The Best Places to Ski on a Budget
Ask anyone who’s ever been skiing and they’ll tell you how unforgettable – even life-changing – the experience was. All too often, though, skiing is held as the preserve of the elite, and the sky-high prices can be beyond the reach of the budget traveler.
But it really doesn’t have to be like that! While the average backpacker may struggle to afford a break in Breckenridge or a vacation in Val d’Isere, there are plenty of perfectly pristine slopes out there that are affordable for everyone. You’ve just got to look in the right places…
Stand in Marrakech and you can see the Atlas Mountains looming in the background. So why is it that Morocco is associated with souks and sand, but not snow? Ok, so it’s not Aspen, but the ski resort at Oukaimeden is easily accessible, functional, and, most importantly, cheap.
A reasonable taxi gets you from Marrakech to the mountains within an hour. Snowfall is a touch erratic (as are the donkeys that occasionally double up as ski lifts!), but the months of January, February and March should all provide for some good, affordable skiing.
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An evening’s skiing in Andorra
Andorra’s diverse runs are located to the north of the tiny country, about 15 kilometers or so from the capital, Andorra La Vella. Soldeu (best for beginners), El Tarter and Pas de la Casa (the most popular amongst locals) all offer impressive peaks at affordable prices.
The skiing areas can be easily reached from the main town. And Andorra is an attractive little place with plenty more to offer than its duty-free tax haven reputation would have you believe. It may not be the chicest resort in Europe, but it does offer the all-round budget skiing package.
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Nestled deep in the Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is a surprisingly large and accessible skiing base. Coaches leave frequently from Krakow, and since the journey only takes two hours, you’ve got the choice of making for the hills as a day trip, or staying in Zakopane itself.
From the town, skiers choose the nearby Gubalowka for compact (and, at times, artificial) snow, or the large resort of Kasprowy Wierch for a full range of testing runs. Since ski-hire and passes are several times cheaper than in France, say, this is the ideal place in Europe for the budget skier.
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The slopes of Slovenia
Slovenia has remained one of the ski world’s best kept secrets for a few years now. Whilst the peaks boast fantastic facilities and great snow, few outside those ‘in the know’ treat it as a viable destination. Which means prices have stayed low, and the runs have stayed quiet.
On the very northwestern point of the country, Kranjska Gora sits amongst the Julien Alps in an area of stunning natural beauty. With 30km of varied runs, it’s no exaggeration to say that this is a gem just waiting to be discovered.
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Ten years ago, a survey suggested that only 200 people in China had ever skied! Today that number’s closer to one million, thanks, in no small part, to the development of its slopes. It may not be what instantly pops into your head, but China’s a worthwhile skiing destination.
The primary resort of Yabuli (on the Eastern tip of the country) is snow-covered for an average of 170 days every year. Among the frequently demanding runs there’s even a 2.5km steel toboggan run for those feeling especially brave!
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