Italian ski resort named ‘best value’ in Europe

An Italian ski resort has knocked Bulgaria’s Borovets off the top of the rankings for best-value adult skiing destinations in Europe.

In a cost comparison of 36 resorts, Bardoneccia emerged triumphant with a price of £532 for a week-long trip.

The finding came from Post Office Travel Money’s annual Ski Resort Report, whose 2024 edition surveyed resorts on the cost of a six-day ski pass and ski/boot hire for one person plus ski school (five to six half-days), a range of drinks and lunch on the slopes.

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Borovets fell back to the runner-up position for the first time since 2019 because prices in the Bulgarian resort have risen 8.2% year-on-year to £554.

Laura Plunkett, head of Post Office Travel Money, said: “The good news is that prices are lower in a number of popular resorts and, where they have risen, the increases are not as high as might have been expected, given inflation levels across Europe.”

In the report’s rankings of the best-value European resorts for families, Jahorina in Bosnia & Herzegovina was declared to have the lowest prices after 32 resorts were surveyed.

One of eight resorts featured in the family rankings for the first time, Jahorina was found to offer a price of £1,657 for a family of four – two adults and two children aged six and eight – with the price covering a week’s ski pass, equipment, tuition, meals and drinks.

Second place was occupied by Italy’s Passo Tonale (£1,678), where prices have fallen by 6.6%, while Bardonecchia was named in third position (£1,752) after a price drop of 1.5%.

Bansko (£1,968) moved from top spot to fifth place after recording a “big increase” in ski school prices, said Post Office Travel Money. The Bulgarian resort was found to be 27% more expensive overall compared with last year, based on the factors assessed by the report.

Among the ‘big four’ destinations for UK skiers, Italy was again found to represent the best value for money – beating Austria, France and Switzerland.

Plunkett said: “Ski resort costs are likely to play an important part in destination choice this year as the rising cost of living in the UK puts pressure on the amount of money ski enthusiasts have available for their annual winter sports holiday.

“That’s why it is so important for them to do their homework before booking and factor in all the costs of a ski holiday to the package price.”

This year’s report found that prices for adult skiing have fallen in more than a quarter (nine) of the 31 resorts also surveyed last season, with the biggest drops being 5.5% in both Les Arcs (18th, £812) and Wengen (35th, £1,260).

More than half of family resorts previously surveyed – 13 out of 24 – have recorded price falls, with the biggest being 8.9% in Ruka (£2,098). The Finnish resort has risen to seventh place in the family rankings.

The report was produced in partnership with Crystal Ski Holidays, whose managing director said Italy was a “firm favourite” with customers for winter 2023/24 on account of the value offered.

Chris Logan added that growth has also been recorded in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“With the rising cost of living, offering value for money when it comes to ski holidays is more important than ever before,” Logan said.

“We’re continuing to see strong demand in destinations that offer great value to bargain-conscious Brits.”

The 2024 report is the 17th produced by Post Office Travel Money.

Photo: Maarten Duineveld/Unsplash