The Alps in winter look the same from any mountain. Fresh powder, blue skies, and the promise of decent skiing. So why does the same week cost £2,100 in France and £3,100 in Switzerland?
Because the country is more important than the resort. Fun isn’t free Y our decision between France, Austria, Switzerland or Italy will tip your total bill by £800-1,200 for exactly the same thing –quality if slopes, cast of rental gear and numerate dares. This is not the luxury chalets vs. budget hostels battle that some imagine. We are talking about virtually identical mid-range journeys with wildly different price tags.
We’ve dissected the true costs for two adults taking a full 7-day skiing trip (including flights, hotel, lift passes, gear/facilities hire, food and transfers) to show you which country offers UK travellers the cheapest ski break. The results are blunt.
Flights: Where You £60-100 Before You Touch Down
Routes from UK airports to the Alps are dominated by budget airlines. EasyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 operate direct flights to Geneva, Zurich, Innsbruck, Salzburg and Milan throughout winter 2025-2026. Prices change depending on when you fly and where you arrive.
Return Flight Costs (UK to Alps, Budget Airlines)
| Route | Off-Peak (Jan-Mar) | Peak (Christmas, Feb Half-Term) |
|---|---|---|
| London/Manchester to Geneva | £35-70 | £70-140 |
| London/Manchester to Zurich | £52-100 | £100-180 |
| Manchester to Innsbruck | £52-81 | £88-150 |
| London to Salzburg | £57-64 | £80-130 |
| London/Manchester to Milan | £50-64 | £100-150 |
| Bristol to Grenoble | £27-62 | £60-110 |
Key takeaways:
- Geneva is cheapest overall and serves France, Switzerland, and Italy
- Peak season doubles flight costs – February half-term hits hardest
- Grenoble (France) offers rock-bottom prices but limited capacity
- Full-service carriers (BA, SWISS) cost £160-370 return – avoid unless necessary
Flight times: All routes are 1h40m-2h10m direct. Geneva takes 1h40m from most UK airports. Innsbruck is furthest at 2h10m from Manchester.
The smart move: Fly budget to Geneva in early March. You’ll pay £35-70 return instead of £100-180 at Christmas. That’s £60-220 saved for two people before you’ve even collected your skis.
Accommodation: The £1,000 Gap Between Countries
Where you sleep makes or breaks your budget. A week’s self-catering apartment in France costs what three nights in a Swiss hotel will set you back. The gap is massive.
Weekly Accommodation Costs (2 Adults, 7 Nights)
| Country | Budget Self-Catering | Mid-Range Hotel/Chalet | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | £500-700 | £900-1,400 | £2,000-4,500 |
| Austria | £700-1,200 | £1,000-1,500 | £1,750-3,500 |
| Switzerland | £1,050-2,100 | £1,600-2,800 | £2,800-7,000 |
| Italy | £600-1,000 | £900-1,400 | £1,400-3,150 |
Real resort examples (per week, sleeping 4-6 people):
- Les Menuires (France): £500-1,000 apartment
- Alpe d’Huez (France): £600-1,200 apartment
- Val d’Isère (France): £1,500-4,000 chalet
- Mayrhofen (Austria): £700-1,400 apartment
- Zermatt (Switzerland): £1,400-2,800 for basic apartment
- Dolomites (Italy): £600-1,200 B&B or apartment
Why France wins accommodation: Ski holidays in France are a popular choice, because massive purpose-built resorts like Les Menuires and Alpe d’Huez offer affordable apartments within walking distance of lifts. You get ski-in/ski-out convenience without Swiss price tags. A mid-range self-catering place in Les Menuires costs £700-900 for a week. The same setup in Zermatt runs £1,600-2,100.
Peak season markup: Expect 50-100% price jumps during Christmas week (Dec 20-Jan 5) and February half-term. Book early December or March instead.
Lift Passes: The €80 Surprise
Six-day lift passes don’t vary as much as you’d expect, but Switzerland still manages to be priciest while Italy sneaks in as the bargain.
