Europe’s cheapest ski destination revealed

Bansko in Bulgaria is Europe’s cheapest destination for family skiing, according to new research.

Prices for ski essentials, meals and drinks at the resort are nearly half of those at the Continent’s most expensive locations, Post Office Travel Money and Crystal Ski Holidays said.

The typical cost for two adults and two children for six days’ ski and boot hire, lift passes and ski school is £1,250 in Bansko.

A dozen bottles of beer set visitors back just £23 and six lunches on the slopes for four people only cost £155, the report found.

The four next cheapest European reports analysed are all in Italy – Bardonecchia, Sestriere, Passo Tonale and Claviere.

Switzerland’s Saas Fee was the most expensive destination featured in the study, with the same ski essentials resulting in a £2,249 bill and six lunches costing £405.

Nick Boden, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: “While Bansko offers unbeatable value overall for families on a tight budget, resorts in the Italian Alps are a great choice for a pound-stretching ski holiday.

“With few exceptions, we found that Italian ski resorts were cheaper than in Austria, France or Switzerland.

“It is also worth noting that some ski essentials are cheaper in Italian resorts than in Bansko. For example, a week’s family ski lift pass costs less in Bardonecchia, Sestriere and Claviere, while ski and boot hire is cheaper in Passo Tonale. It all depends what you need to pay out for.”