How to Find the Best Ski Resort Lodging in the Alps: 5 Tips
Introduction
Want an unforgettable European ski vacation? This Eat Drink Fun® article, written by our Chief Ski Somm™, will help you choose top-notch lodging in Austria, Italy, and France. You will find that most lodging in the Alps is not only more affordable than North American, but also significantly more comfortable, luxurious, and convenient.
This article is not the product of some AI large language model; it is informed by years of personal experience and insider knowledge to help you plan the perfect alpine escape. If you want help planning a ski or wine experience in Europe - or both - reach out for a free consultation to start designing a Custom Adventure.
Bottom Line Up Front
Value: Europe’s top ski resorts in Austria, Italy, and France offer high quality, stylish, and conveniently located lodging that won’t force you to sell a kidney. You’ll pay about half of what you’d shell out in North America and still get twice the quality. For more on why you should consider skiing in Europe, read this article.
Know the local rules and customs. Plan your ideal lodging first, then research flights second. You will discover that most lodging in ski villages requires a week-long, 7-night stay, especially during high season. Planning a shorter trip may actually cost you more, and the ideal hotel or apartment may not be available.
Something for Everyone: Even the swankiest alpine resorts have a full range of places to rest your weary ski legs. From cozy hostels and wallet-friendly “pensions” (fancy word for guest house or inn) to mid-range hotels with full meals, or luxury hotels and private chalets where you’re basically royalty - chauffeur, chef, butler, shopping assistant - whatever you want!
So much room for activities: Even one, two, and three-star accommodations in Europe offer great amenities like expansive complimentary breakfast spreads, secure ski rooms with heated boot racks, and wellness and spa facilities.
Convenient Access: The layout of charming Alpine villages is more conducive to easy access to the slopes. Easy, usually free, public transportation. Many ski-in/ski-out properties. Short walks to services like grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, boutiques, and sport shops.
Zug, Vorarlberg, Austria
1- Reserve Lodging First
Many people commit the ultimate travel blunder by booking flights first. Sure, airfare is expensive and those school holiday dates are set in stone - BUT hold your ski poles for a second. Your lodging can be just as pricey, and if you end up with a hotel you don’t love or inconveniently located, all that money you saved on plane tickets goes straight down the Austro-Germanic poop shelf toilet. This is your holiday—your precious time to kick back and frolic in the snow—so treat your Alpine accommodations like the superstar headliner they are, and worry about your flights after.
Low, High, and Middle-Seasons in the Alps
Guests should be aware of the general ebb and flow of the European ski season.
In the alps, prices are divided into “low season”, “high-season” and “middle season”. In any event, seasonal pricing in Europe is rather predictable - about as dynamic as a German humor.
Low Season 1
October, November and early December: 10-20% less expensive that peak
High Season 1
Mid-December to the end of the first week in January: expect maximum lodging and lift ticket price during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
Middle Season (Nebensaison)
Early January to early February: these are shorter and colder ski days, heavier snows, and most Europeans are stuck at their day jobs
This is one of my favorite times of year to ski: empty
High Season 2
Early February to mid-March: every skier in Europe takes at least one week of ski vacation.
For example, France has five school zones, and each school zone gets its own week of vacation from February to March. This eases the flow of ski tourism to their Alps (the French often prefer to ski in France - why would you settle for less?
For western European Christians, this is also the period of Carnival, called Fasching in German speaking countries. Shrovetide or Carnival (from the Latin carne (meat) leval (removal) is the annual pre-Lent celebratory period reserved for excess indulgence and orgiastic celebration. Amen. Bottom line: expect to pay more for lodging.
Low Season 2
Mid-March until season end, which is usually in April: this is a great time to enjoy longer ski days, warmer sun, less congestion on the slopes, and epic end-of-season aprés ski parties. Two notables are the Electric Mountain Festival and Ischgl’s Top of the Mountain closing party.
Full-Week Reservations
The pace of life is different in Europe. Our European friends enjoy generous vacations - four weeks paid vacation is the Continental baseline by law, even for your first job out of school - and Europeans book their ski holidays in full week increments - usually Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday.
Hotels have adapted to this rhythm, especially during the high season, often requiring seven-night reservations. Non-European travelers should note this tradition and plan accordingly to ensure a smooth, hassle-free booking experience. If you found a cheap flight with mid-week arrival and departure, this will almost certainly complicate your lodging selection and likely drive up the cost significantly.
Peace of Mind
Pricing at European resorts is transparent and consistent. I find this approach reassuring. Hotels honor guests on a first-come, first-served basis - they will sometimes block the room for 24 or 48 hours. Because hotels publish their rates for each part of the season, you know you’re not getting hosed.
