by Felice Hardy
Apart from those who want to try something a little different, the main reason for choosing Eastern Europe for a skiing/snowboarding holiday continues to be value for money whilst still enjoying decent quality. Lift passes, for example, are almost a quarter of the cost of those in French or Swiss resorts, while après-ski prices are pleasingly low. You can expect to pay around £2 for (67 US cents) a local beer and £6 (7.75 USD) for lunch on the mountain. Ski tuition is friendly and of a high standard.
At many of the resorts included here, you may feel a bit like a pioneer, discovering destinations with an unsophisticated village vibe. And though the extent and the quality of the skiing fails to match the Alps, but there are notable exceptions such as Jasná in Slovakia and Russia‘s Sochi.
Don’t be put off by the relatively low altitude of these resorts. As you travel east, the snowline becomes lower – Moscow lies at 156 metres (512 feet) but has snow cover throughout the winter. As for the food, someone once told me it could be described as “mainly beige”, and I’ve found that pretty accurate in most resorts; you’ll certainly come across lots of dumplings and potatoes. But there are gastro surprises to be found along the way, too. In Bansko, Bulgaria I drank some delicious plum brandy, in Jasná I had some tasty venison with blueberry pancakes as a pudding. In Poiana Braşov, Romania they even barbecue bear.
So yes, go east! And I can tell you it’s an authentic adventure you won’t forget.
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