Why pay sky-high prices when you can get a 6-day ski pass for less than €150? These ski areas might not have the latest technology nor endless kilometres of pistes, but they’ll do the trick for anyone who’s not looking to set the next freeriding world record. Those of us with a tight budget (hello, families with young kids!) will appreciate the novelty of not having to pay an arm and a leg for a ski pass. If anything, these cheap lift passes will leave you more room to pay for accommodation, flights, food, lessons... argh, skiing is expensive! But we love it though, don’t we?
In a recent comparison of 30 popular ski resorts, we found out that lift pass prices are rising by almost 3% this winter. This works out to an average price increase of about €6 for a 6-day lift pass in high season. And it just doesn’t make sense anymore - in the larger Austrian ski areas, the price of a 6-day lift pass is already more than €250! If these figures make you feel light-headed, you might want to check out some of these more affordable ski areas.
Located in the southern French Alps, Saint Léger les Mélèzes is one of the smallest communes in the Hautes-Alpes. The tranquil ski area lies between 1250m and 2001m and has just 25km of pistes. The lion’s share is green and blue, making the area ideal for beginners and families with children. For advanced skiers there is one black run, the Tanchit Noire.
© OT Saint Léger les Mélèzes
More and more winter sport enthusiasts are turning to the Czech Republic to find cheaper ski holiday alternatives. Herlíkovice-Bubákov, situated in the Giant Mountains, offers budget-friendly skiing on 12km of pistes. The ski area also boasts a small fun park, a slalom course and a floodlit slope for night skiing – not even something you see every day in the Alps!
Kolbenabove Oberammergau has 90% blue slopes and is the perfect place to learn skiing, whether you’re an adult novice or whether you’re bringing along the kids for the very first time. After cruising down the nursery slopes all morning, reward yourself with a lunch or coffee break at the lodge (1258m), with stunning views of the surrounding winter landscapes.
The Kampenwand in southeast Germany has a handful of lifts, giving access to just over 10km of pistes. The ski area is relatively low-lying and only reaches an altitude of 1500m above sea level, but the Kampenwand is the perfect destination not only for downhill skiers but also for cross-country skiers, hikers or anyone who enjoys being outside in nature.
© Pixabay
The south side of the French Alps is known for being relatively cheap, and Ancelles lives up to this reputation. A 6-day ski pass will set you back just €123, and the ski area itself is not bad at all, with 30km of pistes and a maximum altitude of 1850m. The snow-making facilities are also impressive, covering up to 80% of the ski area in artificial snow when necessary. At just €255, a season’s pass here rings in cheaper than a 6-day pass at some of the more popular ski resorts.
The French ski resort of Thollon les Mémises is a stone’s throw from Lake Geneva, meaning skiers and snowboarders will have breathtaking views of the lake from the slopes. A whopping 50km of pistes, mostly red, are yours to ski for just €129. Families will appreciate the day nursery, the practice slopes and the children’s playground.
Ski resort Horní Domky is part of Rokytnice nad Jizerou and has just under 15 kilometers of pistes. The slope offering is quite varied and there is even a descent that is more than 100 meters wide! Horní Domky belongs to the better and more modern ski areas of the Czech Republic.
© Rokytnice nad Jizerou - Horní Domky
With more than 60km of pistes, the Wintersport Arena Sauerland is the largest ski area north of the Alps, bringing together almost all the Sauerland ski areas, including Winterberg and Willingen. For just €132, you can buy the 6-day Wintersport-Arena Card, which grants you the privilege of accessing the lifts and slopes in all the connected ski areas.
The ski resort of Zahmer Kaiser is located in northern Tyrol, near the German border. A picturesque skiing area with around 10km of slopes, a few lifts and several unassuming mountain huts, Zahmer Kaiser attracts skiers in the know who wish to avoids the crowds that flock to the SkiWelt Wilder-Kaiser Brixental, on the other side of the Kaiser mountains.
If you’re willing to shell out a staggering €148, you’ll be able to explore more than 50km of slopes in the various linked ski areas of the Monts Jura. Keep an eye on snow depths as this ski area isn’t what you would call snow-sure. It might have to be a last-minute decision – but at these rock-bottom prices, who cares?
