Do you want to go on a skiing holiday, but think it is far too expensive? FOREX Bank's new Ski Index lists the prices in 26 ski resorts around the world - and there is a huge difference in prices. We present the destinations for those who want to find the cheapest ski holiday in 2016. We're also curious - have you tried skiing in these countries and what is your experience?
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ShareFOREX Bank Ski Index
The FOREX Bank ski index compares the price situation in 26 different ski resorts during week 9, 2016. Examples of costs compared are lift passes, average price for a hotel night and lunch. The starting point is Åre, Sweden, with a price index of 100. Everything above is more expensive and everything below is cheaper ...
The most expensive ski resorts
If you want to splurge on a skiing holiday, go to the USA, Canada, Switzerland, France, Austria or Italy. The most expensive ski resort is American Aspen with a price index of 215, more than twice as expensive as Åre.
"The price sensitive should stay away from the USA this winter. Expensive ski passes and accommodations combined with a strong dollar is not a favourable combination for Swedish ski travellers", says Mattias Varén, Travel Economist at FOREX Bank.
The cheapest ski holiday
If you want to keep your wallet in check while enjoying an interesting and exciting skiing adventure, there are other options. "There are a number of exciting ski resorts in both Eastern Europe and the Pyrenees that are much cheaper than the Swedish mountains," says Mattias Varén. The cheapest ski resorts are mainly in the eastern part of Europe, in countries such as Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Poland and Slovenia.
The cheapest ski holiday is to Pamporovo, located in the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria, with a price index of 39. Here you'll find 14 lifts, a ski school, 20 pistes and 120 sunny days during the winter months. Relatively cheap ski resorts can also be found in Spain, Germany, Andorra and Finland, among others.
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ActiveDays-Camilla says:
Fun with a post with a ski theme! And you have to rest a little sometimes too when skiing... 😉.
05 January 2016 - 9:57
Ama de casa says:
In addition to skiing at home (Sweden and Spain), we have skied in the USA, Canada, Switzerland, France, Austria and Italy. The most expensive ones we have apparently chosen... Haha!
It is ALWAYS expensive at ski resorts (perhaps due to our choice of countries... 😉 ), but I did not experience Aspen as "more expensive than usual". Zermatt in Switzerland, on the other hand... Gosh! We will never ski in Switzerland again. I think... 😉
05 January 2016 - 11:04
Mr Frank Olsen says:
And I was expecting Norway at the top....
Hemsedal is actually cheaper than Åre in Sweden.
But it was incredibly expensive in the US!!!
05 January 2016 - 11:52
Cat's Considerations says:
Interesting reading. We go skiing but haven't really thought about how much it costs, because all travel costs.
We often ski in Riksgränsen and Björkliden, the cost of lift passes is similar in many parts of the country. We have access to cheap accommodation as co-owners of a cabin there.
In the days we travel to Austria for skiing and we have received 4 nights accommodation with full board and drinks for 1800 SEK / person it is CHEAP! Now we will see where the ski trip ends as we buy lift tickets on site depending on the weather and which ski resort we choose to go to. We have a rental car and can choose around our accommodation.
05 January 2016 - 12:36
BP says:
Yes, like AMA, I have also chosen the most expensive resorts in Switzerland, France, Austria and Italy. I have also travelled on the "mini" slopes in Åre and Sälen and in Germany.
But that was then. Now I/we prefer warmth - eight degrees below zero outside is enough right now;-)
05 January 2016 - 12:12
Anna in Dubai says:
He lies there on the slope and cuddles little Peter. Probably the same stall I would have had about 100% of the time if I had been on a skiing holiday. You missed the ski resort on the price index. 2.5 slopes, a zipline, place balls to roll around in, penguins, playground.
In addition, a new indoor ski park is being built in Abu Dhabi - said to be the world's largest.
Meanwhile, Dubai is planning the world's LONGEST indoor ski slope. You don't want to compete with big brother Abu Dhabi ... while you want to.
05 January 2016 - 14:36
Mr Steve says:
I used to ski, both cross-country and downhill, but skiing holidays have never been my thing. Nowadays I don't even have to think about it.
However, it is good that the cheaper alternatives are also highlighted so that it is still possible to go on a skiing holiday for those who want to.
05 January 2016 - 14:04
admin says:
Active Days-Camilla, yes, it may not be so often here... But it happens! 😉
Ama de casa, I think that Zermatt in Switzerland was quite high on the Forex list, but I think Verbier was even higher. And hehe, yes, it can obviously be cheaper in some destinations 😉.
Frank Olsen, Norway is usually expensive, but I also noticed that Hemsedal was lower than Åre.
