The travel portal Travel.ru has compiled a rating of the most inexpensive foreign resorts for winter holidays.
When calculating the budget for one person, the cost of living in a three-star hotel, the cost of dinner in a cafe, the price of a ski pass and prices for visiting a spa were taken into account.
The most inexpensive Ski resorts in Eastern European countries - Bosnia, Romania and Croatia - are called foreign. Tourists can plan their budget at the rate of 50-90 euros per day.
The most expensive For travelers, there are resorts in France, Switzerland and the USA, where you will have to spend from 250 to 350 euros per day.
The top 10 foreign ski resorts included:
Jahorina, Bosnia (budget 50 euros per person)
Poiana Brasov, Romania (55 euros)
Platak, Croatia (77 euros)
Strbske Pleso, Slovakia (78 euros)
Harrachov, Czech Republic (80 euros)
Sljeme, Croatia (81 euros)
Kopaonik, Serbia (83 euros)
Zakopane, Poland (86 euros)
Slovenia (87 euros)
Pamporovo, Bulgaria (89 euros)
The most expensive are the French ski resorts of Courchevel (351 euros), Val Thorens (budget 258 euros) and Meribel (274 euros), Swiss St. Moritz (276 euros) and American Aspen (280 euros).
Top 50 foreign ski resorts
and their budget (per person per day, euros)
1. Jahorina, Bosnia and Herzegovina - 50
2. Poiana Brasov, Romania - 55
3. Platak, Croatia - 77
4. Strbske Pleso, Slovakia - 78
5. Harrachov, Czech Republic - 80
6. Sljeme, Croatia - 81
7. Kopaonik, Serbia - 83
8. Zakopane, Poland - 86
9. Bohinj, Slovenia - 87
10. Pamporovo, Bulgaria - 89
11. Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic - 90
12. Bansko, Bulgaria - 92
13. Encamp, Andorra - 111
Many people want to relax and go skiing in Europe. And it’s not surprising: is it bad to combine active recreation with pleasant walks through unique European villages and famous cultural places? And it turns out that you don’t have to visit expensive ski resorts for this. After all, countries like Bulgaria can also boast of Alpine peaks. At the same time, holidays there are cheaper than at the most economical ski resorts in Austria and Germany. In addition, you can go skiing and snowboarding on a budget in Slovenia, Romania and the Czech Republic.
For most tourists, Bulgaria is associated with a beach holiday. But nature has rewarded it not only with sea coasts, but also with mountainous terrain, spreading its network of massifs and ridges over almost half of the country’s territory. The Balkans, with a height not exceeding 3 thousand meters, have created excellent conditions for the development of ski tourism in southwestern Bulgaria.
Particularly popular ski resorts in Bulgaria are: And . The latter is the most prestigious and oldest Bulgarian ski resort.
| Bansko | Borovets | |
| Location | at the foot of the Pirin Mountains 12 km from Bansko | northern slopes of the Rila Mountains, at the foot of Mount Musala, 72 km from the capital |
| Ski pass, adult/child | 3 days – 95/55 euros 6 days – 160/94 euros | 3 days – 100/75 euros 6 days – 160/94 euros |
| Ski season | December - May | November-March |
| 16 tracks, over 70 km | 24 tracks, 58 km | |
| Difficulty of trails | 4 green, 3 blue, 7 red, 2 black | 3 black, 18 red, 3 blue |
| Height difference | 1810 m | 1323-2540 m |
| Number of lifts | 24 | 14 |
| Services | ski schools, kindergarten, parking, skating rink, spa | more than 200 instructors, the best schools, skating rink, cross-country ski track, snowmobiles, sleigh rides, helicopter rides, |
| Near the tracks – 70 euros, in the city center – 20-25 euros | 30-50 euros |
- If you love active recreation in nature, but cannot live without big cities, then the Vitosha ski resort will be the best option for you. It is somewhat smaller than Pamporovo, but is located only 10 km from the capital Sofia and is its pride.
- For those who like very mild winters, the best option is. Here the average winter temperature is -3 degrees.
- For a trip to all Bulgarian resorts, it is better to choose February or March, since the rest of the time there are still problems with snow.
