Top 10 affordable ski breaks

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Nov 15, 2009 | by Anonymous

To book today or for more Travel Top 10 ideas simply go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10

1. Sauze D'Oulx, Italy pounds 615 pp for 7 nights (based on 2 sharing)

A PARTY-MAD town over the hill from Sestriere on the 250-mile "Milky Way" circuit, Sauze D'Oulx hosted the bobsleigh in the Turin Olympics in 2006. Adrenaline junkies who pay pounds 84 to take their chance on the milelong track can hit speeds of up to 80mph. Excellent lifts - another legacy of the Games - provide ready access to Sansicario, Claviere and Sestriere. At night, Paddy McGinty's is legendary but the Cotton Club is the best of a wide choice of late- night bars. Osteria dei Vagabondi has live music.

INFO: Neilson charges pounds 615 for seven nights' half-board at the Sport Hotel (two sharing), with flights from Gatwick or Birmingham (January 3) and transfers. Also included is a lift pass, equipment hire and tuition. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/ top10

2. Bansko, Bulgaria from pounds 399pp for 7 nights

MANY Brits have snapped up apartments here, thanks to the gondola link to the slopes and unspoilt town centre. The Todorka in the Pirin National Park is good for beginners. The Lion, B4 and Amigos are popular bars.

INFO: First Choice charges pounds 399 for seven nights half- board at the four-star Hotel Perun with flights from Gatwick (supplements for regional airports) and transfers. Pre-bookable first timer packages: ski adult pounds 119-pounds 130, child pounds 70-pounds 79, board pounds 124-pounds 139, to include six-day lifts pass, six days equipment hire, six days tuition (fours hours a day). Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10

3. Serre Chevalier, France pounds 186 for 7 nights

SE CHE, as it's known, is made up of Villeneuve, Le Monetier-les- Bains, Chantemerle and Briancon and has more than 170 miles of runs. Here you'll find everything from modern apartment blocks to the fortified town of Briancon with its historical centre. Chantemerle has fast connections with its neighbours.

INFO: Erna Low charges pounds 186 for seven nights' B&B at the four-star Best Western Premier Chalet 52 in Chantemerle, sharing a two-bedroom suite from January 16. Includes Eurotunnel fares with parking in the resort. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10

4. Kaprun, Austria pounds 489pp for 7 nights

BETWEEN lively Zell am See and the spectacular Kitzsteinhorn glacier, Kaprun is a sprawling, traditional village. There are nursery slopes as well as pistes for all levels.

INFO: Ski Esprit Family 'Crunch Buster', pounds 489pp for seven nights' half-board at the Chalet Sonnenalp. Children aged two-four, first free, second 60 per cent off. Those aged five-10, first free, second 40 per cent off. Includes equipment hire, lift passes (under six) and evening clubs. Parents' session with instructor plus three days' hosting. Baby-listening service once a week. Childcare available. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10

5. Jasna, Slovakia pounds 636pp for 6 days

BRITS who like skiing in Eastern Europe but are looking for something different are heading for the Tatra National Park and especially resorts around Mount Lomincky. Tatranska Lomica is quiet, while Jasna, an hour's drive, is for the more advanced. Try the Koliesko greasy spoon for cheap slope-side meals and Bar Peklo for aprs ski.

INFO: Inghams charges pounds 636pp, at the three-star Villa Siesta, for half-board plus six mountain lunches and flights from Gatwick on January 10. Also includes six days ski/board hire, a four- day lift pass and two days ski/board tuition. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10

6. Rauris, Austria pounds 508pp (2 sharing)

THIS is perfect for families and those starting out. It lies in a former goldminers' valley in the Hohe Tauern National Park between Bad Gastein and Zell am See in some of the highest and therefore most snow- sure mountains in the country. Attractions include floodlit tobogganing and sleigh rides.

INFO: Crystal Holidays' learn-to-ski package costs pounds 508 half-board in three-star Hotel St Hubertus (based on two sharing) with flights from Gatwick in March. Also included, and available throughout the season, is a six-day lift pass, six-day equipment hire and four hours of tuition a day. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/ travel/top10

7. Les Septs Laux, France From pounds 88pp

THIS area has grown in popularity thanks to an upgraded lift system and its convenient location near Grenoble. There are three base villages, Prapoutel, Pipay and Le Pleynet, with 80 miles of runs. Lift passes cost pounds 120 a week. Prapoutel is the most commercial. The H.O.5 Snowpark (www/ ho5park.com) has jumps, pipes and rails. While you are there, try the Green Chaud cocktail, Chartreuse and hot chocolate.

INFO: Mountain Heaven charges from pounds 88pp in a ski-in, ski- out self-catering apartment (Jan 3, 10 or 17). Discount for bookings before December 1. Transport not included. Go to www.sundaymirror.co.uk/travel/top10

8. Breckenridge, USA pounds 990pp a week

AN ex-mining village with clapboard houses lining a chocolate box main street. A longtime Brit favourite, the skiing is on four hills all over 12,000ft. At this altitude the snow is often light and fluffy and most of the terrain is easy. Enjoy wild west nightlife at the Gold Pan Saloon, said to be the oldest bar west of the Mississippi. Enjoy American-Irish hospitality at Burke and Riley, or some cocktails in the Liquid Lounge.