A skiing/snowboarding vacation is generally an expensive proposition. This is because when skiing or snowboarding, it's not just your accommodation and flights that have to be accounted for, there's money required for a lift pass, equipment hiring, lunch on the mountain, lessons,etc.

When picking a ski resort, it's often easier to pick a well known resort. At least, you know people who have been there and the conditions are predictable. However this might translate into a really expensive vacation. Some of the best known resorts are often the most expensive. Here are some tips on how to find a suitable ski accommodation.

Accommodation
If you really want to ski these expensive areas then the best advice I can give is to go self catered. This is especially necessary during peak weeks of Christmas, New Year, Easter and half-term. Seek out a nice big supermarket and stock up on the essentials and buy food to make a packed lunch.

Choose a neighbouring resort. For example, instead of opting for the top resorts, such as Courchevel, and Val Thorens, you can go in for La Tania. In the Portes Du Soleil you could stay in Montriond or Ardent rather than Morzine itself. The lifts still link up to the same areas but you are often looking at £100-£150 pp difference in accommodation per week.

You might also look around for smaller, lesser-known chalets such as Nassfeld in Austria, which offers great skiing conditions. This chalet boasts of having the longest gondola ski lift.

Lift Passes
Depending on how good a skier you are and how good the snow is, you could save a packet by taking a "local area" pass rather than an "access all areas" one. In Portes Du Soleil for example, a full area pass for 6 days is £200. Unless you are super fast and planning to tour every day then you would have just as much fun picking a Morzine/Les Gets pass for £146.Check out the piste maps before you arrive to see if you really need that full area pass.

Equipment Hire
Ii is easier and cheaper to bring your own boots and skis/snowboards. If you are travelling in a large group, negotiate with the hire shop to give them all your business, in exchange for a 20% discount.

Flights
This is where you could either pick up a real bargain or be stung heavily. It would be my recommendation to get the cheapest flights to and from the airport and then find a chalet from there.

Negotiate
Book with independent chalets as they can offer a very tailored service.