Considering it costs €74 (£64) for day’s ski pass in flashy Alpine resort Chamonix, you’ll make a tidy saving by skiing a little way down the valley. It costs just €45.60 (£39) to ski in Les Houches for a day, an hour's drive from Geneva airport, where marked ski run range from 950m to 1,900m. The epic views of the Mont Blanc Valley are just as beautiful, although expert skies might prefer the trickier black runs 8km away in Chamonix. Costs on the ground aren't too different to UK prices, but make your way back down the mountain for Happy Hour in Les Houches’ bars (between 5-7pm). It’s not anarchic après-ski, but it’s still good fun.

This Slovenian option is a truly beautiful and peaceful ski area that's ideal for ski-loving families. Overlooking Lake Bohinj, Vogel is part of the Triglav national park. The modern cable car hauls people up from lakeside to the mountains in minutes, allowing skiers access to the largely treeless terrain which offers ample opportunity for off-piste exploration. A daily ski pass costs €44 (£38) for adults and €22 (£19) for children, with a family discount ticket available for just €38 (£33). The children's park, which has a practice ski slope and sledding track, is free of charge and accessible with just a gondola pass. To get here, fly to Ljubljana, then drive down to Bohinj in either a car rental or private transfer.

Jasná Nízke Tatry is Slovakia’s biggest ski resort, boasting more than 1,000m of runs and pistes on both sides of Mount Chopok. Experts (and very, very quick learners) should make a beeline for this cheap ski resort, whose 12 marked - and very steep - freeride runs are something of an insider secret. But just because it’s a little-known snowsports destination, doesn’t mean that quality is lacking. It’s quite the opposite: world-class skiing facilities, without the huge crowds or elevated price. Adult ski passes cost €69 (£59) for a day, and teenagers go for €48 (£41). Fly to Bratislava and then either hire a car or take a cross-country train the rest of the way.

Duty-free zone Livigno offers cheap shopping and excellent slopes for intermediate skiers. But advanced skiers and snowboarders will be kept busy too – especially if they’re keen to explore off piste. One of the Livigno’s big attractions is its excellent terrain park which has pro-sized jumps (think: house sized) as well as rails and kickers for smaller thrills. The price of food and drink in and around the slopes is all very reasonable, meaning it’s popular with the younger ski crowd who come to party. A mid-season ski pass costs €65 (£56) per day and goes up to €72 (£62) in high season. To get here, fly to Milan Bergamo, then drive or catch the easy bus transfer up to Livigno.

Söll is a small village in Tirol, often overshadowed by Kitzbuhel – which means it’s still one of Europe's cheapest ski resorts. It's ideal for getting more bang for your buck, as the resort is part of Ski Welt, Austria’s largest network of linked ski slopes. Söll, Elmau and Westendorf are all great places to find a little chalet or ski-hotel, neighboured with local restaurants and bakeries. Tirol is famed for its delectable baked goods. There are four different bakeries in Söll, so you’ll have to try kiachl (traditional fried dough) when you’re off the slopes, too. When it comes to skiing, an adult's day pass costs €68.50 (£59). Fly to Salzburg then take a transfer or drive to the resort.

While most of Europe flies to the centre of the Alps, some locals from France and Spain stay within the southwest. The Pyrenees mountain range has a totally different vibe to the Alps, with lower-key but no-less-stunning vistas. And although Grandvalira is the largest ski resort in the Pyrenees, there’s much more to it than just skiing and snowboarding. When your thighs need a break from the slopes, have a go at ziplining or hop on the alpine rollercoaster. And when it’s time to go, it’s easy to add on a city break into the neighbouring countries. Within three hours you can be in France’s Toulouse or Spain’s Barcelona. You have to buy a minimum three-day pass to ski here - currently £162.54 for adults (and under 5s go free). To get to Grandvalira, the drive from Girona airport takes three hours. There’s also a bus, which involves a change and takes around seven hours.

Along with its nearby cousins, Bansko and Pamporovo, the ski resort of Borovets is one of Europe's cheapest ski resorts. A lively, cheap and cheerful town, Borovets is the oldest ski resort in Bulgaria. Nestled at around 1,300m in the Rila Mountains, it’s made up of three separate zones. The upper half of the mountain is largely above the treeline and offers plenty of wide-open pistes, most of which are fairly gentle – ideal for beginners and intermediates. The ski instruction here is top notch and the après-ski is lively, so it’s particularly popular with party animals and the younger crowd. Away from the cheap ski resort, have a relaxing soak in the nearby thermal springs or go to Tsarska Bistritsa and stroll around a traditional Bulgarian village. A day's skiing costs just 90BGN (£39), which is about as cheap as skiing in Europe can get. Fly to Sofia, then either drive (90 minutes) or catch the minibus to Borovets.

Poiana Brasov is Romania’s biggest mountain resort and one of Europe's cheapest ski resorts. The fairytale slopes, flanked by pine trees, are the perfect place to take your skis. With more than 24km of ski runs, there’s plenty to explore. Away from the snow, the nearby village has plenty of accommodation and restaurants, with traditional Romanian fare and mulled wine keeping you warm at night. You’re only 14km from the medieval city of Brasov and 23km from Bran Castle, which famously inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. Our advice? Book your trip to coincide with Halloween. A day's ski pass costs 220 leu (£37) which makes Poiana Brasov easily one of the cheapest places to ski in Europe. Fly to Sibiu, then it’s a two-hour drive to the resort. You can also get a bus or train.