Look at photos and route diagrams of budget ski resorts in Europe:
Ski resorts in Romania: prices
Romania is an unspoiled European country, known throughout the world as the birthplace of the father of all vampires, Count Dracula. Despite this background, it is a very friendly country with beautiful nature, which has made it possible to organize several ski resorts. A third of the territory of Romania is occupied by the Carpathians. In total, there are almost 20 ski resorts in the country. Some of the most popular are ski resorts in Romania such as , Predeal.
| Poiana Brasov | Predeal | |
| Location | the foot of Mount Postevaru, 13 km from Brastovo, 167 km from Bucharest | Prahova Valley, 147 km from Bucharest |
| Ski pass, adult/child | for 6 days – 68/39 euros | passes are issued for the number of climbs: 30 climbs -17/10 euros |
| Ski season | December-mid March | December-March |
| Number and length of trails | 12 tracks, 14 km | 10 trails, 8.5 km |
| Difficulty of trails | 5 blue, 3 red, 4 black | 1 green, 3 blue, 4 red, 2 black |
| Height difference | 1020-1800 m | 1060-1500 m |
| Number of lifts | 10 | 10 |
| Services | mineral water, medical procedures, artificial skating rinks, riding centers, ski school and kindergarten, 2 jumps | riding centers and artificial skating rink, snow cannons |
| Accommodation, average price for a single room | 25-45 euros | 30-50 euros |
Helpful information
- The special conditions of the Predeal resort allow you to ski even in summer.
- From Poiana Brasti you can go on an excursion to Count Dracula's Castle (Bran Castle).
- An attractive feature of the entire network of ski resorts in Romania is their location on the same line, which makes it easy to move from one resort to another.
- Also, all resorts have direct road and rail connections to Bucharest.
Ski resorts in the Czech Republic: prices
In addition to excursion and health tours, the hospitable Czech Republic offers tourists the opportunity for active winter recreation at reasonable prices. Gentle slopes and fairly stable weather make holidays in the Czech Republic a pleasant pastime for lovers of not particularly extreme alpine and cross-country skiing and snowboarding and active family recreation.
The main ski resorts in the Czech Republic include Harrachov andRokytnice nad Jizerou.
| Rokytnice nad Jizerou | Harrachov | |
| Location | Valley of the Beskydy mountain range, at the foot of Lysa Gora | Valley of the Mumlawa River, on the border with Poland |
| Ski pass, adult | 1 day – 19 euros 7 days – 110 euros | 1 day – 15 euros 6 days – 82 euros |
| Ski season | December – end of February | December-April |
| Number and length of trails | 18 tracks, 18 km | 8 trails, 9 km |
| Difficulty of trails | 9 blue, 7 red, 1 black | 5 blue, 2 red, 1 black |
| Height difference | 540-1600 | 650-1020 |
| Number of lifts | 28 | 15 |
| Services | Trail lighting, instructors, children's trails, cross-country trails, snow cannons | Springboards, special ski simulators for beginners, ski school, evening lighting |
| Accommodation, average price for a single room | 18-20 euros – hotels, apartments – from 20 euros euros | 20-50 euros per hotel room |
Helpful information
- Near the famous Karlovy Vary is the Ore Mountains ski resort.
- Most resorts, including those described above, are located on the territory of the Krkonose National Park, which means tourists can spend time in an ecologically clean area not only with pleasure, but also with health benefits.
- In Harrachov you can ski all year round.
Ski resorts in Slovenia: prices
Situated in the Julian Alps, Slovenia has become one of the excellent options for ski and snowboard lovers who want to save money, but enjoy the skiing and service. The ski resorts of this country have recently begun to be in demand among Russian citizens. Among the leaders in popularity are the following: Kranjska Gora and Maribor Pohorje.
| Kranjska Gora | Maribor Pohorje | |
| Location | Valley on the border with Italy and Austria, 65 km from Ljubljana airport | 6 km from the city of Maribor, 147 km from the airport in Ljubljana |
| Ski pass, adult/child | 1 day – 28/18 euros 6 days – 147/94 euros | 6 days – 158/72 euros |
| Ski season | December - mid March | December-March |
| Number and length of trails | 21 routes, 31 km | 23 routes, 64 km |
| Difficulty of trails | 13 blue, 6 red, 2 black | 20 blue, 35 red, 5 black |
| Height difference | 785-1623 m | 336-1347 m |
| Number of lifts | 23 | 20 |
| Services | illuminated slopes, toboggan runs, ski schools, snow cannons, ice skating rink, horse riding | thermal centre, toboggan run, artificial snowmaking, kindergarten and ski school, 5 km illuminated piste |
| Accommodation, average price for a single room | 35-55 euros | 50-130 euros |
Helpful information
- In Kranjska Gorka, the ski pass for low and high seasons is the same.
