Snowy holiday (no skiing) where on budget pls?

[Blossom4538]

Hi all,

We’re thinking of chamonix, but cheaper options in Bulgaria or Andorra.

Where is nice for a couple, snowy break - likely no skiiing pls?!!

Also heard Slovenia?

Thank u xx

Struggling with idea of snowy and no skiing tbh..

Italy is fab and probably a bit nicer than Eastern Europe for non skiing activities.

Oooh Italy sounds lovely! It is actually for a friend - they are in a budget. I wonder if Italy may be pricey?

Helluva lot cheaper than Chamonix!

Also way cheaper than France in general in mountain resorts for eating out etc.

The words budget and Chamonix really can't share the same sentence !

When you want snow, what else are they looking for? Just to hole up somewhere fairly remote? Happy to drive to get shops/restaurants? Hotel with facilities? Other activities available? Standard of restaurants etc relevant?

Transylvania! Fly WizzAir. Stay in Sibiu with a view of the Carpathians. The food is good, a lot of people speak English, it's cheap, and there are loads of natural hot spas. Plus castles and mediaeval cities and snow and it's not touristic at all. Last time we went, we did 5 nights for 300 each.

There’s not a lot in Andorra apart from skiing.

www.snow-forecast.com/overviews/tips_full

Lapland?

Second Transelvania!
Can get the train from Bucharest really easily and it’s stunning.

Passo Tonale might do you. Cannot recall the name of the hotel but they serve lots of pasta which DCs loved.

Black Forrest Germany. Great for novices and quite a few sledging hills. There are also some lovely indoor poodle and spa places.

poodles 🐩!! Meant to say swimming pool.

Scotland

Soldeu Andorra

Dog sledding
Skidoos
helicopter rides
Duty free shopping in Andorra la velle
Snow shoeing
Igloo stay
Ice bar
Tubing
Drinking tax free!

lapland is amazing but very very expensive when youre there. Activities average £100 pp per activity eg dog sledding

Scotland - skiing is hit and miss due to snow coverage but you can drive there (2-3 tanks of fuel admittedly) no exchange rate issues or health insurance needed and accommodation at all price points.

Lapland every time for non-skiing snowy hols. And I speak as someone who owns a home in Andorra!

The Ice Hotel in Kiruna is stunning but not budget. Similar activities can be found a bit cheaper in Levi, Finland but you have to look a bit more for it. Scandinavia is more expensive for food and drink but cheaper for snow activities - huskies and snowmobiles are still used as transport and reindeer wander wild by the side of the road. And there’s always a chance of the Northern Lights.

Otherwise go to the Salzburgerland area of Austria - big on spas, longest toboggan run in the world (Bramberg,) frozen waterfall (Krimml,) alpine coaster (Zell am Ziller,) horse drawn sleighs.

Andorra you’ve got great skiing, the spas in La Vella and Soldeu (this one is especially nice.) and duty free drinking. All other snow activities are limited in scope and more expensive compared to elsewhere.