SNOW TIME LIKE THE PRESENT: Five budget-friendly ski destinations to book now!

SNOW TIME LIKE THE PRESENT: Five budget-friendly ski destinations to book now!

If you're seeking a last minute, budget-friendly ski holiday for two, look no further

Jack Mitchell, FairFX travel currency expert, reveals five budget ski destinations to book now, starting from £355 per person per week*, including flights, accommodation, lift pass, and equipment hire.

This compares with costs upwards of £1,750pp in snowy hotspots such as Val D'Isere. (1)

1. Kolašin, Montenegro – £355.50 pp

Situated to the north of Montenegro, at the foot of the breath-taking Sinjajevina and Bjelasica mountains, Kolašin 1450/Kolašin 1600 offers skiers and snowboarders 45km of slopes with 7 lifts. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 1,420 and 2,072m.

Unwind after a long day on the slopes with a visit to Bianca Resort & Spa, a luxury resort in the town's centre, surrounded by magnificent pine forests and stunning views of the Bjelasica Mountain.

·       Accommodation: Double hotel rooms from £141 (Booking.com)

·       Flights: London Stanstead to Podgorica for £292 return for two adults with Ryanair (Skyscanner)

·       Lift pass: Approx. £168 for two adults for six days (skijalista.me)

·       Equipment hire (skis, boots, poles): Approx. £110 for two adults for six days (skijalista.me)

·       Spending money: With the current exchange rate for £500 you will get approx. €554.35 (www.fairfx.com/travel-money)

2. Kolsås, Norway - £562.50 pp

 

Situated in the stunning Norwegian town of Bærum, Kolsås is known for its beautiful views overlooking the Oslofjord. The Kolsås Skisenter offers skiers and snowboarders 1.3km of slopes to explore. The winter sports area situated between the elevations of 220 and 350m.

Fancy a break from the slopes? Take a trip into nearby village Bærums Verk, a former ironworks converted into cosy cafés and quaint shops.

·       Accommodation: One bedroom apartment from £461 (Booking.com)

·       Flights: London Stanstead to Oslo return for £188 for two adults with Ryanair (Skyscanner)

·       Lift pass: Approx. £329 for two adults for six days (Skiresort)

·       Equipment hire (skis, boots, poles): Approx £147 for two adults for six days (Kolsasbakken)

·       Spending money: With the current exchange rate for £500 you will get approx. Nkr 6033 (www.fairfx.com/travel-money)

3.      Poiana Brasov, Romania - £570.5pp

 

Poiana Brașov is the biggest ski resort in Romania, offering trails on Postăvaru Mountain. The resort boasts an ice-skating rink, indoor recreation centre, and sports complex with tubing and luging.

The resort has 13.7km of slopes with 5km of ski routes available and 10 lifts. The winter sports area is situated between the elevations of 941 and 1,783m.

In your down time, visit nearby Dracula's Castle, Râșnov Citadel, or the medieval city of Brasov.

·       Accommodation: Double hotel rooms from £560 (Booking.com)

·       Flights: London Stanstead to Bucharest return for £188 for two adults with Ryanair (Skyscanner)

·       Lift pass: Approx. £241 for two adults for six days (discoverpoiana)

·       Equipment hire (skis, boots, poles): Approx £152 for two adults for six days (edenski.ro)

·       Spending money: With the current exchange rate for £500 you will get approx. RON 2671.35 (www.fairfx.com/travel-money)

4. Borovets, Bulgaria - £645.5pp

 

Located in the Sofia Province of Bulgaria, Borovets is a great option if you're looking for a wallet-friendly ski destination with fantastic nightlife!

Nestled amongst snow-covered pine forests, Borovets is one of the largest ski resorts in Bulgaria, offering some of the country's best terrain for more experienced skiers.

The resort consists of the three linked ski centres; Yastrebets, Sitnyakovo and Markudjik, all connected by a gondola lift, modern chairlifts, and button lifts.

Notorious for its myriad of bars, pubs, and clubs, you won't be short of places to get a drink (or three) after hitting the slopes.  Alternatively, for a more relaxed afternoon, indulge in hydrotherapy at Kotvata hot spring spa for as little as £7.

·       Accommodation: Studio apartments from £473 (Booking.com)

·       Flights: London Gatwick to Sofia for £272 return for two adults with TUI (Skyscanner)

·       Lift pass: Approx. £406 for two adults for six days (www.borovets-bg.com)

·       Equipment hire (skis, boots, poles):  Approx. £140 for two adults for six days (www.borovets-bg.com)

·       Spending money: With the current exchange rate for £500 you will get approx. BGN 1061.95 (www.fairfx.com/travel-money)

 5. Špindlerův Mlýn, Czech Republic - £700 pp*

 

Last but not least, the Špindlerův Mlýn ski resort is situated in the highest mountain range in the Czech Republic, the Giant Mountains, known as one of the best and most popular winter sports resorts in the Czech Republic.

For skiing and snowboarding, the resort offers 27km of ski slopes, 6 chairlifts, more than 90km of cross-country skiing trails, and the longest illuminated toboggan run in the Czech Republic.

Warm up after a long day with an exotic massage, peat treatment, or herbal bath at the Hotel Praha spa. Or, if you're feeling more adventurous, try paragliding or simply dance the night away in one of the local bars.

·       Accommodation: Double hotel rooms from £486 (Booking.com)

·       Flights: Luton to Prague for £160 return for two adults with WhizzAir (Skyscanner)

·       Lift pass: Approx. £575 for two adults for six days (skiareal.cz)

·       Equipment hire (skis, boots, poles): Approx £179 for two adults for six days (skiareal.cz)

·       Spending money: With the current exchange rate for £500 you will get approximately Kč 13075.25 (www.fairfx.com/travel-money)

 

Top tips to escape to the slopes on a budget

For ski and snowboarders on a budget, Jack Mitchell, Head of Currency Operations at FairFX, shares his expert advice on how to make your travel money go further.

• Avoid airport exchange desks

Planning ahead not only gives you peace of mind but can also help to avoid unnecessary costs, often found at airport currency exchange desk.

Before your trip, check what type of currency you'll need and order travel money in advance to ensure you get the best available exchange rates.

You could also consider using a prepaid currency card. As well as offering a competitive exchange rate, a prepaid currency card can help to avoid transaction fees for purchases made abroad.

• Shop around

If you're looking to keep costs low, shop around as much as possible. Look out for package deals or think outside of popular ski spots and visit these lesser-known destinations. You'll be pleasantly surprised by what you can discover in the hidden gems!

• Consider the currency

The last year has been a bumpy ride for travellers, with the fluctuating pound leaving many unsure how far their finances will stretch once they've landed in their chosen destination.

As the pound continues to drop against the Euro, picking a ski destination outside the Euro is a great option for saving money. Currently, destinations where your spending money will stretch the furthest include Bulgaria, Romania, and Montenegro.

• Sell leftover travel money

Got some cash leftover from your trip? No need to leave it in a drawer until your next escape.

Many currency providers, including FairFX, will buy back leftover cash for select currencies so you can have the money back in your pocket – ready to spend or save for another trip.

For more information, visit www.fairfx.com

 

*Prices based on booking period 25th February 2023 – 4th March 2023

(1) Source: WeSki.co.uk