- Mariborg Pohorje is the largest resort and is also perfect for those who do not like to leave large cities for a long time.
- The closest resort to the airport is Krvavec. It is only 10 km away from Ljubljana.
- The highest mountain is Bovec, on whose territory there is the famous Kanin peak with a height of 2548 m.
Ski resorts in Serbia: prices
This small European country attracts tourists with its history and excursion program. And the southern part, occupied by mountain ranges, allows you to combine a cultural program with active winter recreation at the ski resorts of Serbia.
The most popular ski resort in Serbia is Kopaonik.
Helpful information
- While vacationing in Kopaonik, you can visit the ancient monasteries: Studenica, Zicha, Sopocani.
- On the territory of Serbia is the highest mountain town in Europe, Zabljak, which houses a resort of the same name for skiers and snowboarders.
- Today, the youngest ski resort in Serbia, Stara Planina, is rapidly developing, perfect even for extreme sports.
In conclusion, the following conclusions can be drawn:
- Ski Europe does not always mean very high prices for a vacation (a ski pass for 6 days does not reach 180 euros);
- almost all inexpensive ski resorts are located in Eastern Europe, which makes the journey to them cheaper;
- most of them are aimed at beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders, making them an excellent option for family holidays;
- a holiday at any of their resorts can be combined with an interesting cultural program;
- Moreover, each resort provides difficult (black) slopes for professionals.
Bulgarian ski resort Bansko, video:
Interesting too
Hello reader! I often destroy the stereotypes that vacation is very expensive. Believe me, there are many options for the budget traveler. Today we will look at some of the cheapest ski resorts in Europe. I also chirkana about a couple more expensive ones. The weather in spring is so changeable, it is likely that you will still have the opportunity to go riding this year.
Mountains, freezing air, a sea of adrenaline. What could be better than spending the last days of winter outdoors! I have compiled my subjective rating of the best and affordable European ski resorts, where you can ski inexpensively, grab some mulled wine and just look at the beautiful mountains.
Before you start looking at inexpensive ski resorts in Europe, I advise you to look into Decathlon store. They are currently updating their range of equipment; they have good models of equipment at reasonable prices. I recently bought a backpack there and I recommend it to everyone.
Inexpensive ski resorts in Europe - budget and not so
Bansko in Bulgaria
Bansko is not such a popular and promoted resort, but it has long managed to win over all lovers of alpine skiing from all over the world. Do you know where it is on the map or maybe you’ve been there? Be sure to write in the comments.
In Bansko you can find one of the most beautiful mountain ranges of the Pyrenees. In addition, this region is not considered only a ski resort. It is also a beautiful old city with many attractions.
You can come here on vacation from mid-December to mid-April. During this period, there is stable snow cover, the thickness of which sometimes exceeds two meters. The town has good service and varied infrastructure. Here you will find more than six trails, the length of which exceeds 14 kilometers. They are located at an altitude of 2.5 km above sea level.
In Bansko it is easy to book a cozy cheap hotel or expensive apartments. You can also purchase a ski lift ticket, for 7 days you will have to pay 150 euros per adult and 85 euros for a child under 12 years old. Some people prefer to purchase the entire ski package for the same period (it includes: rental, ski pass and training with an instructor), its cost does not exceed 250 euros for an adult and 148 euros for a child. I think if you buy passes in advance you can save a lot.
Where to look for housing in Bansko? Of course, on Booking.com
You will find Bansko 160 km from the capital of Bulgaria. From the capital's airport you can take a taxi to the bus station, and from there, for little money, take a bus to the ski resort. Travel time is up to three hours.
Zakopane in Poland
Rent a house in Zakopane — look at the selection on Booking.
