DESTINATIONS SKI & SNOW |BUDGET


CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Les Arcs, France;


Bansko, Bulgaria; Banff, Canada PICTURES: Shutterstock/Greens and Blues, Nataliya Nazarova; Les Arcs Tourist Board/Tristan Shu; Jeff Bartlett Media


SPOTLIGHT ON bansko


With its relatively low price tag, I expected Bansko to prove that you get what you pay for, writes Robin Murray. But it didn’t take long to discover


my preconceptions of a ski holiday in Bulgaria were wide of the mark. Bansko has an expansive lift network,


offering easy access to 46 miles of slopes. Skiers of all abilities will find a run they enjoy, though its network of predominantly blue and red runs is better suited to beginner and intermediate skiers, with a sole black run for the more advanced. The longest run from the highest


says: “Italy is doing well at the moment, including Cervinia – which is in the same ski area as


Zermatt, but far cheaper.” Book it: Inghams offers seven nights’ half-board at Hotel Serenella in Cervinia from £899 per person, based on two adults sharing. The price includes transfers and flights from Gatwick on January 4, 2026. inghams.co.uk


BEST FOR . . . CROSSING THE POND If budget-seeking skiers believe that North America is out of their reach, tell them to think again. Victoria Mclean, marketing manager at Ski Independence, says: “Banff is a great option if you have a price-conscious client who wants to go transatlantic. Banff and Lake Louise offer one of the longest ski seasons in the northern hemisphere, with skiing until May pretty much guaranteed. “For our North American destinations, the overriding recommendation is to book early. Rather than going at February half-term, suggest families travel at Easter instead. Prices are lower, the days are longer for more time on the slopes and it’s a bit warmer – making extended outdoor


lunches and sunny après-ski more likely.” Book it: Ski Independence sells a seven-night stay at the Elk + Avenue in Banff from £1,203


per person, based on two sharing a standard room on a room-only basis. The price includes transfers and flights from London to Calgary on March 5, 2026. ski-i.com


BEST FOR . . . OLD FAVOURITES France is the number-one destination for British skiers – and with increased Eurostar services to the French Alps (running for an additional five weeks this season, now from December 20 to April 5, 2026) and a new Jet2.com route from Newcastle to Chambéry, many French resorts will be even more accessible this winter. Miles Porter, Skiworld’s sales and operations


director, recommends Les Arcs as a lesser-known resort that can help clients save money. “Les Arcs offers extensive snow-sure ski areas and more-affordable lift passes and dining,” he says. “When speaking with clients, ask if they would prefer a catered chalet – which often includes meals, drinks and luggage – or a self-catered


apartment for more flexibility and lower costs.” Book it: Skiworld sells a seven-night catered stay at Ski Chalet Arnaud from £999 per person, based on two sharing, including flights from London to Grenoble, luggage and transfers, departing December 13. skiworld.co.uk


TW


point of the resort, at 2,600m, to the base is about 10 miles and features a range of slopes, from challenging red runs at the top to a gentle tree-lined green run as you approach the base. One of the most popular spots for food and drink is Bar 180, set at the crossroads of four runs. It has inside and outside seating areas with loud music pumping out, and serves Italian-style dishes costing about £20 for mains, with a pint about £6. For a cheaper meal, there are plenty of


options in Bansko’s Old Town – a Unesco World Heritage Site with narrow, cobbled streets. I visited Obetsanova Mehana, a traditional Bulgarian restaurant decked out with interesting artefacts and music. The kapama – a chicken dish made with cinnamon and tomato sauce – and filo pastry stuffed with cheese were particularly good. This hearty grub provided sightseeing sustenance for highlights including the mid-19th-century Holy Trinity Church and its imposing bell tower, which dates from when Bulgaria was under Ottoman rule.


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11 SEPTEMBER 2025


travelweekly.co.uk


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