In-resort prices have dropped since last year in 24 of 27 ski resorts, a new report reveals.
The most dramatic price fall is in Soldeu in Andorra, while Bansko in Bulgaria remains the cheapest ski resort and Zermatt the most expensive in Europe.
A comparison of costs for ski equipment, lift passes, ski school, meals and drinks across 21 ski resorts in Europe and seven in North America, shows that prices have dropped 23% to £331 in Andorra’s top ski resort.
As a result Soldeu has moved up to fifth place in the best value top 10 in the Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report compiled from resort research by Crystal Ski Holidays.
The strength of sterling – currently worth over 6% more year-on-year against the euro – is a major factor in the better value available.
However, the evidence suggests that the need to attract back UK skiers after the market contracted 3.6% last season may have been a catalyst for price cuts in top resorts.
The report found local price falls in 19 of the resorts surveyed, helping boost the benefit of a stronger UK pound.
As a result, while Bansko remains the cheapest ski resort with a barometer total of £261, around 4% less than a year ago, another eastern European resort, Kranjska Gora in Slovenia, is closing the gap – £300, down 8% year-on-year.
But both are under pressure from eurozone competitors where the combined impact of strong sterling and local price cuts has resulted in far bigger cost reductions for UK skiers.
A 15% drop in costs to £311 has helped Ellmau in Austria move up to third position in the barometer table, while a fall of almost 10% in Les Deux Alpes (£420) has enabled the French resort to rise from 14th place to 10th this season.
Among 10 world-class resorts surveyed, prices are down 13% in Sestriere to £354, making the Italian resort best value in this category for the second year running.
There has also been a 16% fall in Courchevel to £503, although the reverse has proved true in Zermatt (£687). High ski hire and lift price charges will make the Swiss resort 16% more expensive than last year and highest-priced overall in Europe.
Bansko (£848) offers the cheapest skiing for a family of four followed by Soldeu (£982), Ellmau (£985) and Kranjska Gora (£1,110).
Tremblant (£566) emerges as best value of six resorts in North America.
But prices in Winter Park, last year’s best value destination in the region, have risen 15% to £607 due to higher rates for ski equipment, lift passes and tuition. Elsewhere in Colorado prices have gone down 17% in Breckenridge (£682), mostly as a result of a fall in ski-related charges, and almost 8% in Vail (£751).
Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money said: “Although skiing is still cheapest in Bulgaria and Slovenia, growing competition for business means there are great bargains to be struck in many of the most popular European resorts this season.
“What’s more, the continuing strength of sterling against European currencies provides the added bonus of more pounds in their pockets for UK skiers.”
He added: “It’s great news that families can look forward to lower prices in most ski resorts this season.
“However, it is important for them to check all the resort costs they will face and add these to the package price before deciding on a ski destination so they have a true picture of what their holiday is likely to cost them.”
Crystal Ski Holidays managing director Tamsin Todd said: “We’ve seen that Britain’s successes in the Olympics and Paralympics have renewed interest in snow sports with people looking for fun and active holidays.
“Now that ski resorts are open for the season, we can’t wait to get back to the mountains and are ready with our digital and mobile advances to help make customer experiences better than ever.”