Bulgaria relieved of best-value ski resort title for first time in a decade
Bulgaria has for the first time in a decade been relieved of its crown as the world’s best-value ski destination, and is facing challenges too from several new, up-and-coming options for budget-conscious skiers.
Italy’s Bardonecchia has pipped Bulgaria’s Borovets to become the Post Office’s best-value adult ski resort, while a new entry in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been named the most cost-effective ski retreat for families.
With prices down at more than half of the family resorts studied by the Post Office, as well as at more than a quarter of adult destinations, 12% of the 2,001 respondents to Post Office Travel Money’s annual ski report said they were planning a ski holiday in the next four months, despite the cost of living squeeze.
Bulgaria’s Bansko, and latterly Borovets (since 2019), have long topped the list as the cheapest options for adult ski holidays. However, after a 8.2% year-on-year increase in prices, Italy’s Bardonecchia has stolen ahead following a year-on-year increase in prices of just 1.4%.
The price of a six-day ski pass and ski/boot hire for one person, plus five or six half-days of ski school, a range of drinks and lunch on the slopes in Bardonecchia ran to £532, whereas in Borovets it came to £554.
It is the first time in a decade a Bulgarian resort hasn’t topped the cost-efficiency rankings. Bansko, which was the cheapest destination in 2018, fell to number six following a an overall price increase of 27% across adult and family retreats due to a rise in ski school costs. An adult trip now costs £642.
Laura Plunkett, head of Post Office travel money, said the Bansko case should encourage agents to consider ski school costs when recommending resorts. “Many parents taking their children skiing will want them to attend ski school, and the cost of this can add considerably to a ski holiday,” she said.
“Before choosing a ski resort, it will therefore make sense to check our barometer to compare tuition costs.”
The most cost-effective ski holiday for families was Jahorina in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The report prices a six-day trip to the resort at £1,656 for a family of four.
Jahorina was one of several new entries to the lists. At £611 for an adult trip, Le Corbier came third behind Bardonecchia and Borovets – the first time a French resort has cracked the top three in the adult ski resort ranking.
Two new Norwegian entries, meanwhile, made the top ten for family resorts, with Beitostollen, ranked fourth, and Geilo, ranked tenth, costing £1,862 and £2,205 respectively.
Overall, though, Italy remains the most cost-effective of the “Big Four” ski destinations (Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland), home to half of the top ten resorts for adult ski trips. Bardonecchia (first) was followed by new entry Livigno (fourth), then Sauze (fifth), Sestriere (eighth) and La Thuile (ninth).
For families, Passo Tonale was the cheapest Italian destination, ranking second at £1,678, pushing Bardonecchia into third place for families.
“We’re continuing to see strong demand in destinations that offer great value to bargain-conscious Brits, with Italy remaining a firm favourite for our customers for the winter 2023/24 season – which is consistent with the top ten best value resorts for adults,” said Chris Logan, managing director of the report’s partner Crystal Ski Holidays.
The steepest decrease in cost for families was the Finnish resort of Ruka. The £2,097 price tag marks an 8.9% reduction year-on-year.
Plunkett also reiterated the importance of choosing when to exchange cash on ski holidays. “With every penny counting this year, we advise changing cash before leaving home rather than at the airport of ski resort where ski holidaymakers risk getting a poor rate," she advised agents.
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