I meet many parents in La Plagne who fret over their holiday budget, but you should know that a fun family ski holiday does not have to break the bank – in fact, there are lots of tips and tricks to stretch your budget further. This ensures that you all have a fantastic time whilst not constantly worrying about money.
The most obvious tip is to shop around for cheap flights and to book in advance, but here are a handful of other tips that will help you save money and have an unforgettable holiday.
Accommodation
Accommodation is often the biggest expenditure, but a great way tip for saving money is to book one of the superb catered chalets in La Plagne. This is an ideal way to save on the cost of meals and eating out (another major expense), as you can simply eat your meals in the chalet. These cosy chalets are ideal for families and allow you to spend quality time together on your holiday.
Go Last Minute
Tour operators dread empty rooms, so they will slash their rates and put together great value deals at the last minute if there are vacancies. Keep your eyes peeled and you could save a tidy sum!
Right Time of Year
Choosing the right time of the year is also an important decision. Parents are restricted to school holidays, but I suggest that you opt for Easter instead of February half-term, as this is usually cheaper and also a quieter time.
Family-Orientated Resort
Family-orientated resorts not only have the best facilities in place, but also often have better deals and prices, as tour operators understand how expensive these holidays can be. La Plagne is my favourite, but others include La Tania and Les Menuires.
Family Lift Pass
Be sure to check for deals on lift passes and see if you can get a pass for the whole fam-ily (this will be cheaper than individual passes). Some resorts allow kids to ski for free, so look online in advance to see if you could save money on passes.
Picnic Lunches
It can be nice to eat lunch at an eatery on the mountain and enjoy good food with great views, but this can quickly add up. Instead, catered chalets can save you money: why not make a packed lunch in yours and then find the perfect spot to enjoy this (some re-sorts even have picnic areas)?
Borrow Ski Clothing
Ski clothing can be very expensive, but kids grow quickly: consequently, you may spend lots of money on clothing that they can only wear for one or two trips. To avoid this, see if you can borrow clothing from a fellow ski-loving family, or consider renting your clothes.
Rent Boots, Skis and Equipment
Similarly, it is a smarter financial move to rent your skis, boots and equipment instead of buying. In addition to not worrying about your kids outgrowing the ski equipment, you can also save a tidy sum on baggage fees. On top of this, you can save even more if you organise your rentals in advance.
Free and Cheap Entertainment
Ski resorts can be expensive places if you are not careful, but there are many ways to entertain the kids without spending a penny (or for a tiny amount). Building a snowman, going on a picturesque walk or simply staying in the cosy catered chalets and playing board games are all great options.
Skip Souvenirs
Finally, avoid the pricey souvenirs and create your own mementos. You can do this by making a family vacation movie and by taking lots of group photos on the mountain. These will bring back much better memories and can be great fun, too.
Family ski holidays can be expensive, but the above tips can allow you to stretch your budget further whilst ensuring that you all have a magical holiday together.
Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service that has been helping avid skiers craft their perfect winter holiday for over a quarter of a century. If you're looking for the best catered chalets, La Plagne is an ideal choice. Ski Amis offers the best accommodation in the Three Valleys, Paradiski, Espace Killy or Chamonix Valley and is the go-to company for winter sports fans searching for the holiday of a lifetime.
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