Cost of ski holidays falls thanks to strong pound

Britons can enjoy cheaper ski holidays this year due to the strength of the pound, according to a new study.

The cost of hitting the slopes has fallen in 24 out of the 27 resorts surveyed in Europe and North America.

Kitzbuhel, Austria has the biggest price fall, with equipment hire, lift passes, ski school, meals and drinks at £458, down by 15% compared with last winter.

Canada's Whistler, which hosted events during the 2010 Winter Olympics, follows in second place for the same list of items with a 13.9% drop to £610.

The third biggest price fall is at the popular French resort of Les Deux Alpes, where the cost is 13.5% less than last winter at £364.

The Bulgarian town of Bansko is the cheapest place for a winter break at £259, according to the Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort, produced with Crystal Ski Holidays.

Slovenia's Kranjska Gora follows in second place at £264, ahead of Livigno in the Italian Alps at £286.

Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money said: "Skiers heading to many resorts in Europe will benefit from sterling's increased strength.

"This means that even where local prices have edged up, UK tourists will find the cost of skiing as well as meals and drinks noticeably cheaper this winter.

"While skiing remains cheapest in Bulgaria and Slovenia, our research reveals that long-established favourites in France, Austria and Italy are great value too. Livigno is a great bet for both solo skiers and families.

"However, bargain-hunters should exercise caution when considering Swiss resorts as sterling has not strengthened enough to counteract the effect of rising local prices."