© Office de tourisme Pays de Gex - La Faucille
Need more inspiration? Check out these ski resorts where kids ski for free >
Why pay sky-high prices when you can get a 6-day ski pass for less than €150? These ski areas might not have the latest technology nor endless kilometres of pistes, but they’ll do the trick for anyone who’s not looking to set the next freeriding world record. Those of us with a tight budget (hello, families with young kids!) will appreciate the novelty of not having to pay an arm and a leg for a ski pass. If anything, these cheap lift passes will leave you more room to pay for accommodation, flights, food, lessons... argh, skiing is expensive! But we love it though, don’t we?
In a recent comparison of 30 popular ski resorts, we found out that lift pass prices are rising by almost 3% this winter. This works out to an average price increase of about €6 for a 6-day lift pass in high season. And it just doesn’t make sense anymore - in the larger Austrian ski areas, the price of a 6-day lift pass is already more than €250! If these figures make you feel light-headed, you might want to check out some of these more affordable ski areas.
Located in the southern French Alps, Saint Léger les Mélèzes is one of the smallest communes in the Hautes-Alpes. The tranquil ski area lies between 1250m and 2001m and has just 25km of pistes. The lion’s share is green and blue, making the area ideal for beginners and families with children. For advanced skiers there is one black run, the Tanchit Noire.
© OT Saint Léger les Mélèzes
More and more winter sport enthusiasts are turning to the Czech Republic to find cheaper ski holiday alternatives. Herlíkovice-Bubákov, situated in the Giant Mountains, offers budget-friendly skiing on 12km of pistes. The ski area also boasts a small fun park, a slalom course and a floodlit slope for night skiing – not even something you see every day in the Alps!
Kolbenabove Oberammergau has 90% blue slopes and is the perfect place to learn skiing, whether you’re an adult novice or whether you’re bringing along the kids for the very first time. After cruising down the nursery slopes all morning, reward yourself with a lunch or coffee break at the lodge (1258m), with stunning views of the surrounding winter landscapes.
The Kampenwand in southeast Germany has a handful of lifts, giving access to just over 10km of pistes. The ski area is relatively low-lying and only reaches an altitude of 1500m above sea level, but the Kampenwand is the perfect destination not only for downhill skiers but also for cross-country skiers, hikers or anyone who enjoys being outside in nature.
© Pixabay
The south side of the French Alps is known for being relatively cheap, and Ancelles lives up to this reputation. A 6-day ski pass will set you back just €123, and the ski area itself is not bad at all, with 30km of pistes and a maximum altitude of 1850m. The snow-making facilities are also impressive, covering up to 80% of the ski area in artificial snow when necessary. At just €255, a season’s pass here rings in cheaper than a 6-day pass at some of the more popular ski resorts.
The French ski resort of Thollon les Mémises is a stone’s throw from Lake Geneva, meaning skiers and snowboarders will have breathtaking views of the lake from the slopes. A whopping 50km of pistes, mostly red, are yours to ski for just €129. Families will appreciate the day nursery, the practice slopes and the children’s playground.
Ski resort Horní Domky is part of Rokytnice nad Jizerou and has just under 15 kilometers of pistes. The slope offering is quite varied and there is even a descent that is more than 100 meters wide! Horní Domky belongs to the better and more modern ski areas of the Czech Republic.
© Rokytnice nad Jizerou - Horní Domky
With more than 60km of pistes, the Wintersport Arena Sauerland is the largest ski area north of the Alps, bringing together almost all the Sauerland ski areas, including Winterberg and Willingen. For just €132, you can buy the 6-day Wintersport-Arena Card, which grants you the privilege of accessing the lifts and slopes in all the connected ski areas.
The ski resort of Zahmer Kaiser is located in northern Tyrol, near the German border. A picturesque skiing area with around 10km of slopes, a few lifts and several unassuming mountain huts, Zahmer Kaiser attracts skiers in the know who wish to avoids the crowds that flock to the SkiWelt Wilder-Kaiser Brixental, on the other side of the Kaiser mountains.
If you’re willing to shell out a staggering €148, you’ll be able to explore more than 50km of slopes in the various linked ski areas of the Monts Jura. Keep an eye on snow depths as this ski area isn’t what you would call snow-sure. It might have to be a last-minute decision – but at these rock-bottom prices, who cares?
© Office de tourisme Pays de Gex - La Faucille
Need more inspiration? Check out these ski resorts where kids ski for free >
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
