Cheap skiing? YES really, it’s possible… and here’s how you do it

Biggest winter sports misconception: skiing… that’s only for the rich peepz? No way, people. I spontaneously decided last week to catch a white Christmas in Austria (WOOHOO!) and I spent about 550 euros. Including a cottage. Including a ski pass. Including a four-course dinner every evening. And that during Christmas, mind you. Anyway. Skiing without a money tree in the garden: it’s possible. This is how you do it.

Location = everything

Do you want to ski in Switzerland and Austria? Sure, you can. But then bring that wallet, girlfriend. If you want to ski cheaper, you need to make smart choices. Look for smaller villages in France or Italy. Small unknown ski areas are the most budget-friendly. And those mountains really don’t get any less fun, trust me. Especially if you’re a beginner skier.

Save on food

Well, if you want to have lunch and dinner out every day, it gets incredibly expensive. But in my opinion, it’s just as cozy to eat together in the cottage in the evening. Bring a cheese fondue set, grab some fresh baguette and vegetables, and you’re all set. Give everyone one evening of ’cooking duty‘ and you’ll have even more fun than in a restaurant, trust me.

Don’t care about the outdated interior in your cottage

Okay, I admit, it takes some non-diva skills to finally give in here. It took me a few years. But realize that you spend soooo many hours outdoors on a winter sports holiday. You sleep in your cottage, and you play some games in the evening. Is a cabin with grandma’s cushions on the couch okay? Yes, that’s fine.

Do a mini ski trip

Don’t go for a week = expensive, but for a long weekend. That makes a significant difference in price and you still get to enjoy a few days in the snow. They call it a mini ski trip, a ski holiday of about four days.

Borrow your ski gear from other peepz
I always feel so ripped off in those sports stores. You pay around 250 euros for a windproof jacket. Then you don’t wear it the whole year. Yeah, right. So ask around for ski gear among your colleagues, family, and friends. Why buy something when people around you probably have ski clothes in the attic that they hardly use?.

(And ahem, keep that in mind, Kieks. Because maybe I already have eighteen new ski suits in a shopping cart. Somewhere. Whoops.)