- Mr Plane Guy
- Jan 22
- 8 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Europe’s Cheapest Ski Resorts for 2026, Baggage Rules, Cheap Beer and How to Get There
By Mr Plane Guy | Travel Blogger & Flight Expert
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It funds my habit of flying low-cost around Europe in search of cheap snow and cheaper beer.
If you’re planning a ski trip this winter, you’re probably thinking about more than just snow conditions. easyJet analysed real, bookable prices across flights, accommodation, lift passes and transfers, rather than brochure averages.
Flights, baggage rules, transfers, airport delays, and whether the whole thing is actually worth the cost all come into play long before you clip into your skis.
The good news? Skiing in Europe doesn’t have to mean Alpine prices.
A new easyJet Cheap Ski Index highlights the best-value ski resorts in Europe for 2026, ranking destinations by the real costs travellers face before they even arrive: flights, lift passes, ski hire, accommodation, transport, and yes, the price of a beer.
This guide is for ski travellers, those who want to ski without overpaying, avoid baggage surprises, and fly smart.
What Is the easyJet Cheap Ski Index?
The index compares ski resorts that are realistically reachable from the UK, using publicly available live pricing from the 2024/25 and 2025/26 winter seasons.
Each destination is scored based on:
Flight accessibility from the UK
One-day lift pass prices
One-day ski hire (skis, boots and poles)
One night’s accommodation
Airport transport
The price of a beer
In short, it shows where skiing is still genuinely affordable, not just in theory, but in practice. Cheap beer often signals cheaper food, lower resort markups, and better value overall.
Cheap Ski Index 2026: Ranked
Below is the full easyJet Cheap Ski Index, ranking European ski resorts by overall affordability for UK travellers.
CHEAP SKI INDEX – RANKED
Rank | Resort | Nearest Airport | Lift Pass | Ski Hire | Hotel | Transport | Beer | Total (excl. beer) | Flights from |
1 | Bansko, Bulgaria | Sofia | £48 | £15 | £45 | £34 | £1.23 | £142 | £34.99 |
2 | Białka Tatrzańska, Poland | Kraków | £33 | £15 | £55 | £40 | £2.20 | £143 | £30.99 |
3 | Borovets, Bulgaria | Sofia | £44 | £13 | £60 | £31 | £1.54 | £148 | £34.99 |
4 | Bardonecchia, Italy | Turin | £42 | £21 | £80 | £15 | £3.87 | £158 | £23.99 |
5 | Pal-Arinsal, Andorra | Barcelona / Toulouse | £39 | £20 | £50 | £55 | £2.58 | £164 | £27.99 |
6 | Sauze d’Oulx, Italy | Turin | £46 | £20 | £85 | £17 | £3.87 | £168 | £23.99 |
7 | Sestriere, Italy | Turin | £48 | £24 | £85 | £17 | £3.87 | £174 | £34.99 |
8 | La Molina, Spain | Barcelona | £42 | £23 | £90 | £34 | £3.01 | £189 | £27.99 |
9 | Les Deux Alpes, France | Grenoble | £54 | £26 | £120 | £43 | £5.16 | £243 | £21.49 |
10 | Morzine, France | Geneva | £56 | £25 | £140 | £50 | £5.16 | £271 | £23.99 |
Source: easyJet Cheap Ski Index
What the Index Tells Us (Plane Honest)
A few patterns jump out immediately:
Eastern Europe dominates on value, especially Bulgaria and Poland
Resorts with cheap, frequent UK flights rank highest
Lift passes under £50 are still achievable, just not in the usual Alpine hotspots
Even traditional Alpine resorts like Les Deux Alpes and Morzine can work if you’re flexible and booking last minute
From a flying perspective, the takeaway is simple:budget ski trips are won or lost on routes, baggage rules and timing, not just snow.
🎧 Long Transfers? Make Them Fly By
Budget ski trips often mean long transfers and winter delays, Sofia to Bansko, Kraków to Białka, Turin into the Alps.
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Resort Highlights Worth Knowing About
Bansko, Bulgaria
Europe’s standout budget ski destination. Wide pistes, a UNESCO-listed old town, and consistently low costs across lift passes, hire and food. Transfers from Sofia take around two hours, making it ideal for short-notice trips.
Borovets, Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s oldest resort, offering over 58km of slopes and the added bonus of night skiing perfect if you want to maximise slope time on a shorter break.
Bardonecchia, Italy
An underrated Alpine option with genuine high-mountain scenery, Olympic pedigree, and far lower prices than neighbouring Italian and French resorts.
Sauze d’Oulx, Italy
Part of Italy’s Via Lattea (Milky Way), Sauze d’Oulx is known for its energetic atmosphere and broad, sun-soaked slopes. It has welcomed British skiers for decades and remains excellent value when flying into Turin.
