This winter, if the bookings at Ski.com, North America’s largest ski-focused travel agency, are any indication, one of skiing’s biggest secrets is out: It can be cheaper to ski in Europe than at a U.S. mountain resort.
“We are seeing a 43 percent increase in European bookings since last year,” said Dan Sherman, the company’s chief marketing officer. “Skiing in Europe is a bucket list adventure, and people are realizing that there is excellent value for money.”
Consider the math: While it will likely cost more to fly to Europe than it would to a U.S. ski resort, you’ll make up the difference in cheaper on-mountain costs, said Melanie Fish, Expedia’s vice president for global public relations. “Apply the money you will save on lift tickets and food to airfare, which will be higher than a domestic flight,” she said.
Haley Berg, the lead economist for Hopper, a booking app, said that prices for ski destinations in Europe have not risen significantly over last year.
To cut the cost of trans-Atlantic flights, Katy Nostro of Going, an app that finds airfare deals, recommends lower-cost carriers. Scandinavian Airlines’ recent partnership with the SkyTeam alliance, which includes KLM and SAS, offers more connectivity to Oslo, Copenhagen or Stockholm from Delta hubs at a lower cost. Frill-free Norse Atlantic Airways flies nonstop from Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Fla., and Las Vegas to various European cities, with fares often under $500. Once in Europe, budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet or Wizz can get you to your final destination.
Then the savings begin. A single-day ticket at Aspen, Vail or other destination resorts in the United States can cost upward of $250, though booking ahead brings the cost down, as does purchasing an Ikon or Epic pass. While the passes are deals for dedicated skiers, they are expensive if you ski just a few days each year or decide on a last-minute trip. In contrast, the 4,000 or so ski resorts in Europe, many of them owned by local municipalities or families, generally charge about $75 for a walk-up, one-day lift ticket. Ski lessons and guides are also significantly less expensive.
Lodging also contributes to value for money. In the European Alps, charming three- and four-star, family-run properties run between $250 and $600 for a double-occupancy room, and include breakfast and often a multicourse dinner if you choose “half-board.” That leaves lunch on the mountain, which is less expensive and leagues above the standard nachos, chili or cardboard pizza you’ll find in the United States.
Finally, while flashy and expensive Courchevel, in France, and St. Moritz, in Switzerland, may be top of mind, lesser-known ski resorts, all with historic villages and standout regional food, offer similar charm and can yield more bang for your buck.
Here’s how the numbers crunch on four European ski destinations.
Dolomites, Italy
In northern Italy, the limestone cliffs, pinnacles and dipping plateaus — once primordial coral reefs that rose from the ocean some 250 million years ago — are so geologically fantastical that the entire region is deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Dolomiti Superski, an area of 12 linked resorts, with 800 miles of terrain and 450 lifts, is all accessible on one pass. Intermediates will love the wide groomers at Val di Fassa, Alta Badia and Cortina, specifically around Olimpia delle Tofane, the site of the 1956 Olympics. But there is plenty of advanced stuff, too. Val Gardena, Kronplatz and Arabba have steep black runs and off-piste options.
Navigating among the mountains and valleys that make up Dolomiti Superski, particularly transfers, can suck valuable time from your holiday. Dolomite Mountains, a local company, can organize the entire trip, from lodging and transfers to ski guides and meals, allowing you to experience multiple resorts in a few days. They can also organize a trip that lets you stay at the rustic inns known as rifugios on the mountains.
Ski Pass: 83 euros or about $87 per day in high season, 75 euros or about $80 during regular season; a seven-day pass is 449 euros in high season and 404 euros in regular season; the Ikon pass is also accepted.
Lunch: The region’s border-shifting heritage is on display in dishes like beetroot-stuffed gnocchi, speck knödel (dumplings) and barley risotto. The cost usually runs from €20 to €40 a person.
Lodging: In Val Gardena, the 46-room Hotel Tyrol has large, welcoming rooms with views of the Sella massif, and indoor and outdoor pools (starting at €220 per person with half board). Hotel La Majun in Alta Badia is a ski-in, ski-out property with 39 sleek rooms, a wine bar and thrilling mountainscape views (starting at €570 with half board).
