Heidi Blog
The best money-saving hacks for February half-term ski holidays
There's no doubt about it. Fantastic snow and a February half-term ski holiday are a heady combination. As one of the peak dates in the season, half-term is one of the most expensive times to go skiing. But fret not. We have the best money-saving hacks to help you book a half-term family ski trip that won't break the bank.
Whether you're looking for great value for money, quiet, uncrowded slopes, or the best snow on the mountain, our Heidi experts have crunched the numbers to bring you all the intel on how, when, and where to go for the best and cheapest half-term family ski holidays this season:
Tip 1: Where are the cheapest places to ski at half-term?
Resort prices vary greatly, from accommodation and lift passes to ski lessons, food, and drink. If you want to keep your budget tight without compromising on family fun, it pays to know which resorts offer the best for less.
Andorra is a fantastic choice for those wanting great value and great skiing. Whether it’s a first-time family ski holiday or your kids are mini mountain goats in the making, half-term family ski holidays in Andorra offer heaps of affordable fun for all ages. Enjoy plenty of wide, mellow pistes, easy access to the slopes, kid-friendly amenities, plus reasonably priced ski schools and equipment hire. And while they are off mastering their snow ploughs, you can head off to test out the heaps of cruisy blue and tree-lined red runs.
Our top pick:
We recommend a family ski holiday to Arinsal in Andorra. With snow-sure, high altitudes, incredible value for money, top-notch ski schools, a dedicated nursery zone, and the relaxed, mellow pistes of the Pal Arinsal ski area - it has everything you need for the best half-term family ski holiday. Plus, you can enjoy various other winter activities close to the resort, including snow tubing and sledge rides.
Tip 2: Go skiing for six nights instead of seven
Though it may sound obvious, booking one less day on the slopes can seriously slash your costs when looking for a cheap half-term ski holiday. Booking six nights instead of seven still gives you plenty of time to ski but will naturally save on accommodation, lift passes, ski hire - and sometimes even flight costs.
On average, Saturdays are the most expensive day to travel, so avoiding this day in particular could save you a decent stack of cash. However, if you’re set on putting the kids into group ski lessons, double-check with your resort, as generally, these usually start on a Sunday or a Monday. If that’s not a priority for you—or you’re looking at private lessons— booking a short half-term ski trip that avoids a Saturday arrival could be a winner.
Tip 3: Compare lift pass value
At Heidi, we know that not all ski passes are created equal. With different age restrictions, ski area sizes, and prices, it’s worth working out the cost per kilometre of piste your resort lift pass grants to ensure you get the best value for money on the slopes. We make this easy peasy on the Heidi website by allowing you to compare lift pass prices for different resorts over the same date range.
It’s also worth checking the age banding for child lift pass prices for mini-skiers. For resorts such as Pila in Italy, skiing is free for kids up to age 8. As well as being one of the best hidden gems in the Alps, Pila is fantastic for families and beginners - so it can be a great value option for a first-time skiing holiday with littluns. In addition, other resorts, such as Auron in France, offer junior ski passes up to 25 years old at a reduced rate, so make sure you’re shopping around for the best deals.
Tip 4: Opt for self-catering
Choosing half-board or a bed and breakfast for your accommodation can massively affect the overall prices of your holiday—especially on a family ski trip where everything is multiplied per head. Opting for self-catered accommodation offers lower prices and better flexibility, especially for any little fussy eaters! Although it requires some meal planning and cooking, with incredible local bakeries, delicatessens, and supermarkets to grab breakfasts and lunches, we suggest stocking up the fridge with all your kids' favourites and saving yourself a pretty penny.
New to Heidi? If you're frustrated with typical package holiday restrictions, then we might just be what you're looking for.
You’ll find our ski holidays more customisable than your typical ski package provider, but a lot easier to put together than doing it all yourself. Choose where you want to go from 300+ ski resorts, travel the day you want, stay as long as you like.
For help finding a ski holiday, WhatsApp us, call us on 0117 457 6000, or simply start a search.
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