Because they are still mostly privately owned and operated, Alpine hotels have not yet embraced the horribly irritating dynamic pricing algorithms that prey on our sense of FOMO. But if you use a third party aggregator (e.g., Booking.com, Hotels.com, Trivago), you may see price fluctuations.
Source: Harisch Hotels Kitzbühel
2 - Know the Hotel Categories
The prices below are an average range per night for a double occupancy room (2 adults). Please note that in most of the Alps, accommodations are often presented on a per-person basis. Therefore, if you see a room offered for €100 per night, that figure may be for only one occupant.
Budget (One Star)
$150 - $200 per night (double occupancy, as stated above, so $75 to $100 per person)
May or may not include a wellness area (sauna, steam bath, and quiet relaxation room)
May or may not include a restaurant
Likely includes a common area with a stocked refrigerator (pay for beer, wine on an honor system)
Usually family owned and operated, very clean, but may have slightly dated bathrooms and décor
Moderate (Two Star)
$200-300 per night for double occupancy
May have a wellness area
May have a restaurant
Usually family owned and operated. Some are recently renovated and others still have older bathrooms with tubs instead of walk-in showers
Often presented as a “Pension”, which is the equivalent of a guesthouse or local inn.
Mid-range (Three Star)
$250-$400 per night
Usually has a modest wellness area (sauna, steam room, UV lamp room, relaxation room)
Often has a restaurant; half-board (breakfast and dinner) may be offered
Often offers afternoon snacks, soup, coffee, and tea
Luxury (Four Star)
$350-$1,500 per night
Very nice wellness area
Afternoon tea and snack
Often one or two restaurants with half-board options
Often a children’s playroom and child-care options
Usually have additional amenities to qualify for four stars (e.g., conference space, fitness center)
Ultra-Luxury (Five Star)
$1,500 - $15,000 per night
Historic five-star hotels, members of groups like Relais & Chateaux and Leading Hotels of the World
World-class spa and wellness centers
Exclusive Private Chalets (Ultimate Privacy)
$5,000 to $33,000 per night
Private chalets with dedicated chauffeurs, 24-hour butlers, private chef, and staff support
These chalets accommodate multiple couples and families, from 8-20 guests.
Family Run Businesses
Most lodging in the European Alps is privately owned. Only a few generations ago, these hard working, thrifty people were farmers or tradesmen. Ski tourism in Europe began to reach critical mass only in the late 1960s and 1970s. In a generation or two, farmers became hospitality experts and aprés ski hosts. Today, the mountain people, who a century ago were considered peasants, happily sip Le Grande Dame while hosting royalty and celebrities at their gorgeous chalet properties. It is in fact a great success story.
A Personal Touch that is Sustainable
For clients like you, this means highly personalized services from people who treasure their property, care deeply about their workers, and want to preserve the local environment. They live here. This is their livelihood. And they deserve our respect.
Unique Properties
As a huge benefit, guests are liberated from drab global hotel chains with cookie-cutter rooms, underwhelming service and cleanliness, and the foul stench of “I could give a 💩 about you, you’ll be gone in a few days, just give me your money.” Some may carve out an exception for the odd Swiss hotelier, who in truth deserves our grace because he was probably groomed on attitude as part of his morning Ovomaltine since youth.
Become a Regular
Many people who vacation in the Alps return to the same hotel every year, usually during the same weekly period. They become part of the family and rhythm of life. I have experienced this personally, not only for family vacations, but also for annual “boys” trips (or “girls” trips), where we frequent the same hotels, restaurants, and aprés ski bars. You are remembered and appreciated. And that is in itself a form of luxury.
Elite Accolades
Some hotels gain enough notoriety to become part of exclusive groups, like Relais & Chateaux and The Leading Hotels of the World. But these are accolades that can come and go. To remain a member of these elite groups, standards must remain at their apex. This is very different from being a cookie cutter hotel brand.
Apartments are beautiful, convenient, and affordable in Europe.
3 - Apartments
For families and small groups, you will find that it is very economical to rent a beautiful self-service apartment in the Alps. Apartments operate a bit differently than in North America. Some hotels with normal rooms may also offer a handful of self service apartment options. Other providers are families that have purposely renovated their large chalet homes with guest apartments. And finally, some apartments are offered by small businesses without an on-site resident owner. In each of these cases, most guests from North America will be impressed by the attention to detail, cleanliness, and convenience of these properties. Many are newly renovated in a modern Alpine chic style.
Alpine apartments usually have a small dining and lounge area, a small kitchen, and bedrooms. The cost per person for an apartment can be as low as $50-$60 per day, and during low season this can be as low as $20 per day. This includes many trendy and beautifully renovated apartments if you know where to look.
