One of the great lingering myths of travel today is that ski holidays are the domain of the elite. But while skiing does brings a certain air of exclusivity, the inflated prices of the headlining resorts are simply not indicative of the average cost of a ski holiday.

In truth, a cheap ski weekend (or even a longer stint on the slopes) is just as affordable for the budget traveler, as long as you know just how to go about arranging things, of course…

Preparation

Cheap ski holidays are all about being well prepared for what lies ahead. From the monetary side of things to the skill of skiing itself, it’s worth taking time to really think through your plans before embarking on the adventure.

In terms of money, then, skiing is best achieved ‘on the cheap’ if you eschew tour operators in favor of a more ‘DIY’ approach. This will mean finding the best ski rental deals and ski pass deals individually, as well as booking budget accommodation that will fit your needs.

It’s also worth taking a few ski lessons before you go. Find out about your local indoor slope – such as Xscape in Milton Keynes – and book one or two beginner lessons. This will help you grasp the fundamentals of the sport so that once you hit the snow itself you won’t waste time learning how to put your skis on and what to do when you fall over…

Of course, it’s also worth using these lessons to try both skiing and snowboarding. While skiing is probably the easier to pick up, many enjoy the dynamism of snowboarding, especially once they’ve passed the beginner stage. We discuss the merits and differences of the two further in our skiing vs snowboarding article. (What’s your favorite? – Ed.)

Learn to ski

Learn how to snowboard

Equipment and Money Saving Ideas

From a well-padded ski jacket to general ski clothing such as salopettes and ski boots, there’s a lot more equipment associated with skiing than just the skis themselves. However, by renting the equipment you can save a lot of much needed cash, check for deals on-line you’ll find 20-40% discounts compared to high-street prices.

While it may not be as bulky as the above equipment, a ski pass is just as important. Essentially a ticket that allows you access to the slopes, the ski pass is the mountain’s way of garnering money. It can be expensive, but do your research and book online well in advance and you’ll likely make a nice saving here, too.

It’s also worth considering the time of year you go in order to take advantage of ski deals. The season runs from December to April, so booking during these times is inevitably more expensive. That being said, it can be hard to find cheap resorts during the rest of the year, as many are simply not covered in snow come the summer months.

To enjoy a discount ski holiday, then, try taking advantage of the mini-lull that often occurs in January (especially in Europe), when operators panic into offering great last minute ski deals.

Insurance

Skiing is an adventure sport and while hundreds of thousands return from the slopes every year without so much as a graze, there are clearly risks. Add to this the fact that skiing requires a lot of equipment, and acquiring the right ski insurance becomes of tantamount importance.

Insurance tends to be relatively cheap considering what it offers, though be careful to check what’s included in each package when buying. The most important aspect is the medical cover, which will help you in the unfortunate case of an accident. Things to look out for include the amount of hospital bills the insurance covers you for, and whether it will repatriate you (fly you home) in the case of an emergency.

Aside form the medical bits of any package, check whether it also includes equipment and ski pass cover (many mountains are not sympathetic to those who’ve lost their pass). Equally, in case you start to feel adventurous half way through your trip, check to see whether the insurance would cover you for off-piste and glacier skiing.

Check out the following sites for insurance when you go skiing:

http://www.complete-ski.com
http://www.ski-insurance.co.uk
http://www.snowcard.co.uk

Where to Go

And so you’ve got your insurance, pass and equipment… all that remains is to pick a destination and book your hostel and you’re ready to hit the slopes (that’ll be quite literally for many beginners, too).

Here’s our pick of the Top 10 Budget Ski Destinations this year…

1. Morzine, France
2. Whilstler, Canada
3. Zermatt, Switzerland
4. Saas Fee, Switzerland
5. St. Moritz, Switzerland
6. Innsbruck, Austria
7. Chamonix, France
8. Aspen, USA
9. Davos, Switzerland
10. Zakopane, Poland

There are many more exciting destinations other than those 10 – if you want to be inspired visit Ultimate-Ski.com (the ultimate guide to over 100 skiing and snowboarding destinations).
And check out the following blogs for more information, pictures and ski experiences:
http://www.skisafety-blog.com/
http://www.ski-blog.com
http://www.wildsnow.com/
http://snowslider.net/
http://www.weknowsnow.com/blog/

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Are you headed off to enjoy the snow this Christmas? Tell us your top tips for ski holidays on the cheap, and how to make the most of your time on the slopes. And if you fancy yourself quite the expert, feel free to share advice with other readers and images and videos from your latest trip!