Felicity Long
The onset of winter typically divides travelers into two camps: those who flee to sunny beaches and those, myself included, who dust off their skis and impatiently wait for the season to begin.
And while we could argue all day about whether the U.S. or Europe has the best winter resorts, the good news is that affordability may not be the deciding factor your clients might think it is.
Comparing prices for a European vs. a U.S. ski trip is tricky and includes such variables as single day or multiday passes; peak or off-peak rates; level of accommodation; and flights, among others. However, it is possible to get a very general idea of what a winter sports vacation might cost in both destinations.
A few caveats: European prices can vary widely from country to country and by a host of other factors, and skiers on both sides of the Pond are likely to bundle in lift tickets with accommodations and other features, which can bring the per-day costs down.
Savings on lift tickets
In general, though, it's safe to say that European lift-ticket prices are significantly less expensive than ski passes at comparable resorts in the U.S.
A big-name ski area stateside can hover in the $150- to $250-a-day range and top $300 at some premium resorts in the Rockies, according to multiple sources across the web.
By contrast, day passes in Europe typically come in around $75 a day, climbing to just over $100 at some posh resorts in Switzerland.
As a rough comparison, a sample three-day Colorado trip could clock in at about $800 for lift tickets, for example, compared to $200 for three days in the French Alps.
And because lodging is often independently owned in Europe, accommodations can run as low as $200 a night.
Of course, none of these rates include airfare, travel insurance or meals, but the lower on-mountain prices could offset the higher cost of transatlantic air.
Differences on the slope
In addition to costs, clients might want to consider differences in culture. Snowboarders are welcome overseas, for example, but unlike in the U.S., skiing is the dominant winter sport at most -- although not all -- European resorts. Exceptions include Laax in Switzerland, a world-renowned snowboarding mecca; Are in Sweden; and Avoriaz in France.
Another factor could be grooming. Skiers who wake up early to ski the freshly groomed "corduroy" runs in the U.S., might find the natural snow in many European resorts challenging. To be clear, they do groom, but some of the European ski areas are massive and sprawl over multiple countries, so grooming is less a priority at some destinations, especially on the black diamond runs.
Dining on European vs. U.S. ski trips
As to dining, big-name U.S. resorts have come a long way with upscale on-mountain eateries, but the overall culture is still more cafeteria-style, while Europe prioritizes cuisine and atmosphere in cozy chalets, huts and outdoor decks with scenic views.
Finally, kids are welcome in both destinations, but while the U.S. resorts tend to excel, with structured, well-staffed children's clubs, they typically cost more than their less-standardized European counterparts.
Learn more about Europe ski trips
All of this is just to say that skiing in Europe might be more within reach than winter sports enthusiasts might realize.
For the real lowdown on where to go, which resorts might work best for your clients and what real-time prices would be, advisors can work with ski tour operators like SkiEurope or Ski.com, or consider Club Med for an all-inclusive experience.
Or go all out with luxury ski packages via Bramble Ski by Le Collectionist, a luxury chalet rental company that can arrange everything from in-chalet private chef dinners to doorstep delivery and fitting of ski equipment and hand-delivered ski passes.
Either way, I hope Mother Nature is listening — let it snow!