Skiing is quite expensive: the Bosshard family of seven from Päffikon ZH paid about 9,000 francs for their ten-day ski holiday in Davos GR. The biggest cost factors are the ski subscription, food and hotel rooms. Not many people in Switzerland can afford such holidays. But there is also a cheaper way. If you are flexible and willing to compromise when booking, you can enjoy skiing much cheaper. Blick has the most important savings tips for you.
Hob hole for Holey wallet
The timing of ski holidays for families with school-age children cannot be postponed: young people can only go to the ski slopes at Christmas or on sports holidays – in February, when prices are highest. However, everyone else can take their holidays to an annoying state, for example, January. Then hotels and many mountain railways lure with significant price reductions.
Larger groups can save more easily
The single room in the hotel is quite affordable in terms of price. The easiest way to save money for single travelers is to stay in a shared room at a hostel. Vacation apartments are also available for larger groups. With an apartment for 3,000 francs per week, a group of four has to pay 750 francs per person for a bed. If someone else sleeps on the sofa bed, it’s 600 per person.
Early booking discounts and family tickets
In times of dynamic price patterns, many ski areas offer discounts of up to 30 percent on the day pass if guests purchase online well in advance. If you don’t mind going downhill even when it’s cloudy, you can save a lot on days with bad weather forecasts. Many ski areas also offer cheap network subscriptions. For example, adults pay 399 CHF and children 249 CHF for the Magic Pass, which is valid in 52 ski areas. For families, larger mountain railroads often offer inexpensive family subscriptions. In addition, many railroads offer generous child discounts up to age 9 who travel free and up to age 15 with 50 percent off.
Are you coming by car or train?
There are few things better than carrying a whole suitcase full of winter clothes, skis and ski boots to the station and the train. However, traveling by public transport is cheaper in most cases – especially for those with a half fare card. The return trip from Zurich to Davos GR costs 56 francs. If you are traveling by car, you must factor in the return fee of 220 francs per kilometer – TCS compliant 75 centimetres. There is also a parking fee of 45 francs a week. It’s 265 francs in total. It is cheaper to drive if there are only five or more adults. But without the Half-Mouse travel card, traveling by car provides benefits for three or more people.
watch out for discounts
If you travel with SBB and pay attention to the “Snow ‘n’ Rail” offers, you can get up to 20 percent off your ski pass. Banks and health insurance companies also offer temporary discounts of up to 30 percent on ski passes.