Cold Winter Vacations on a Budget: Explore Europe’s Best Holiday Spots

Make careful choices

Most of you will be aware of the summer season as the peak season for holidays, but there are many destinations where tourists come only when everything is covered in ice. You will be coming with the right clothing including your wooly caps. If you are in need of skiing equipment, these will be readily available for rent unless you are able to make enough space for them in your baggage. You will be looking for accommodation to keep you warm at all times of the day and eateries offering you hot meals with hot drinks. You will also need to arrange the right transport on the snow-covered roads unless the resort you are at is close to the place of action. Here we suggest some destinations in Europe that you can consider for an affordable chilled holiday.

Bansko in Bulgaria for cheap skiing holidays

This destination has been competing with major skiing destinations in Europe with the increasing number of tourists who come here in the winter for the sport. It is a small town close to the Pirin Mountains which are part of a national park. There are lifts to take you up the mountain with snow-covered trees under you and you can ski from the height you are comfortable with. There is a ski school for beginners and the experts can enjoy the same trails that have been used for international skiing competitions. The accommodation and the meals are affordable when compared with ski resorts in Western Europe. There is a good nightlife scene and you can even go on a tour with a guide to see frozen waterfalls or take a bath in thermal springs.

Affordable winter sports at Poiana Brasov in Romania

This is the biggest winter resort in the country close to the old town of Brasov, from where you can easily catch buses to get to the snow-covered Carpathian Mountains. The Postavarul Mountain is the main site for skiing offering almost 25 kilometers of skiing path. You can catch cable cars to get to the top of the mountain and you will find fewer winter tourists to distract you than at other major ski resorts. There are machines that produce snow artificially to keep the paths suitable for skiing and there are night lights so you can enjoy the sport till late into the evening. If you are interested in exploring the area nearby, you can visit the Dracula castle or go into the forests to watch bears in their natural habitat.

Cozy budget winter holidays at Jasná in Slovakia

If you are after a perfect budget holiday that will involve skiing, you should consider this destination. For the accommodation, you can rent cabins or apartments that don’t cost much. For skiing, there is Mount Chopok in the Tatra Mountains in the Carpathian mountain range. You can go up the mountains using cable cars with different slopes fit for different levels of expertise in skiing. This winter destination comes to life from December to April with domestic tourists mingling with those from abroad. There are not many shops locally but there are plenty of bars and restaurants offering European delicacies. You can always purchase packages from tour operators that will include all of these.

Budget-friendly winter break at Vogel in Slovenia

This ski resort is close to the Bohinj Lake in the Bohinj Valley. It is on the edges of Triglav National Park which means that there is more to do here than skiing. But most of you will be after skiing, and for you, there are different kinds of cable cars, some used only in the winter to take you to the top from where you will have over 22 kilometers for the sport. You will find sound accommodations in villages close to this resort where you can rest after a day full of activities. You will find restaurants even at the Vogel resort itself giving you good views as you enjoy your meals. Once you have had your fun with the snow, you can travel to the Savica waterfall, parts of which will be frozen.

Join the winter festivities at Riga in Latvia

The capital of Latvia, Riga comes to life in winter, particularly at Christmas. In this season you can take evening walks in the dark with innovative lighting designs around you, showing you the path. If skiing interests you there are hills close to the city where you can join other enthusiasts. You can even try ice skating or ice hockey if you have come as a group, at the various arenas in the city. You can even walk over the Daugava River which freezes in winter instead of using the bridges, though you must be careful. You can try sipping hot drinks at the local cafes or go to music concerts organized particularly for winter.

Conclusion

There are people here who enjoy the cold weather and are ready to go to destinations that get frozen in winter. Here we have recommended some destinations that won’t be too heavy on your wallet. Here you can enjoy different activities along with traditional winter sports like skiing. The destinations listed above are at varying distances from the nearest airport, so you must find the right airport to land at to get to them.