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After accommodation, the lift pass is usually the biggest single cost of a ski holiday, and for a family it can easily run into four figures. The choices can be confusing too: whole area or local area, six days or seven, online or at the ticket office. This guide explains how lift passes work in the big European resorts and how to avoid paying more than you need to.
The short version
- Only buy the area you will actually use. A local pass can be much cheaper than the full linked area.
- Buy online before you travel. It is usually the cheapest way and you skip the queue on day one.
- Check the free and discounted ages for children and seniors. They vary between resorts.
- Look for family or group offers if you are buying several passes at once.
- Complete beginners rarely need a full pass for the first day or two.
How much does a lift pass cost?
Prices change every season and most resorts publish them in the autumn. To give you a feel for the cost in the French resorts we cover most, these are the public adult prices for a six day pass for the 2026/27 season, as listed by the French ski magazine Alti Mag:
| Ski area | Main resort | Adult 6 day pass, 2026/27 (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Paradiski | Les Arcs | €412 |
| Portes du Soleil | Avoriaz | €373 |
| Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine | Alpe d’Huez | €336.50 |
| Les 2 Alpes | Les Deux Alpes | €333 |
These are indicative public prices for the whole linked area. Child, senior and family rates are lower, and buying online or in advance can bring the price down further. Always check the resort’s official lift pass website before you buy.
To put those numbers in context, the Post Office Ski Resort Report 2026 found that UK skiers were paying around 10 per cent more for a six day pass than the year before, so it pays to shop around.
Choosing the right area
Many of the best known resorts sit inside a much larger linked ski area. Les Arcs is part of Paradiski, which also includes La Plagne. Avoriaz is part of the Portes du Soleil, which stretches across into Switzerland. You will usually be offered two kinds of pass:
- A full area pass, which covers every linked resort. It is the most expensive option, and worth it if you are confident skiers who want to explore.
- A local or resort only pass, which covers just the home resort. It is cheaper and often more than enough for beginners, young children and families who will not stray far.
Some areas also sell a pass for most of the week on the local area with one or two days on the full area. If your group is mixed, it can make sense for the confident skiers to have the big pass and the beginners a local one.
Two examples for 2026/27 show how much this varies. In Les Arcs, the Classic pass covers Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry and Villaroger for €368 for six days, against €412 for the Paradiski Essential pass, and Classic holders can add a single Paradiski day at a ticket office (official Les Arcs prices). In Avoriaz, an Avoriaz only pass is sold for just 5 hours, 1 or 2 days, so a week needs the Portes du Soleil pass, with a cheaper beginner pass for the nursery lifts (official Avoriaz rates). Prices are for an adult and were checked in October 2026. For the full comparison, see Les Arcs lift pass or Paradiski? and Avoriaz lift pass or Portes du Soleil?
Ways to pay less
Buy online, before you go
Almost every major resort now sells passes online. It is usually the cheapest way to buy, some resorts reward early booking, and you can often have the pass loaded onto a card or collect it from a machine without queueing. Some resorts now use variable pricing online, where the price depends on the date and how far ahead you book, so it is worth checking prices more than once.
Check the ages carefully
Children usually pay less than adults, and the youngest often ski free. In Avoriaz, for example, the resort says children under five get a free pass, with proof of age required. The age bands are not the same everywhere though. Some resorts count age on the first day of your pass, others on a fixed date, and many ask to see a passport or ID card. Seniors often get a discount too, and the over 75s sometimes ski free.
Look for family and group deals
Resorts often have family or group offers. The Portes du Soleil, for example, offers a discount for groups of four or more buying passes of the same length in one payment, and has run offers giving a free child pass with an adult pass late in the season. Offers change from year to year, so look at the resort website before you book.
Beginners: do not buy too much pass
If you are learning, you may spend the first day or two on gentle nursery slopes. Many resorts have free or very cheap beginner lifts, or sell a limited beginner pass. Buying a full area pass for a complete beginner is often money wasted.
Think about six days versus seven
Most people buy a six day pass for a week’s holiday, which covers Sunday to Friday. Saturday is usually travel day. A seventh day rarely costs much more, so if you arrive early and want to ski on arrival or departure day, compare the price before you decide.
Lift pass insurance
In France you will often be offered a small daily insurance add on when you buy your pass. It typically covers things like mountain rescue and refunds if you cannot ski. It is not a substitute for proper travel insurance with winter sports cover, but some people take both. Read what it covers before you add it, and check whether your travel policy already includes the same things. Our ski travel insurance guide explains what to look for.
Picking up and using your pass
- Most passes are now hands free cards that you keep in a pocket away from your phone. Some resorts charge a small fee for the card, which may be refundable.
- If you bought online, you may be able to reload a card from a previous trip and go straight to the lifts.
- Keep your pass safe. Lost passes can sometimes be replaced if you have the receipt or booking reference.
- Take ID for any children or seniors claiming a reduced price.
Are package lift passes good value?
Tour operators often include or offer lift passes as part of a package. That can be convenient, especially if the pass is waiting for you in resort. It is not always cheaper though, so compare the operator’s price with the resort’s own online price before you add it. If you are weighing up a package against booking everything yourself, our guide to package versus DIY ski holidays may help.
Next step: Ski hire and lessons
Frequently asked questions
Is a multi day ski pass cheaper than buying day passes?
Almost always. The price per day falls as the pass gets longer, so a six day pass usually costs far less than six separate day passes. If you might miss a day, compare the multi day price with buying day passes as you go, and check whether the resort offers cheaper online or early booking prices.
When should I buy my lift pass?
Once your dates are fixed. Buying online in advance is usually cheaper and saves queueing on your first morning.
Do children need a lift pass?
Yes, although the youngest often ski free. Even a free pass usually has to be collected, so check how the resort handles it.
Is the full area pass worth it?
For confident skiers who want to explore, often yes. For beginners and young families who will stay close to home, a local pass is usually better value.
Can I buy a pass for just a few days?
Yes. Most resorts sell passes from a few hours up to a whole season. Six day passes are the most common for a week’s holiday.