Looking to hit the slopes for less this season? You need the four Bs of cheap ski
A bargain Balkan ski resort with wide-open pistes, postcard mountain views and hearty plates of food washed down by cheap beers has just been crowned the place to book if you’ve left it all a bit late this season.
According to a new easyJet index, Bansko is officially the best-value ski resort for last-minute trips – and honestly, it’s not hard to see why. Boot hire comes in at a barely-believable £15 a day, beers are knocking about for a quid, and the whole place looks like a snow globe you accidentally smashed open and moved into.
Its cobbled streets, stone chimneys and UNESCO-protected old town deliver proper old-school charm, while the welcome is warm enough to make you forget you’re surrounded by snow. Add in the fact it’s sat at the foot of Bulgaria’s Pirin Mountains and just two hours from Sofia, and it’s basically winter sun, but colder and with skis.
Coming in hot just behind it is Białka Tatrzańska in Poland, followed by Bulgaria’s other big hitter, Borovets, with Italy’s Bardonecchia rounding off what we’re now officially calling the “Four B’s of Cheap Ski”. All four will get you slope access for under £50 a day, which in 2026 feels borderline illegal.
Borovets – Bulgaria’s oldest ski resort – is all about long, confidence-boosting runs through ancient forests, with over 58km of slopes spread across three areas. It’s ideal for intermediates, and crucially, it’s the only Bulgarian resort where you can ski after dark. Yes, night skiing. Yes, it’s as fun as it sounds.
Then there’s Bardonecchia, quietly minding its business in the Italian Alps despite having hosted the 2006 Winter Olympics. With big mountain views, crystal-clear visibility and far fewer crowds than its flashier neighbours, it’s a proper under-the-radar shout for late-season snow and spontaneous bookings.
Finally, Białka Tatrzańska completes the quartet. Just a couple of hours south of Kraków, it’s a laid-back, no-frills resort that’s perfect for beginners, families and groups who care more about vibes and value than champagne bars. Your money goes far, the atmosphere’s friendly, and no one’s pretending it’s something it’s not – which is kind of the dream.
The ‘Cheap Ski Index’
- Bansko, Bulgaria – £142 (excluding beer)
Lift pass & ski hire: £63 | Hotel & transport: £79 | Beer: £1.23 - Białka Tatrzańska, Poland – £143 (excluding beer)
Lift pass & ski hire: £48 | Hotel & transport: £95 | Beer: £2.20 - Borovets, Bulgaria – £148 (excluding beer)
Lift pass & ski hire: £57 | Hotel & transport: £91 | Beer: £1.54 - Bardonecchia, Italy – £158 (excluding beer)
Lift pass & ski hire: £63 | Hotel & transport: £95 | Beer: £3.87 - Pal-Arinsal, Andorra – £164 (excluding beer)
Lift pass & ski hire: £59 | Hotel & transport: £105 | Beer: £2.58 - Sauze d’Oulx, Italy – £168 (excluding beer)
Lift pass & ski hire: £66 | Hotel & transport: £102 | Beer: £3.87 - Sestriere, Italy – £174 (excluding beer)
Lift pass & ski hire: £72 | Hotel & transport: £102 | Beer: £3.87 - La Molina, Spain – £189 (excluding beer)
Lift pass & ski hire: £65 | Hotel & transport: £124 | Beer: £3.01 - Les Deux Alpes, France – £243 (excluding beer)
Lift pass & ski hire: £80 | Hotel & transport: £163 | Beer: £5.16 - Morzine, France – £271 (excluding beer)
Lift pass & ski hire: £81 | Hotel & transport: £190 | Beer: £5.16
Kevin Doyle, easyJet’s UK country manager said: “As people start to look at booking a break on the slopes, we hope that our new index spotlights just some of the resorts where equipment hire, hotels and hospitality can be found for fantastic value, so that Brits can comfortably experience the beauty of some of the most underrated mountain towns.”
“With a flurry of snow set to dust Europe in the coming weeks, last minute ski getaways are sure to be top of mind for many.
“Direct flights from 13 airports across the UK make all ten destinations easily accessible , offering more choice and connectivity for snow sports lovers across some of Europe’s best hidden-gem resorts.”
#find #cheap #ski #break #winter
