Places to stay
Cheap ski accommodation that works
Self-catered apartments, budget hotels, value chalets and hostels compared, plus practical ways to keep the bill down.
After the lift pass, accommodation is usually the biggest cost of a ski trip. The good news is that you have more choice than the glossy brochures suggest. We do not quote prices because they change daily, so always compare a few options for your exact dates.
At a glance
| Type | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Self-catered apartment | Families, groups of friends, anyone happy to cook | Small rooms, extra charges for linen and cleaning, tourist tax, walk to the lifts |
| Budget hotel, half board | Couples and families who want a predictable budget | Location in town versus on the slopes, drinks not included |
| Value catered chalet | Groups and sociable solo travellers | Staff night off, shared bathrooms, what is included |
| Hostel or simple aparthotel | Solo travellers and couples | Limited supply, book early |
| Valley town | Drivers and flexible travellers | Daily travel time, lift opening hours, getting back late |
Option 1
Self-catered apartments
Apartments are often the cheapest way to stay in the big Alpine resorts, especially in France, where purpose-built resorts have thousands of them. You save money by cooking breakfast and dinner yourself. Our France ski guide covers value resorts such as Le Corbier, La Plagne and Les Arcs.
- Good for: families, groups of friends and anyone happy to cook.
- Watch out for: small rooms (listings can sleep more people than is comfortable), extra charges for linen, towels and end-of-stay cleaning, and local tourist tax.
- Tip: check the walk to the nearest lift. A cheaper flat that needs a ski bus every morning can cost you time and patience.
Option 2
Budget hotels and half board
A simple hotel with breakfast and dinner included (half board) makes your budget predictable, which suits a lot of people. In Bulgaria and Andorra in particular, hotel packages are a common way to travel. Our Bulgaria ski guide compares Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo, and our Andorra ski guide covers Soldeu, Pas de la Casa and Arinsal. In Italy, both half board hotels and self-catered apartments are easy to find, and our Italy ski guide covers Bardonecchia, the Via Lattea, Passo Tonale and Livigno.
- Compare half board with bed and breakfast. Eating out is cheap in some resorts and not in others.
- Look at hotels in the town rather than right on the slopes. They are often cheaper and closer to shops and bars.
Option 3
Value chalets
Catered chalets are not only for luxury trips. Many UK operators sell budget chalet or chalet hotel beds where breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner are included, sometimes with wine. Sharing a chalet with other guests is usually cheaper than booking a whole one.
- Check exactly what is included and whether there is a staff night off, when you will need to eat out.
- Room sizes and bathrooms vary a lot. Read the room descriptions, not just the headline price.
Option 4
Hostels and aparthotels
Some resorts have hostels or simple aparthotels, which can work well for solo travellers and couples. Availability varies by resort, so search early if you want one of the limited cheaper beds.
Option 5
Stay down the valley
Staying in a valley town and travelling up each day can save money in some places. Bourg-Saint-Maurice, for instance, has a funicular up to Les Arcs. Weigh the savings against travel time, lift opening hours and the cost of getting back after a late lunch.
Save more
How to save on accommodation
- Avoid school holiday weeks if you can. January and late March are often cheaper and quieter.
- Compare package and DIY. Packages bundle flights, transfers and beds and can be good value. Booking separately can be cheaper but you take on more risk.
- Check protection. Package holidays that include a flight should be ATOL protected. See the CAA ATOL pages.
- Split the cost. A larger apartment or chalet shared between friends can work out cheaper per person.
- Read the small print on deposits, cancellation terms and what happens if there is not enough snow.
- Be flexible on changeover day. Many resorts work Saturday to Saturday, but other days can be cheaper where offered.
Accommodation FAQs
Is self-catering always cheaper?
Not always. In resorts where eating out is cheap, a half board hotel can cost a similar amount once you add up food shopping, linen charges and cleaning fees. Compare the total, not the room rate.
Should I stay on the slopes or in town?
Ski-in, ski-out beds usually cost more. Staying a short walk or bus ride away is often cheaper. Check how far you will carry skis and boots each morning.
How do I know my holiday is protected?
Package holidays that include a flight should be ATOL protected. Check the CAA ATOL pages to see what that covers, and read the operator’s booking conditions.
Booked a bed?
See how to get more from your lift pass and find cheap things to do in resort.