Poiana Brasov in Romania
According to vacationers, the resort is surrounded by a coniferous forest, and the ancient city of Brasov is located nearby. Here you will find 12 tracks with a total length of 14 km, dozens of jumps and modern chairlifts. You will like the town with its excellent ecology, nature, clean mountain air and wonderful landscapes. There is a place for both professionals and beginners to ride here.
When I was in Brasov, I made a short video about Count Dracula's castle, which is located nearby. In general, in Romania everything is fine with cool castles - there are a lot of them, and if you are by car, then in addition to skiing there is always something to see. And Brasov itself is not a city, but a fairy tale. I’m still kicking myself for not writing a blog article about this city.
For active recreation there are several artificial skating rinks, horse riding centers, sports grounds, swimming pools and saunas. In addition, the resort's infrastructure is complemented by restaurants and cafes, where you can enjoy national Romanian cuisine and watch vibrant shows of musicians and dancers.
The resort offers vacationers to stay in budget hotels, but remember that the higher the season, the more expensive it is. A holiday with a classic set of standard services will cost you three hundred euros. For a ski pass (week) you will have to pay 60 euros per adult and 39 euros per child.
Reviews: France or Romania?
Many of my friends have vacationed in France before, but I can say right away that the resorts of this country are significantly more expensive than Romanian ones. Despite the fact that the latter are absolutely not inferior in quality to the slopes and lifts. Of course, I won’t judge places where I haven’t been, but still, I recommend you visit Poiana Brasov to form your own impression of this ski resort.
Budget options for Jasna, Slovakia
This ski resort is one of the most advanced resorts in Eastern Europe. There are tracks for children, tracks for motor sleigh rides and boarding. It is better to come to Jasna between the 12th and the end of the 3rd month. On the territory of Jasna, there are 13 lifts, the total capacity is more than 11 thousand people per hour, while the ski slopes surprise with their diversity and beautiful horizons. You can go on 3 of the most difficult ski slopes, 8 of medium difficulty. Don't worry, there are trails for beginners too.
Almost all hotels are located a few steps from the ski lifts, and small houses are built a little lower. From them to the ski lifts you can quickly get by bus.
The price of a one-day pass for an adult is 28 euros, for a child (6-18 years old) - two dozen euros; for 6 days for an adult - 138 euros, for a child - up to one hundred euros.
Find accommodation in Jasna - Booking offers good options
Official website of the Jasna resort in Slovakia - jasna.sk
Spindleruv Mlyn in the Czech Republic
This resort is considered to be the most popular and visited ski resort in the Czech Republic. You can find it a hundred kilometers from the capital near the Krkonose National Park. During the winter months, this picturesque mountain region turns into a real paradise for lovers of ski and lowland slopes. You can come to ski between December and April.
The resort combines several villages (skiing centers), where you can go not only skiing, but also boarding. The resort has a ski school where Russian-speaking instructors work. There is also aquapark, which is very pleasing after an active ride during the day.
Lift pass per day: adult – up to three tens of euros, child – from ten to twenty euros. Price for a 6-day subscription: adults - from 100 - 80 euros, children - 50-70 euros. Prague Airport is located nearby. If you have ever been here, be sure to write in the comments, because I want to see Spindleruv Mlyn with my own eyes soon.
Accommodation in Spindleruv Mlyn - where to live and how much does it cost to rent a house?
Livigno in Italy
Livigno is considered one of the largest and most budget Italian ski resorts. It is located 30 minutes' drive from Bormio, close to the Swiss border.
The weather conditions here are excellent, the snow cover reaches several meters. At the same time, there is almost no wind, which gives significant advantages to this place compared to others. The season lasts from 11 to 04 months.
A lift pass for an adult for a day will cost more than 40 euros, for a child – 35 euros. A week of skiing at the resort will cost 200 euros for an adult, 135 euros for children.
After Livigno you can go to Milan (more than 200 km) by local bus. You can get from the airport to the resort by bus for three dozen euros. The journey takes up to 4 hours.
Inexpensive housing in Livigna can be viewed right here.
Schladming in Austria
The city is located at an altitude of about 700 meters above sea level, one hundred kilometers from Salzburg. It is rightfully included in the ranking of the best resorts in the world. Schladming stands out for its excellent and professional pistes and predictable terrain. Austria is one of the most expensive resorts in Europe in terms of skiing and snowboarding.
