Budget Beds
Backpacking traditionally conjures up thoughts of cities and beaches but there are hostels all over the Alps offering a budget bed to those wanting to ski and see the mountains for a fraction of the price of a hotel. And whilst sharing rooms and bunks with strangers isn’t for everyone, it can also be a good way to meet new people to ski with.
And you can save even more cash by taking advantage of the flexible start dates of these places and then booking an off-peak cheap flight to get you there. This has the added bonus of avoiding travelling during the weekend with its cattle-shed queues at the airports and on the roads.
The French youth hotel association
FUAJ runs a winter sports programme in many big resorts such as
Tignes,
Deux Alpes and
Chamonix. You can choose from three packages –
Leisure (full or half board),
Slopes (
Leisure plus ski pass) or
Glide (
Slopes plus equipment hire). Prices tend to be based on a mini stay of three nights, four nights or a full week of six nights
Chamonix - from €225 for 6 nights (Leisure)
La Clusaz - from €289 for 6 nights (Leisure)
Les Deux Alpes - from €335 for 6 nights (Slopes)
Serre Chevalier - from €277 for 6 nights (Slopes)
Tignes - from €177 for 6 nights (Leisure)
If you’re not so fussed about natural daylight or windows,
The Bunker in Verbier is literally inside an old atomic bomb shelter. In such an expensive resort, this backpackers is one of the only places you can get a budget bed in the main resort. Located in the Sports Centre, guests also get free entry into the swimming pools whirlpools and ice-rinks. Beds from 25CHF a night including breakfast.
For a party atmosphere, the gîte
Le Vagabond in Chamonix is a cross between a hostel and a B&B. With beds from €14.40 for a bunk room to €62 for a double per night, the hostel is aimed at young and hardcore snowriders with the popular Le Vagabond bar providing much of the entertainment.
For a cheap bed in the upmarket resort of Zermatt, you can’t do better than the centrally located
Matterhorn Hostel. Prices range from 33 CHF per for B&B in a dorm bed to 43 CHF for a two or three bed room. There’s also an adjoining restaurant where you can get a cheap nightly meal for 20 CHF.
For a traditional Alpine village with access to some of the best skiing in the Alps,
Chalet Chardons is a cheap and friendly place to stay in Tignes Les Brevieres. A great place if you’re travelling alone, this large chalet hotel is just 100 metres from the piste and also has its own bar – the popular Underground bar where guests get discounted drinks. Prices from £26 B&B basis per night.
