Crystal Ski holidays are an excellent way to enjoy a top-value skiing holiday with the family – and there are lots of brilliant ski resorts across Europe that won’t break the bank. These are some of the best value options with the TUI brand for the upcoming skiing season.
A budget family ski holiday is easy with Crystal Ski. Credit: Crystal Ski
Family ski holidays are lots of fun, whether you’re enjoying thrilling races down the pine tree-lined slopes, sipping on tasty hot chocolates or trying out husky sledding for the first time.
Of course, bagging a ski holiday that you know is great value for money is even more of a win – and the good news is there are plenty of options across Europe from Bulgaria to Italy.
This year TUI skiing brand Crystal Ski teamed up with Post Office Travel Money to compile its annual Ski Report.
The companies examined the average cost of lift passes, equipment hire, ski school and lunch on the mountain for a week-long holiday for a family of four; Crystal Ski then narrowed down which ones are the best value for money.
We’ve taken a deep dive into the five top resorts for a budget family ski holiday right now, looking at what you can do there and where’s best to stay. Enjoy!
Bansko boasts a top ski school, nursery area and gentle runs. Credit: Crystal Ski
Bansko, Bulgaria
Bansko in Bulgaria was crowned top of the best value resorts for families. It’s particularly good if your little ones (or you!) are learning to ski thanks to the top ski school, nursery area and gentle runs.
Children will like the dedicated kids’ zone complete with slaloms, obstacles and arches. If you fancy a real challenge on your Crystal skiing holiday, tackle the reds near the peak or the Tomba black run – you’ll be hurtling down the same slopes used in the world cup races!
You can also keep entertained off the slopes – there’s an ice rink, bowling alley and themed escape room. Other perks are the lovely views and modern gondolas and chairlifts.
The highest-rated resort in Bansko is Boutique Hotel Amira.
What: Boutique Hotel Amira
Board: Half board
How much? From £763 pp
Book this hotel here
Avoid crowds and enjoy pine forest-lined slopes in Bardonecchia. Credit: Crystal Ski
Bardonecchia, Italy
In second place for a top-value family skiing holiday, according to Crystal Ski, is Bardonecchia in Italy, which is also great for beginners thanks to two nursery zones at either end of town. You’ll avoid crowds here and can spend the day enjoying 100km of quiet runs amid pine forests.
If you’ve already mastered the sport, embrace exhilaration on the plethora of blues and reds as well as the Olympic snow park and halfpipe.
Other activities include riding an alpine coaster, snowshoeing, tubing and swimming. Guzzling on foodie delights will also keep the whole family happy; expect lots of restaurants serving up traditional recipes created with local produce such as cajette, a type of gnocchi made with Piedmont potatoes, and gofri waffles stuffed with a range of fillings from cheese to chocolate.
The highest-rated resort in Bardonecchia for families is Hotel Rivé.
What: Hotel Rivé
Board: Half board
How much: From £649 pp
Book this hotel here
Kids will like the opportunity to go sledding with a team of huskies in Sestriere. Credit: Crystal Ski
Sestriere, Italy
If you and the kids are slightly more confident skiers then Sestriere, the third-best value resort for families, is an excellent option on your Crystal skiing holiday 2023. The Italian spot is home to a bigger ski area with intermediates well catered for, although there is also a nursery area for those still unsure of their technique.
Fun fact, Sestriere belongs to the 400km Milky Way area, which stretches over the border to Montgenèvre in France. You’ll savour some of the best snow conditions in Italy here thanks to high-altitude and north-facing slopes.
The benefit of a family ski holiday here is how convenient everything is, with shops and restaurants nearby and purpose-built hotels located near the slopes – so no trekking around in ski boots or wandering for ages to find a meal out. The little ones may also like the opportunity to go sledding with a team of huskies, too!
The highest-rated resort in Sestriere for families is Hotel Principi di Piemonte.
What: Hotel Principi di Piemonte
Board: Half board
How much: From £778 pp
Book this hotel here
Snow conditions remain favourable throughout the winter in Passo Tonale. Credit: Crystal Ski
Passo Tonale, Italy
Passo Tonale in Italy is a great resort for first-time skiers. It straddles a mountain pass linking the Trentino and Lombardy regions and boasts a 100km ski area. Fast lifts mean less waiting around the cold while quiet runs are perfect for anyone getting their confidence up. What’s more, snow conditions remain favourable throughout the winter. There’s also the option to try glacier skiing if you want to change it up on your Crystal ski holiday.
Other winter activities include tubing, snowshoe walking, dog sledding and ice skating. For something a bit different to keep the children entertained there’s a Fun Kids Evening once a week complete with music, face painting, hot chocolate and a kids’ torchlit descent.
A bonus of the resort is the simple layout of Passo Tonale so it’s easy to navigate with plenty of shops, restaurants and traditional hotels – many of which have family-friendly facilities such as pools, kids’ clubs and games rooms.
The highest-rated resort in Passo Tonale for families is Hotel Sport Vittoria.
What: Hotel Sport Vittoria
Board: Half board
How much: From £853 pp
Book this hotel here
Beginners can enjoy high-altitude nursery slopes in Arinsal, Andorra. Credit: Crystal Ski
Arinsal, Andorra
Arinsal, the fifth best value skiing resort, is perfect for families thanks to the free lift passes available with Crystal Ski plus the excellent ski school – it’s one of the best English-speaking ski schools in Europe!
Beginners will be able to soak up great views from the high-altitude nursery slopes (and benefit from good snow conditions) and there are easy greens and blues for those starting out. More confident? Stride out to the longer runs and steeper runs on the other side over the mountain, a cable car ride away. Alternatively, try snowmobiling or snowshoe walking.
The village itself, set in a wooded valley, is traditional and features stone buildings on either side of a small river. Après fun kicks off from mid-afternoon with live music playing in Arinsal’s great value bars. If you want some non-snow-based activities, Hotel Princesa Parc boasts a bowling alley and games arcade which is free for guests.
The highest-rated resort in Arinsal for families is Hotel Princesa Parc.
What: Hotel Princesa Parc
Board: Half board
How much: From £650 pp