Cheapest possible ski trip

[massistar]

Just back from a lovely week in the Dolomites and DS17 is itching to go again. We normally do half term as well but decided not to this year as I've got a big birthday coming up.

DS wants to try and go for a few days at half term with a couple of mates. He's a very good skiier so not got any worries there but he's talking about places like Poland which I don't have any experience of. We've skiied Italy, France, Austria and Andorra in the past so open to any suggestions for a super cheap holiday for bunch of lads who don't care about the standard of accommodation. Any ideas?

Ps I know that cheap, ski and half term don't go together. It's all relative!

That's because there is little to no snow there right now ..!

So annoying, typed long message and disappeared.

All the below are depending on snow conditions of course but are all places I've considered or been to before in pursuit of value (!) as a single parent ....

Italy: Abetone; Macugnaga; smaller Aosta resorts; Limone Piemonte; San Candido/ Innichen (this one is great, loads of skiing, good snowmaking, and relatively high. Ski pass is a bit pricy tho and your possibly need a car to get most out of it)

France: resorts in Auvergne and Alsace; Isola and others down that way

Bosnia: Jahorina and Bjelasnica

Montenegro: Zabljak and Kolasin... Last two countries might be good for an adventure although they will need to be confident travellers and may need a car which could be an issue

Slovenia: Maribor

Slovakia: Jasna/ Chopok - big with snowboarders I think.

Spain: loads of the smaller Pyrenean resorts.

Germany, Oberstdorf is a good call. Feldberg is a bit low and very spread out + easier skiing, but is cheap and there is a good spa with huge indoor waterpark at Titisee.

I live near Innichrn/San Candido, and while very nice, it is also very expensive unfortunately! Accommodation, food, getting there ... They could check out nearby Sillian/Lienz in Eastern Tyrol (AT). But those will be still have expensive compared to Bulgaria, Balkans, etc.

We’ve been to Borovets in Bulgaria. No, it isn’t the Alps but it’s decent skiing and the black and red runs are usually quite empty because so many beginners go there and the blues are rammed. My husband who is a great skier and skis all over said he was happy with the skiing but wouldn’t go back simply because there aren’t as many runs as Austria etc so he would be bored. But it defo fits the cheap element they’re looking for and we found it friendly as a resort

I have no idea of the price but you can go skiing in Lebanon which speaks to my off-the-beaten-track side.

Thanks @Goawayangryman .. lots of great suggestions there!

@ghislaine I have a friend from Jordan who skis in Lebanon! Ski in morning and beach in the afternoon. It's a very different experience from what I understand.. only for the rich so it's very luxurious with people to help you get your boots on and off etc!

I believe Italy has different school holidays to France and UK so if you go to a smaller, lesser known Italian resort you may find it’s less busy, more likely to be accommodation etc.