Close and affordable: 7 most budget-friendly ski resorts

Zakopane, Poland

Zakopane, without exaggeration, can be called the "winter capital of Poland". From December to March, thousands of tourists come here to ski and enjoy the local color.

Zakopane — is 8 skiing areas of different sizes and heights, more than 10 main long runs (mostly blue) and more than 50 elevators. There are cross-country skiing trails, snowboarding tracks and several ski jumps. Zakopane doesn't boast crazy peaks (the maximum height of the slopes is 1985), but for beginners and not quite confident skiers it will be a great alternative to expensive resorts.

Vacationers love Zakopane for its atmosphere and mood. It is here, in the Tatra Basin, that the Gurals, the local population, live and are famous for their culture, folklore and unique traditions, from which there is no hiding and no need to hide. Fans of something more modern will be pleased with nightclubs, which there are a lot of, and the evenings there are quite boisterous. There is a set of classic entertainment in the resort's arsenal: sledding, snowmobiling, ice skating rinks, hiking tours, spa centers with swimming pools and much more. If you are going to a ski resort abroad for the first time, take a closer look at Zakopane and you won't miss out!

The cost of ski passes: 1 day — from €23. Read more here.

Accommodation: 3* — from €55, 5* — from €100.

How to get there: it is convenient to get to Zakopane from Krakow and Katowice, you can do it by shuttle buses or cabs.

Poiana Brasov, Romania

Poyana Brasov translates as "sunny meadow", and therefore vacationing here is a pleasure, especially for athletes. There are 12 ski slopes, a bobsleigh track, ski jumps, sports athletic centers, swimming pools, stadiums for basketball, soccer, gymnasiums, in general — a whole sports base.

But people come to the resort, of course, to ski, and here's what you need to know. There are 11 main slopes in the resort: 4 blue, 4 black and 3 red, so there will be room for both beginners and professionals; 9 elevators, maximum height — 1700 meters.

There are plenty of places to relax in the resort: bars, restaurants, nightclubs, spa centers and swimming pools, bowling alleys. There are also several health centers in Poiana Brasov, where people often come to get better and enjoy the fresh mountain air (cars are not allowed in the resort area).

The cost of ski passes: 1 day: adults — €50, children — from €30.

Accommodation: 3* — from €70, 5* — from €130.

How to get there: from Bucharest to Poiana Brasov you can get by shuttle buses, cabs (167 km).

Kopaonik, Serbia

Kopaonik is one of the highest altitude areas in Serbia and the most popular ski resort. The beauty of the Serbian heights is not inferior to the Alpine heights, but the prices will please you pleasantly, because they are many times lower and accessible to many travelers.

The total length of the slopes in Kapaonik is 60 km, most of them are blue — 11, red — 7, black — 4, the highest point of the resort is Panichev Vrch (2017 m). There are 26 elevators at the disposal of vacationers (of which 4 are for children), there are slopes for snowboarders, as well as the opportunity to go paragliding. Most of the coaches at local ski schools speak Russian.

As for entertainment, Kopaonik has all the "classic set" in its arsenal: swimming pools, spa centers, nightclubs and restaurants, for children there are many attractions and playrooms. There are many attractions in the vicinity of the resort: monasteries, cathedrals, castles and other interesting shrines of the Serbian people, some of which are included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

The cost of ski passes: 1 day — from €30.

Accommodation: 3* — from €70, 5* — from €200.

How to get there: people often get to Kapaonik from Belgrade by transfer or bus, it takes about 5 hours (≈300 km).

Gudauri, Georgia

Gudauri is one of the youngest and fastest growing resorts in Georgia. It boasts modern elevators, a snow park, freeride slopes, tubing slopes, and the possibility of evening skiing. The maximum height is 3307 meters, the total length of the slopes is 50 km, most of them for beginners and amateurs.

