For many winter sport lovers, ski trips away were a yearly tradition. An ultimate winter escape with the thrill of learning something different and experiencing après-ski. Now this tradition has changed.
By comparing four different resorts in four different countries in Europe, the slopes have revealed that they’ve become more expensive. Ranging from the price of lift passes to the price of a cup of coffee, the total cost of a one-week holiday was calculated in Méribel in France, Mayrhofen in Austria, Sestriere in Italy, and Zermatt in Switzerland, from 2019 to 2025.
Prices in 2020 were not found as many of us were not able to travel because of the pandemic.
Méribel, located within The Three Valleys saw one of the biggest rises. In 2019, the total cost for a one-week holiday for one person was £743.30 to £973.69 in 2025, an increase of 31%. Similarly, prices in Mayrhofen and Zermatt had increased by 29% in the same period. Sestriere recorded the lowest increase at 27%.
Against inflation at a rise of 28% within goods and services, these statistics are not so different. Méribel has noticeably had an impact, but Sestriere compares similarly.
Source: Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report; ONS (CPI); analysis by Katie Mansbridge. Created with Microsoft Excel.
However, the ranks haven’t changed and the impact on holidaymakers is remarkable. Zermatt is known to be one of the most expensive resorts in Europe, it is the priciest out of the four. Sestriere based in Italy is the cheapest of the four costing £709.46 a week in 2025. Both luxury and budget end resorts have seen a rise in the six-year period.
Within the total of a ski holiday there are the extras that many beginners may need specifically lift passes, renting equipment, and paying for lessons. In Zermatt, the price of a lift pass for six days has gone up by 5% since 2019, and it fell drastically from 2024 costing £416.94 to £306.57 in 2025. The reason is unclear, however other factors on the slopes like food and drink saw a 70% increase in the six-year period.
Source: Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report, 2019 to 2025; analysis by Katie Mansbridge. Created with Microsoft Excel.
People who work in the industry have noticed the rising cost. Ski instructor Jamie Young living in Zermatt has said that there has been a noticeable decline in visitors since the pandemic.
“Fewer Brits are coming to Zermatt for sure,” he said. “A strong Swiss franc against a weak pound is a case, but this is also more for people that don’t have the money that Zermatt requires.”
Mr Young says, “I’ve heard people are spending the same amount on lessons but getting less time for the price.” He proceeded to say that “they set a budget and then see how many lessons they can get for it.”
Lessons are however seen differently. Sestriere is a resort which attracts beginners because of it’s gentler terrain. The price of ski school has gone up by 47% compared to Méribel where it is only a 14% rise since 2019. This is possibly because Méribel is used to more experienced skiers and provides harder and longer terrain.
So why are holidaymakers going elsewhere?
The wider trend becomes relevant to what resorts are facing. Operational costs are bigger than they were before the pandemic, mainly driven by labour costs. Because of climate change, winters are becoming less predictable, and some ski resorts are more unreliable than others.
“People are choosing to spend five-day breaks instead of a full week, and many people say because it’s cheaper to fly Monday to Friday rather than the weekend.” Mr Young also explains how he used to have guests “come multiple times a year but will now only come once and then head over to Italy or France as it’s cheaper.”
Mr Young has said that new visitors rarely come, he believes that the affordability is becoming a barrier and that “any new families that come now usually know a family that always skis in Zermatt.”
The data does not give evidence on how many people are still going on ski holidays, this is one European instructor’s observations. But it is possible that people will work around the costs by either staying with friends and family, going for shorter trips, or switching resorts. People are adapting their travel habits instead.
Skiing has not suddenly become more of a luxury but requires a bigger budget than it used to. Inflation has risen alongside the cost of those extras that some may need like hiring equipment or eating lunch with a view. Whether that’s Zermatt, Méribel , Mayrhofen, or Sestriere, a week away on the slopes will take more out of your budget every year.
The data: prices from 2019-2025 were found in the Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report. This included ski pass (6 days), ski school (5-6 half days), ski/ boot hire (6 days), food and drink total for one person in one week, and the total one-week cost. All were calculated in pounds and included percentage increases or decreases and price change.
Inflation figures are UK CPI (Source: ONS).