Every village has one or two grocery stores (e.g., Spar, Billa) within walking distance or a short drive. You’ll find great local products for breakfast and a few dinners during the week. Many apartments offer morning bread services, as described below (Bread Service). All apartments should still have a proper ski room with boot warming rack, and many often have small wellness areas (see Facilities below).
For more on family ski trips to the Alps, check out the Top 3 Reasons for a Family Ski Vacation in Europe.
Pro Tip
If you choose an apartment, note that the kitchenette includes a range with two to four burners and a microwave, but usually NOT an oven. That said, because these apartment chalets are family-owned, and they have their own family apartment somewhere in the building, one can ask politely to borrow their oven if needed. Just be a good human and offer the family a piece of the lasagne, cake, or cookies you baked.
The Dolomites are dotted with mountaintop Rifugi that welcome skiers.
4 - Facilities
Breakfast
A traditional alpine breakfast is generally included in every hotel stay in winter. This includes a multitude of fresh breads and locally sourced cheeses, dried meats, preserves, yogurt, milk, and müsli (cereals).
The typical breakfast bread in Austria is a kaiser roll (brötchen is the generic word for any roll, but at breakfast the default carb is a circular kaiser roll). A hot breakfast buffet is also common and includes eggs, ham, and bacon.
As for drinks, indulge in bottomless pots of strong coffee, tea, water (sparkling or still), and fruit juices. Try the ubiquitous multivitamin juice (multivitaminsaft). Wonderful for a foggy head and dehydration.
Ski Rooms
All lodging options should provide a “ski room” with heated boot racks. This is a dedicated space to keep your boots and skis overnight. Remember to point the toes of your boots up so they dry thoroughly!
The boot warmer usually runs twice per day, from around 5pm to 7pm (when you’re done skiing), and again at around 7am to 9am so that you have dry, toasty warm boots when you head out to the slopes each day.
If your accommodation does not have a ski room, don’t stay there. I wouldn’t. Warm, comfy boots are a necessity, not an option.
Pro Tip
In the Alps, cleanliness is close to godliness, so it is a best practice to bring “house shoes” (Hausschuh). These are slippers you wear while navigating the hotel or apartment. Keep your muddy, slushy boots and shoes in the ski room. I personally prefer the Zermatt style from Birkenstock.
Source: Harisch Hotels Kitzbühel
Bread Service
If you are staying in an apartment, you can usually have a selection of fresh bread delivered to your room at around 7:15 am. Some apartments offer a bread menu and you can change your order before a cutoff time the night before delivery (usually before 6pm).
This is a great option if you don’t want to trundle out into the cold in the morning to the bakery yourself, but if you’ve got a dog to walk each morning, maybe you swing by the bakery on your own. It’s nice to have options.
Exercise Room/Gym
Some lodging will offer an exercise room. Don’t expect much. You may find an elliptical or a treadmill, some free weights, a kettle bell, and a wooden ladder thing bolted to the wall. I don’t think it’s a torture device. The internet says they are “wall bars” and they were invented in the 19th Century. Anyway, the bottom line is that the best exercise is just outside your front door. The gym is a convenient place to stretch, but why not ski, hike, sled, or skate for your exercise?
Dogs
Dogs on vacation are common in the Alps. Hotels will state whether they accept dogs or not on their websites, but it’s always good to double check when you book. The most important factor is that your dog is quiet and doesn’t destroy furniture or floors. If you bring your four-legged friend, expect either a daily fee ($5-$30) or a one time charge ($30-$60). Some hotels are very dog friendly and even offer playdates and doggy day care for a fee ($30-$50/day), which might work well if you decide to have a late apres ski party day.
Voltage and Conversion
Fortunately, almost all electronic devices operate across North American and European voltage bands (110V - 240V) - thank you standardization and conformity assessments. This includes laptops, mobile phones, speakers, headsets, etc.
The most important thing to buy are plug adapters for circular two-prong European outlets. Note that in Austria and France, the plugs are usually large and round (Buy it here). But in Italy, you sometimes find a narrower interface (Buy it here).
Pro Tip
Don’t bring a hairdryer because (1) your hotel usually already has one, (2) hairdryers are one of the few devices that don’t make the voltage conversion, and (3) even if the voltage conversion is advertised it often fails, and your hairdryer is messed up anywya. Just leave it at home.
The main street in Lech am Arlberg, Austria.
5 - Transportation
Airport Transfers
Most resorts in the alps are within a 1 to 3 hour drive from a major airport. Coming from North America, the most convenient airports for getting to Austria, Italy, and France are Munich, Milan, Zurich, and Geneva for direct flights. Innsbruck and Venice are smaller airports with regular connections. Regardless of where you land, a myriad of private transfer services can drive you to the resort, either by minivan or larger bus. For example, the Arlberg Express provides multiple options for transferring from Zurich Airport to Lech, and the Cortina Express can get you to the Dolomites.