You can use 86 ski lifts and free buses that will take you anywhere in the region. You need to visit the Austrian ski area from 12 to 04 months. It is then that there is snow on all the tracks.
A daily subscription for an adult will cost 45 euros, for a child under 15 years old - two dozen euros, for a teenager under 19 years old - 35 euros. A weekly subscription will cost 220 euros, 112 and 118 euros respectively.
You can get to the resort by bus from Salzburg in just 40 minutes.
Find accommodation in Schladming possible on Booking, there are interesting options there.
Bohinj in Slovenia
This resort is located in the Alps, on the shores of the beautiful Lake Bohinj, altitude - 520 m above sea level.
view of Lake Bohinj
The entertainment area combines many ski centers where you can learn skiing, sledding or boarding. You will also have the opportunity to ride through virgin lands. There is a night skiing service.
In addition, the resort has a ski school and a cross-country ski school. Holidays in Slovenia are most often chosen by married couples with children and skiers, regardless of skill and professionalism. Thanks to its excellent geographical location, snow remains until the end of spring.
The resort has several ski areas: Vogel and Kobla. They are located at a distance of more than ten kilometers from each other. The two zones can be reached by local buses to the funicular railways.
The price of ski passes will cost 25 euros for an adult, 15 euros for a child (under 14 years old); for 6 days for an adult – 150 euros, for a child – 90 euros. Bohinj can be found an hour's drive from Ljubljana. Buses leave from there hourly.
Look for accommodation in Bohinj - more than 50 different options.
Pal and Arinsal in Andorra
The peculiarity of these neighboring towns is good snow cover and ideal infrastructure. Ski resorts combine modern lifts that can lift up to 500 people per hour.
For beginner skiers or snowboarders, it's worth going to Pal, and here Arinsal Should only be visited by professionals.
In Arinsal Palais you will enjoy the combination of amazing mountain views and nature, modern ski slopes and restaurants, cafes and bars with delicious food. There are also schools that teach skiing.
The price of a ski lift ticket will cost you 40 euros (adults), 30 euros (youth 12-17 years old), 27 euros for children (6-11 years old). For five days the prices will be: 160 euros for adults, 140 for youth and 120 euros for children. There are a number of discounts for older people. Children under six years old can ride for free. The resorts are located a few km from Andorra la Vella and Escaldes.
Formigal in Spain
This resort is considered one of the most visited resorts in the Spanish Pyrenees. It can be found near the town of Sallien de Gallego, just 5 km from the French border. This resort is the most affordable in Spain.
Here you will find more than a hundred km of trails with a maximum altitude of 2.2 km. The ski season here lasts from December to March.
This resort is ideal for families. The wide pistes will appeal to both beginner and advanced skiers. Prices rental property in Formigal may bite in high season. It is worth taking this into account when planning your trip.
Ukraine: Bukovel and Dragobrat
This country is also famous for its ski resorts. If everything in Bukovel is relatively expensive, budget tourists opt for.
This resort is considered the highest and, according to the Ukrainians themselves, the most beautiful. You can find it at an altitude of 1400 m, on the border of the forest belt. The resort will delight you with long-lasting and stable, natural snow cover, and tourists ski here much longer than in – from November to mid-May. According to statistics, over the past 30 years, local residents and tourists have not complained about the lack of snow.
Therefore, you will not find a better place for boarding if you go to Ukraine. Bukovel is a very good European-level resort, definitely worth a visit.
What about housing? You can always view on Booking, enjoy good prices and book a suitable option for yourself.
Krasnaya Polyana in Sochi / Russia
Surely, if you think about where to go skiing in Russia, many will immediately have the idea of booking the nearest ticket to Sochi.
And not surprisingly, Rosa Khutor is a fairly advertised complex, although it can hardly be called budget. A suitable option for a budget traveler. Here you can ride on good slopes and also look at the Olympic heritage. Two in one. Anyone who has been to these parts, be sure to write in the comments. And if, in your opinion, Sheregesh should have been included in this article, please also indicate in the comments)
More than 200 housing options in Krasnaya Polyana for any budget find on Booking.
