ADAC Comparison Examines Costs For A Ski Holiday In 25 Places

Winter holidays in the Alps are usually an expensive pleasure - this is especially true in Switzerland. In Germany, however, winter sports enthusiasts have clear price advantages, as shown by the current ADAC comparison of additional holiday costs in 25 ski areas.

• Big price differences for ski passes, ski lessons, schnitzel, etc.
• ADAC price comparison of additional holiday costs in 25 ski resorts
• Three German ski resorts are the cheapest

The biggest cost factors in winter holidays are ski passes and ski courses. Accommodation costs were not taken into account in the additional cost comparison. Another surprising fact is that the price differences between the various countries and regions are sometimes enormous.

The three winter sports regions that were rated "very cheap" are all in Germany: Feldberg, Arber and Winterberg. While the German ski resorts impress with their low prices, travelers in Switzerland have to dig deep into their pockets. The three most expensive ski resorts are all in Switzerland - Flims-Laax, Zermatt and Davos. Ski vacationers here pay almost twice as much as in the cheap German areas. The Austrian destinations are mainly in the medium-priced category, with a few exceptions at the top and bottom, and the Italian ski resorts are also in the middle range, with one outlier.

The general price increases compared to last season are similar in all countries tested and range between five and six percent. Rental and activities in particular have become more expensive, while prices for food in the huts have only increased moderately.

An example of a three-day winter holiday without accommodation, but with equipment rental, a ski pass, a ski course and daily visits to a mountain hut, shows the enormous savings potential: an adult pays around 280 euros for three days on Feldberg - in Davos it is almost 660 euros. Families can also save considerably: a family of four pays around 970 euros on Feldberg, while more than 1860 euros are due for the same period in Zermatt.

For anyone who wants to save money on their winter holiday, German ski resorts offer the greatest price advantage. There are also inexpensive alternatives in Austria and South Tyrol. So if you are looking for the best price for your winter holiday, you should compare the additional costs carefully: in extreme cases, these can vary by as much as half from the cheapest to the most expensive region. It should also be noted that the individual ski resorts differ in terms of the length of the slopes, transport infrastructure and altitude (snow reliability). These factors were not taken into account in the current price comparison.

Skiers can always save money. Online ski passes are often cheaper than tickets at the box office, so it's best to book early and for a specific date. Some lift operators use dynamic prices, the amount of which depends on demand and capacity. The motto also applies to renting skis and equipment: the earlier the better. If you can, go during the week or outside of the holidays. This is usually not possible for families with children. However, some ski areas offer family tickets, which are often cheaper than individual tickets. You should always keep an eye on the age limits for children's and youth tickets, as these vary greatly in many areas.

Methodology: 25 popular ski resorts were selected based on the frequency of Google searches: eight in Germany, eleven in Austria and three each in Italy and Switzerland. The prices for the specified shopping basket were collected online in March 2024 for the 2023/2024 ski season and in September and October for the 2024/2025 ski season. The shopping basket compared 29 products and services from the categories of gastronomy, rental and activities. The consumer model for a three-day holiday was one adult and one family of four (two adults and two children aged 10 and 14).

More here