However, snow hounds on a budget, shouldn’t despair. Europe still has many great destinations where you can speed down snow-covered mountains at lower prices. We’ve gathered our top five spots for budget skiing in Europe, located in five different countries. We’re here to help you plan your next European ski trip, the cheapo way!

Top 5 destinations for budget skiing in Europe

1. Bansko, Bulgaria

Located about 100 miles from Sofia’s airport, Bansko has the longest ski season in Bulgaria, with snow-covered slopes from mid-December to mid-May. The town is nestled at the foot of the scenic Pirin Mountains and features a quaint old town square with stone buildings mixed in with modern lodges and restaurants that have popped up in recent years.

The ski runs are located in two main areas: Chalin Valog (3,600 – 5,250 feet) and Shilgarnika (5,577 – 8,202 feet). Although it does offer one black ski run, this ski resort is more suitable for beginner or intermediate skiers. Snowboarders can try out new tricks at the Balkans’ first snow park, complete with a half-pipe for ripping up the flakes.

Hotels: Rates start as low as $30 for a double room in Bansko. Search for accommodations in Bansko.

2. Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

Slovenia’s best-known ski resort is located a mere four miles from the border of both Italy and Austria, but you can blaze down the slopes here for far less cash. Kranjska Gora, a narrow valley situated between the Julian Alps and the Karavanke, offers nearly 20 miles of ski slopes serviced by 16 ski lifts, as well as breathtaking alpine views.

This family-friendly ski resort has several slopes ranging from around 2,600 to 5,325 feet. Although most of the trails are geared towards the beginner or intermediate skier, the Podkoren trail is more demanding. In fact, some of the world’s best skiers compete on this run every year for the acclaimed Vitranc Cup in men’s slalom and giant slalom races.

Hotels in Kranjska Gora: Rates for four-star hotels start under $70 per night. Search over 250 hotels in Kranjska Gora.

Riding the lift up the trails of Livigno, Italy with the village in the background. Photo: Peter

3. Livigno, Italy

Because of its remote location high up in the mountains of northern Italy, Livigno ski resort is known to locals as “Piccollo Tibet” (Little Tibet). Located near the Swiss border, Livigno makes an excellent alternative for skiers on a budget. Not only are the prices far less than their Swiss neighbors, this area, known as the Spol Valley, also enjoys a duty-free status. This means you can hit the slopes, then shop ‘til you drop, before partaking in a little lively après ski party time. Most suited to intermediate skiers, Livigno does have a handful of black runs as well as a snow park.

Hotels: The village of Livigno is comprised of three original villages that have merged to create a resort town that runs about 2.5 miles long. When choosing accommodation, make sure you have easy access to the ski lift and amenities. Although the village does offer a free ski bus service, the service doesn’t run regularly and stops fairly early in the evening. Search over 500 hotels in Livigno.

Skiing down into the valley at Brauneck Bergbahn. Photo: Sebastian W.

4. Brauneck Bergbahn, Germany

Located just over an hour south of Munich, the ski area on Brauneck Mountain has a lot to offer skiers of all ages and abilities. A family-friendly ski resort, Brauneck has everything from children’s areas with ski schools to cross-country ski trails and World Cup ski runs.

The town of Lenggries has a storybook charm. You’ll find plenty of guesthouses off country roads that serve up local Bavarian cuisine and beer at a nice price. If you want to add some sightseeing to your ski vacation, great sights and cities such as Munich, Salzburg, Oberammergau, Germany’s Romantic Road, and Neuschwanstein are all an easy drive an hour or less away.

Hotels: Find rooms for $100 and up in Lenggries.

Skiers getting ready to hit the slopes of Zakopane. Photo: MoFA

5. Zakopane, Poland

Zakopane is a ski resort nestled in the Tatra mountains, about two hours south of Krakow. An airport transfer bus from both Krakow and Katowice is possible, with prices ranging from $90 for 1 to 3 people. Most lifts in the area offer a pay-as-you-go rate. For beginners, this means lower prices than the more common day pass at other resorts, and more advanced skiers hankering to hit the slopes hard will still pay less than they would at pricier resorts in Western Europe.

Zakopane also boasts plenty of cheap eats and bargain drinks, so be sure and chow down on some pierogi washed down with a Polish Zywiec beer after your day of snowy fun. Check out our guide to Zakopane, Poland’s premier mountain resort.

Hotels in Zakopane: Rooms can be found for $50 and under per night. Search over 1,000 hotels in Zakopane.

Do you have a favorite ski slope that won’t break the bank? Let us know in the comments!

The post 5 Affordable Ski Villages in Europe: The best budget-friendly slopes appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

For centuries, this pristine lake and its surrounding mountain peaks have been a prime holiday spot for Italians. Residents of Milan only need to drive an hour to reach Lake Como’s shores. Summer is high season and the water is packed. But in winter, when crisp temperatures drop, so do the prices.

Affordable ski holidays

There are numerous ski towns and resorts in this mountainous area connecting Italy to Switzerland. Costs for a full-day entrance with a ski pass vary from €25-37 per adult. When compared to prices on the slopes in the US that can easily top out at over $100, the Italian Alps offer a pretty affordable skiing option.

Beginners can hire an instructor for the day, and full gear is easily rented in shops near the lifts.

Madesimo will have you flying high with low rates for the ski slopes. Photo: Matteo R

The top three ski resorts in the area are:

Madesimo
Cost: €27 for a half-day pass

The most accessible from Lake Como, it only takes an hour to reach. At 138km from Milan, this idyllic ski resort in Sondrio province is filled with hotels and ski schools. Enjoy 50 kilometers of ski runs, a friendly, laid back atmosphere, and English-speaking instructors.
Click here for more ticket info. 

