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When you hear the word skiing, chances are you picture luxury chalets and a holiday bill that rivals a small mortgage - add children into the mix and suddenly a week on the slopes feels completely out of reach.

But what if skiing didn’t have to mean the Alps, or eye-watering prices? Jen Carr who writes a blog called The Travel Mum says she recently took her family to Zakopane, which is tucked away in southern Poland.

With ski hire from just £55 for kids, affordable lessons, cosy chalets and plenty to do off the slopes, this charming mountain town delivers all the winter magic without the financial hangover, she says.

And she adds that it's easy to reach, refreshingly family-friendly and far cheaper than many European resorts, meaning it's fast becoming the go-to choice for savvy travellers planning a ski trip in 2026.

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"When most people think of skiing, they imagine eye-watering prices in the Alps – luxury chalets, expensive lift passes and a holiday bill that quickly spirals," Jen says. "But skiing doesn’t have to cost a fortune, especially if you’re travelling with children or trying it for the first time. Poland’s winter capital, Zakopane, offers a brilliant ski experience at a fraction of the price of many European resorts. Family-friendly, easy to reach and refreshingly affordable, it’s fast becoming a go-to destination for budget-conscious travellers who still want proper winter magic"

Zakopane is a picturesque mountain town tucked into the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland, close to the Slovakian border. It’s long been a favourite winter escape for locals, known for its wooden alpine-style architecture, hearty Polish food and welcoming atmosphere – but it’s only recently begun to appear on the radar of UK skiers. Getting to Zakopane from the UK is surprisingly straightforward. "Fly into Kraków Airport, which is well served by low-cost airlines from cities including London, Manchester and Edinburgh," the travel expert adds. "From Kraków, Zakopane is around a two-hour drive.

"The cheapest option is a direct FlixBus, which runs regularly and costs as little as £5–£10. Private transfers and car hire are also easy to arrange if you’re travelling with children or lots of luggage." During Jen's week in Zakopane, they stayed in a chalet with Snomads – a small, independent company offering fully hosted ski trips with a strong sustainability focus. "The chalets are cosy, warm and ideal for families or groups of friends looking to split costs," she says. "They care of everything from ski hire and lessons to transfers and days out. Our host, Maks, ensured everything ran seamlessly, meaning we didn’t waste any time navigating logistics. For first-time skiers and families, it takes away a huge amount of stress."

According to Jen, one of Zakopane’s biggest selling points is just how affordable skiing is. Equipment hire and lessons cost a fraction of what you’d expect elsewhere in Europe. "To put the prices into perspective, five days of ski hire (skis, boots and helmet) for a child under 13 cost just £55. For adults, five days of skis, boots, poles and helmet came in at around £90. "We found five days of skiing to be the perfect amount. We arrived on Saturday evening, took Sunday to relax and acclimatise, skied Monday to Friday, and travelled home the following Saturday. It gave us time to enjoy the trip without feeling rushed."

Jen says that if you’re travelling with young children, Zakopane is an excellent place to introduce them to skiing. "Our children were aged between three and six. The three-year-olds gave it a good go, but anything longer than 30 minutes was a stretch. The five- and six-year-olds, however, absolutely loved it and made huge progress over three days of three-hour lessons. Private lessons with two children per instructor cost around £90 per child for three hours. Jen spent £270 on nine hours of lessons for their eldest child, which she says was money extremely well spent, as he now loves skiing.

Zakopane is also particularly well suited to beginners, with several smaller ski areas offering gentle slopes, modern lifts and excellent instruction, she adds. And when you're taking a break from skiing, the region is famous for its geothermal spas, where soaking in warm mineral-rich pools after a cold day could be just the tonic. Entry costs around £15–£20, making it great value for families.

You could also try a traditional kulig sleigh ride. A kulig is a horse-drawn sleigh ride through snow-covered forests – particularly magical in the evening when the trails are lit by lanterns. Many tours include a bonfire, warm drinks and grilled sausages. Or take a trip to Snowlandia, which is a winter wonderland featuring a giant snow maze, ice sculptures, a small farm and a huge sledging hill – a big hit with kids.

And if skiing isn’t for you, sledging is just as fun, you can rent a sledges for as little as £3–£5 per day. Jen says Zakopane proves that a ski holiday doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag. "It’s ideal for families, first-time skiers and anyone wanting to test the waters without spending thousands.

"With affordable accommodation, low-cost ski hire and lessons, and plenty to do off the slopes, this charming Polish town offers genuine winter magic – without the financial sting. If you’ve ever wanted to try skiing but feared the cost, Zakopane might just be the perfect place to start."

Jen worked out that the trip came in at £208 per person for flights, transfers and 7 nights accommodation (based on £30 flights, £10 return bus and 8 people sharing a Chalet.

• Flights £30pp

• Bus transfer £5pp

• Accommodation based on 8 people sharing £168pp

• 5 day ski hire £90 p/adult

• £20 per hour per person for a private lesson, based on a group of 4

• Ski Hire for children under 13 - £55

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