Pal-Arinsal, Andorra
Accessible via Barcelona or Toulouse, Pal-Arinsal offers two distinct experiences: gentle beginner slopes in Pal, and steeper, more challenging runs in Arinsal plus cheaper après and a touch of tapas.
Les Deux Alpes & Morzine, France
Surprisingly competitive for last-minute travellers. While not “cheap” by default, flexibility can bring daily ski costs down to around £80, making them viable alternatives to more expensive neighbouring resorts.
Flying to a Ski Resort: Baggage Rules You Need to Know
If you’re flying to these resorts, baggage rules matter, especially with ski equipment.
easyJet Ski and Sports Equipment Policy
easyJet allows one piece of sports equipment per person, up to 20kg.
This includes:
Skis or snowboard
Boots
Poles
Helmet
Plane tips to avoid extra fees:
Pack ski boots inside your hold luggage where possible
Or carry boots onboard as your cabin bag
Keep total weight under 20kg, ski equipment is treated the same as standard luggage
easyJet Baggage Rules: Ski & Sports Equipment
On easyJet, skis and snowboards are classed as small sports equipment and are not included in your standard baggage allowance.
The fee is £42 per item, per flight when added in advance, rising to £52 if added at the airport, with a maximum weight of 20kg per item.
Importantly, this charge applies per flight, not per return, so it should be factored into the total cost before booking.
Ski Bags That Actually Work for Flying
A proper ski bag protects your equipment and helps avoid excess baggage charges.
Airline-friendly options include:
Unigear Snowboard Ski Bag – reinforced and water-resistant
AUMTISC Snowboard & Ski Bag – padded, lightweight and good value
TQOVOQT Ski Bag with Wheels – suitable for skis 138–173cm
All are compatible with easyJet’s sports equipment rules.
Why Budget Ski Trips Are Trending Right Now
Google Trends shows rising interest in:
Weather-related travel disruption
Last-minute flight searches
Budget ski breaks
Resorts like Bansko, Borovets and Bardonecchia benefit because they’re easier to reach at short notice, cheaper if plans change, and less punishing on the wallet during peak winter periods.
Winter travel does, however, mean delays, longer transfers and crowded terminals, which is why preparation matters.
Travel Insurance for Ski Trips and Winter Travel
For winter trips, flexibility is key. That’s why I recommend SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
It covers the essentials you actually need on a trip
Key features include:
Cover for travel delays, lost luggage and emergency evacuation
Simple claims process with 24/7 human support
Global health and travel insurance designed for people who live, work, or travel anywhere
With an optional adventure sports add-on that extends cover to skiing and snowboarding (including freestyle and off-piste-adjacent activities).
Insurance note: This is not personal advice. Coverage, exclusions and eligibility vary by policy and traveller. Always check the full policy wording to ensure it is suitable for your trip and activities, including winter sports.
Staying Connected During Transfers and Delays
Mountain Wi-Fi can be unreliable, particularly during snowfall or long transfers.
An international eSIM such as Chattr provides mobile data across multiple European countries without swapping physical SIM cards.
While booking parking and transfers is essential, don’t forget travel connectivity here’s how to avoid roaming fees abroad.
Airport Lounges: A Winter Travel Advantage
Snowy weekends often mean crowded terminals and delays.
Priority Pass gives access to over 1,800 airport lounges worldwide, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol and Newcastle.
For economy flyers, it’s one of the simplest ways to make winter travel calmer and more comfortable.
Plane Tip: Priority Pass is the one travel membership I renew every year. During winter disruption, it consistently earns its keep.
Final Ski Flight Boarding Call
Budget ski trips still exist, but the smart ones start before you fly.
Choose flexible destinations, understand baggage rules, plan for disruption, and you can enjoy good snow, cheap beer and far less stress, without paying Alpine-resort prices.
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Premium Backpacks for easyJet Flights
The underrated easyJet hack: a structured travel backpack. Case Luggage’s range of premium backpacks (Samsonite, TUMI, Victorinox) are ideal for easyJet, organised, comfortable, and compliant with cabin rules.
Plane Related Links
The Perfect Cabin Bag for Travelling with Low Cost Airlines. Cabin Max carry on Luggage
Airport Lounge Review of Plaza Premium London Gatwick North Terminal
Lounge Review: My Lounge at Luton Airport a Traveller’s Honest Experience
🅿️ Plane Airport Parking, Compare UK Airport Parking Prices (2026 Guide)
Priority Pass Review 2026: One Year of Lounge Access, Was It Worth It?
While booking parking and transfers is essential, don’t forget travel connectivity — here’s how to avoid roaming fees abroad.
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Europe’s Cheapest Ski Resorts for 2026, Baggage Rules, Cheap Beer and How to Get There.
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