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Alpine value. How you can make your dollar stretch further in Europe.
- Will
- Jan 10
- 3 min read
Updated: May 5
Skiing and snowboarding are an essential part of winter for many. Hearing the snow squeak under your boots, getting on the first lift, feeling your edges grip, the smell of pine trees -these are addictive sensations that create actual cravings.
There's no denying that we pay for our mountain addiction though, with costs for pretty much everything rising in recent years, so even if you aren't constrained by your budget, it's worth looking at how you can get more out of your hard-earned money. The good news is that in several important areas you can save a considerable amount in Europe compared to skiing in North America.
Lift tickets
The first thing to check is whether you can take advantage of your Epic or Ikon Pass and ski some of the best places in Europe for free. We discuss that at length in this guide https://www.america2alps.com/post/how-to-use-your-epic-or-ikon-pass-to-create-the-dream-european-ski-trip
If you haven't got an Epic or Ikon pass then there are still serious savings to be had. We looked at a 5 day lift ticket in 5 popular US resorts compared with 5 Alpine resorts, starting on January 11th, 2025. When you look at several people in a family, or a group of buddies, the combined savings are significant.
We have tried to find like for like as far as possible, included all mandatory fees and the customary tip amount, and converted prices in euros or Swiss francs to dollars at the prevailing spot rate - it's not completely scientific but if gives the idea.
5 day lift tickets, starting on 11 Jan 2025 for 1 adult in US dollars. Ski lessons
There are so many benefits to taking lessons, even if you're awesome. In Europe you can skip any lift lines, you'll be with somebody who wants to ski the best snow they can - same as you, you have somebody to pump for information on restaurants, nightlife, powder stashes and so on. If you don't ski as much as you'd like you will get a great refresher and if you aren't awesome, it's the best way to up your game. Skiing varies ever so slightly from country to country - why not get some tips on how to slalom like an Italian or snow plow like a Swiss?
We looked at a full day with a private instructor on the 14th January, with a 20% tip for the US, and a generous 50 euro or Swiss franc tip in the Alps:
Approximately how much you can expect to pay for a full day with a fully qualified instructor. Dining
On mountain dining can be one of the highlights of a ski trip. After working up a ferocious appetite beasting the bumps you feel as though you've earned some carbs and protein, washed down with something cold.
The top spots in the US and Europe are priced similarly, but not needing to tip gives Europe an edge on price in most cases. Head to Austria for the best value - the Arlberg ski region comes in at about 50% of the cost of the most expensive on the list.
Burger and beer at an upscale mountain restaurant inclusive of 20% tip (US) or service charge (Alps) Gear rentals
If you don't have your own gear, or your kids have outgrown their stuff then resorts have you covered. It's also an opportunity to try out some powder skis, a new board you have your eye on or just avoid baggage fees and hassle. The difference in costs between the US and Europe can be quite extreme.
5 days standard ski and boot rental for 2 adults and 2 kids age 10.
So in summary heading to the Alps definitely offers the chance to offset some of the costs of the transatlantic flight. If you are looking to get your kids lessons then it's a big opportunity to get quality tuition for a reasonable cost - and of course that means you are free to ski and explore while they are with their instructor.
If you'd like to start exploring a trip to Europe for 2025 or 2026 please reach out on our toll free US number, by Whatsapp or email and we can get to work.
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