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How to Plan & Book Budget Ski Holidays
How to book ski holidays to La Plagne on a Budget: Tips and Tricks
If you're looking to book ski holidays in La Plagne, there are ways to save money without sacrificing the experience. With a little bit of research and planning, you can find affordable options for accommodations, lift tickets, and equipment rentals. From booking during off-peak times or taking advantage of package deals to get the most bang for your buck. Don't let cost hold you back from hitting the slopes in this beautiful French Alps destination! Here are some tips to help you book a cheap ski holiday in La Plagne.
Choose the right time to travel
The timing of your ski trip can have a big impact on the cost. Basically, the key to booking cheaper ski holidays is to avoid peak season. The peak weeks are around Christmas, New Year's, February half-term, and Easter weeks. Prices will be higher during these times, although when Easter is later in the year, the weeks can actually be quite reasonable.
Instead, consider going in January or March when prices are lower and the slopes are less crowded. You can also save money by booking ski holidays well in advance or taking advantage of last-minute deals. Check out this article if you want to find out more about what to expect in a ski resort at different times of the winter ski season.
Book Ski Holidays at the Right Time
The question I often hear is when to book ski holidays. Well, when it comes to booking ski holidays, two strategies can help you find a great deal. First, keep an eye out for last-minute discounts. Ski companies often drop prices on empty rooms or cancellations to avoid having empty accommodations during the season.
On the other hand, booking early can also lead to cheap ski deals. Booking for the next ski season usually opens in April, and being organized can help you lock in great prices. This is especially important if you're travelling with kids or looking for specific family ski holiday accommodations. By booking early, you can ensure that you find the best options for your needs.
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Look for budget-friendly accommodations
Accommodations can be one of the biggest expenses when booking ski holidays. But there are ways to save money. Look for budget-friendly options such as ski hostels, shared ski chalets, or self-catering chalets. These options may not have all the amenities of a luxury hotel, but they can still provide a comfortable and convenient base for your ski holiday. You can also save money by booking ski holidays directly with the accommodation provider or using booking websites that offer discounts and deals. For more details on how to find budget-friendly ski holiday accommodation, have a look at this detailed article. In addition to the right type of accommodation, within ski resorts, there are areas of the resort that are more expensive than others. Usually, accommodations on the snow that are ski-in/ski-out are the most expensive. But the great thing about La Plagne is that most of the villages and accommodations are ski-in/ski-out. However, the villages lower down in the valley are more reasonable, and you can often find larger, beautiful chalets for much less than expected. Have a look at:
Rent a cheap hire car
Opting for a rental car in France for your family ski holiday offers a multitude of benefits and unmatched flexibility. Given the unpredictability of weather conditions in ski resorts, having a rental car ensures a safe and comfortable journey, meeting all local legal requirements. This can be really reassuring when travelling with kids, and I don't know about you, but I'll take anything to reduce my stress levels when travelling with kids! The convenience of travelling at your own pace further adds to the appeal.
Interestingly, some of my friends found renting a car more cost-effective than servicing their own vehicles, buying snow tyres, and increasing their insurance coverage. For those looking for the best deals, my recent article reveals where to find the cheapest car rental options for your ski holiday.
Having said that, DiscoverCars.com is an excellent resource for comparing prices across various car rental services, including lesser-known providers. I highly recommend checking with them to find the best deals, as they often beat other rental options.
Save money on ski passes
Ski passes can be a major expense on a family ski holiday, but there are ways to save money. In La Plagne, there are several options that can reduce the cost of your shi holiday passes.
- Family ski passes – for at least 2 adults and 2+ children
- Duo and trio ski passes – for double and triple passes of the same age and duration
- A la carte ski passes – only pay for the days that you ski
- Weekend ski passes – discounted ski days for Saturdays
- Kids under 6 ski for free!
It can be complicated to understand which ski passes your family needs, so check out this article in full to understand how to save money on your family ski passes. Make sure that you also check with your holiday provider because when you book ski holidays, lift passes are sometimes included in your holiday package.
La Plagne do regular sales and deal on ski passes. So my top tip would be to sign up for my newsletter because I will send out sales alerts for deals like this as they happen so you can take advantage.
Take advantage of free activities and events
Skiing and snowboarding may be the main attractions when booking a ski holiday. And as my dad says, “I've paid for my lift pass, so I'm going to use every minute of it!” However, if you are skiing with kids, I would recommend taking some time off the skis and snowboards. They need time to rest and recover. But what non-skiing family activities are there in La Plagne? There are lots of free activities and events throughout the winter season to enjoy in La Plagne. Every week, there will be a different family-friendly activity program in each village. You will find the printouts in your accommodation and I share the schedule every week on my social media.
But there are things like balance bike races, local cheese tastings, badminton, fairground games, and more. Then, in special weeks, there will be big, free events. For Christmas ski holidays, New Year's Eve, Easter, and February half-term weeks, you can expect fireworks, music festivals, and more. Keep watching the That's La Plagne Events section to see what's happening when you're in the resort. My top 5 free family ski holiday activities are:
- Sledging
- Snowman or igloo building
- Snowy winter walks
- Icicle hunting
- Snowball fights!
Bring your own food and drinks
Eating out at restaurants and cafes on a ski holiday can quickly add up and eat into your ski holiday budget, especially if you are skiing with kids. Often, children's means are upwards of 15€ per child for basically nuggets and chips. My top tip, if you are having lunch out, is to skip the children's meals and order a full-size meal or pizza for your kids to share “a partager.” This is completely normal and accepted, and the waiting staff will bring you an extra plate. Read this to find La Plagne's best family-friendly restaurants.
To save money, consider bringing your own food and drinks. Pack snacks and sandwiches for lunch on the slopes. There are some great picnic spots around the La Plagne mountains. Plus, you can then cook your own meals in your accommodation. This is when looking for ski-in/ski-out accommodation when booking ski holidays, which can help reduce your in-resort expenses.
Ski resorts have supermarkets or minimarkets where you can stock up on supplies, and you can bring non-perishable items from home. Ski holidays with dietary requirements can be challenging. So have a look at what products you can find in La Plagne for vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free diets. Then you can plan your packing to know what you need to bring with you.
Another option is to book a food delivery service, like Huski. They deliver frozen gourmet meals to your door, and you can order them by the number of people for the whole week or just some specific meals. Plus, they have vegan, vegetarian, and kids options. I would recommend looking to book this in advance at the same time as you book your ski holiday. Finally, don't forget to bring a reusable water bottle to fill up at water fountains or your accommodation to save money on buying bottled water. My kids love being able to carry their own squishy bottles in their pockets, and it means they actually drink more water. Bonus.
Après ski in La Plagne
When planning a ski holiday, it's important to consider the cost of food and drinks, especially for apres ski activities. While many ski resorts have seen an increase in prices, La Plagne stands out as a more affordable option compared to neighbouring resorts like Val d'Isere, Tignes, Meribel, and Courchevel. Even a small price difference of 1€ per drink can add up over the course of a family ski holiday, making La Plagne a smart choice for budget-conscious travellers.
That's La Plagne & how to plan a budget-friendly ski holiday
That’s it. Those are my top tips for how to book a cheap ski holiday this winter. What do you think? Do you still have questions? Are you worried about some aspects of your ski trip? Drop me a message below, and I’ll try and help!
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