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Skiing on a budget: Europe’s best-value mountains
The back story
About Skiing on a budget: Europe’s best-value mountains
Skiing is not cheap, but it doesn’t have to be exclusive. Some of Europe’s most enjoyable mountains are also some of its best value, and even in the most famous ski areas, choosing the right village and the right week makes a real difference.
The Balkans
Serbia’s Kopaonik, Bulgaria’s Bansko and Borovets, and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Jahorina and Bjelašnica offer proper ski areas with lifts, ski schools and lively resorts. Kopaonik publishes its own lift-pass prices with the season, and its ski schools are licensed by the state operator.
The lower villages
In the big linked ski areas, the lower villages often share the same lifts as the famous names. Courchevel’s Le Praz and La Tania, for example, connect to the whole of Les 3 Vallées.
Even in Les 3 Vallées, the same lifts serve the palace hotels of 1850 and the forest village of La Tania.
Timing
Avoid the Christmas, February and Easter school holidays if you can. Many lift companies charge less in the early and late season.
Where to stay
Apartments and self-catering, family-run hotels and pensions all keep costs down, and a picnic from the village supermarket is a fine lunch on a sunny terrace.
Our advice: compare the official lift-pass prices on each resort’s own website before you choose.
Why it's on our list
- The Balkans
- The lower villages of the big ski areas
- Timing
- Apartments and self-catering
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Skiing on a budget: Europe’s best-value mountains before you go.