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To be honest the answer to the question how much does a ski trip cost for 5 people is a bit like asking how long is a piece of string?

The answer to how much does a ski trip cost for 5 people can vary so much but I’m going to try and answer it here with some examples about what it cost us, and how it can vary.

Our beginners ski trip for a family of 5 was to Flaine in the Grand Massif, France. We flew from Manchester to Flaine during the school term. Flaine is around an hour from Geneva.

Skiing in France is traditionally a lot cheaper than skiing in Switzerland, but more expensive than skiing somewhere like Bulgaria which could be up to 50% cheaper.

Flights

We flew to Flaine with Easyjet over a long weekend in late March. These flights were cheaper than I would say is average as it wasn’t a school holiday and we didn’t just fly in for the weekend which can be expensive too.

£728 including two large bags in the hold for all the kit. We didn’t pay for any carry on.

£145 pp

Airport Parking

We usually use Holiday Extras to book parking at the airport and this time was no different.

£138.99 for 5 days parking, including 5 fast track security passes.

£27.80 pp

Transfers from Geneva / Car Hire in Geneva

It’s about an hour’s drive from Geneva to Flaine. Transfers for five people are expensive as you can’t get in a car and it has to be a mini van.

We did get a quote for hiring a car but previous experience has taught us (Matt) that if it snows heavily you really don’t want to be driving your own car. As it happens we didn’t have any snow for the time we were there but we weren’t to know that.

We used MV Transport

Car Hire quote Geneva to Flaine for 5 people – £350

Return Transfer Cost Geneva to Flaine for 5 people – 351€ / £293

Accommodation

Our accommodation wasn’t luxurious in any way at all. It was a very small apartment with just one bedroom. That doesn’t mean it was cheap!

Although only staying for 4 nights, we booked and paid for 5 nights as we had a late flight out on Monday and it meant we didn’t need to pack all our things up in the morning and could come back after the last days skiing, shower and change.

We stayed in this airbnb which I reviewed on airbnb as follows:

Does what it says on the tin. A small but conveniently located apartment which we used for 2 adults and 3 kids. Lots of sheets and towels, and nice extras in the cupboards like coffee, condiments and dishwasher tablets etc.

The cave is also huge and easily fitted in all our ski gear – the addition of two fold up chairs was ingenious too. Our friends were staying up the hill in Doris and they didn’t have a large space, only a small locker which didn’t fit all their kit.

Beds comfy enough, and enough storage for our clothes. Useful hooks on the back of the door for jackets and a huge drying rail for clothes.

Heating and hot water worked brilliantly. Excellent communication from the owner (with the addition of helpful tips) both before and during our stay.

For 5 nights, not in the school holidays this cost:

£601.89

£120.40 pp

Lift Passes

Always eye wateringly expensive. When you’re choosing a ski resort this is important to check.

Adults passes for a 4 day Grand Massif pass: 201,60 €

Children passes for a 4 day Grand Massif pass: 151,60 €

You can buy them here.

859,00 € / £717

171,00 € pp / £142

Ski Lessons

As four of us were beginners and we needed lessons we booked a private instructor Catherine who was fantastic for me and the girls. You can find her details here https://en.skicat74.com/

At 45 € an hour it isn’t cheap for one person, but makes a lot of sense for 4.

We had 10 hours of ski lessons at a total of 450 € / 112.50€ pp £375/ £93.75

Ski Hire

We hired our skis from Skiset in Flaine as it was (the closest we thought) to our apartment. We found the cost very similar in all the shops, but if you book early you might get some deals.

269.50 € / £225

Skiwear Rental/Purchase

We were gifted our ski gear by Eco Ski, but had we rented it for the kids it would have cost in the region of £40 per child. I couldn’t have bought their kit for this price, and it wouldn’t have fit them next year in any event. It’s a great model.

We have our own ski gear so didn’t need to invest in any for ourselves.

Eating Out in Flaine

The table below doesn’t include the cost of eating out as you can self cater, eat in resort, or on the slopes and the cost of all are very different. Eating at the top of the slopes in Flaine though can cost you easily 25 € for just a sandwich and a drink per person!

Why not PIN this post on Ski Trip costs for 5 people

For more posts on Ski Trip costs take a look at Jenny’s review of Skiing in La Molina in Spain