Public and Local Transportation
Few have mastered public transportation better than Europeans. Normally, your ski pass includes unlimited use of local ski buses through the ski resort area. This is usually the standard in Austria, France, and Switzerland.
The Dolomites can be a bit differently, possibly owing to its massive size and 12 dispersed villages on a single ski pass. Each village has its own local ski bus system in addition to a larger regional bus network that travels between villages (fees are low). In the Dolomites you may need to purchase a local ski bus pass, but it’s usually only €10 for the entire week. Some hotels cover this cost for you and will provide you with a badge to show the driver.
Taxis are also available, but all ski village taxies tend to be on the pricey side. Nevertheless, if you are a larger group of 6 or 8, taxis can be affordable, fast, and convenient. For those who can afford and demand it, a private chauffeur is always an option.
Driving
I love to drive. In many cases, I prefer it. Driving offers you the most flexibility, especially if you want to stop in a cute village for a schnitzel. Fortunately, weekly rental costs are generally reasonable, even during winter. Make sure that your hotel or apartment has a parking spot reserved. Otherwise, you can usually park in a public garage or an open lot.
Pro Tips - Transportation
Online Car Rental
Expedia usually offers free cancellation options for rental cars. If the price drops, you can cancel and get the lower price. Since the pandemic, free cancellation has unfortunately become less available. My preferred rental car agency in Europe is Sixt - the best cars, exceptional customer service, and very competitive pricing.
Source: ch.ch - A service of the Confederation, cantons and communes
Switzerland
Renting a car in Switzerland is always more expensive than renting a car in Germany. All things are more expensive in Switzerland. If you drive on the highway (autobahn) in Switzerland, you must buy a vignette (sticker or electronic) to use Swiss highways (40 CHF). The Swiss Vignette is an an annual authorization, but it extends to the end of January in the following year (so it works over the Christmas and New Year holidays). It remains an annoyance that Swiss rental car agencies remove these vignettes frequently, requiring the next renter to purchase another annual vignette. More money for the Swiss.
Source: Austria.info - Austrian Tourism
Austria
Austria also requires drivers who use the highway to purchase an autobahn vignette (physical sticker or electronic). Fortunately, Austria offers more short term options - one day, 10 days, 2 months, or annual. The 10-day vignette is optimal for week-long ski trips and it costs 9 €.
Since we’re in the 21st Century, you can buy the vignette online but you must know in advance (1) the country of origin of your car, (2) the license plate number, and (3) the start of the validity period. So if you rent a car upon arrival at the airport, it makes more sense to stop at the nearest gas station to purchase the vignette vefore you access an Austrian highway. A vignette is not needed to drive on local (non-highway/autobahn) roads.
The EU has strong consumer protection laws, so online purchases for 1 year or 2 month vignettes will not activate until 18 days after use (usually anyone can cancel an any online purchase in the EU for a full refund within 14 days - so this wouldn’t work out for an immediate 1-day or 10-day vignette).
Driving Without a Vignette
Failure to buy a vignette (windshield sticker) can be expensive. Like a €160 fine paid immediately on the spot. Just buy a 10-day autobahn (highway) vignette for €9 and save yourself the headache.
Snow Chains
Snow chains are required during big snowfalls in certain regions. You can add chains to your car rental agreement for a fee (usually about €50). Otherwise you may be forced to buy chains on the spot (€150 and up).
For more pro tips, check out Essential Life Hacks for Skiing in Europe.
And if you need more convincing on why you should ski in the Alps, check out this video:
CONCLUSION
Let’s cut to the chase: there’s no need to lose sleep over finding a solid place to crash on your European ski holiday. Across the Alps - whether it’s a cozy pension, a cute apartment, or a swanky chalet - you’ll discover hospitality that puts many North American ski resorts to shame. The icing on the cake? Prices are refreshingly fair and straightforward, and even with airfare, you’ll probably end up spending less than you would in Colorado, Utah, California, or Canada.
If you’d rather let someone else sweat the details, Eat Drink Fun® is here to help with a Custom Adventure. We’re not a travel agency - think of us more like your personal concierge with an insider’s edge. You book your own flights and lodging, but an EDF Ski Somm™ will guide you toward all the unforgettable experiences: top-notch local cuisine, world-class wines, the perfect après-ski party scene, and, of course, slopes that’ll blow your mind. Because at the end of the day, this is your vacation—might as well make it legendary.
Hotel Tannbergerhof in Lech am Arlberg, Austria
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