BP, I have almost only skied in Sweden, and once in Norway and once in Germany. I think it's fun, but most of the time we prioritise warmth or something else where you don't have to get all the ski equipment etc. If I were to go, however, I would like to try a ski resort in Eastern Europe.
Katta's observations, wonderful that you found something you are happy with, and also the price then, even though it is in Austria! Hope you have a really nice ski trip!
Steve, yes, there are actually cheaper alternatives! More people should be able to travel if they dare to try these alternatives!
Anna in Dubai, haha, it would be very interesting to see the price index where Dubai is included! But it was not included in the list... 😉 Suspect that it will not be the cheapest option though 😉.
05 January 2016 - 16:18
Ditte says:
Cheap, yes, but not a big challenge in terms of slopes and lifts. I have tried Bulgaria and Pamporovo and they were ok. If you think less about the skiing, likewise I have tried the Czech Republic and the Pyrenees (the best of these three.) But nothing for me.
I have skied a lot throughout my life and often with my children when they were younger. But when they were six years old we left Sälen, Idre, Duved and other ski resorts here at home in favour of Italy, France, Switzerland and Austria. We wanted to be able to go far, like a full day trip, without having to take the same lifts more than once if we didn't want to. In terms of price, I don't have much of an idea, but we haven't thought that Norway and Switzerland have been expensive (Verbier and Zermatt have been) In the US, I have tried Aspen and don't think it came up in Switzerland's price range either.
But I don't think that as an inveterate skier you look for the cheapest options if you've been skiing for a while, and 14 lifts and 20 pistes don't stand up very well in competition with 100 lifts and miles of pistes.
However, if you're a beginner and want to give it a try, the cheaper prices can be appealing.
05 January 2016 - 16:26
Lennart says:
It is more than 50 years since I went skiing.
Too late to start again.
We haven't had any snow either since the winter of 2012-20113.
05 January 2016 - 17:33
admin says:
Ditte, that can certainly be the case! And as an experienced skier, you may want a little more challenging slopes. For me who rarely ski, slopes in Sälen and the like work great 😉.
Lennart, I guess it would feel a bit uncomfortable to stand on a pair of skis then 😉.
05 January 2016 - 18:23
Jennifer - Swedish globetrotter in Finland says:
Also read about this at Vagabond. Interesting reading!
I myself had hoped for skiing (or even try snowboarding....) during the New Year's weekend which was here somewhere near Helsinki where there should be a mountain apparently... But it was too cold. So now I bet on Gällivare and Dundret during Easter 😉.
06 January 2016 - 10:57
Åke Hammarbäck says:
Hello!
I will go to Sarajevo and try the 1984 Olympic slopes.
Whole week 5 with car hire as there are 2 ski resorts to visit.
It will be interesting to see the costs there.
Hint, the aircraft seat costs 249 kr. ToR Malmö-Tuzla!
Åke
06 January 2016 - 15:32
admin says:
Jennifer, yes I saw that they caught the same press release! 🙂 And huh... TOO cold for skiing.... Hope it will be skiing for you in Sweden then!
Åke Hammarbäck, oh how exciting! Please tell us afterwards what you thought! The price down sounded great anyway! 🙂
06 January 2016 - 15:50
Elisabeth says:
The time on the ski slopes is behind me, now my body really wants warmer than what it is here in Norrköping.
06 January 2016 - 22:53
admin says:
Elisabeth, I understand what you mean! We also usually prefer warmth, but sometime again I could probably imagine a ski trip 😉.
07 January 2016 - 8:47
birthday party says:
We are in Aspen every Christmas and yes it is expensive...expensive as hell but I feel Verbier is more expensive...Zermat is not far behind.
The cheapest place in the Alps is probably Champoluc, FANTASTIC skiing over three systems (Champoluc, Gressoney and Alagna). We live cheaply on the slopes and are served a five-course dinner every night for a pittance.
Otherwise, I think you have to look at what you get for your money. It's unfair to compare small systems with measly metres of fall with big systems like Zermat and Verbier.
If you want to get a lot for your money, I recommend Italy.
If you want the best skiing for your money, I recommend Switzerland.
If you want the best people-watching, I recommend Aspen...haha.
If food is important, ITALY, where you can eat delicious food almost anywhere on the slopes, this is NOT the case in Austria or Switzerland.
Hello!
08 January 2016 - 4:40
admin says:
Kalaslotta, thank you for your comment and for sharing your experience! You of course have an important point in that it is not a completely fair comparison! Here are only the prices compared directly, without any comparison of what you get for the money. Thanks also for tips on different ski resorts! 🙂
08 January 2016 - 8:02