The cheapest ski resorts in Europe for the 2026-2027 winter season have been revealed, with France taking nine of the 10 most affordable positions in a new study of 265 destinations. The ranking shows that travellers can find ski resorts where accommodation and a daily lift pass cost an average of less than €60 per person, while some of Europe’s best-known Alpine destinations charge more than €300 a day.
The latest price index, published by holiday rental search engine Holidu, compares European ski resorts with at least 20 kilometres of slopes. It examines accommodation prices and adult one-day lift passes during two travel periods: the high season, from 21 to 27 December 2026, and the low season, from 22 to 28 March 2027.
For its calculations, Holidu used median holiday rental prices per person per night from its internal database and added the cost of an adult one-day lift pass. It calculated the average daily cost across both periods to produce the final ranking. The figures cover accommodation and skiing expenses only, excluding other holiday costs such as flights, local transport, meals and equipment rental.
Roubion les Buisses in France tops the list of the cheapest ski resorts in Europe, with an average daily cost of €40.50 per person. Located in the Alpes-Maritimes hinterland, the resort is approximately an hour from Nice and offers 30 kilometres of ski slopes.
Its ski area includes several red runs, green and blue slopes for beginners, and two black runs for experienced skiers. According to Holidu, a one-day lift pass costs €20 in both high and low season. Accommodation ranges from €15 to €26 per person per night, depending on the period.
Réallon, located in the Hautes-Alpes above Lake Serre-Ponçon, ranks second with an average daily cost of €42.95. The French resort has 30 kilometres of slopes and offers a quieter alternative to some of the larger and busier Alpine ski destinations.
Accommodation is particularly affordable, with some options costing as little as €13 per person per night during the low season. Some properties also offer rates below €20 per person. A one-day lift pass costs €29.90 during the high season and falls to €24 in the low season.
Gresse en Vercors takes third place, with an average daily cost of €49. The resort is situated in the Vercors Regional Nature Park, approximately 45 minutes from Grenoble, and has 20 kilometres of downhill ski slopes.
It is a popular destination for families, beginners and cross-country skiers. Beyond its downhill skiing facilities, the surrounding area has approximately 50 kilometres of Nordic trails. A daily lift pass costs €27 during the high season and €23 in the low season, while accommodation prices range from €17 to €31 per person per night.
France’s dominance in the ranking continues beyond the top three. Le Mourtis takes fourth place at €51.50 per day, while Spain’s Sierra de Béjar is the only other country represented in the top five, with an average daily cost of €53.
The remaining positions are occupied by French resorts. Lans en Vercors ranks sixth at €54.98, followed by Le Collet d’Allevard at €55, Chabanon at €55.20, Aillons-Margériaz at €55.40 and Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes at €57.50.
The results offer an alternative to travellers who associate European skiing mainly with expensive and internationally recognised Alpine destinations. Smaller resorts can provide access to ski slopes at considerably lower daily costs, particularly for visitors who are more interested in skiing than luxury accommodation or extensive resort facilities.
However, the price difference becomes substantial at the other end of the ranking. Zermatt in Switzerland is Europe’s most expensive ski destination in the study, with an average daily cost of €303.86 per person. This is more than seven times the average cost of visiting Roubion les Buisses.
Situated beneath the Matterhorn, Zermatt has 200 kilometres of ski slopes and is known for its high-altitude skiing area and car-free village. The resort also has some of Switzerland’s most expensive mountain accommodation.
Holidu’s figures put a one-day lift pass at €111.28 during the high season, while accommodation averages €244 per person per night. Visitors travelling during the low season can reduce their expenses, with the lift pass falling to €98.44 and accommodation dropping to €154 per person per night.
Italy’s Cortina d’Ampezzo ranks second among Europe’s most expensive ski resorts, with an average daily cost of €290.50. Located in the Dolomites, the destination has 120 kilometres of slopes, including runs suitable for beginners and more experienced skiers.
Cortina attracted international attention as one of the host destinations for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Its established skiing facilities, mountain scenery and luxury accommodation have helped make it one of Italy’s best-known winter holiday destinations.
A one-day lift pass costs €84 during the high season, while accommodation averages €308 per person per night. In the low season, the lift pass price falls to €76 and accommodation drops to €113 per person per night. The difference makes travel dates an important consideration for visitors planning a stay.
Gitschberg Jochtal, also in Italy, takes third place among the most expensive destinations, with an average daily cost of €271.50. Located in South Tyrol, where the Puster Valley meets the Eisack Valley, the resort offers 55 kilometres of ski slopes.
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Although its ski area is smaller than those of Zermatt and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Gitschberg Jochtal is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and panoramic viewing platforms, which offer views of approximately 500 mountain peaks, including the Dolomites.
A daily lift pass costs €73 during the high season and €66 in the low season. Accommodation averages €238 per person per night during the busier period, falling to €159 in the low season.
The rest of the most expensive ski resort ranking includes St. Moritz (Corviglia) in Switzerland at €263.99 per day, Obergurgl-Hochgurgl in Austria at €262.50, Ski Arlberg in Austria at €256, Hintertux in Austria at €255.50, Obertauern in Austria at €246, Madonna di Campiglio in Italy at €238 and Val Gardena in Italy at €235.50.
Italy accounts for four of the 10 most expensive destinations, while Austria and Switzerland make up the remaining six positions. The comparison highlights the considerable differences in the cost of skiing across Europe, even among destinations with established mountain tourism industries.
For travellers researching the cheapest ski resorts in Europe, the figures suggest that looking beyond famous Alpine destinations could make a significant difference to holiday expenses. Roubion les Buisses, Réallon and Gresse en Vercors all have average daily costs below €50, based on Holidu’s accommodation and lift pass calculations. For those who prefer more established resorts such as Zermatt or Cortina d’Ampezzo, visiting outside the Christmas high season could offer a more affordable way to experience the mountains.
