Where to Ski And Snowboard -

Prices divide the best value resorts

12th October 2010, by Chris Gill

It'll cost you much more to check out the other side of the Matterhorn too ...

Cervinia and Zermatt may share a ski area and a famous mountain, but they are mountains apart when it comes to holiday costs – over 25%, according to the latest Post Office ‘Where to Ski Resort Report’, which names the Italian resort cheapest of the world’s leading ski areas. What’s more, France’s Val d’Isére pipped Austria’s St Anton on good value too. How so?

For starters, the world’s leading ski resorts have come under the price scrutiny of Post Office Travel Money, in conjunction with resort guide gurus Where to Ski and Snowboard. It is the first time that the annual report has compared prices in leading resorts, as well as those that head up the budget groups – and there were interesting variations, even within Eurozone countries.

The 2010 survey compared costs from one major resort in each of six leading countries; and a group of 12 ‘budget’ resorts considered good value. These not only covered the typical bargain areas (eastern Europe), but other mainstream resorts that can offer good savings.

The standard advice is to watch the exchange rates, of course: improving in Europe but putting a tight squeeze on trips to North America this winter. Expect to fork out more francs to ski Swiss slopes, too: £1 now buys SF 1.5, whereas it used to get you almost SF2 in 2008.

Differences in holiday extras play a key role overall though, and can make or break a budget: Zermatt is traditionally expensive but you’ll find the local lift pass costs around 30% more than Cervinia’s now, where a week’s holiday including a private lesson, meals and drinks clocked in at £415.79. Compare with Zermatt’s £563.91.

The study analysed average weekly costs of meal and drink prices, lift passes, rental equipment and ski school rates (private lessons in the leading resorts, public ones elsewhere).

Italy’s winning position was assisted by lower drinks’ prices this year. And while France showed little evidence of price cuts based on VAT changes, private tuition and rental prices in Val d’Isére were lower than the equivalent items in St Anton – hence producing France with a cheaper result than Austria.

And in North America, it’s the high lift pass and rental costs that stand out when pricing up your holiday, says the Post Office. Skiers determined to cross the pond should head for Canada, though, where Banff and Whistler offer more value than Big Sky and Vail (regularly topping the most pricey chart).

The benchmark for budget resorts has always been cheap and cheerful Romania and Bulgaria, cheaper still next winter we’re told. Step up a notch, and Slovenia is making its mark as a good alternative. But there’s no need to head away from the Alps to save money and enjoy a quality holiday.

The obvious difference in the group was the French choice, Serre Chevalier – over 40% more expensive than the middling set of Garmisch, Livigno, Arinsal and Formigal. These four offered weekly totals under £405, with only Formigal having a distinctively pricey lift pass; higher than Serre Chevalier. Head for ski school and Serre Chevalier is streaks ahead.

The message is that Europe can deliver better value this winter, even at a world class resort. But it also depends where you go and what items you need to complete the trip. Choose Italy or Austria for overall value, but Francophiles can find good value resorts too. Switzerland and North America will cost you more –  watch those exchange rates.

Leading resorts surveyed (cheapest first): Cervinia, Val d’Isére, St Anton, Zermatt, Whistler and Vail

Budget resorts surveyed (cheapest first): Poiana Brasov, Bansko, Kanin, Garmisch-P, Livigno, Arinsal, Formigal, Meiringen, Schladming, Serre Chevlier, Banff and Big Sky

The new Post Office Where to Ski Resort Report 2010 is online at: www.postoffice.co.uk/skireport2010

 

---

• where to ski and snowboard
• prices
• cervinia
• survey
• post office

---

Back to features