Heidi’s top tips for saving money on your next ski holiday
Skiing on a budget? Don't know where to start? Heidi Ski Holidays have got you covered with their list of top tips you can use to get the best deals on our next ski holiday.
Ok, so you've been checking the latest snow reports and hindcasts on Snow-Forecast.com, and now you're enticingly close to knowing exactly where and when you want to go skiing. So, what's next? Well, finding the best deal for your next ski holiday, of course!
As the current and future 2025/2026 official UK and IE snow-forecast holiday sponsor, Heidi ski holidays offer you complete freedom. With Heidi, you can leave the faff behind and relax, knowing that everything you need for your ski trip is taken care of. From the best flexible flights, accommodations, and transfers to nailing those little extras like gear hire, lift passes, and ski lessons, all in one place!
Combining Heidi's ski resort know-how with Snow-Forecast.com's weather maps and observations can help you decide where to go for your next ski holiday. Check live and future hindcasts and forecasts for last-minute trips, or take to snow forecast's 'snow data vault' to review historical snow records from the last 18 years to find the perfect week for a future trip - it’s just that simple!
For those on the hunt for exceptional value, booking a ski holiday can seem expensive. But fear not; with Heidi's expert tips, you can make small, easy changes that can lead to substantial savings, allowing you to still enjoy your mountain 'fix' this season. Here are Heidi's top tips for booking a ski holiday on a budget:
1. Avoid Saturday flights
By avoiding the typically expensive Saturday flights, you can make savvy choices and opt for more cost-effective options. Consider flying on a Friday, Sunday, or mid-week to maximise your savings.
Heidi's flexibility allows you to choose the days that suit you best, ensuring you find the best deal for your holiday.
2. Do you need a lift pass?
Let's face it. Ski passes can be expensive. But did you know you might not even need one at many resorts? Some ski resorts don't require a lift pass to access nursery slopes, making them an excellent choice for first-time and group ski holidays. This can add to some significant savings, especially for families with children under 8, who are often not charged (such as at Pila in Italy), or for groups under 25, who are charged less for junior tickets (like at Auron in France).
Alternatively, skip the premium lift pass prices at big resorts and embark on an adventure to discover a hidden gem. Imagine less crowded slopes and cheaper accommodation options. It's a win-win! Want to know more? Give Heidi a call, and they will point you in the right direction.
3. Short ski breaks and ski weekends
If you don’t need a whole week of skiing, opting for a short ski break or ski weekend can save you a lot of extra wonga.
A short six or five-day break can still allow you to pack in plenty of time on the slopes but can equal cheaper accommodation and food costs. Combine this with a mid-week flight, and you’re on to some serious savings.
4. Opt for lesser-known hidden gems over fan-favourites
Instead of heading to the tried and tested favourites, why not shake things up this season with somewhere slightly off the beaten track? Here are some of Heidi’s best and cheapest ski holidays recommendations:
- El Tarter, Andorra: The perfect pick for beginners and intermediates.
- Tignes, France: Ideal for all abilities with a vast, snow-sure ski area.
- Sestriere & Livigno, Italy: Tax-free, snow-sure, and Italian kids are still in school at half-term.
- Bansko, Bulgaria: Fantastic for large mixed-ability groups.
- Fieberbrunn, Austria: A hidden pine-forest village big on skiing, snow, and laidback charm.
- Kranjska Gora, Slovenia: Beginner-friendly runs and laid-back apres fun.
5. Find the cheapest dates with Heidi’s ‘flexible date search’
If you’re not tied to specific dates, finding fantastic deals on accommodation and flights is easy.
With Heidi’s flexible date search, you can either pick a date and add a ‘+1/2 days wiggle room or toggle to the search’s ‘flexible’ tab to filter to the cheapest travel dates across an entire month. This will highlight that month’s best deals across specific resorts, countries, and even beginner, snowboard, and family-friendly resorts across Europe.
6. Ski in January or March
Skiing in March and January offers plenty of fantastic snow outside of the extra-busy Christmas and school holidays ski periods.
January is a budget ski holiday sweet spot. With frequent fresh snowfall, skiing at lower altitudes where the cheaper resorts are located significantly improves, with the added bonus of quieter, uncrowded slopes—utter bliss!
Alternatively, slalom between the half-term and Easter bank holidays with a skiing holiday in March. Enjoy skiing beneath bluebird days on uncrowded slopes and tick back on sunny terraces with an Aperol Spritz - remember to pack the sunscreen!
7. Big ski areas, small resort prices!
Large ski areas usually encompass a lot of smaller resorts within them, so if you're not fussed about staying in the main big ones, you can save a lot of money by opting instead for a smaller outlying resort.
Three Valleys, France: Stay at the chilled-out Les Menuires or Saint-Martin-De-Belleville for all the fun of the world's largest ski area without the cost. Alternatively, head to Brides Les Bains for a direct cable car connection with the high-altitude resort of Meribel to enjoy the lively apres without the expensive accommodation costs.
Skicircus Valley, Austria: Head to Fieberbrunn to gain access to this vast ski area without the crowds and prices of Saalbach-Hinterglemm.
Milky Way, Italy: To access the Via Lattea, head to Claviere to enjoy the same high-alpine runs away from the party town of Sauze d'Oulx.
KitzSki, Austria: Enjoy this incredible ski area with a stay at Kirchberg. Although it may lack the glitz and glamour of nearby Kitzbuhel, the fun factor and nightlife are on par, and cheaper accommodation options will save you a pretty penny.
Chamonix, France: As the saying goes, everyone wants to ski Cham at least once. So enjoy Chamonix without the hefty price tag with a stay at nearby Les Houches instead.
Hopefully, our list of handy money-saving tips has helped inspire your next ski trip. If you need more advice, don't hesitate to check out the Heidi website or contact our super-friendly team of experienced ski experts for a chat. There's nothing they love more than talking about ski holidays!
