Where you ski has a huge effect on what you spend. Each year the Post Office Travel Money Ski Report, produced with Crystal Ski Holidays, compares on-mountain costs across European resorts. Here is what the 2026 edition (published December 2025) tells UK skiers about the cheapest countries.
The report compares a six-day lift pass, ski and boot hire, ski school, lunch and drinks on the slopes, using December 2025 exchange rates. It does not include flights, transfers or accommodation.
Our country guides
We have written a full budget guide for each of the main value countries. Each one compares the best-value resorts, how to get there from the UK and how to keep costs down:
- Cheap skiing in Italy: Bardonecchia, the Via Lattea, Passo Tonale and Livigno.
- Cheap skiing in Bulgaria: Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo.
- Cheap skiing in Andorra: Grandvalira, Soldeu, Pas de la Casa, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís.
- Cheap skiing in France: Le Corbier, Paradiski, Les Deux Alpes and Serre Chevalier.
The cheapest ski countries at a glance
| Country | Best-placed resorts (2026 report) | Best for | Our guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | Bardonecchia 1st for adults (£601.02); Passo Tonale 1st for families (£1,796.78) | Best all-round value in the Alps | Italy guide |
| Bulgaria | Borovets 2nd for adults (£668.06); Bansko 4th for adults and 3rd for families | Beginners and intermediates on a tight budget | Bulgaria guide |
| Norway | Geilo 3rd for adults; Beitostølen 5th for families | Smaller, quieter resorts | Coming soon |
| Slovenia | Kranjska Gora 4th for families | Families wanting a short, simple trip | Coming soon |
| Andorra | Arinsal 8th for families; Soldeu the only resort where costs fell | Mixed groups and families | Andorra guide |
| France | Le Corbier 7th for adults (£784.40) | Self-catering and big ski areas | France guide |
Source: Post Office Travel Money Ski Report 2026. On-mountain costs only, and prices will have changed since, so always check current figures for your dates.
1. Italy
Italy came out on top. Six Italian resorts were in the adult top ten: Bardonecchia (1st), Sauze d’Oulx (5th), Sestriere (6th), Cervinia (8th), Kronplatz (9th) and La Thuile (10th). Bardonecchia’s total for adults was £601.02, even after a 10.5% rise. Passo Tonale was the best value family resort. Read our guide to cheap skiing in Italy for the resorts in detail.
Italy also took four places in the family top ten: Passo Tonale (1st), Bardonecchia (2nd), Sestriere (9th) and La Thuile (10th). The report notes that Passo Tonale offers free child equipment hire. For most UK skiers who want the Alps without Alpine prices, Italy is the place to start.
2. Bulgaria
Borovets was 2nd for adults (£668.06) and Bansko 4th (£706.34), although Bansko’s costs rose by 23.3%. Bansko was also 3rd for families. Bulgaria remains a strong choice for beginners and intermediates on a tight budget. Read our guide to cheap skiing in Bulgaria for Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo in detail.
The ski areas are smaller than the big Alpine networks, and that rise at Bansko shows Bulgaria is cheaper than the Alps rather than cheap in absolute terms. It suits a first or second ski holiday better than a week for expert skiers who want to cover a lot of ground.
3. Norway
A surprise for many: Geilo in Norway was 3rd for adults and 6th for families, and Beitostølen was 5th for families. Norway is not usually thought of as cheap, but these smaller resorts did well in the comparison.
Bear in mind that the report covers on-mountain costs only. Eating out and drinking in Norway can be expensive, so self-catering matters even more here than in the Alps.
4. Slovenia, Andorra and Finland
Kranjska Gora in Slovenia was 4th for families. In Andorra, Arinsal was 8th for families, and Soldeu was the only resort in the whole report where costs fell. Our guide to cheap skiing in Andorra compares Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís. Finland’s Pyhä was a new entry at 7th for families.
According to Grandvalira Resorts, Grandvalira, Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís are now run by the same group, which is why one pass can cover all three. Our guide explains which village suits which kind of trip.
5. France
Le Corbier was 7th for adults, showing that France can still offer value away from its best-known names. Our guide to cheap skiing in France compares Le Corbier, Paradiski, Les Deux Alpes and Serre Chevalier.
Elsewhere, French resorts were mostly pricier on the mountain. The i Paper reported that French resorts made up nine of the bottom 15 places. France earns its place on a budget list because of its huge supply of self-catered apartments and easy access by plane, train or car.
The most expensive
Swiss and Austrian resorts were the most expensive in the report, with costs at or around double those of the cheapest resorts. Saalbach in Austria was the most expensive family resort surveyed.
How to choose the right country for you
- First-timers: Bulgaria, where on-mountain costs were among the lowest in the report, or Pal Arinsal in Andorra, which has plenty of green and blue runs. Start with our Bulgaria and Andorra guides.
- Families: Italy first, especially Passo Tonale and Bardonecchia, then Bansko in Bulgaria. See our half-term guide if you are tied to school dates.
- Intermediates who want lots of terrain: the Via Lattea in Italy, or a big French area such as Paradiski if you can find an affordable apartment.
- Groups on a budget: self-catered apartments in France or Andorra, shared between friends, can bring the cost per person down a long way.
Look beyond on-mountain costs
The Post Office report is the best public comparison of what you spend once you are in resort, but it is only part of the bill. For a full picture, add:
- Flights and luggage: ski carriage and hold bags can add a lot to a cheap fare.
- Transfers: a cheap resort with a long, expensive transfer may not be cheap overall.
- Accommodation: compare apartments, hotels and chalets. Our places to stay guide explains the trade-offs.
- Lift pass choice: a local pass can cost much less than a full-area pass. See our ski pass guide.
- Insurance: always buy travel insurance with winter sports cover.
What this means for you
- Start with Italy or Bulgaria if keeping costs down is your top priority.
- Look at Andorra for families and mixed groups, and at France if you want a big ski area and can self-cater.
- Remember that flights and accommodation can change the picture, so compare full trip prices for your dates.
- A weaker pound makes everything abroad cost more, so keep an eye on exchange rates and consider fixing a budget in euros or the local currency.
Cheapest ski countries FAQs
What is the cheapest country to ski in Europe?
On the 2026 Post Office figures, Italy had the cheapest resort for adults (Bardonecchia) and for families (Passo Tonale), with Bulgaria close behind. Read our Italy and Bulgaria guides for the detail.
Is Bulgaria still cheaper than Italy?
Not always. In the 2026 report Bardonecchia in Italy beat Borovets and Bansko for adults, and Bansko’s costs rose by 23.3%. Bulgaria is still well below the Swiss and Austrian resorts.
Is Andorra cheap for skiing?
Andorra sits in the middle. Arinsal was 8th for families in the 2026 report, and Soldeu was the only resort where costs fell. See our Andorra guide.
Can France be a cheap ski destination?
Yes, if you choose carefully. Le Corbier was 7th for adults in 2026, and self-catered apartments shared between a group can keep the overall cost down. See our France guide.
Sources
- Post Office Travel Money Ski Report 2026 (last updated 18 December 2025)
- The i Paper: coverage of the 2026 ski report
- Official resort and lift company websites, as cited in each of our country guides
Read our full guide to budget-friendly resorts.
