While skiing and snowboarding are among the most fun sports to do, neither could be called particularly cheap. From the price of buying kit to taking lessons and the combined cost of (for most) having to travel abroad to find snow, the costs can soon mount up. And this only gets worse if you’re travelling as a family.

Unfortunately, some things are unavoidable i.e. buying your own equipment or travelling to resort. However, there are many ways you can dramatically reduce the overall hit of your annual ski trip.

Tips to save money on a ski holiday

Below are a few ski holiday money-saving tips you could try on your next ski trip. These range from the relatively obvious to more obscure lessons we’ve learned over many years of travel and doing seasons.

Save money shopping around for the best ski holiday prices

Yes, this one should rank right at the top of the list but it’s surprising how few people actually think about it. The internet has turned travel on its head making it possible for everyone to search online for the best ski holiday deals on all aspects of a ski trip from flights to cheap ski transfers.

Also, with the huge explosion in DIY holiday services, it’s now very easy to pick and choose from a range of suppliers and services covering everything you could possibly need. From discount ski flights to the best and biggest range of Alpine ski holiday accommodation, doing a comprehensive search online will yield results.

To be completely thorough, you should also check the all-inclusive ski holiday options offered by tour operators like Crystal as these companies wield a fair amount of power with suppliers and you’ll often find an all-in package could offer the best overall price.

Think about money-saving chalet accommodation

By default, chalets are cheaper and more economical to operate so you’ll normally find the cheapest options for taking a ski holiday can be found by staying in chalet accommodation. These types of trip also suit solo travellers as you’ll have no choice but to mingle with other skiers and snowboarders at mealtimes. And, on that subject, you’ll also negate the need to do expensive supermarket shops taking meals in costly mountain restaurants. If staying in apartment accommodation, think about La Plagne food delivery services. You’ll get great food at great prices – plus also save the hassle of shopping when you arrive.

Remember, buying in bulk can save a fortune

If you’re travelling in a larger group, check around for traveller discounts offered to multiple-person groups. For example, holiday firms will often throw in a free lift pass in return for a fixed number of bookings. Check with companies and see what you can work out. Bottom line – if you don’t ask, you certainly won’t get so there’s no harm trying.

Save money by only buying access to the lifts you need

This is particularly important in massive resorts like La Plagne, Tignes and Trois Vallées. Take an honest look at your ability before buying your lift pass and evaluate what you really need before shelling out for a full area pass. In many stations – La Plagne included – there are free nursery slopes near the villages where you can find your feet without spending a penny on uplift.

Likewise, even if you’re of improving intermediate level, you may not need to buy the full Paradiski pass (or Trois Vallées / Val-Tignes tickets). All these resorts have more than enough skiing and snowboarding in their individual areas to keep all but the highest-mileage skier or snowboarder happy. For example, La Plagne has 225km of pistes while resorts like Tignes, Méribel or Val Thorens are bigger in themselves than many other resorts globally.

In short, if you don’t think you’re likely to use a full area pass, why buy one?

Also, if you’re travelling in a mixed-age group, try looking for areas that offer discounted rates for kids or seniors. You might be surprised how many do.

Choose your time of year carefully

As with all areas of the travel industry, you will notice massive price differences depending on the time you choose to go on holiday. Of course, many people have little option but to holiday during the peak holiday periods but, if have more flexibility, look at the savings you could make by travelling in the first couple of weeks of the new year or just after the February mid-term holidays. You’ll not only get cheaper holidays, you’ll also get quieter runs and, quite often, better quality snow. Being flexible in your travel time can pay huge dividends.

Also, even if you are a slave to the school holidays, there are price fluctuations between the weeks. As a rule, the February mid-terms and Christmas/New Year weeks are the busiest and most popular – and hence, the priciest. If you have options, try going in Easter instead. Ideally, you might go in the second week when most people have already started turning their thoughts to summer. Most resorts become very quiet towards the end of Easter yet this is one of the best times in a ski area with longer days, quieter runs, (often) great snow and generally more chilled ambiance in resorts.

Don’t just stick with high profile larger resorts

There is some truth you get what you pay for when it comes to ski holidays in terms of the biggest resorts – however, that doesn’t mean you couldn’t have an equally good time in smaller areas. That said, it is true the world-famous Tarentaise resorts like La Plagne, Tignes, Courchevel, etc happen to be located in some of the biggest, most snow-sure and best ski areas in the world. However, there are many lesser-known domains very nearby that could be equally good, particularly if you’re just going for a week.

Truth is, unless you’re some kind of pro rider, you simply won’t have time to get around these massive mega areas in a week anyway so think about smaller resorts too. In the Tarentaise region, both La Rosière and Sainte-Foy are gaining in popularity yet are considerably cheaper on all fronts than their larger neighbours (lift pass, accommodation, going out, etc).

Also, the Maurienne valley just behind the Tarentaise has long been overlooked for skiing and snowboarding yet offers some truly great resorts that cost a fraction of those just over the bordering peaks.

Rather than eating out, save money eating in

Eating out in La Plagne is a treat (as it is in most ski resorts) and there are certainly some great restaurants in the various villages – but they will leave a hefty dent in your wallet. For example, a basic cheeseburger in a bar can cost 15€ while a pizza could set you back as much as 20€ (and these types of prices are common across the major French resorts). Alternatively, if you decide to eat in a restaurant, you could be looking at upwards of 70€ per person. These aren’t the kind of prices most people can afford over an entire ski holiday – particularly if you’re travelling as a family.

