Ski more for less in Les 2 Alpes

Booking a cheap apartment independently or going self-catered in a chalet has long been a popular way to keep costs down, especially when an apartment can cost less than a hundred euros a head for a week. If you don’t want to cook for yourself then there are plenty of good value hotels to choose from in the village.

If you're going self-catered, shops like Marché U and Carrefour Montagne in Les Deux Alpes are quite reasonably priced and you'll be able to pick up everything you need. If you're travelling by car you can still save a fair bit of money by shopping at home before you leave (just check what you're allowed to bring if travelling from outside Europe - i.e. the UK) or shop on the way here. From Grenoble, we suggest using the big Leclerc supermarket at Espace Comboire, just off junction 6 of the A480.

Mid-January and mid-March tend to be the cheapest times to ski and generally have good snow. For a really cheap break, watch out for the four day holidays some companies offer.

If you have to ski in the school holidays, Easter is far cheaper than February half-term. Christmas can be surprisingly good value as well with the added bonus of seeing a White Christmas, but New Year tends to be expensive. There is always good snow at altitude in Les Deux Alpes at Easter and we often see fresh snow in the town too. One thing you can guarantee is that the queues will be shorter and the slopes less crowded than in the middle of February.

Independent travellers often pride themselves on getting better deals than the big holiday companies, but this is not always the case. Bulk buying, fierce competition and low margins mean that tour operators, big and small, can sometimes offer prices that beat anything you could book separately.

The UCPA warrants a special mention for value as it's not always well known outside France. This non-profit organisation was set up forty years ago to encourage young people to enjoy the outdoors. These days they offer great value holidays with meals, accommodation, ski pass, ski hire and instruction all included. All you have to add is the cost of getting here.

The budget airline pricing model means that the cheapest flights tend to go to those who book first. More and more companies are adopting similar pricing models, from hotel booking sites to car hire firms to tour operators, so it is worth booking as far ahead as you can. Some companies offer a refund if prices do drop after you have booked. If this is the case, make sure you check the prices later to see if you can take advantage of it.

Holiday companies also want to fill all their beds and seats on flights and would rather sell them cheaply than not at all. You would need to be flexible with your plans and keep checking their websites to get the best deals.

If you have booked your own flights and accommodation you will need to get from the airport to the resort. Bus transfers and car hire are the two cheapest options for most people. The more people and the shorter the trip, the more likely that car hire will work out cheaper.

Grenoble airport has the most varied number of transfer options, with some transfer companies offering to meet every flight. You shouldn't rule out travelling from Geneva airport either; did you know it takes the same amount of time to get to Les 2 Alpes from Geneva as it does to Val d'Isère?

If you're a large enough group, then a private transfer can be a convenient, good value option. Your own minibus taxi will take you door-to-door and if you can fill the minibus it need not be too expensive. Read more in our Transfers Guide.

Ski passes can be one of the biggest expenses on your trip, however there are ways you can reduce the cost. For a start, three or four people can get a group (Tribu) pass and save money. Family Ski Pass packs also offer a good discount from the full price. Find prices and how to buy these passes on our Ski Pass Prices page. For more discounts look for a package deal where ski passes are included with your accommodation. Ski schools can also offer cheaper passes with lessons as well, you just need to ask when booking.

If you come to Les Deux Alpes more than once a winter, there are cheaper ways for you to ski than buying several one-week passes. A non-consecutive 20-day pass is a good option, while a full season’s pass may be an option.

There are two campsites in Venosc, both of which are just a short walk from the gondola up to 2 Alpes. It might be a bit cold for a tent, but both are open for caravans and camper vans and both have chalets or log-cabins available to rent. For a self-catered holiday these can be much more spacious than an apartment.

Whilst the location might not suit everybody, the woodland setting on a snowy morning gives a true winter wonderland feeling. Read our camping guide for more information.

Unless you are bringing your own equipment then you will need to hire your equipment, and this is one area where prices vary hugely. The best deals are usually found if you book online in advance, but do check if any packages are available with your accommodation provider or with your ski lessons.