Do cheap ski holidays really exist?

<p> Like Cinderella, Les Menuires is often overlooked in favor of its bolder, brasher Trois Vallees sister resorts, Courchevel and Meribel. But it's actually a great little resort, particularly for families, with a plenty of nursery slopes and beginner facilities in the village, at more affordable prices. Apartments in Les Menuires start from &euro;87 per person. <a href="http://www.powderwhite.com" target="_blank">powderwhite.com</a>.</p>

<p> Check this living room out! It could be the interior of a Russian oligarch's swish ski pad, but in fact it's a rather nifty, and pleasantly inexpensive, youth hostel. Right opposite the mountain cable car and a five minute walk from the Scuol Tarasp Railway Station, it's perfectly positioned for the slopes. The hostel has double, single, family and dorm rooms. Prices from &pound;38.07 per night half board, including a three course evening meal, free WiFi and an open fire. Visit <a href="http://www.hihostels.com" target="_blank">hihostels.com </a></p>

<p> If you're not just skiing to be seen, consider Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania. Not quite as glamorous as some of the better known resorts, they are considerably cheaper (pints for &euro;1), have great snow and a friendly, unpretentious vibe. Stay in a one bed, self-catering apartment at the 3* Eagles Nest, Bansko, Bulgaria's top ski resort, from &pound;234 per person, including flights from London Gatwick-Sofia. Visit <a href="http://www.balkanholidays.co.uk" target="_blank">Balkan Holidays</a></p>

<p> Flights alone mean skiing in North America can't really be considered a budget option, but if you really want to experience North America's best ski resort, Whistler, and still save some dollars, a motorhome is a very reasonable, not to mention cool, way to stay. The RV campsite at Whistler is fully serviced and Maxi Motorhomes sleep four, with a kitchen and bathroom. An RV for a week plus a week's stay at the Whistler campsite costs &pound;193 pp (based on 4 people sharing) - which works out at less than &pound;28 pp per night. Visit <a href="http://www.frontier-travel.co.uk" target="_blank">Frontier Travel</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p> Although the low-cost airlines can seem like the cheapest way to get to the slopes, by the time you've factored in all the extra costs, it may be better value to make use of that tunnel linking us to mainland Europe. Stay in a one bed apartment in the comfortable, traditional-feel Club Alpina in Champagny en Vanoise, 20 metros from ski lifts giving access to the Paradiski area, for &pound;116.75 per person per week (based on four sharing), including a Flexiplus Eurotunnel crossing. Visit <a href="http://www.ernalow.co.uk" target="_blank">ernalow.co.uk </a></p>

<p> A pension can be a great way to save money without scrimping on comfort. Stay Slovakia's High Tatra mountains and relax after a long day's skiing to a home-cooked meal and plenty of Slovakian wine... Mountain Paradise has week's skiing in Slovakia from &pound;799 per adult and &pound;599 per child at Pension 2004 or Pension Fortuna in the High Tatras including: half board accommodation, return flights from a choice of UK airports , airport transfers, six day ski pass and ski or snowboard hire and transfer to the ski resorts of Strbske Pleso and Tatranska Lomnica. Visit <a href="http://www.mountainparadise.co.uk" target="_blank">mountainparadise.co.uk</a></p>

<p> OK, it's not exactly the Alps, but the best value way to give your kids a taste of winter sports is to stay in the UK, where you can ski, snowboard, sledge and zorb at various snowparks around the country. The Snowsport Centre at <a href="http://www.parkdean.com" target="_blank">Warmwell Holiday Park</a> in Dorset lets you ski for thousands less than you'd pay abroad. There's also a fitness suite, indoor pool, ten pin bowling and evening entertainment if your ski legs don't hold up... &pound;527 per week for a family of four during February half term, including lodge accommodation and 20 ski sessions.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> <p class="p3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: helvetica, arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </p>

<p> Self-catering is a good way to go if you want to save some euros, and it doesn't necessarily mean you miss out on the little luxuries you find in swanky ski hotels. The Cami Real, in the ski resort of&nbsp;St Lary, located in the centre of the village, has an indoor heated swimming pool, whirlpool and sauna, ski lockers and free Wi-Fi access throughout the residence. From &pound;44 per person for 7 nights, self catering in a 2 bedroom&nbsp;<span class="s2">apartment (sleeps 4). Visit skicollection.co.uk</span></p>

<p> Perfectly positioned for the Espace Diamant ski area, with its 185km of ski runs, L'Alisier ski club in Praz-sur-Arly is great for both beginners and expert skiers. Rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini fridges and WiFi and there are kids clubs for children from age three upwards. Prices start from &pound;243 per person, based on a seven-night stay, half-board. Guests receive 10 per cent off ski-passes when booking online. Return flights from London to Geneva start from &pound;69.98 per person with Easy Jet. Visit<a href="http:// www.belambra.co.uk" target="_blank"> belambra.co.uk</a></p>

<p> This pretty, private 16th century farmhouse in the Slovenian mountains has been converted into two luxury apartments, sleeping 1-5 and 1-6. Cerkno, Slovenia's most modern ski resort, is 15 miles away and has pistes and cross-country trails perfect for beginners and intermediate skiers. Prices start at just 50 Eur<span class="s1">os per night for each apartment. Easyjet flies to Slovenia from London Stansted. Visit&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 14px;">ownersdirect.co.uk</span></a></p> <p> </p>