A family ski holiday can sound like the sort of trip that requires a rather enormous bank balance. Flights, accommodation, lift passes, ski hire, food and all the layers of clothing that somehow seem to be required can quickly add up.
How to Plan a Family Ski Holiday Without Blowing the Budget
But skiing with the family doesn’t necessarily have to mean spending a fortune.
With a bit of planning, there are plenty of ways to bring the cost down without turning the whole holiday into a military operation. In fact, some of the best savings come from simply thinking about the trip as a whole rather than booking everything separately and hoping for the best.
Here are some of the things worth considering when planning a family ski trip on a budget.
Be flexible about when you travel
School holidays are obviously the most difficult one for families, but if you have any flexibility at all around dates, use it.
Even moving your trip by a few days can sometimes make a noticeable difference to flights and accommodation. If you’re able to travel just outside the busiest periods, it’s worth comparing several different dates before booking.
It’s also worth remembering that you don’t necessarily need a full seven nights on the mountain. A shorter trip can still give you plenty of time to ski while keeping the overall cost under control.
Don’t automatically choose the biggest resort
Some of the most famous ski resorts come with equally famous prices.
When you’re travelling with children, you might not actually need the biggest possible ski area or the most luxurious resort. A smaller destination can offer everything your family needs, particularly if you’re still learning.
Think about what you’ll realistically use.
If you’ve got younger children or beginners in the group, being somewhere with a good ski school and straightforward slopes may be much more valuable than having hundreds of kilometres of pistes you probably won’t get around.
Work out the full travel cost
It’s easy to compare flight prices and think you’ve found a bargain, only to discover that getting from the airport to your resort adds a sizeable chunk to the holiday.
When comparing destinations, look at the whole journey, not just the flight.
For example, if you’re flying into Grenoble and heading to La Plagne, you’ll need to factor in the journey between the airport and the resort. Looking into a Grenoble to La Plagne transfer before booking can help you work out the real cost of getting everyone there and back.
This is particularly useful for families because the cheapest-looking option isn’t always the easiest once you’re adding luggage, ski equipment and tired children into the equation.
Consider hiring equipment
Ski equipment can be surprisingly expensive, especially when you’re buying for several people.
And if you have children, there’s the added problem that they may have grown out of everything by the time the next winter comes around.
For families who only ski occasionally, hiring equipment at the resort can make much more financial sense than buying everything. You also avoid the hassle of travelling with skis and boots.
If you do already own equipment, compare the cost of taking it with you against hiring before deciding. Airline charges for specialist luggage can make a difference to the final price.
Look beyond traditional ski accommodation
A family-friendly apartment with kitchen facilities can sometimes work out considerably cheaper than staying in a hotel.
Having somewhere to prepare breakfast and a few meals can also make a big difference to your food budget. You don’t have to cook every meal — being able to have cereal, toast or something quick before heading out can mean you’re only paying restaurant prices when you actually want to.
When looking at accommodation, check what’s included too. Wi-Fi, parking, transfers and even things such as towels or bedding can sometimes add unexpected costs.
Make lunch part of the plan
Mountain restaurants are convenient, but eating out for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day can make a serious dent in your holiday budget.
Packing snacks and drinks for the day is an easy saving, particularly with children who somehow become permanently hungry the moment they’re outside.
If your accommodation has kitchen facilities, consider making packed lunches on some days rather than eating on the mountain.
That doesn’t mean you need to avoid eating out completely. Part of the fun of a family holiday is trying the local food, so budget for a couple of meals you’re genuinely looking forward to rather than spending money simply because you’re hungry.
Don’t buy an entirely new ski wardrobe
It can be tempting to think everyone needs a completely new outfit before heading to the mountains.
They really don’t.
Look at what you already have and work out what you actually need. Some items can be bought second-hand, borrowed from friends or picked up inexpensively rather than buying premium versions of everything.
Children in particular don’t need the most expensive gear if they’re only going to wear it for a week or two each year.
The important thing is staying warm, dry and comfortable.
Budget for the things you might forget
The obvious costs aren’t usually the ones that catch people out.
It’s the little things.
Ski passes, lockers, equipment deposits, parking, snacks, drinks, transfers and those inevitable “Mum, can I have this?” moments can all add up.
Before you go, make a list of the costs you’ll have once you’re actually there. Giving yourself a daily spending allowance can help stop the holiday budget disappearing by day three.
And perhaps leave a little bit extra for emergencies. Nobody wants to be worrying about money because somebody has lost a glove on the mountain.
Look for family-friendly activities away from the slopes
You don’t have to ski from breakfast until dinner to get value from a ski holiday.
Depending on where you’re staying, there may be plenty of other things to do, from walking around the resort and exploring the surrounding area to finding a café, going sledging or simply enjoying the scenery.
Taking a day away from skiing can also give everyone’s legs a rest — particularly if you have children who are still getting used to being on skis.
Sometimes the cheapest day of the holiday can end up being one of the most memorable.
Decide what you’re actually willing to spend
Perhaps the most useful thing you can do is decide on a realistic budget before you start booking.
Work out what you can comfortably spend on:
- Travel
- Accommodation
- Ski passes
- Equipment
- Food
- Activities
- Insurance
- Spending money
Then keep track of the total as you book things.
It can be very easy to look at each individual expense and think, “It’s only another £30,” but several £30s have a habit of becoming a rather alarming amount of money.
A ski holiday doesn’t have to be extravagant
There’s a tendency to think of skiing as an expensive luxury holiday, but it doesn’t have to be.
For families, the best trip isn’t necessarily the one with the fanciest hotel, the biggest ski area or the most expensive equipment. It’s the one where everyone gets to enjoy being somewhere completely different, spend time outdoors and come home with some good stories.
A little research before booking can save a surprising amount of money and leave you with more in the budget for the things that actually make the holiday special.