J2Ski logo J2Ski logo
Login Forum Search Recent Forums

Which are the cheapest resorts in France ?

Which are the cheapest resorts in France ?

Login
To Create or Answer a Topic

Started by Summer in France - 32 Replies

J2Ski

Skimargriet
reply to 'Which are the cheapest resorts in France ?'
posted Nov-2010

If 85 kms of piste is sufficient why not check out Le Mont-Dore on www.sancy.com. I myself live in Mont-Dore and accommodation is not too expensive and a 3 course dinner would cost you anything between € 12 and € 28.

Another +: only 18kms from the motorway. And yes, there are many self catering accommodations here as well.
www  There's no waiting for friends on a powder day

Daved
reply to 'Which are the cheapest resorts in France ?'
posted Nov-2010

Have look at Pras de Lys

http://www.prazdelys-sommand.com/

15 minutes by car from either the Port du Soleil(les Gets)and The Grand Massif(morrilon)
nice skiing for the intermediates and beginners and a really friendly little place ..and a value lift pass

Jastem
reply to 'Which are the cheapest resorts in France ?'
posted Nov-2010

I think I would agree with Serre Chevalier being really good value for money in terms of ski area and reasonable prices both on and off the mountain. Have stayed in Chantemerle and Villeneuve but favourite is Monetier.

Tony_H
reply to 'Which are the cheapest resorts in France ?'
posted Nov-2010

AllyG wrote:Summer,
If you want a cheap ski holiday in France, I think you'd find it easiest to look for bargains with the tour operators, rather than look for specific resorts.

If you're not tied to a particular date you could go for the less popular dates, like before Christmas or the first week in January after the kids go back to school which tend to be cheaper.

Crystal, for example, has a catered chalet in Tignes for 4 people for 7 nights week starting Monday 13th December for £347 each, including flights from Gatwick, transfers, breakfast, afternoon tea and 3 course evening meal. But you will have to pay 200 euros each on top of this for the lift pass. And Tignes should be fine this early in the season because of the glacier. Or, Crystal do deals in January where you can have 2 lift passes for the price of one.

Other options to consider if you want to save money are driving there (if there are 4 of you to spread the cost), going self-catering (if there are at least 4 of you) and doing your shopping in a town before you get to the resort, or staying in one of the satellite villages to the main resort which are usually a lot cheaper and connected by gondola etc.

Ally
I think Summer was talking about the prices IN resort, Ally. And Tignes is about one of the most expensive going, so whilst the holiday price is quite good, its very early season and lifts may not be fully operational, and the price of lunch and drinks is as high there as anywhere in France.

Driving is an option as long as you can share the cost with others, and have a big enough car. For example, an Audi A4 or Ford Mondeo saloon will not be big enough for 4 people taking their own gear.

Self catering is actually a good way of guaranteeing your holiday costs more, as the price of stuff in France is high.

I think the idea of waiting for a bargain is a good one, provided Summer has the flexibility, but I still stand by what I said about ADH and SC being "cheaper" resorts for France. Montgenevre too from what I remember.
www  New and improved me

Volf
reply to 'Which are the cheapest resorts in France ?'
posted Nov-2010

Agree that the Hautes Alpes resorts are cheaper than their Northern neighbours.

Big ski generally equals big money, but you can get your money's worth. Montgenevre and Serre Chevalier are 95 and 105 respectively in the Resort Price Index, where Courchevel hits 145.

Check out
http://www.wheretoskiandsnowboard.com/features/ski-resort-prices-compared/

Good luck your search.

www  Ski Montgenevre with Ski Etoile - no queues, snow sure

AllyG
reply to 'Which are the cheapest resorts in France ?'
posted Nov-2010

Thanks for that link Volf :D

I have been to Courchevel, and whilst Courchevel 1850 is outrageously expensive, 1550 where we were staying, is not. In fact, the prices were much the same as in the U.K. And 1550 is only a short gondola ride away from 1850.

That's what I meant about looking for satellite villages of the main resort, as they can be much cheaper.

Ally

Andymol2
reply to 'Which are the cheapest resorts in France ?'
posted Nov-2010

A Mondeo will cope with 4 peoples ski gear - you just need a good length roof box for the skis.

Last year there were few, if any, late bargains.
The year before I got a week half board in a 4 star hotel in Les Arcs for £270. Gutted someone else in the same hotel booked it a day later & got it for £250. The same week last year & it would have been £800 & that was last minute!
Andy M

Edited 1 time. Last update at 17-Nov-2010

Tony_H
reply to 'Which are the cheapest resorts in France ?'
posted Nov-2010

andymol2 wrote:A Mondeo will cope with 4 peoples ski gear - you just need a good length roof box for the skis.

I was talking about cars without roof boxes, Andy. Your average saloon/hatchback will not take 4 people for a weeks skiing unless you have a roof box. You really need a large car, eg an estate. I took my mates Skoda Octavia estate to Serre Che last easter, 4 adults pus a full boot and 4 pairs of skis was a tight enough fit for 3 days skiing.

Roof boxes cost a lot, and reduce your fuel capacity, and I also think you are unable to book a standard ferry/tunnel return with a box adding to height - I may be wrong.

www  New and improved me

Topic last updated on 28-December-2010 at 16:42