Bormio
Cost: €20 for a 4-hour pass

About a two-hour drive from Lake Como, you’ll find this pretty town with its historical center and access to the lifts. The restaurants in town are good quality and not too pricey for local standards. It’s more rustic compared to other alpine resorts, and you’ll love walking around its historical town.
Click here for more ticket info.

Livigno
Cost: €32 for a half-day pass

Get great value for your euros here. It’s a tax-free zone where the winter season starts earlier than most places (November till May). Sometimes called “Italy’s Little Tibet” because of the beautiful mountains and nature reserve, you can also hike 20 km of Nordic walking paths. Get a natural high at an altitude of 1,815 m; the highest lift reaches over 5,000 ft.
Click here for more ticket info.

Other Active Adventures near Lake Como

For the active traveler, this part of Italy is a world of endless choices and chances to try new things.

Besides skiing, what else can you do in winter?

• Go ice-skating in Chiavenna (45min drive from Lake Como)
• Rent and ride horses in Colico (a town on the eastern side of the lake with direct train connection from Milano Centrale) or Bormio (also a ski resort)
• Learn to drive a husky-drawn sled in Arnoga, Alta Valtellina (Winter courses start in November and end in April)
• Go boulder-climbing or hiking in gorgeous Val Masino (free, but for safety, rent a crashpad for €8 a day)

Best-Value Thermal Baths

For a relaxing holiday, dip in the famous healing waters that flow down directly from alpine springs. Many resorts have thermal baths and pools for swimming. In Italy, many outdoor springs are free… but what about during winter?

While high-end hotels include private spas and pampered seclusion, the budget traveler should hit the Bormio Terme for a thermal bath experience. Outdoors, you get a gorgeous view of snow-capped Alps while soaking in bubbly hot Jacuzzis. Indoors, a sauna and steam room are connected to the family-friendly pools.

On Wednesdays and Fridays, the water park stays open until 9:30 p.m. with a happy hour buffet included at the on- site bar and bistro. A discounted price is offered for night swimming from 7:00 pm.

Low season price per adult: €17 day pass or evening pass €12 (from 5 pm). Children under 6 years old are free.

Where to stay

To find a budget-friendly place to rest up at the end of a long day, check out the small, family-run one- and two-star hotels in Como, Bellagio, Menaggio, and Lecco.

The post Lake Como in Winter: Budget tips for an Italian Alps holiday appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

For Snow Bunnies: Vall de Nuria

Vall de Nuria is the place to go if you want snow and nature, but aren’t fussy about skiing. This is more of a sledding sort of place popular with hikers, snow shoe enthusiasts, and families with children.

To get to Vall de Nuria you have to catch a zipper train from Ribes de Freser, which can be reached from Barcelona on the RENFE train. There are all sorts of package deals to be had at Vall de Nuria, making it the perfect winter escape. For example, the zipper train, two nights at the lodge, and a guided tour start at €125.00 per person. Family ski packs start at €85.00 a person.

Skiing: Andorra

Hard-core skiers and snowboarders will want to head to Andorra. It takes some work to get to Andorra from Barcelona and you will either want to rent a car, or get tickets a day or so ahead at the Barcelona Nord bus station.

Andorra is a tiny country and largely supports itself on ski and snow tourism. Look for skiing options at Grandvalira, Naturlandia, Parador Canaro and the Vallnord ski stations.

Hot Springs: Dorres

One of my favorite winter activities is taking long dips in the earth’s hot waters. I dislike the cold, and nothing warms my toes better than a hot swim in a hot spring. Most of the hot springs, and there are many, in Catalonia are built up. The exception to this rule is Dorres, which is on a snowy hillside this time of year, right on the Catalan-French border.

I also highly recommend a couple days soaking at the Balneario Vichy Catalan, or the newly opened Rocallaura. Both use hot mineral water in their water works areas and baths. They are more expensive than Dorres and you’ll need a car to get to these steamy retreats.

The post 3 Winter Escapes from Barcelona appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are some tips for visiting Innsbruck on a budget:

1. Fly there

Innsbruck is one of the few ski towns with an airport, and in my opinion the only affordable one. Low-cost airlines fly in and out of the valley numerous times a day, which beats the frequent changes and possible weather delays travelers encounter when taking the train (and rarely are there special rail offers coming from surrounding countries).

Drink here!

2. Ski there

Another plus is Innsbruck’s convenient location to ski areas. Over a dozen different resorts surround the town and are accessible by car and public bus. Terrain varies from steep back country to easygoing trails and many freestyle parks.

Cheapo Tip: Buy the half-day tickets for the best rate. Rental stores are not only abundant, but also offer competitive prices.

3 Drink there

Innsbruck is one of those legendary European locations where beer flows cheaper than water, and I recommend taking advantage of it. Stiegl, Ottakringer, Zillertal and the local brewery Theresienbrau are some of the best beers on tap.

Beware, however, that Austrian beer sizes follow that of their Bavarian cousins: The average size is a half-liter stein.

4. Sled there

The old-fashioned wooden sleds are cheap, easy to handle and a lot of fun. Any winter sports rental store will carry sleds, and it’s a perfect activity for when the streets are snowed over. Watch out for the cars, stick to the daytime and bundle up—these mini race cars can move it!

5. Sleep there

On top of being a good deal for winter sports and food, Innsbruck has a lot to choose from for accommodation. There are a handful of Innsbruck hostels that stay cozy at a low cost and plentiful cheap hotels in Innbruck. Even bed and breakfasts can be found at a lower price than other more touristy Austrian ski towns. Do a search in the box above to see options.

The post Innsbruck, Austria: 5 Ways to keep it cheap appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.