I hope you found this article helpful, so don't forget to share it on social media and subscribe.
I want to warn you right away that I found all the prices described in the article on the Internet, some were told to me by my friends, so they may increase or decrease over the years. But I think that on average they will remain so.
Don't forget about it if you go skiing or boarding. Although, you are not small, you understand everything yourself. See you in touch and have a good rest!
Text— Agent Q.
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Sutochno.ru presents to you the best ski resorts in Russia. Our rating contains all the most important things: where to go, what conditions are created for relaxation and where you can stay.
Sheregesh
This ski resort is located in the Kemerovo region, on the slopes of Mount Zelenaya. The complex is well developed and equipped, the snow here is always dry and lush, so it does not stick to the skis, and the slopes retain their shape perfectly. The temperature during the skiing season ranges from −10… -15°С.
How to get there: first to Kemerovo, Novosibirsk or Novokuznetsk, from there by bus to Tashtagol (from 3 to 14 hours), then again by bus to Sheregesh (20 minutes).
When is the season: from mid-November to the end of May.
Who is this resort for: for both beginners and experienced ones.
Trails: 15 trails with a total length of 23 kilometers. There are 4 difficulty levels. Experienced skiers ski at the top; here the sections are the most difficult. It gets easier closer to the bottom. If you are a downhill skier, there are two slopes with an incline of up to 45 degrees.
Equipment rental: for 1 hour - 200 rubles, for 8 hours - 700 rubles. 14 rental points are evenly distributed throughout the resort.
Belokurikha
This resort is located in the Altai Territory, here you can relax against the backdrop of the mountains. The sun shines often, and there is practically no wind, so it is comfortable to ride here, despite the fact that in winter the air temperature reaches -20°C. The thickness of the natural snow cover is about 1.5 meters. Skiing conditions are good; the resort often hosts alpine skiing competitions.
How to get there: by train or plane to Novosibirsk or Barnaul (as well as by train to Biysk), and then by direct bus to Belokurikha.
When is the season: end of November - beginning of April.
Who is this resort for: for everyone who loves alpine skiing in Russia.
Trails: There are 5 equipped slopes, and the total length of the slopes is about 7 kilometers. The longest descent is 2.5 kilometers, the elevation difference is 500 meters. For lovers of difficult trails, the Tserkovka descent is suitable. If you are not a very good skier, you should go to the “Grace” track, it is easier. Katun is suitable for a family holiday, where the elevation difference is only 180 meters.
Equipment rental: about 100 rubles per hour.
Kirovsk
Kirovsk ranks high in the ranking of ski resorts in Russia. It is located in the Murmansk region, thanks to which you can ride here almost all year round. At the beginning of December, the polar night begins here, so guests of the resort not only ski, but also enjoy the northern lights, as well as the picturesque landscapes of the Khibiny.
How to get there: first by plane or train to the city of Apatity, then by regular bus to the resort.
When is the season: from December to May, but there is snow on the peaks even in summer.
Who is this resort for: for beginners and professionals.
Trails: in Kirovsk there are 28 equipped slopes, which in total stretch for 30 kilometers. The elevation difference is from 400 to 600 meters. There are 3 slopes for beginners, 10 for amateurs and pros. There are also 5 slopes of increased difficulty. Chairlifts and rope tows are available.
Equipment rental: The cost depends on which ski area you go to, but the prices are quite low.
Krasnaya Polyana
Krasnaya Polyana is located near Sochi, not far from the Black Sea coast, and thanks to this it is quite easy to get here. The complex was involved in the 2014 Winter Olympics, so the infrastructure here is at a high level. In addition to Krasnaya Polyana itself, the resort includes the village of Esto-Sadok and several sports complexes: Gornaya Karusel, Gazprom (Laura) and Rosa Khutor. In addition to skiing, at the resort you can relax in bars, restaurants and nightclubs, as well as watch.
How to get there: by plane or train to Sochi, then transfer to the Sochi-Krasnaya Polyana train. You can also get to Krasnaya Polyana by car from Sochi and Adler.
When is the season: from mid-December to mid-April.
Who is this resort for: for both experienced and beginners.
Trails: the largest complex is Rosa Khutor, where there are all types of trails and you can practice freeride. The Laura complex is positioned as a family complex and will appeal more to beginners. "Mountain Carousel" is suitable for beginners and professionals, there are opportunities for freeride.