Grindelwald, Switzerland
In the Jungfrau region of the Bernese Oberland, Grindelwald is a quintessential Alpine town. Unlike St. Moritz, this resort champions tradition over luxury, meaning no five-star hotels, and shops with local products and sports gear, not, say, Chanel. The resort is at the foot of the Eiger, the 13,000-foot peak that has become a symbol of the region. As for skiing, Grindelwald-Wengen and Grindelwald-First areas are heaven for intermediates with plenty of big, open groomers. Expert terrain is higher up the Grindelwald-Wengen resort at the Eigergletscher station and, over in Wengen, the 2.8-mile Lauberhorn World Cup downhill run is the longest on the FIS World Cup tour. Schilthorn, above Mürren ( also called Piz Gloria ), is the steepest terrain and a celebrated off-piste zone but it is currently closed for cable car construction. All three areas are on a single ski pass.
Ski Pass: 79 Swiss francs, or about $90.
Lodging: Hotel Kreuz & Post is centrally located, with 42 comfortable rooms and a rooftop spa (starting at 470 francs with half board). Hotel Eiger Mountain & Soul, also in town, has 59 updated, modern rooms (starting at 416 francs). Hotel Glacier, a seven-minute walk from town, is a more au courant boutique hotel with 28 rooms and two restaurants (starting at 280 francs).
Lunch: A hearty meal of Bratwurst sausage, rösti, fondue or raclette will cost between 20 francs and 40 francs.
Lech, Austria
Founded in the 14th century, Lech and neighboring Zurs are considered by many to be the birthplace of Alpine skiing. Guests are as drawn to epic powder dumps as to the region’s cosmopolitan and oh-so-Bavarian charm, which oozes from the town’s ancient wooden bridges, medieval churches and classic hotels where husband-and-wife owners greet guests in von Trapp-style trachtenjanker (a boiled wool jacket with upturned collar) and dirndl skirts. The area’s villages are linked by high-speed gondolas and one pass grants access to the areas of St. Anton, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Zurs and Warthand Schrocken, creating 200 miles of skiable terrain (125 miles of it off-piste) that ranges from vast, cruisey groomers to tight couloirs and steep chutes. Skiing the 13.5-mile circular route known as Der Weisse Ring, or “the White Ring” is a highlight.
Lift ticket: €78; Epic passes are also accepted.
Lunch: You’ll spend between €20 and €40 eating simple local dishes like rösti, fondue or käsespätzle (Alpine mac and cheese).
Lodging: Der Berghof’s 54 updated rooms are about clean lines and modern touches. The hotel offers direct access to the slopes and a storybook fondue restaurant (starting at €590 with half board). Hotel Haldenhof is steps from the chairlift with 26 cheery rooms (starting at €450 with half board). On the slopes, above the village in car-free Oberlech, Hotel Bergkristall has 43 simple, homey rooms and a sun terrace (starting at €470 with half board).
Val d’Isère, France
One of the highest altitude resorts in France (6,066 feet), Val d’Isére, is known for exceptional snowfall and a vibrant après scene. The resort is connected to neighboring Tignes (on the same lift ticket) and has a combined skiable terrain of 186 miles. Val d’Isére favors intermediates with high-altitude glacial zones and powder-filled bowls, though there is also terrain for experts, particularly the Bellevarde section where you’ll find La Face, the run used in the men’s downhill event in the 1992 Olympics. On the Tignes side, it’s more challenging, with steep couloirs and lots of powdery freeriding.
Ski Pass: €66.
Lunch: Hearty fare like raclette, tartiflette (potato gratin with bacon) and diots (spiced sausage) for about €20.
Stay: Hôtel le Val d’Isére is smack in the middle of town, with 47 dark wood and cowhide-accented rooms (starting at €370). Also centrally located is Ormelune, where kooky cow art and pops of color make the 56 rooms crackle with playfulness (starting at €290; breakfast not included).
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