Cheap Ski Resorts 2026/27: Day Passes from €32.50 and Money-Saving Tips

Skiing is getting more expensive again in winter 2026/27. In Austria, day passes rise by around 4.5 percent on average, and in big resorts you quickly pay €80 to €90 a day in peak season. It can be cheaper, though. Here are ski areas with day passes between €32 and €60, plus five tricks that save money in well-known resorts too.

What a ski day costs in 2026/27

Prices are for an adult day pass in peak season at the ticket office. Online, in low season or as a multi-day pass it can be cheaper.

For comparison: SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental costs €79.50, Kitzbühel and Ischgl €83, Sölden €86.50 and Dolomiti Superski €89. Price sources: schneehoehen.de and Skiliftkarussell Winterberg, as of autumn 2026, without guarantee.

The budget areas at a glance

Albiez-Montrond, Aussois and Val Cenis (Savoie): Small and mid-sized French resorts in the Maurienne valley. They sit in the shadow of the big ski domains but still reach above 2,000 m. Good for a week in a holiday apartment.

Ochsenkopf and Grasgehren: Two German areas for day trips. Ochsenkopf is in the Fichtel Mountains, Grasgehren in the Allgäu near the Riedberg Pass. Both are small but fine for a day without a long drive.

Pejo, Pfelders, Ladurns and Watles (Italy): Family-friendly areas in Trentino and South Tyrol, away from the big ski circuits. In Italy, helmets are mandatory for everyone and you need liability insurance.

Malbun and Saas-Almagell: Cheap day passes for Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Keep the higher price level for accommodation and food in mind.

Five tricks that save money anywhere

1. Buy online and early: Many resorts use dynamic pricing. Booking online and early often costs less than at the ticket office.
2. Go in low season: Before Christmas in December and from mid-March it is cheaper and quieter. Many areas offer packages or family discounts then.
3. Multi-day pass instead of day passes: From three days, the price per day drops noticeably.
4. Check kids' deals: Children up to about 6 ski free in almost every resort, and some regions include older kids too. More in our guide to skiing with kids.
5. Package instead of separate bookings: Tour operators combine accommodation and lift pass at a package price. This pays off especially for a full week.

Rent or buy your gear?

If you ski one week a year, renting is cheaper. Many rental shops give you a discount for booking online. Your own helmet and goggles are still worth it: they fit better and are more hygienic. Everything else for your bag is in our ski packing list.

Verdict

In 2026/27 the cheapest day passes are found in smaller areas in France, Germany and Italy, sometimes at less than half the price of the big ski domains. In famous regions you save with online tickets, low season, multi-day passes and packages.

Frequently asked questions