Equipment rental: works both in villages and directly on the highways. The average price for a set of skis or snowboard is 1,200 rubles.
Dombay
Located in Karachay-Cherkessia, on the slopes of the Caucasus. Dombay Glade is incredibly beautiful, and in addition to skiing, here you can admire the panoramas of neighboring mountains, forests and gorges. Dombay is in good standing on the list of ski resorts in Russia: it is actively developing, Russian and international competitions are held here.
How to get there: by plane to Mineralnye Vody, or by train to the same Mineralnye Vody, Cherkessk, Nalchik or Nevinnomyssk. Then take a bus from these cities to Dombay.
When is the season: from late November to early April.
Who is this resort for: for both professionals and beginners.
Trails: 12 descents, whose total length is approximately 20 kilometers. For beginner skiers there are gentle and straight slopes, for those who are braver there are more difficult slopes, and for professionals there are routes with sharp turns and sharp changes in elevation.
Equipment rental: there are a lot of rental points - both in the village and in all parts of the slopes. The kit costs on average 500 rubles per day.
Beloretsk
The Beloretsk ski resort is located in Bashkortostan. Ski slopes are located on Mount Mratkino, which is one of the highest in the Southern Urals. There is a lot of snow here, the air is clean, and the elevation difference is small. The ski slopes are surrounded by a beautiful pine forest.
How to get there: by plane or train to Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk or Ufa, then by bus to Beloretsk.
When is the season: from December to April.
Who is this resort for: for beginners and advanced riders.
Trails: the total length of 5 local trails is about 5 kilometers, the elevation difference does not exceed 300 meters. The simplest one is for riding with children, its length is 300 meters. The most difficult section is the giant slalom course, which is 1,250 meters long. The resort has 4 lifts - both rope tows and chairlifts. The routes have good lighting, the snow is dense, and is leveled if necessary.
Equipment rental: from 140 rubles per hour.
Gubakha
In the Perm region there is a beautiful and snowy resort called Gubakha. Here, in the southern part of the Northern Urals, there are a variety of trails for everyone who likes to ski.
How to get there: by any type of transport to Solikamsk or Perm, then by train or bus to Gubakha.
When is the season: from early December to mid-April.
Who is this resort for: for all lovers of ski holidays, including fans of difficult slopes.
Trails: 17 trails, which in total stretch for 20 km. The elevation difference is 300 m, the longest track is 2600 m. There are tracks of any complexity, including slalom, giant slalom, downhill and freeride.
Equipment rental: a set for 1 hour costs 400 rubles, for a day - 700 rubles.
Khvalynsk
Khvalynsk is located in the Saratov region. The ski resort here is located on the Volga Upland, at its highest point (379 m above sea level). This area is distinguished by relict pine forests, clean air and beautiful landscapes.
How to get there: by any transport to Saratov, and then by bus to Khvalynsk. You can also take a train to the Syzran, Balakovo or Vozrozhdenie railway stations, and then by car to Khvalynsk.
When is the season: starts in mid-December and ends at the end of March.
Who is this resort for: for lovers of ski holidays with different levels of training.
Trails: 3 trails of varying difficulty - for both experienced and beginners. The total length is 2.7 km, and the elevation difference is 180 m. The longest route is 1.2 km. There is artificial snowmaking and conditions have been created for evening skiing. There are 3 drag lifts in operation.
When is the season: mid-November - end of April.
Who is this resort for: both for experienced skiers and for beginners in this matter.
Trails: The resort has 13 trails, the total length of which is more than 15 km. The longest route is 2100 m, and the elevation difference is 475 meters. There are 7 lifts available. The resort is equipped with artificial snowmaking and lighting systems. There are also cross-country ski trails - their length is 5 and 10 km.
Equipment rental: ski kit costs from 350 rubles per hour and from 1000 rubles per day.
We don't blame you at all for wanting to save money. Alpine skiing is already not cheap, but with the current exchange rate, it is cheaper to buy a nine than a new top-end snowboard. Well, if you finally bought a snowboard, you want to try it out in the mountains, and not in the park behind the house.
