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On the Cheap Ski Destinations for ‘09 & ‘010

A bad economy got you, your family, your pocket book or your bank account down these days? Maybe you’re like me and your life partner recently lost her job? Well, here’s how I feel about it: I can either let the winter blues get me glum till hit I hit rock bottom, or I can take advantage of some of the rock bottom deals taking place all across Europe this ski season. You see, the smarter resorts have lowered and molded prices to fit the flailing economy, and this keeps visitor numbers and profits up—this is good for you and for them. At any rate, rather than sit at home and count your dwindling centimes, it’s better to count all the savings you’ll have this year in Terry’s “On the Cheap Top Picks” ski holiday destinations guide. (This is just a small list of many deals spanning the EU.)

Andorra:
Vallnord Ordino, Arcalis: There’s not a whole lot of ski runs per se in Arcalis, but the deals are hot enough to melt the snow this winter—don’t worry, they won’t. For the price of a disco entrance and a drink in places like Italy and France, Andorra has some economy-considerate deals with hotel stays for as low as 50-some Euros per night. Ski passes may even drop lower than the usual 160-Euro high-season, six-day cost to boot. I could stay for a month at prices like that even with my penny-pinching lifestyle.

Austria:
Solden Glacier: Believe it or not, even the most popular and hottest places to ski this year have some of the sweetest and economy-thoughtful deals. Austria always has a long ski season so they know that even if they offer deals—like almost 10% pre-season—they’ll make up the loss with the influx of cut-rate skiers (like myself). One of the apartments goes for 265 Euros per night for a six person apartment. Allow me to do the math: that’s 43 Euros per night for an apartment in Austria. Get a good deal with Ryan Air or Easyjet and that’s about as close as one can get to “on the cheap” this year.

France:
Alpe d’Huez: Some resorts in Alpe d’Huez in the central French Alps are basically handing out keys to free rooms this year. OK, it’s not that great but it’s close: Take 40% off…heck go ahead and pay 50—no, 48—Euros per night for a self-catered studio apartment; that doesn’t do it for you, fine…try a French chalet for 17 Euros per person (if you fill the 14 person chalet with 13 of your friends). The ski pass is always under 200-Euros for six-days likewise. Even Val Thorens is jumping in offering some 20% off the ‘09-’010 ski holiday. The French, sacrebleu, have some of the premier deals this season.

Switzerland:
Saas-Fee: When I travel to Europe in any season, I know that a room will cost me, at least I tell you, 50 Euros per night, except Switzerland. That is, until now: For 50 Euros per person per night, you can stay in a four person apartment, or for a few Euros more, a three room four-person apartment in Saas Fee for around 50 Euros. If the 150 or so slopes don’t draw you here, then the roughly 200 Euro six day slope prices might. Switzerland may be where shady business folk go to hide their evasive monies, but it’s also a great place to ski on the cheap this winter (and spend your existing monies).

Other Considerations:
Italy, Spain and Slovenia are also offering up some economy-sensitive bargains. You won’t have to feed your family on a staple of beans and rice to take your ski holiday this year, either. Just be on the lookout for deals that offer all-inclusiveness, slope discounts and places where groups get kudos for being bigger. I only tell you this because I am at the bottom of the proverbial totem poll this year in earnings, and if I can have a ski holiday, then by Almighty, you can too.