Which ski area offers the best value for a family of four? This year’s answers are in – and Bansko in Bulgaria has claimed the title of cheapest family destination in Europe.
Eastern Europe is a popular choice for skiers and snowboarders looking for a bargain, and Bansko frequently comes out at number one on lists of the cheapest ski resorts. The Bulgarian resort was a clear winner in the 2017 Family Ski Resort Report, produced by Post Office Travel Money in partnership with Crystal Ski Holidays. Published tomorrow, the annual report uses a standardised method to compare prices in 16 European destinations.
Kranjska Gora in Slovenia was second, down from first place in the 2016 family skiing report. The resort was found to be the cheapest European ski destination in an overall Post Office survey published in October.
“Bardonecchia is particularly suitable for families with younger children because there are kindergartens, play areas and ski school classes for the very young,” said Chris Logan, managing director of Crystal Ski Holidays. “It also boasts a snow tubing track that has been specially designed with families in mind. When you add these facilities to the great value for money revealed in this year’s Family Ski Resort Report, Bardonecchia looks a real winner.”
Morzine is the cheapest of the three French resorts in the survey. As well as low prices, the option of catching a train to the slopes is a factor that could add to the appeal of this resort in the Portes du Soleil ski area.
Although Wengen and Saas Fee in Switzerland were the most expensive entries in the survey, figures for both resorts were lower than this time last year. Prices in Saas Fee are 10 per cent lower than they were in 2016, as the Swiss franc has gone down in value against the pound.
Overall, two-thirds of the destinations surveyed have seen a fall in prices over the past year. All three French resorts (Morzine, Serre Chevalier and Les Deux Alpes) have lower prices than in the 2016 report.