It’s finally winter, and that can only mean one thing - time to pull on your ski jacket and head off to the slopes for a week in the snow. Whilst skiing holidays have a reputation for being expensive, there are a variety of European ski destinations you can travel to that won’t break the bank – and you won’t have to compromise on the snow quality either!
Borovetz, Bulgaria
Highest altitude: 2,600 metres
If you’re looking for lively après-ski activity, then Borovetz is ideal. The beauty of Borovetz is that everything you need is located on one strip – the bars, restaurants and hotels are all a short walk from the main ski lifts, and some hotels even offer doorstep skiing. And in the evenings, the slopes are opened after dark so you can indulge in a bit of night skiing – don’t worry, the piste is flood lit so you don’t get lost!
Arinsal, Andorra
Highest altitude: 2,560 metres
Nestled in the Pyrenees Mountains, the world’s second largest mountain range, Arinsal is famous for its rich variety of local cuisines and bars. As part of the Vallnord ski area, the nearby resorts of Pal and Arcalis are easy to access from Arinsal, and so there will be plenty of slopes of varying levels to test your skills on throughout your stay. Add to this the low cost of just £185 for a six-day lift pass, and this is the ideal ski destination on a budget.
Glenshee, Scotland
Highest altitude: 1,068 metres
Whilst the United Kingdom isn’t exactly known for its skiing, Glenshee is a great destination for a cheap last minute ski trip. Due to the Scottish climate, it’s worth bearing in mind that the snow cover can be sparse over the winter months, with a few rocks and leaves poking through. However, the main benefit of skiing in Scotland (if you’re UK based) is that all you have to do is keep an eye on the weather reports, and you can just chuck your stuff in the car and go as soon as there’s a snow dump!
Vogel, Slovenia
Highest altitude: 1,800 metres
Set in the Julian Mountain range at the heart of the Triglav National Park, Vogel has to be considered one of the more picturesque ski resorts on this list. Often with the best snow in Slovenia, if you run out of pistes in Vogel, simply travel the short distance to the nearby Kobla resort to explore their wider range of runs.
Poiana-Brasov, Romania
Highest altitude: 1,799 metres
Not only is Poiana-Brasov the largest ski resort in Romania, but it’s also one of the most well preserved mountain areas in eastern Europe, based deep in the Carpathian Mountains. And if you’re looking for something to do when you’re too tired to ski, the resort is only a short distance away from Bran Castle (otherwise known as Dracula’s Castle), ideal for a day’s excursion.
If you’re heading off skiing this winter, it’s also important to make sure that you have the right winter sport insurance in place to make sure you’re fully protected on the slopes. This might include cover for ski equipment, piste closure, and medical emergencies, so make sure to check you’re covered before you go.