£880 warning issued to UK tourists going on winter sports holiday

UK tourists can save an eye-watering £880 by picking the date of their winter sports holiday more smartly, it has been warned. The Guardian crunched the numbers from Sunweb and found an all-inclusive week-long stay at Belambra Club Les Cimes du Soleil in Avoriaz, France, in the European Union, was priced at £1,627 for two people.

That was in the middle of February, but less than half that amount (£805) during the first week in April. Jane Bolton at the ski holiday company Erna Low says: “It always helps to book your winter sports holiday early – plenty of resorts offer early-bird discounts, whether it is accommodation or lift passes.

"So even if you have no option to book outside the peak ski holiday weeks, this method can save you money.” Marcus Blunt, the co-founder of the ski holiday company Heidi, suggests somewhere off the beaten track such as Bansko or Borovets, both in Bulgaria, for a cheaper deal.

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“In Italy, Livigno boasts lower prices thanks to its tax-free status, while Bardonecchia is another lower-cost option with great-value ski passes, and Sestriere has a longer snow season, so you can pick up a bargain in April,” Blunt says.

“Andorra is also a good bet, particularly El Pas de la Casa and El Tarter, which is Soldeu’s little sister. In France, Tignes is cheaper than its upmarket neighbour, Val d’Isère.” Richard Sinclair, the chief executive of the ski holiday company Sno Group, says that for skiing holidays in Europe, accommodation makes up most of the cost.

Mr Sinclair told the newspaper that opting for self-catering can bring your costs down, “but only if you are organised and do actually shop and cook, rather than eat out”. He adds: “For the biggest savings, buy groceries before you drive up the mountain, as even supermarkets can be dearer in a ski resort.”