Skiing is cheaper in Europe than in the US — here’s how to use your points and miles to make it even more affordable

The views from high in the French Alps are mesmerizing, as is the snow itself, which gently crunches and grips your skis as you carve into it.

That's the beauty of skiing in Europe: Epic scenery and great conditions are complemented by delicious food and welcoming hotels — all at a cost that many skiers would consider much more affordable than what a trip sets travelers back in the United States.

And major ski brands are noticing. This year, the Ikon Pass added five new mountains within the Valle d'Aosta region of the Italian Alps, along with the Austrian ski resort of Ischgl, expanding access it already offered to resorts in Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland and the small country of Andorra in the eastern Pyrenees mountains. Similarly, the Indy Pass added more than a dozen new European resorts, including in Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Slovenia and beyond.

Vail Resorts also added a handful of Austrian mountains to its Epic Pass for the 2025-2026 season. The company provides unlimited access to two resorts in Switzerland and offers up to a week at several others throughout Switzerland, Italy, France and Austria.

"The dynamics of the ski industry in Europe are certainly different than in North America, and as we expand our presence there, we are focused on listening and learning as it relates to all aspects of the guest experience," Laura Bonfiglio, the director of global media relations for Vail Resorts, told TPG. "The pricing model in Europe is currently different. That said, the beauty of Epic Pass is that it makes it easier to ski and ride close to home and take a dream trip abroad."

Here is what travelers need to know about planning a ski trip to Europe, from securing lift tickets and booking hotels to which airports to fly into and the cool perks skiers can expect along the way.

Related: Why it might be cheaper to fly abroad to ski

What to know about lift tickets

Skiing in Europe is ultimately cheaper than pretty much anywhere in North America, and that's largely because of the cost of lift tickets. Multiresort passes like the Epic Pass, Ikon Pass, Indy Pass and the Mountain Collective offer access to various resorts across popular mountains like Italy's Dolomiti Superski, Switzerland's St. Moritz and Crans-Montana, France's Chamonix and more.

These passes can cost upward of $1,000 for the season and can make a lot of sense if you plan to ski for multiple days or at multiple locations in the U.S. or abroad. But while daily lift passes at popular West Coast mountains may set you back several hundred dollars, it's a lot cheaper in Europe.

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A one-day lift pass at Tignes and Val d'Isere in France, for example, starts at just 75 euros ($88) in the winter season for adults, while a one-day pass to Les 3 Vallees, which bills itself as the largest ski area in the world, costs just 81.80 euros ($96) — still coming in at less than $100. Switzerland tends to be a bit more expensive, but day passes at Zermatt, for example, still start at 88 Swiss francs ($110).

Rentals are also less expensive. In Val d'Isere, for example, at several shops travelers can rent skis and boots for about 50 euros ($59).

Beyond Italy, France, Austria and Switzerland, travelers can also plan ski trips to several other European countries, including Finland, Norway and Georgia.

Where to stay

There are plenty of great hotels across Europe's ski resorts where loyal travelers can earn and redeem points.

Marriott Bonvoy members should consider a stay at the W Verbier. The property features 123 rooms and suites, each with its own fireplace, just steps from the Swiss ski resort. Rates for the property start at $1,403 or 162,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night for a stay in January.

Fans of IHG One Rewards can indulge at Six Senses Crans-Montana, which boasts ski-in, ski-out access and a mountain-chic aesthetic complete with natural materials like quartzite stone, local larch and oak woods and slate roofs. Rooms start at $1,476 or 221,000 IHG One Rewards points per night for a stay in January, and are part of The Edit by Chase Travel, which offers perks like daily breakfast, a property credit and room upgrades.

While both of those are pricey cash rates, if you use points, you're getting a solid deal based on TPG's September 2025 valuations of Marriott Bonvoy and IHG One Rewards points.

In Switzerland, travelers can book properties like the Me and All Hotel Flims using World of Hyatt points. The hotel, which offers ski-in, ski-out access and a moody modern design, is a Category 5 property. Rates in January start at $304 or 23,000 points per night.

Hilton Honors fans will appreciate the comforts and convenience of the Hilton Garden Inn Davos in Davos, Switzerland. Rooms there include balconies with views of the Alps, while the hotel features a wellness area complete with a sauna and steam bath for the perfect post-ski recovery. Rates start at $213 or 60,000 points per night for a stay in January.

Travelers who hate to plan all the little details and prefer to just book everything as a package should consider Club Med, which operates an abundance of all-inclusive ski resorts across the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. A stay at these properties typically includes lift tickets, group ski lessons, kids lessons and programming, and — of course — all food and drinks (because what would a day on the slopes be without apres?).

Related: 9 best places in the world for apres ski

Best airports to fly into

Knowing where to fly in Europe for a ski trip depends largely on which resort you are going to and how far you are willing to drive.

Zurich Airport (ZRH) is ideal for accessing many of the most popular ski resorts in the Swiss Alps by car or train, such as Engelberg, Titlis and Andermatt. Switzerland's Geneva Airport (GVA) is better for many of the resorts in the French Alps, including Megeve and Chamonix.

Travelers can also reach many of France's top ski resorts from Lyon. Chamonix and Val Thorens, for example, are each less than a three-hour drive from Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport (LYS).

Skiers can fly into Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) to head to the Italian Alps and the Dolomites, but are better off with a car or bus for these resorts. Many of the best Austrian mountains — like Kitzbuhel and Mayrhofen — are accessible by flying into Munich Airport (MUC).

But it's easier to reach others, like St. Anton am Arlberg, from the smaller Innsbruck Airport (INN), which serves carriers like Austrian Airlines, British Airways, EasyJet, Finnair, Icelandair, Lufthansa and more.

Upgraded tech

There are plenty of gondolas and high-speed lifts across the U.S., but Europe takes that to the next level. Lift tickets may be less expensive, but European resorts are investing in cool technology sure to impress any skier.

In Switzerland, for example, you'll find the Titlis Rotair, a gondola that rotates 360 degrees while you ascend over snowy mountains and deep crevasses. And in France, you can board the Vanoise Express, a two-level cable car that transports up to 200 people at once between La Plagne and Les Arcs.

There are also moving sidewalks that bring skiers from the lift line directly to the chair, making loading into a lift easier.

Bottom line

Skiing in Europe is a unique experience with gorgeous high-alpine views, amazing food (hello, fondue and raclette) and incredible runs. Most importantly, it tends to be less expensive than heading to resorts in the U.S., making it easier to plan a vacation for less. Travelers can also find plenty of great points and miles redemptions available at some of the best resorts in Europe and can easily get there by flying into major airports across the continent.