This Ski Resort Was Just Named the Most Affordable in Europe

Affordable skiing sounds like a punchline to most seasoned U.S. skiers, especially when a one-day lift ticket at Vail can cost up to $356. But there has been a growing resurgence of ski areas that still offer an affordable day on the mountain, be they smaller resorts or even ski spots outside of the U.S.

The ski insurance experts at SportsCover Direct took an interesting approach to the idea of affordable skiing by considering the cost of an après drink at ski areas that are considered Europe’s most affordable ski destinations. What they found is that the ski experience is more affordable at lesser-known and farther-flung ski destinations, with a ski area in southwest Bulgaria taking the No. 1 spot followed by ski spots in Romania and Kosovo.

To determine their ranking, the study first analyzed 50 ski resorts in Europe that were consistently considered the most affordable in Europe. Then, they reviewed the cost of a standard bottle of beer and a hot chocolate at each resort, with prices sourced from online menus and business listings.

At the top of the affordability list was Bansko, a ski area in the Pirin Mountains of southwest Bulgaria that is often considered a budget-friendly alternative to the Alps. The ski area has 15 lifts and runs that range from beginner to advanced. A single-day lift ticket at Bansko is just over $80 and a beer costs an average of £2 (under $3) and a hot chocolate £1.80 (less than $2.50), according to the study.

Following the Bulgarian ski area is Poiana Brașov in Romania, which claims to be “the biggest and most luxurious mountain resort in Romania.” In addition to skiing, the area has ice skating and a sports complex with tubing and luging. A beer at Poiana Brașov averages just over £3 (over $4) and a hot chocolate is £2.60 (just over $3.50).

The full list, which is dominated by ski areas in Italy, is ranked below, along with the average price of a beer and hot chocolate at each location: 

1. Bansko, Bulgaria 
Average bottle of beer: £2.00 
Average hot chocolate: £1.80 

2. Poiana Brasov, Romania 
Average bottle of beer: £3.05 
Average hot chocolate: £2.60 

3. Gjeravica, Kosovo 
Average bottle of beer: £3.10 
Average hot chocolate: £2.60 

4. Borovets, Bulgaria 
Average bottle of beer: £3.10 
Average hot chocolate: £2.65