Ski season 2023: save money at these lesser-known resorts

This article was originally published in English

The 2023-2024 ski season is just around the corner. But going to the mountains is not for everyone.

The most famous ski destinations tend to offer expensive Saturday-to-Saturday stays with little flexibility. For many winter sports enthusiasts, this situation means disproportionate costs and delays.

“Whether for budget reasons or for the pleasure of finding a hidden gem, there are great alternatives to the classic resorts”, explains Marcus Blunt, co-founder of the companyHeidi travel agency.

This new online platform offers skiers more flexible options than traditional sites, according to its founders. Their specialty is weekends and lesser known destinations.

So if you want to ski somewhere unconventional or just want to save money, where can you go? Here are some alternative destinations suggested by Heidi’s founders that could lower your winter bill and offer you more flexibility.

For backcountry skiing, swap Chamonix for Jasná, Slovakia

French Chamonix is ​​on the dream list of many skiers, but a ski pass for this resort is not exactly cheap. In high season it can cost up to €74 per day.

Jasná in Slovakia is a cheaper alternative for experienced skiers and freeride fans. It offers some of the best off-piste routes in Europe and ski passes cost around €59 per adult per day in high season. Accommodation is also cheap, starting at €25 per night for B&B.

The resort is small and offers few pistes accessible to less experienced athletes, but offers good access to many off-piste routes and several freeride areas. It is generally relatively uncrowded, giving you a better chance of finding virgin snow.

For an affordable ski trip, swap Les Gets for Morillon in France

Les Gets, in Haute-Savoie, is a famous picturesque resort overlooking the Mont Blanc massif.

For a more economical stay in the same region, try the village of Morillon. It is much quieter and a great starting point for exploring the vast Grand Massif ski area. It benefits from better snow than the Portes du Soleil, slightly more affordable ski passes (€53.50 versus €58.50 per day) and access to 265km of pistes.

Morillon is also known for its wide range of non-skiing activities such as ice skating, tobogganing and helicopter rides – ideal if you’re traveling with the family.

For affordable luxury, swap Zell am See for Seefeld, Austria.

The pretty lake town of Zell am See in Austria is known for its luxury accommodation options. If you’re looking to stay in a luxury hotel but are traveling on a budget, Seefeld might just be right for you.

Its ski area is smaller than Zell am See, but the town is picturesque and has no shortage of hotels and spas. The destination offers similar panoramic mountain views and often attracts ski stars who train on its slopes.

A stay here could cost you about half the price of a similar stay in Zell am See, depending on the accommodation you choose.

For a family ski holiday, swap Avoriaz for Trysil in Norway.

This is a slightly more radical swap, but if you’re looking for a family trip, you can replace Norway with France.

Avoriaz is well known for being a great place for beginner skiers with many easy pistes. But Trysil, Norway’s largest ski resort, could also meet your expectations.

It is often voted the best resort in the country for family skiing and offers many activities in its surroundings. Located just 40 minutes from the Scandinavian Mountains airport, it offers a wide range of pistes for everyone from beginners to skiers looking for a little more difficulty.

Babysitting is free and, like many Scandinavian resorts, the slopes are quiet and the queues for the lifts short.

Treat yourself to a weekend at Isola 2000 instead of Tignes.

The high altitude resort of Tignes may be safer than others in terms of snow, but it’s not the only option, especially if it’s a weekend away.

Located in the Southern Alps, Isola 2000 also has plenty of snow and offers a wide variety of pistes, from beginner and intermediate areas to challenging off-piste routes.

What makes this resort particularly attractive is the time it takes to get there. The transfer from Nice airport takes just one hour and 15 minutes, while it takes three and a half hours to Tignes. This is an option to consider for a short stay if you don’t want to spend most of your time traveling.