Top 5 Ski and Snowboarding Resorts on a Budget

By Raj Sidhu

1. La Tania, France

Need to know: Quiet, good value, purpose-built resort with nursery slopes and gentle sledging at village level. Attached to the Three Valleys area, off-duty parents can get in some proper ski time, but as it's also below the tree line, on-duty parents can take the kids on activities such as woodland walks.

Good for: Anyone worried about altitude. La Tania is one of the lowest resorts at only 1,350m high. And at under 600 miles from Calais, you can drive there from the UK.

Bonus: Geneva airport has a good nursery - useful in the case of flight delays.

2. Flaine, France

Need to know: Purpose-built, car-free and architect-designed in the 1960s. All of the pistes lead back to the same nursery slopes, so ideal for a group of mixed ability as everyone can regroup between laps. The nursery slopes are well kitted out, and the main slopes have something for everyone, from cruising slopes to challenging black runs, and easily accessible off-piste between the runs.

Good for: A quiet holiday. The traditional chalet-loving French aren't big fans of the architecture, so Flaine can be quieter than you'd expect in the village and on the pistes.

Bonus: It's one of the closest resorts to Geneva, which makes for an easier-than-usual transfer.

3. Mayrhofen, Austria

Need to know: At 630m, Mayrhofen is low but has three spectacular gondolas that whisk you up to the slopes on either side of the valley. Beginners will enjoy the gentle slopes of the Ahorn mountain. The other mountain, Penken, is great for intermediates, with a variety of red runs, and a valley called Tappenalm, dotted with good cafes.

Good for: Getting to by road or rail from budget-airline-friendly Salzburg and Munich. Once in town, there's a range of decently priced accommodation, and supermarkets for self-caterers or picnic fans. The cafes and coffee shops will keep a non-skiing parent or grandparent entertained, too.

Bonus: Aspiring freestyle skiers or snowboarders will love the park at the top of Tappenalm.

4. Avoriaz, France

Need to know: Purpose-built, car-free and built high up on the cliffs, Avoriaz is attached to the gigantic Portes du Soleil area and boasts 650km of piste, half in France and half in Switzerland. Accommodation is mainly self-catered apartments in ski-in, ski-out blocks run by big tour operators.

Good for: A family keen to try some more advanced skiing. Good black runs and challenging reds in Portes du Soleil, for the piste-lovers - three snowparks in Avoriaz for freestylers. Those looking for off-piste will find tree runs, powder bowls and cliff drops.

Bonus: Great for beginners, too, with loads of space for the first-timer. And the resort is so compact, you can send the kids out to get the morning croissants.

5. Cervinia, Italy

Need to know: This resort is over the Italian side of the Matterhorn (or Cervino, in Italian). The high, sunny, snow-sure pistes are laid out over a valley head - wide runs that all lead back down to the village. The area links up with the pistes of Zermatt at the top, making a massive 350km of runs.

Good for: Hearty Italian food that won't break the bank at the mountain restaurants in attractive chalets (try the Chalet Etoile), and lots of good pizza joints, as well as some treats like the Baita Cretaz restaurant - only accessible by skidoo once the lifts are closed.

Bonus: Runs all stay wide, gentle and consistent right to the bottom. And the village is small enough to let older kids go exploring the shops on their own.

Raj has been writing articles online now for quite a while. Some of the subject he like to write about include holiday destinations. You can also check out his latest websites on the Kitchenaid 4 Slice Toaster and the Weslo Cadence Treadmill.

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