Let's see where you'll spend the least money on beer, ski lifts and lodging. We will compare prices for the high season (end of December - mid-March). And for lovers of freebies, we advise you to go in April.
Accommodation : From €169 per person. This is seven nights in a 4-bed room, including breakfast, transfers from the airport to the ski lifts and some evening entertainment.
Ski pass for 6 days: €199
A full meal costs less than €10, and Slovaks take their food seriously. A night in a hostel with breakfast costs around £20.
Fresh powder, official freeride area, beer for € 1.20, what more do you need?
Accommodation :From 1000 rubles per night without meals
Ski pass for 6 days:7600 rubles (8,000 rupees)
Few people consider India as a ski resort, but in vain. Gulmarg is one of the best backcountry resorts for little money. But be prepared for real altitude and altitude sickness, this is the Himalayas after all. The lifts reach higher than 4000 meters.
But tickets to Singapore cost a lot, but this is compensated by the reasonable prices for a ski pass, accommodation and food.
Accommodation:from £10 per night + breakfast
Ski pass for 6 days: 10,000 rubles
Bulgaria is one of the largest and cheapest resorts in Europe. The season here starts and ends a little later, so you can find inexpensive spring offers.
Over the past few years, a lot of money has been invested here, and Bansko has acquired tens of kilometers of slopes, joint hotels and ski lifts.
This is a great place for beginners, but also for off-piste lovers there is plenty to roam around.
Accommodation: From £17 per night + breakfast
Ski pass for 5 days:£160
The UK may not be on the list of the best must-visit resorts in the world, but it is an option worth considering. It can get quite windy, but there are about 30 kilometers of trails, 11 lifts and an endless backcountry area.
For a few days you will definitely have something to roll, especially if a fresh plump one has fallen out. But we wouldn’t recommend going here for more than a week.
Accommodation: from €25 per night + breakfast and lunch
Ski pass for 6 days: €84
The resort is located 10 kilometers from the city and is one of the cheapest in the world.
With a maximum altitude of 2,030 meters and around 30 kilometers of pistes, it may not sound like much, but it does receive some serious snowfall during the winter months.
Well, beer is around 1 euro as a nice addition.
Accommodation: from $25 per night without meals
Ski pass for 6 days: $324
Extensive ski area, lots of snow and no queues. That's what Bridger Bowl is. At an altitude of 2,650 meters the chances of heavy snowfall are very good.
Tickets, of course, are a little expensive, but compared to Aspen and other American resorts, the prices here are ridiculous.
Accommodation: Apartments on Airbnb from £65\night for three
Ski pass for 6 days: €194.50
If you want to ride in the European Alps without overpaying, then this is the place for you.
The resort is located in a wide valley, near the Swiss border, and has long been chosen by European lovers of saving money.
For several years, off-piste skiing was prohibited here, now, thank God, this is a thing of the past, and now heliskiing is thriving here at very competitive prices.
The Livigno ski pass gives you a 50% discount on a one-day ski pass to St. Moritz if you want to see what the famous Swiss resort is like.
Accommodation: From €20\night
Ski pass for 6 days: €168
Few people outside Germany have heard of this place, but many world champions in alpine skiing are from here.
About 34 kilometers of pistes and 16 lifts are just an hour's drive from Munich.
Prices here are very reasonable compared to other European resorts. A seasonal ski pass, for example, costs €400 rather than €900. There are fewer queues on weekends, and it’s generally calmer here.
Accommodation : from £13 per night
Ski pass for 6 days: €139
Perched high above the beautiful Lake Bohil, this Eastern European resort is a real gem.
People have been skiing here since 1964. Vogel has 22 kilometers of pistes, excellent value for money, delicious home-cooked food and rivers of schnapps with stunning views of the Alps. Well suited for beginners who don’t need a whole web of lifts.
Accommodation: from £15 per night without meals
Ski pass for 6 days: €69
Popova Shapka is the main ski resort in Macedonia, just 35 kilometers from the capital - Skopje. The village has 200-300 chalets that can be rented and a couple of restaurants.
There's plenty to do on the slopes for both beginners and chubby connoisseurs.
For the second, you can contact the Eskimo Freeride company, they have the cheapest guides in Europe.
We haven’t looked at domestic resorts yet; we’ll talk about them separately.
