It's possible to ski without blowing your budget. Between transport, accommodation, equipment hire and ski passes, a stay in a resort can quickly become an unaffordable luxury. Some resorts charge record prices, such as Les Trois Vallées or Paradiski, where a six-day pass can cost up to €400. But the good news is that there are much more affordable alternatives. A number of often little-known resorts offer equally memorable experiences at much lower prices.
READ MORE: Which ski resort to choose? Winter guide 2024-2025
Here are five resorts accessible by train, where skiing is affordable for everyone.
Thollon-les-Mémises (Alps): €29.50 per day
Perched high above Lake Geneva, this Haute-Savoie resort offers a unique panorama of the sky and lake. With 50km of pistes and 16 ski lifts, Thollon-les-Mémises is just as appealing to novice skiers as it is to those who enjoy a more contemplative style of skiing.
Prices :
29.50 per day
116 for four days
139.50 for five days with access to the neighbouring resorts of Bernex and Abondance
How to find us :
Train to Évian-les-Bains, then shuttle bus to the resort.
Les Orres (Alps): from €29.70 per day
Situated in the Hautes-Alpes, this resort rises to 1,650 metres and offers a varied ski area extending to 2,720 metres. Ideal for experienced skiers with its many red runs and snowpark, it also offers very attractive sliding scale prices.
Prices :
41.50 per day until 14 March
33.30 from 15 March
29.70 € from 22 March to close on 13 April
150.80 € for six days at the end of the season
How to find us :
Paris-Briançon night train, stop at Embrun, then shuttle to the resort.
Cauterets (Pyrénées): €18 to €43 per day
Head for the Pyrenees, where Cauterets will appeal to downhill skiers and cross-country enthusiasts alike. The Cirque de Lys ski area (36 km of runs) peaks at 2,400 metres and guarantees optimum snow cover. For cross-country skiers, the Pont d'Espagne offers a magical setting with 35km of Nordic trails.
Prices :
43 € per day for downhill skiing
18 € for the small downhill ski area at Pont d'Espagne
11 € for cross-country skiing
How to find us :
Train to Lourdes, then bus to Cauterets.
Autrans-Méaudre (Alps): €23.50 per day
Nestling in the Vercors, a stone's throw from Grenoble, Autrans-Méaudre is a popular resort for families and Nordic ski enthusiasts. It has a modest alpine ski area, but its huge network of cross-country ski runs (200 km, one of the largest in Europe) makes it a great destination for a variety of activities.
Prices :
23.50 per day
127.80 for six days
How to find us :
Train to Grenoble, then regional coach to the resort.
Les Rousses (Jura): from €34
Situated in the Jura, this charming resort is made up of four villages and two distinct ski areas. Dôle-Tuffes, straddling the Swiss border, offers 33 runs and reaches an altitude of 1,677 metres. La Serra, smaller but more intimate, offers good value for money for skiers looking for peace and quiet.
Prices :
34 € for a day at La Serra
40 € for a day at Dôle-Tuffes
177.50 for six days with access to both domains
How to find us :
Train to Morez, then shuttle to the resort.
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