6-Day Adult Lift Pass Prices (2025-2026 Season)
| Country/Area | Price (GBP) | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| France | ||
| 3 Vallées | £350 | 600km of skiing, largest in world |
| Paradiski | £307 | 425km linked area |
| Espace Killy | £385 | Tignes + Val d’Isère, high altitude |
| Austria | ||
| Arlberg (St. Anton) | £385 | 305km, legendary après-ski |
| Zillertal | £300-342 | 544km across multiple resorts |
| Ischgl-Samnaun | £325 | 239km, party town |
| Switzerland | ||
| 4 Vallées (Verbier) | £330-390 | 412km, scenic but pricey |
| Zermatt | £327-390 | Glacier skiing year-round |
| Jungfrau | £348+ | High-altitude, stunning views |
| Italy | ||
| Dolomiti Superski | £336 | 1,200km across 12 valleys |
| Aosta Valley | £275 | Cheapest major pass |
The math for two people:
- Italy (Aosta): £550 total
- France (Paradiski): £614 total
- Austria (Zillertal): £600-684 total
- Switzerland (Zermatt): £654-780 total
Italy edges out as cheapest, but France’s Paradiski at £307 per person is the sweet spot – huge ski area, solid snow record, and £70-80 less per person than Swiss options.
Food and Drink: Where Switzerland Absolutely Hammers You
Mountain restaurants charge what they want because you’re stuck there. But the country differences are brutal.
Mountain Restaurant Prices (2026)
| Item | France | Austria | Switzerland | Italy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch (main + drink) | £17-22 | £18-25 | £23-30 | £17-21 |
| Coffee | £2.50-3.50 | £3 | £3-4 | £2-3 |
| Pint of beer | £5-6 | £5-6 | £6-7 | £4-5 |
Seven days of mountain lunches for two people:
- Italy/France: £238-308
- Austria: £252-350
- Switzerland: £322-420
The supermarkets solutions: Valley supermarkets (Carrefour, Lidl, Aldi in France/Austria, Coop/Migros in Switzland) sell sandwich products, fruit and snacks for £3-5 per person per day. That’s £21-35 a week compared to £238-420 for mountain dining.
Weekly self-catering budget for 2 adults (breakfast + dinner + packed lunches):
- France/Italy: £100-140
- Austria: £120-180
- Switzerland: £160-250
Swisseppers buy food staples for 30-60 % more than it would be in France or Austria. A week of groceries that costs £120 in a Carrefour down the valley in France will set you back between £180-£200 at a Coop here.
Après-ski reality check: Get the price of a beer, it speaks volumes about a country’s relative worth. In Austria a pint can cost £4-6 in resort bars. Switzerland demands £6-8. If you
The Total Cost Showdown: 2 Adults, 7 Days, Mid-Range Trip
Let’s strip away the guesswork. Here’s what you’ll actually pay for a proper ski week as two adults traveling in early March (off-peak but good snow). Mid-range means decent accommodation, not hostels or five-star chalets, and a mix of self-catering and eating out.
France: Les Menuires (Three Valleys Access)
- Flights (Manchester-Geneva): £120
- Self-catering apartment: £900
- Lift pass (3 Vallées, 6 days × 2): £700
- Equipment rental (online pre-book): £220
- Supermarket food + 2 mountain lunches: £160
- Shared shuttle transfer: £100 Total: £2,200
Austria: Mayrhofen (Zillertal)
- Flights (Manchester-Innsbruck): £120
- Mid-range hotel (half-board): £1,100
- Lift pass (Zillertal, 6 days × 2): £640
- Equipment rental: £260
- Lunches + drinks (half-board covers dinner): £90
- Bus transfer: £60 Total: £2,270
Switzerland: Grindelwald (Jungfrau Region)
- Flights (Manchester-Zurich): £180
- Basic apartment: £1,600
- Lift pass (Jungfrau, 6 days × 2): £696
- Equipment rental: £280
- Mixed supermarket/dining: £220
- Train transfer: £140 Total: £3,116
Italy: Dolomites (Dolomiti Superski)
- Flights (Manchester-Milan): £120
- B&B accommodation: £900
- Lift pass (Dolomiti Superski, 6 days × 2): £672
- Equipment rental: £240
- Breakfast included, lunch/dinner mix: £180
- Shuttle transfer: £100 Total: £2,212
The gap: Switzerland costs £900+ more than France, Austria, or Italy for an equivalent experience. You’re not getting twice the skiing or twice the snow. You’re paying for the Swiss franc.
Equipment Rental: The 40% Online Discount
Renting skis, boots, poles, and a helmet on-site at the resort costs 30-40% more than booking the same gear online before you leave.