After skiing you always want to relax, and you can do it in thermal complexes and swimming pools or enjoy Georgian cuisine in one of the restaurants on the mountain tops. Tired of skiing? Take a ride on snowbikes, snowmobiles or even sledges, and if you want to go extreme, you can always go speedriding or paragliding.

Ski passes cost: 1 day — from €24.

Accommodation: 3* — from €40, 5* — from €140.

How to get there: from Tbilisi and Kutaisi you can reach Gudauri by regular shuttle buses, transfer or car, 120 km.

Bukovel, Ukraine

Bukovel is undoubtedly the most popular ski resort in the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains, and quite deservedly, which regularly pleases skiers and snowboarders with relative affordability, high quality of slopes and quality service.

Bukovel — is 3 peaks (the maximum one is 1372 m), 68 km of slopes and 22 elevators. The resort is suitable for beginners and amateur skiers, most of the slopes here are blue and red, and snowboarders will be pleased with the excellent snow park and Big-Airbag. In Bukovel you can go snow tubing, dog sledding, snowmobiling and ice skating. There is something for everyone!

Accommodation on the territory of the ski resort itself will be a bit expensive, and therefore it is better to stay in nearby villages and settlements, for example, in Polyanitsa or Tatarov. Conditions in the complexes are not inferior to those in the resort, and you can get to Bukovel in 10-15 minutes.

The cost of ski passes: 1 day — from 1500 UAH.

Accommodation: 3* — from 2000 UAH, 4* — from 3500 UAH.

How to get there: from any city of Ukraine you can get by train to Ivano-Frankivsk, and from there by transfer or shuttle buses to Bukovel.

Bansko, Bulgaria

Few people know that Bulgaria is good not only for the Black Sea coast and its resorts, but also for its mountains, on the slopes of which the ski center Bansko has recently settled down.

The skiing area in Bansko is divided into 3 zones: Chalin-Valog (1467 m), Shiligarnika (1725 m) and Banderishka Polyana (1635 m), the total length of the slopes is about 70 km, there are 15 of them and most of them are red (7). You can reach them on modern elevators, there are 13 of them. For snowboarders there is a special modern funpark with a halfpipe.

Bansko is not only an area for recreation, but also for recovery. There are many hot springs in the vicinity of the resort, thanks to which several large thermal health centers have been created in Ognjanovo, Banya, Dobrinishte.

There is also a "classic" set of entertainment in the resort: night clubs, discos, bars, sports centers, snowmobile rides, excursions around the area.

The cost of ski passes: 1 day — €53.

Accommodation: 3* — from €50, 4* — from €150.

How to get there: the most convenient way to get to the resort is from Sofia (160 km), by shuttle or by buses (3.5-4.5 hours on the road). You can also get there by train from the central railway station.

Jasna, Slovakia

Few people think of Slovakia when they think of a skiing vacation — and for nothing, because it has a wonderful resort Jasna, which is among the TOP of the best ski centers in Eastern Europe.

Jasna is about 60 km of slopes and 4 skiing areas. Otupne (1430 m) is suitable for beginners, for more confident skiers — Zagradki (1450 m) with red runs and Hopok North (2020 m) — also red runs and some black runs, and professionals will like Hopok South (2020 m), where there are equally red and black runs. There are 22 elevators in the area and there is also the possibility of night skiing.

The best snowboarding park in Slovakia awaits snowboarders in Jasna, a two-level snow park for beginners and professional athletes. And what is most interesting, there is also a separate snow park for children — Maxiland, parents need not worry, because children ride there only under the supervision of experienced instructors.

A favorite place for recreation and entertainment in Jasna is the Tatralandia water park with 18 slides and 9 thermal pools. The resort also has sports centers, discos, bars, bowling, etc., in general, everything you need for a good rest.

Ski passes cost: 1 day — €44.

Accommodation: 3* — from €110, 4* — from €250.

How to get there: The most convenient way to get to Jasna is from Košice: there are regular buses, or you can take a cab or rent a car.