Cheap ski holidays: The six cheapest ski areas in the Alps

Germany

According to the statistics portal statista.de There were almost 500 ski areas in Germany in 2020. That sounds a lot at first, but these are spread across the Bavarian Alps and German low mountain ranges. Anything with one lift or more was counted as a ski area. We have filtered out two of the largest ski areas whose prices are significantly cheaper than the day ticket for adults at the Zugspitze for 68 euros.

1. Oberstaufen: variety in the Allgäu

Four ski areas – the Imbergbahn-Skiarena Steibis, the Hündle-Thalkirchdorf ski area, the Sinswang ski lifts and the Hochgratbahn – are available in the winter sports and Schroth spa town of Oberstaufen. This means that the Oberallgäu resort can boast a total of 38 kilometers of slopes and 28 lifts at an altitude of almost 800 meters. The day tickets for adults are well under the 50 euro mark.

At the Hündle, for example, you pay 46 euros, and there are also hourly tickets. In the Skiarena Steibis 48 euros are due. If you love free skiing space, you can purchase a day pass for 41.30 euros on the Hochgrat when the natural snow conditions are good. At 1,834 meters, the Hochgrat is the highest mountain in the western Allgäu.

2. Ski paradise Sudelfeld: Plus points at fair prices in Upper Bavaria

The largest contiguous ski area in Germany: around 80 kilometers south of Munich, the Sudelfeld near Bayrischzell attracts with 31 kilometers of slopes, snowmaking facilities and prices under 50 euros for an adult day ticket. To be more precise, skiing fun between 800 and 1563 meters in altitude costs 49.50 euros. 14 lifts and two children’s areas offer optimal conditions for families with several children.

Speaking of which: The family ski pass for 122 euros, which is valid for parents and their own children up to and including 15 years, is a bargain. The number of children does not matter. If you want to save on your budget, you can travel on Wednesdays for 35 euros a day (but does not apply to Ash Wednesday). The combination ticket with public transport offered by the Munich transport association MVV is just as inexpensive. Anyone who lives in the Bavarian capital can travel by train to Bayerischzell for 59 euros and then take a bus there and back directly to the Sudelfeld ski paradise – for 59 euros. And all of this with a breathtaking view of the Wendelstein.

Austria

In Austria, the number of ski areas is huge compared to the size of the country. According to data from statista.de There are a total of 253 ski areas in the motherland of skiing. The largest and most famous include Schladming-Dachstein in Styria, the Zillertal and the Wilder Kaiser ski world in Tyrol, the Skicircus Fieberbrunn-Leogang-Saalbach-Hinterglemm and of course the Arlberg. This is also at the top with day ticket prices of 75 euros.

1. Obertauern: Snow bowl in the Salzburg mountains

The Beatles made Obertauern, 1,740 meters high, known as a snow hole. When they shot their film “Help” there more than 50 years ago — in fantastic natural snow conditions in March. Since then, the place in the Salzburg mountains has enjoyed its fame as a snow hole. The day ski pass for adults costs 59 euros and is comparatively cheap for the 100 kilometers of slopes and the natural snow guarantee. 26 lifts cover the ski carousel, which reaches up to 2,313 meters.

Thanks to artificial snowmaking or, as it is called in the local language, technical snow, skiing fun is guaranteed until the beginning of May. Families with children will find many options here, more than half of the slopes are blue. For good skiers there are the “Super 7” slopes: the most demanding and longest runs of the seven highest mountain stations are marked with a “Super 7” logo. But freeriders will also find countless off-road runs, as there are levels of difficulty in all four directions. It is also typical of the ski area that the next après-ski hut is never far away.

2. Stubai Glacier: Guaranteed snow from October to June

The largest glacier ski area in Austria extends at an altitude of 1,750 to 3,210 meters and consists of a total of five glaciers, which are loosely referred to as the “Stubai Glacier”. Snow is guaranteed here. More than 30 slopes with a total length of 100 kilometers are accessible. The price for a day ticket is 63 euros. For comparison, 72.50 euros are due in the Zillertal Arena.

The longest descent is the “Wilde Grub’n”, which is ten kilometers a challenge even for well-trained thighs. This category also includes the “Daunhill”, an extremely steep slope with a slope of 60 percent, and the 100 meter long run on the Daunferner, where speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour have already been measured. Ski routes and a fun park promise fun for anyone looking for adventure. Families and friends who like quiet choose the comfort slope. The people of Stubai are very proud of this extra wide and flat run on the Daunferner, as it was the first ski area in Tyrol to respond to the demands of older guests. Additional treat: the view of 109 three-thousanders.

Switzerland

Davos, St. Moritz, Arosa, Crans Montana, Zermatt: among the loud statista.de There are many well-known names in the 186 ski resorts in Switzerland. Most people also associate high prices with this, after all Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries on the European continent. However, this cannot be generalized, as a look at the following ski areas shows:

1. San Bernardino: New opening in eastern Switzerland

The lifts in the San Bernardino ski area were idle for more than ten years. However, they have been running again since December 2023 – the reopening in Val Mesolcina in Graubünden is considered the insider tip of the season. The day ski pass for adults costs 45 Swiss francs, which corresponds to around 48 euros.

There are around 40 kilometers of slopes available at an altitude of between 1,608 and 2,525 meters. If you want to enjoy these advantages, you should get there as quickly as possible. Because a mega project to develop the mountain village is in the starting blocks. The construction of various hotels and apartments with a total of 1,500 beds is planned by 2027.

2. Aletsch Arena: Alpine glacier of superlatives

In the Bernese Mountains in the Swiss canton of Valais lies the largest and longest glacier in the Alps: the Great Aletsch Glacier. This is also the heart and defining element of the Unesco World Heritage Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch. Here, snow-sure skiing is possible at an altitude of between 1,845 and 2,869 meters from December to April. And at an average price of 65 Swiss francs, around 69 euros. But it is also cheaper, from 56 euros, as the day passes are calculated according to the dynamic pricing system. This model ranges between 53 and 79 Swiss francs, which corresponds to 56 to 84 euros. A special offer applies every Saturday for everyone up to their 20th birthday: you get a free day pass.