On social media, in newspapers, or on television – images of freshly groomed slopes and snowy winter landscapes are everywhere these days. These are precisely the impressions that make many people want to finally get back on the slopes themselves. But a glance at ski pass prices in Europe can quickly dampen that excitement: the differences between cheap and expensive ski resorts are enormous.
In this article, we'll show you where skiing in Europe is particularly affordable, where the most expensive day ski passes are, and how expensive the prices in Austria actually are in the 2025/26 winter season.

Affordable ski resorts in Europe
Those looking to save money on winter sports should also look beyond the Alps. Real bargains can be found, especially in Eastern Europe and smaller French or Italian ski resorts. Here's a selection of the cheapest ski passes in Europe :
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Kolas, Montenegro : This small ski resort with 45 kilometers of slopes is a real bargain. A day ski pass costs only €15 during peak season.
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Villard-Corrençon, France : 125 kilometers of slopes for just €42 per day – perfect for those looking for a lot of variety at a low price.
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Artesina-Mondolè, Italy : Winter sports fans can enjoy 105 kilometres of slopes for €48 .
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Bansko, Bulgaria : Known from the Ski World Cup, Bansko attracts with 50 kilometers of slopes and a day ski pass for 50 € .
👉 Conclusion: If you want to ski cheaply, you will find exciting alternatives with fair prices outside of the classic Alpine hotspots.
Most expensive ski resorts in Europe
On the other hand, there are destinations that boast exclusive ambiance and vast ski areas – but also high prices. Here's an overview of the most expensive ski passes in Europe :
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Zermatt, Switzerland : A dream destination for ski enthusiasts—but expensive. A day ski pass costs an average of €104 (CHF 97) during peak season and provides access to 322 kilometers of slopes .
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St. Moritz, Switzerland : The luxury ski resort also charges an average of € 104 per day (CHF97) for its 163 kilometers .
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Dolomiti Superski, Italy : One of the largest ski areas in the world with an incredible 1,200 kilometers of slopes . Price per day: €86 .
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Les 3 Vallées, France : With 600 kilometers of slopes, the area around Courchevel is legendary. The price: € 82 per day .
👉 Conclusion: Exclusive ski resorts are not only large, but also in a league of their own in terms of price. Those who ski here pay for the complete package of slopes, infrastructure, and lifestyle.
Austrian ski pass prices 2025/26 in comparison
In terms of price, Austria lies somewhere between the affordable ski resorts of Eastern Europe and the luxury destinations of Switzerland. For the 2025/26 winter season, day ski passes in Austria range between €48 and €78 during peak season.
The Austrian ski resorts offer not only perfectly groomed slopes, but also numerous extras: snow parks, ski cross courses, giant slalom slopes, speed checks, and a comprehensive après-ski offering with umbrella bars and clubs. It is precisely this combination that has made Austria one of the most popular ski destinations in the world for years.
The following table shows some Austrian ski resorts with more than 40 kilometers of slopes, along with their ski pass prices, for comparison. They are ordered in ascending order of price, from cheapest to most expensive.
|
ski area |
Federal State |
kilometers of slopes |
Day ski pass high season for adults* |
|
Carinthia |
55 km |
54 € |
|
|
Upper Austria |
40 km |
52 € |
|
|
Styria |
43 km |
59 € |
|
|
Salzburg |
46 km |
62 € |
|
|
Tyrol |
42 km |
63 € |
|
|
Upper Austria |
51 km |
65 € |
|
|
Vorarlberg |
140 km |
66 € |
|
|
Salzburg |
100 km |
70 € |
|
|
Tyrol |
113 km |
69 € |
|
|
Carinthia |
110 km |
70 € |
|
|
Carinthia |
45 km |
70 € |
|
|
Carinthia |
103 km |
70 € |
|
|
Styria |
230 km |
70 € |
|
|
Salzburg |
210 km |
72 € |
|
|
Tyrol |
65 km |
73 € |
|
|
Vorarlberg |
109 km |
73 € |
|
|
Tyrol |
112 km |
73 € |
|
|
Tyrol |
284 km |
76 € |
|
|
Tyrol |
214 km |
78 € |
|
|
Tyrol |
60 km |
79 € |
|
|
Tyrol/Switzerland |
239 km |
79 € |
|
|
Tyrol |
150 km |
79 € |
|
|
Tyrol |
140 km |
79 € |
|
|
Salzburg/Tyrol |
408 km |
79 € |
|
|
Tyrol |
233 km |
79 € |
|
|
Tyrol |
142 km |
80 € |
|
|
Vorarlberg/Tyrol |
303 km |
82 € |
*Prices are based on average prices based on research conducted in November 2025. Prices may vary now or on different days due to dynamic price calculators on many websites.