The plan in order
- Set a budget and a group. Agree how many people, how many nights and roughly how much each person can spend. Cost per person falls when a group shares an apartment.
- Choose your dates. Mark school holiday weeks for your country and nearby countries, then look at the weeks around them. See when to go.
- Choose the type of base. Decide between a valley town, a village or a high resort before you look at specific places. See choosing a resort area.
- Check how you will get there. Look for a rail station and a bus or lift link before you book a room. See getting there by train.
- Book the room. Self-catering apartments let a group cook. Compare the total for the stay, including cleaning fees, local tourist taxes and bed linen if charged separately.
- Book travel. Book trains early on busy routes, and plan connections with time to spare.
- Pick the lift pass. Match it to your level and real ski days. See lift passes.
- Sort equipment. Reserve rentals, and borrow clothing where you can. See rentals and gear.
- Arrange insurance. Make sure it covers winter sports and mountain rescue. See mountain safety.
- Plan food. Shop at a supermarket on arrival, and decide which meals you will eat out.
Food and drink
Eating at restaurants on the slopes can cost a lot over a week. A few habits help:
- Cook breakfast and dinner where you stay, and treat a mountain lunch as an occasional extra.
- Carry a refillable water bottle and some snacks in your pocket. Check whether the ski area has picnic rooms or tables where you can eat your own food.
- Buy groceries in a valley town before you go up if prices in the resort are higher.
- Look for set lunch menus in the village rather than on the mountain.
Lessons
Group lessons usually cost less per person than private ones and work well for beginners. Booking early helps in holiday weeks, when classes fill. For a family, a couple of private hours can be better value than several group places, so compare both. See first trip and families.
Costs that catch people out
- Local tourist taxes charged per person per night.
- Card deposits for lift passes, refunded when you return the card.
- Ski lockers or storage near the lifts.
- Transfers from the station or airport, especially late at night.
- Parking at the resort, if you drive.
- Equipment damage without cover.
Where not to cut
Keep spending on the things that keep you safe: a helmet, boots that fit, insurance that covers winter sports, and lessons or a qualified guide where you need them. Off-piste skiing without training and equipment is never a way to save money. Read avalanche safety before you leave the marked runs.
Budget questions
Is a package holiday cheaper than booking separately?
Sometimes. Packages can bundle travel, rooms, passes and rentals at a lower total, especially for families. Price the same trip both ways before you decide.
How many ski days do I need?
Many people find five or six days on snow enough for a week. Beginners often tire by midweek, so a rest day can save money on the pass.
Does staying further from the lifts always save money?
Not always. Add the cost and time of buses, lockers and carrying gear. Close to a bus stop on a frequent route can be a good middle ground.