge costs £1,075, Vail £1,028, and Winter Park £970. These are followed by Zermatt in Switzerland at £803.

The four Canadian resorts of Banff and Lake Louise, Whistler, Jasper and Panorama come in at fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth, costing between £626 and £650 for a week’s holiday. However, now could be the most affordable time to take a Canadian winter break as favourable exchange rates mean that it’s currently 22 per cent cheaper to visit Canada compared to two years ago.

The Milky Way ski area in Italy is in the top 20 cheapest resorts  Photo: Thibaut Durand

There’s good news for most holidaymakers, as the research found that 2015/6 offers cheaper skiing in 18 out of the 19 countries featured compared to 2013/4 (based on rates of October 23 2013) thanks to the strength of the British pound.

In Europe, trips to Norway will cost nearly a third less and Sweden will cost a quarter less this season. Travellers willing to go further will get the best value in Russia, where a substantial drop in the rouble will see every pound spent go 88 per cent further than it did during the 2013/4 ski season. And trips to destinations including France, Austria, Finland and Italy cost 16 per cent less for British tourists.

The Skiwelt ski area in Austria is the 16th cheapest resort  Photo: Christian Kapfinger

Fairfx currency expert Darren Kilner said: “Taking advantage of favourable exchange rates means that holidaymakers can save significantly when booking their winter trip. For those looking to hit the slopes this season, it makes financial sense to plan ahead and consider picking a destination where every pound will get maximum value. Looking at currency trends allows skiers and snowboarders to see which countries are most affordable and whether their budget can stretch to explore new destinations.”

Top tips for saving money on snow-sports holidays

1. Don’t just look at the cost of activities – look at destinations where your money will go furthest.
2. If you’re making an international payment to pay for your chalet deposit or group tour, monitor the exchange rate and pay when it is in your favour.
3. Don’t leave it until the last minute to change your travel money. Exchange rates at airports can be a lot higher.
4. Once you’re abroad, beware of the double exchange rate dupe. If the seller in a shop or restaurant coverts the sale price back into pounds, they will choose their own exchange rate and that’s likely to be less favourable for the customer.
5. Taking debit and credit cards away is a good back up but beware of ATM and transaction fees as well as what exchange rate are being applied. Instead, use a prepaid currency card.