A Bulgarian ski resort has topped the rankings of the best value in Europe.
Each year Post Office Travel Money breaks down the best value ski destinations for a six-day getaway, taking into account local currencies and the price of sterling.
Borovets in Bulgaria has been crowned the best value destination for those wanting to hit the slopes, even though prices have risen by 12.8% compared to last year.
Six days of skiing, including ski school, equipment, lift passes, meals and drinks at the resort came to a total cost of just £506.
A second Bulgarian resort, Bansko (£537, prices up 7%), has dropped to third place after being overtaken by Bardonecchia, Italy (£513).
Image:
Getty Images/iStockphoto)Bardonecchia boasts the cheapest price for a six-day lift pass, equipment hire and tuition at £348, compared with £382 in Borovets and £415 in Bansko.
However, meals and drinks bought on the slopes are a third more expensive in Bardonecchia than in Borovets, which explains why the Bulgarian resort remains cheapest overall.
Italy continues to represent the best value for Britons among the ‘big four’ ski destinations (Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland).
Together with Bardonecchia, four other Italian resorts rate among the 10 best value resorts: Sauze (4th, £611), Sestriere (5th, £635), La Thuile (6th, £678) and Cervinia (9th, £711).
The Post Office has also compiled a list of the best value ski resorts for families.
Image:
Education Images)Families planning trips during February half-term or the Easter holidays should know that prices have risen in all bar one of 26 ski resorts rated most suitable for skiers with children two-years-old.
At £1,547 for a family of four, Bansko in Bulgaria remains best value for families and is almost 12% cheaper than its closest rival, Italy’s Bardonecchia resort (£1,749).
However, prices are up in both – by just almost 11% in Bansko and nearly seven per cent in Bardonecchia, cheapest in the Eurozone.
Taken as a whole, Italy offers the best choice of competitively priced ski resorts for families as it does for adult skiers.
All five of those surveyed for family skiing are in the best value top six: Passo Tonale (3rd ,£1,766), Cervinia (4th ,£1,972), Sestriere (5th, £2,003) and La Thuile (6th, £2,158).
Another budget solution for families is Arinsal, Andorra – seventh in the best value table.
Although a change in resort ownership has brought about an increase of nearly 13% in ski costs to £2,191, Arinsal remains an attractive choice for bargain hunters because families with children aged up to 11 qualify for free child lift passes if these are pre-booked.
Image:
Getty Images/EyeEm)By doing so, a family of four can save over £400, reducing the weekly cost to £1,784 and making Arinsal the fourth-cheapest family resort.
Costs are based on mid-season pricing and entry level skis and boots, with the basket including ski lift pass for one week (6 days), ski equipment for one week (6 days), ski school tuition (5-6 days half-day lesson), a cup of coffee, a bottle of Coca Cola, a glass of house wine, a bottle of beer and six lunches on the slope.
They do not include travel to or from the resorts.
Best value ski resorts for adults
- Borovets, Bulgaria (£506)
- Bardonecchia, Italy (£513)
- Bansko, Bulgaria (£537)
- Sauze, Italy (£611)
- Sestriere, Italy (£635)
- La Thuile, Italy (£678)
- Ellmau, Austria (£702)
- Morzine, France (£704)
- Cervinia, Italy (£711)
- Ruka, Finland (£716)
Best value ski resorts for families
- Bansko, Bulgaria (£1,547)
- Bardonecchia, Italy (£1,748)
- Passo Tonale, Italy (£1,766)
- Cervinia, Italy (£1,971)
- Sestriere, Italy (£2,002)
- La Thuile, Italy (£2,158)
- Arinsal, Andorra (£2,190)
- Rauris, Austria (£2,192)
- Ellmau, Austria (£2,300)
- Ruka, Finland (£2,303)
You can find out more on postoffice.co.uk/skireport2023.
