What is the cheapest month to go skiing in Europe?

(Also good to know is that the Three Valleys actually offers great value for skiing! Click to read more). Aside from that, January and April are usually less in demand so prices are lower for ski chalets in these months.

When to go. Just like with summer breaks, weeks that are less popular are generally cheaper. For the lowest ski holiday prices, January is the sweet spot – and it also usually has the best snow and fewest crowds, so it's a win all-round. Going at the start or end of the season can also be really good value.

Book in the early season

For most European resorts, November and the early weeks of December are often heavily discounted. To make the most of your money, book an early season holiday 10 to 12 months in advance. So, start looking in January for your November or December ski holiday.

Good value on a ski holiday isn't just about the cost – it's what you get for your money. And while France is generally more expensive, you do get a lot of bang for your buck considering the size and standard of the ski areas.

Value for money, typically everything is cheaper than in the high popular French ski resorts, ski passes, food and drink can be up to 20% cheaper in Austria. Perhaps the major choice is the stunning scenery of Austrian skiing that tips the balance for devotees of Austrian skiing.

With a last minute ski holiday, you can save up to 30% on your ski holiday, including the lift pass, while still being able to enjoy all our unique benefits for our flexible ski holiday. The best deals go quickly, so try not to wait too long. If you're a family, couple or group of friends, we've got options for you.

The best time to go skiing is between December and April – which is the main ski season in most resorts – and each month has its benefits. Whether you're a family looking for a festive feel, or a keen skier hoping to cover some miles, you've got to pick the time that suits you best.

6 Easy Ways to Save Loads of Money on Your Ski Holiday

Ski holiday prices are not the same for the whole winter. The weeks of New Year and February half term are the most expensive: and in early December, most of January, and mid-March they're considerably cheaper.

Most expensive

Many of the resorts have terrain parks and halfpipes for those who want to try their hand at freestyle skiing or snowboarding. And if you're looking for a break from skiing, most resorts offer other activities like ice-skating or snowmobiling. If you're looking for an affordable ski trip, Andorra is a great option.

Andorra's best resorts recently joined forces to form the Grandvalira region. The 210km of piste includes three terrain parks, a huge halfpipe and plenty of off-piste powder. At €203 for five days, this is roughly the same price as elsewhere in Europe but we don't begrudge this as other things cost much less.

Alps: most inexpensive 5-star ski resorts

The Most Expensive Ski Resorts on the Planet

This goes back to supply and demand, and Europe has many more ski resorts than the United States, which keeps the prices lower. While the lift ticket prices in the United States are much higher than in Europe, food and lodging costs are comparable.

Bansko, in Bulgaria, took top spot on the affordable list with a weekly cost of £274 per person, followed by Kranjska Gora, in Slovenia, at £326. Livigno, in Italy, took third spot with a cost of £351, and Ellmau in Austria took fourth at £368.

If you're planning on hitting the slopes this winter, be prepared to pay a little more for your trip. Ski resorts across Europe are struggling with spiking costs amid the energy crisis. Faced with soaring electricity bills, mountain resorts are upping prices for ski passes, lodging, restaurants and other services.

In saying this - why not opt for January or March? The first and second weeks of January are usually the cheapest week of the season, not only for accommodation but also for flights. Another good option is the weeks in March that fall between the February half term and Easter holidays.

Shop out of season

One of the best ways to find good deals on your ski gear is to purchase it once the main skiing season has finished. You will usually find the best deals in March when ski gear companies are trying to offload their old stock ready for the new stock that will come in the next season.

Skiing is expensive. Often, the expense seems to be higher when you are a first-time skier due to the cost of skis and all of the other equipment required to ski. However, such is the high cost of skiing, it is branded as a sport for the upper-class elite or only for elite sports enthusiasts.

The ski season in Europe traditionally spans from the end of November to mid to late April.

If this is the case for you, it makes sense to set a more realistic goal for yourself. Anywhere from 25 to 50 days would be an admirable goal, and make no mistake—bagging 25 days of skiing in a year is more than most skiers get!

In general, we suggest a minimum of three days of skiing for a first trip. If you can manage four to seven days, that works well too. If seven days is more than your family can handle, divide your ski trip into two trips. A three-day trip and four-day trip can work well.

Ski Holiday Operators

The Facts for Skiing

On average, downhill skiing or boarding can burn between 300-600 calories per hour. In addition the cold weather can help us lose weight as our bodies have to work harder to keep us warm. So add a further 100 calories per hour to that figure!