A week of whizzing own the slopes at European ski trips can be bagged for a few hundred pounds.
When you think of Alpine ski breaks, you're likely to conjure up images of wooden chalets with deep pile rugs, crisps white snow and tanned Swiss people drinking premium half-litres.
It's fair to assume that such a lifestyle is unlikely to come cheap.
As much as you can break the bank in pursuit of the perfect ski and après ski, it isn't required.
Flights to top skiing destinations are available from just £16 return during the peak winter months, according to a new list of the best value resorts in Europe from Skyscanner.
Milan is the cheapest destination flights wise, with the average return fare in January and February going for £61.
Once in the Italian fashion capital there are plenty of nearby ski resorts, including Livigno in the north of the country.
The duty-free zone offers excellent slopes for intermediate skiers, as well as off-piste runs for those who are a little more confident.
One of the Livigno’s big attractions is its excellent terrain park which has pro-sized jumps as well as rails and kickers for those still learning the ropes.
The price of food and drink in and around the slopes is all very reasonable – meaning it’s popular with the younger ski crowd who come to party.
The average cost of a beer is between £2.50 and £4.50, depending on which bar you frequent, while a ski pass will knock you back £225 for six days and £45 for one day.
One country which is increasingly popular with those who love to ski but don't want to spend huge amounts of money doing so is Bulgaria.
Along with its cousins, Bansko and Pamporovo, the ski resort of Borovets is ideal for a bargain hunter.
A lively, cheap and cheerful town, Borovets is the oldest ski resort in Bulgaria, nestled at around 1,300m in the Rila Mountains and made up of three separate zones.
The upper half of the mountain is largely above the treeline and offers plenty of wide-open pistes, most of which are fairly gentle – ideal for beginners and intermediates.
Away from the cheap ski resort you can have a relaxing soak in the nearby thermal springs or go to Tsarska Bistritsa and stroll around a traditional Bulgarian village.
The partying is lively and cheap, with beers costing from £2.20 and a ski pass £165 for six days.
The average return trip costs £130 at the beginning of 2023, but can be bagged for as little as £32.
There are even cheap ski breaks to be had in France, where the resort of Chamonix sells passes for close to £300 in the peak season.
Les Houches, which is a little way down the- same valley, is much cheaper.
In Les Houches, marked ski runs that range from 950m to 1,900m with epic views of the Mont Blanc Valley, so it’s perfect for leisure skiers.
If you’re hankering for a black run and some open-air clubbing, Chamonix’s ski fields are only 8km away.
Drinks cost about the same as they do in the UK, but there are bargains to be had during happy hour in certain bars.
The average cost for a ski pass is £41 for a day and £205 for six days.
A flight to Geneva Airport - which is an hour's drive from Les Houches - costs from £36 and £130 on average in January and February.
Top seven ski holidays with the cheapest return flight prices
- Milan, £16
- Krakow, £19
- Budapest, £27
- Grenoble, £25
- Sofia, £30
- Geneva, £40
- Vancouver, £536
Find out more at skyscanner.net.
