The holidays and winter season are always eagerly awaited, and many students dream of hitting the snowy slopes. Luckily for them, there are plenty of great deals and discounts available. There are several tips for enjoying winter sports on the cheap.
Contact your student association
To go skiing without spending too much, nothing beats a group outing. Student associations always have good deals to offer for winter hiking. If you check with your student association, you'll find travel options and sign up for trips that can cost between 400 and 500 euros, which includes transportation, accommodation, equipment rental, and ski lifts. A portion of the food is often included in the price.
The UCPA also sometimes partners with the Crous to offer affordable stays. If you're not a member of any association, look for a good deal yourself with transport companies and ski resorts. Using travel agencies and intermediaries incurs additional costs.
If you're looking for a site on your own, take advantage of the competition to get the best deals. You can consult one of the many comparison sites such as www.ski-planet.com , www.goldenvoyages.com or www.ucpa-vacances.com .
UCPA stays for students
The UCPA (French Association for the Protection of Skiers) offers discounts for young people and students every year. An initiative like Happy Winter is reserved for young people aged 18 to 25 and offers four- or seven-day stays. For a modest price, you can have access to full board, equipment, gear, lifts, and even a ski instructor. However, you must pay for your own transportation.
More benefits from traveling in large numbers
The more people you have going on a ski trip, the more leverage you'll have when negotiating a great rate. Tour operators take numbers into account when negotiating a trip, preferably an all-in-one package, which is even more advantageous. Carpooling is always an option when transportation isn't included in the offers.
Youth hostels
The classic option of staying at a youth hostel remains popular and affordable. Hostels belonging to the United Federation of Youth Hostels (FUAJ) offer a wide range of great deals for ski holidays. It's easy to find full-board accommodations that include ski passes and equipment rental. If the accommodation isn't located right next to the ski slopes, it's even cheaper. So, it's worth the extra mile and saving money.
Become a ski instructor
Beyond special offers for students, even the most skilled skiers can earn money to practice their favorite sport by offering lessons to visitors. It's also very easy to sign up to lead a summer camp, which leaves the heavy lifting to the instructor during the day while you enjoy skiing for fun.
