The ski season’s upon us once again, so besides gearing up for weeks of hot toddies and powder-white snow ahead, we’re asking the more practical question: where can you go for a really good deal on a cheap ski hotel?
Below, we’ve picked our four favourite places to enjoy winter sports this season – as well as some value-tastic cheap hotels in each.
1. Bohinj, Slovenia
Bohinj is an alpine valley in the Julian Alps, north-west Slovenia, offering great runs for beginner and intermediate skiers. The main slope is Straza, which has an English-speaking ski school, and from here you can get a free 20-minute shuttle to other ski runs Vogel and Kobla on Mount Trigval.
Ski hotel: Hotel Tripic is a family-run pension in Tripic National Park, closest to Kobla and Soriška planina ski resorts. Double rooms start from €68.02pn, and you get a discount on all ski resorts, ski-equipment rental, ski schools and the Bohinj Aquapark. Or, if you’re on a smaller budget, see all cheap hostels in Bohinj.
2. Bansko, Bulgaria
With its cheap prices, long December-to-May season and modern facilities, Bansko is Bulgaria’s – and Eastern Europe’s – most popular ski resort (the flipside being an ‘09 property crash that’s left many new-builds around Bansko town in limbo).
Sitting on the northern slope of the Pirin mountains 10k above town, Bansko Ski Resort has runs to suit everyone from beginner skiers to thrill-seeking snowboarders, as well as a fun après ski scene of traditional taverns.
Ski hotel: Cheap hotel in Bansko: Ten minutes from the centre of town, Rahoff Hotel has lovely panoramic views of the mountain and is situated next to the Gondola ski lift. Double rooms start at £18.00pn. Or, check out all of our cheap hotels in Bansko.
3. Interlaken, Switzerland
Interlaken is the largest ski resort in the Bernese Oberland, and a gateway to the big three Swiss resorts Wengen, Grindelwald and Murren. All sit within 40 minutes of Interlaken on the picturesque Jungfrau train network – pick up a Jungfrau regional lift pass so you can try all three to suit your ski-style.
Wengen is good for beginners’ nursery slopes as well as challenging runs for experts, Murren has a series of great expert slopes and Grindelwald is best for intermediate skiers.
Ski hotel: Cheap hotel in Interlaken: Hotel Lotschberg is two minutes from the centre of town, Interlaken West train station and Lake Thun boat station. Rates start at €118.47pn for a private double. On a tighter budget? See all cheap hostels in Interlaken.
4. Quebec City, Canada
There are three ski resorts within two hours’ drive from Quebec City. Monte Sainte Anne is the largest, sitting 40 minutes from Quebec City, while there’s also Stoneham Mountain Resort and Le Massif a little further away.
Monte Sainte Anne is most popular, with pistes covering three sides of the mountain and runs that suit everyone from experts to those just starting out – head to the Family Zone for easy ski fun.
Ski hotel: Auberge Amerik is a lovely five-room boutique hotel offering great-value extras including airport pick-up and free breakfast every morning. Doubles start at €93.44pn. Want to widen the search? See all cheap hotels in Quebec City.
Looking for more winter travel ideas? Check out our top five outdoor ice rinks in Europe with amazing views, or browse the most magical UK and Eurostar Christmas Markets
Words: Isabel Clift