Instead, why not think about ordering food from Hu.ski, the specialist delivery company that can deliver pre-prepared food and drinks to your accommodation – in some cases before you’ve even arrived in resort. The Hu.ski menu features a wide range of local and foreign dishes that you simply pop in the oven or microwave removing all the hassles of shopping and prep.

Ski resort supermarkets aren’t exactly cheap at the best of times but by using the Hu.ski service, you’ll be able to choose from some delicious top-quality gourmet dishes and bypass the stress and hassle of visiting the often rammed local shops. Plus it’ll save carrying your shopping home.

Order your delivery food in La Plagne on this link today and get an exclusive discount. Note: Hu.ski deliver to a wide range of ski resorts. Follow the link to check if they cover your resort and use our discount code.

Stay in a lower, linked resort

Don’t forego the idea of staying in (often) lower resorts that link into the big areas. For example, a ski holiday in Brides-les-Bains or Orelle offers budget links into Trois Vallées with just a short gondola ride. Watch the Brides-les-Bains to Méribel gondola ride on the link.

Don’t get sucked into the ‘all the gear, no idea’ mentality

If you’re just starting out, there’s really no need to be shelling out on a full ski or snowboard setup. Rather, if you’re going to buy anything, you should buy boots and perhaps some warm layers. Until you really know if you’re going to enjoy skiing or snowboarding, it’s kind of stupid to go investing in stuff you might not even want. Instead, look for rental shops that can offer everything from helmets to gloves, salopettes, skis/boards, etc.

Another good tip is to ask around skier or snowboarder friends to see if you can borrow their stuff.

Lastly, if you are buying stuff, try checking the auction sites online or even some high street retailers for cheaper, warm clothing. Also, try looking for end-of-season sales where you’ll always pick up a bargain (even in ski resort shops).

Leave booking until the last minute

Before we start on this point, it’s very important to note this only really applies to tour operator trips – flight companies got wise to late booking ages ago and prices seem mostly rise these days the longer you wait. However, if it’s an operator holiday you’re looking for (or even chalet accommodation, etc), you will often prices drop significantly as dates get closer and the owner desperately tries to fill empty places.

Get a card that’s transparent with currency fees

Spending abroad can cost a fortune if you’re not careful and keep a close eye on currency fees or extra charges. Many banks these days operate their own, entirely separate currency rates while others also charge you for the luxury of spending abroad or withdrawing cash.

The best idea is to get a card from one of the newer (mostly) internet-only operators that are up-front about any charges. Revolut is particularly good as you can load the card first with your home currency then exchange online, in-app with a clear idea of rates and any applicable charges.

Shop in supermarkets down the hill (or at home)

This only applies if you’re driving to resort (or rent a car) but shopping in the lower valley supermarkets is always considerably cheaper than higher up. There is a very good reason you’ll never find resort locals doing big shops in ski area supermarkets.

Avoid on-hill restaurants

Sure, it’s nice to sit on a terrace and soak up the Alpine views but you will pay a heavy price compared to other options like taking a packed lunch and sitting right next to the same balcony. Eating on the hill is expensive but can be largely avoided by just prepping food before you leave each day.

Another great tip is to look for supermarkets near the base lifts where you can buy some cheese, ham, etc and make a baguette that would cost way more in a mountain restaurant. You can also buy pre-cooked chicken, meats, snacks etc if you’re looking for hot food. In La Plagne, Belle Plagne is particularly good for this as there’s a supermarket directly on one of the pistes (shown above). Other resorts like Avoriaz are similar – although even Tignes le Lac and Val Claret have supermarkets very near the base of the runs.

Book afternoon lessons

Afternoon lessons are always quieter meaning you’ll get more bang for your buck anyway – but also the runs tend to be quieter later in the day and, very often, instructors are cheaper. Instead of just following the hoards and taking lessons in the morning, ask about options later in the day. You’ll likely get way better value for money learning later.

Park out of resort

Parking is at a premium in all ski resorts the world over, however, by just parking a little way down the hill, you could save yourself massive car parking charges. Indeed, more resorts actively encourage visitors to park out of resort and often have larger car parking facilities in lower areas linked by shuttle bus. Check your options before leaving. See here for the car parking options in La Plagne.

Make the most of the early evening happy hours

Aprés should be a part of every good ski holiday but you don’t want over-exuberance to get in the way of your riding. Not only do the end-of-day happy hours mean you’ll get back to your apartment in time for a decent rest for the next day, they also tend to be the busiest and most fun.

You’ll always find there are various places in most ski resorts that have their aprés happy hours early, right when the lifts close – while most of the on-hill aprés bars start around 3pm. Drinking early means drinking cheaply and not potentially writing off the next day with a hangover.

Check different forms of travel

Don’t just assume the usual flight and ski transfers route most people take to the mountains is the cheapest or best. Often, taking the train will earn you an extra day – as will a lot of longer bus tours. Also train transfers from the airport to the ski area can often be quicker and cheaper by taking connecting trains.

Look around and check all the options before deciding. Even if you do decide to take a ski transfer, check with your operator what vehicles they can offer. Larger ski bus transfers will always be cheaper than private cars.

 

More info about La Plagne on the LaPlagne360 site

As and when it comes online we’ll post more information about the new gondola works on the La Plagne 360 site plus the La Plagne 360 blog. Remember too that we’ve got extensive La Plagne activity guides, La Plagne information guides and La Plagne ski and snowboard edits – plus images from our La Plagne gallery to help work out how to make the best of your next La Plagne ski / snowboard holiday and help you choose the best accommodation in La Plagne.

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La Plagne piste map