We had never heard of the Jura Mountains before this trip. Last-minute planning this winter meant scrambling for a late booking, and we ended up having luck in the Métabief area. We love trying new places and finding a good travel deal, so we went for it. What we didn’t expect was how well it would work. It turned out to be a great location that was closer to where we live in Germany, and an overall experience that felt genuinely family-friendly.
Our five-day ski trip to Métabief, France cost us just under 2,000 euros total. That number often surprises people, especially when they hear “France” and “ski trip” in the same sentence.
The reason it worked is simple: we weren’t trying to ski the Alps. Instead, we made a series of strategic choices that helped us save money while still having an epic ski trip as a family.
For this trip, we chose the Jura Mountains, which is a lesser-known mountain range near the Swiss border with incredible views of the Alps, but without the price tag. Those choices resulted in fun ski days, shorter lift lines, and significantly lower costs, without sacrificing the experience.
Why we skipped the Alps
The Alps are incredible. They’re also busy, more expensive, and often overwhelming when skiing with kids who are still learning. And, well, they book out well in advance.
We didn’t need elite terrain or luxury resorts. What we wanted was:
- Reliable snow
- Enough runs to keep everyone happy
- Affordable lessons
- Shorter queues
- A calm, family-friendly atmosphere
The Jura Mountains checked all of those boxes.
From the slopes in Métabief, we still had beautiful views, including clear views toward Mont Blanc on good days, but without the crowds we were seeing in videos from major Alpine resorts that same week.
Where we stayed
We stayed five nights in a family-friendly hotel suite for six people in a small town about 15 minutes from Métabief for 850 euros total.
The room comfortably fit all six of us and included multiple bedrooms and a dining table, which made meals and evenings much easier with kids. It wasn’t fancy, but it was warm, practical, and exactly what we needed.
We had a bit of an odd experience with the hotel, so I won’t mention them by name. That said, if you book in advance, this price range is common for many hotels in and around Métabief. I usually search on Booking.com and enter the full size of our family to find suitable options near our destination.
One tip that consistently works for us before booking: after finding a hotel online, we often email them directly to confirm room layouts and family-friendly details. It helps avoid surprises and sometimes opens up better options.
Ski lessons: where we chose to spend
Lessons are something we prioritize, especially when kids are at different skill levels.
We spent 369 euros total on ski instruction, which included:
- A one-week ski camp (2 hours per day) for our 5-year-old
- Five one-hour private lessons for our 7-year-old
- One one-hour snowboard lesson for our 9-year-old
We originally booked all the kids into ski camp, but the week started with less snow than ideal, so camp shifted into ski classes instead for two of the kids. Booking lessons at a smaller resort was noticeably easier and more affordable than what we’ve experienced at larger destinations.
Lift passes
We spent 255 euros on lift passes for the week.
Instead of buying full passes for everyone every day, we purchased 12 total day passes and spread them across the week. Not everyone skied every day, which worked well for energy levels and weather conditions.
With a two-year-old and no childcare, the adults swapped ski days, and our 5-year-old didn’t need a pass for ski camp.
Because we traveled early in the ski season, not all runs were open yet. However, there were more than enough for our needs, and the reduced prices reflected that. It was also an interesting week in late December. As temperatures dropped and more snow was made, new runs opened each day.
An added bonus: we rarely waited in lift or ticket lines, which helped maximize our actual time on the slopes.
Ski rentals and equipment
We spent just 29 euros on ski rentals for the entire week.
We ski once or twice a year and have slowly built up equipment by buying used gear and passing it down between kids. If we averaged equipment costs across multiple seasons, we could reasonably add about 200 euros to this trip.
That said, there are rental shops in Métabief advertising weekly adult ski rentals for as low as 75 euros. Prices are often cheaper if you book online in advance rather than waiting until arrival.
We also bought a 20-euro sled, which turned out to be one of the best purchases of the trip, especially for our two-year-old and for non-ski afternoons.
Food: groceries over restaurants
We spent 233 euros on groceries and 76 euros on restaurants and takeout, for a total of 309 euros.
We shopped at Aldi and Super U for breakfasts, packed lunches, and simple dinners, and mixed in takeout when it made sense. This kept costs down without feeling restrictive.
Having a dining table in our room made this much easier, and eating breakfast in our room (hello cereal and fresh croissants) made our mornings far more efficient than trying to move six people to a separate breakfast location before hitting the slopes.
Transportation: keeping it driveable
We chose a ski destination that was about a five-hour drive from us.
Transportation costs totaled 142 euros, including:
- 120 euros in gas
- 22 euros in tolls
We’ve never flown specifically for a ski trip. Instead, we look for slopes that fit naturally into our route or are close enough to drive. When skiing becomes an add-on rather than the sole purpose of a trip, costs stay much more manageable.
What made this trip work
Looking back, a few decisions made the biggest difference:
- Choosing the Jura Mountains instead of the Alps
- Traveling early in the ski season
- Picking a smaller hotel with a family room for six
- Staying a short drive from the slopes instead of ski-in/ski-out
- Buying groceries and simple takeout
- Using secondhand gear, hand-me-downs, or researching rentals in advance
- Prioritizing lessons over luxury
None of these choices were extreme. Together, they added up to a trip that felt relaxed, affordable, and genuinely enjoyable.
Final thoughts
This wasn’t the cheapest ski trip possible, and it certainly wasn’t the most luxurious. But it was exactly right for our family.
We skied often, avoided crowds, and spent our time skiing instead of standing in lines. For us, that mattered far more than being at a famous resort.
If you’re planning a ski trip with kids and feeling overwhelmed by Alpine (or American) prices, it’s worth looking just a little outside the obvious choices for a gorgeous alternative.