Week-long adult package rental:
- Online pre-book: £80-150 (France/Italy), £100-170 (Austria/Switzerland)
- Walk-in at resort: £120-200 (France/Italy), £160-220 (Austria/Switzerland)
For two people: Online booking saves £60-100 for the week. Book through Skiset, Intersport, or Sport2000 at least 2-3 weeks ahead. You reserve your size, pick up at the shop, and skip the queues.
Transfers: Why Private Costs Triple
Getting from the airport to your resort is the last cost people forget to budget.
Transfer Costs (One-Way Per Person)
| Route | Shared Shuttle | Private (Group of 4) | Public Bus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva to French Alps | £25-60 | £200-500 | £20-50 |
| Zurich to Swiss resorts | £50-70 | £400+ | £40-60 |
| Innsbruck to Austrian resorts | £30-50 | £250-400 | £25-40 |
| Milan to Dolomites | £40-70 | £300-400 | £30-50 |
Return for two people:
- Shared shuttle: £100-240
- Private transfer: £200-500 (makes sense for groups of 4+)
- Public bus: £80-160
Unless you’re traveling as a group of four or more, shared shuttles beat private transfers on cost. AlpyBus and Alps2Alps run regular scheduled services from Geneva to most French resorts for £40-60 return per person.
The Verdict: Which Country for Which Skier?
France wins if:
- You’ve got kids or beginners (massive gentle slopes, ski schools everywhere)
- You want the biggest ski areas (Three Valleys = 600km, Paradiski = 425km)
- Self-catering saves you £300-500 vs half-board hotels
- You’re flying from Manchester or Bristol (Geneva is closest, cheapest)
Ski holidays in France offer the largest connected ski areas in the world, meaning you can explore different valleys all week without repeating a single run.
Austria wins if:
- Après-ski matters – lively bars, cheaper beer (£4-6 vs £6-7 Swiss)
- You want half-board hotels (common in Austria, included in many packages)
- You prefer smaller, traditional Alpine villages over purpose-built resorts
- Total cost matters most (£2,270 is middle of the pack but includes more meals)
Switzerland wins if:
- Budget isn’t a concern (add £900 to any France/Austria trip)
- You want year-round glacier skiing (Zermatt, Saas-Fee)
- Scenery trumps value (Swiss mountains are admittedly stunning)
- You’re combining skiing with other Swiss travel
Italy wins if:
- Food and wine matter as much as skiing (Italian mountain huts serve proper pasta and wine)
- You want quieter slopes (Dolomites rarely get UK school holiday crowds)
- Budget matches France but with a more relaxed vibe
- You’re an intermediate skier (Dolomiti Superski is enormous but more cruising than challenges)
When to Book (And Save £400-800)
8-12 months ahead: Flights
- Book March 2026 trips in June-July 2025
- Budget airlines release seats 11 months out
- Early March flights: £35-80 return vs £100-180 last minute
6-8 months ahead: Accommodation
- Self-catering apartments offer 20-30% early bird discounts
- Peak season (Feb half-term) books out 6+ months in advance
2-3 months ahead: Lift passes
- Online pre-booking saves 5-10% vs ticket office prices
- Some resorts offer early-season deals (book by Nov for Jan-Mar)
1 month ahead: Equipment rental
- Online booking: 20-40% cheaper than walk-in
- Guarantees your size and preferred gear
Avoid these dates to save £400-600 per person:
- December 20-January 5 (Christmas/New Year)
- February half-term week (typically Feb 15-23)
- Easter week (if late March/early April)
Best value windows:
- Early December (Dec 1-15): 40-50% cheaper, decent snow at high resorts
- January (post-New Year, avoid MLK weekend): 30-40% cheaper, peak snow
- Late March (March 20-April 5): 50-60% cheaper, spring skiing, longer days
The Budget Breakdown Summary
For two adults doing a proper 7-day ski trip in early March 2026:
France: £2,200
- Best ski area size for money
- Cheapest accommodation via self-catering
- Mid-range food costs
Austria: £2,270
- Half-board hotels keep costs predictable
- Best après-ski value
- Solid all-rounder
Italy: £2,212
- Matches France on total cost
- Better food, quieter slopes
- Smaller but scenic ski areas
Switzerland: £3,116
- £900 premium over France/Austria/Italy
- Pays for prestige and glaciers
- Only makes sense if budget isn’t a factor
The £900 question: Do you want to spend it on an extra week the following year, or on saying you skied in Switzerland? Most UK families pick France or Austria. The snow’s the same. The skiing’s just as good. And you’ve got £900 left in your account.
