Zakopane is mine preferred destination in Poland due to the number of ski resorts that all offer something a little different. If you’re traveling with a group, a chalet or hotel near Białka Tatrzańska would be the perfect base, providing access to three different ski resorts with slopes for all levels as well as thermal spas for non-skiers (or for that matter, skiers). And there really is nothing more comforting than a hearty meal of Polish food on a chilly day: pierogi (stuffed dumplings), potato pancakes with mushroom sauce and breaded pork chops come to mind.

Czech Republic

Czech Republic was not at all on my radar for snow sports before. But just two hours from Prague you have Spindleruv Mlyn, a Czech ski village with 28km of pistes available for as little as CZK 740 (NZ$52) per day. It’s a perfect little weekend ski trip or an easy addition to your winter visit to Prague. Intermediate and advanced skiers will be able to take advantage of all the terrain here, while beginners may find this particular location has limited options.

In addition to affordable skiing, the picturesque town of Spindleruv Mlyn has some fun après-ski options: from cozy pubs and techno clubs to the igloo bar at the bottom of the piste. And of course more of that hearty mountain food that only feels right in a town like this. Head to Česká Hospoda for dinner in an authentic Czech cottage serving downright ridiculous portions of pork knuckle.

Andorra

Andorra, the tiny little country sandwiched between France and Spainis a great place to explore the Pyrenees mountain range. Partly because of the novelty of adding another country to your ‘visited’ list and partly because its duty-free shopping makes it a relatively cost-effective option for both skiing and (as a welcome bonus) buying new ski gear.

With no airport in the country itself, you have to fly via Toulouse in France or BarcelonaGirona or Reus in Spain and then drive about three hours into Andorra. Choose to base yourself closer to the larger more family-friendly ski resort of Grandvalira or the smaller but arguably more interesting resorts of Pal-Arinsal or Ordino. Lift passes are likely to cost around €60 (NZ$107) per day at any of these locations. While Andorra may not have the best skiing in Europe in terms of snow quality or access to iconic views, you’ll find some excellent facilities, beautiful bluebird days and 10/10 food that mixes all nearby cuisines (think snails and crème) brulee meets hearty stews and mountain paella ).

Bulgaria

Another affordable ski destination that holidaymakers flock to from across Europe and the Middle East is Bansko in Bulgaria. Located 2.5 hours drive from Sofia, this resort has some state-of-the-art facilities with (mainly intermediate) runs covering 75 km. A day pass will set you back around BGN 96 (NZ$88).

It’s not hard to see why Bansko’s popularity is skyrocketing. The resort is located in the Pirin National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Listthe old town has a good reputation for nightlife and the mixed grills and moussaka offered in the hillside restaurants only make the deal sweeter. But with that comes loads of people. In recent years, visitors have complained of queues of up to two hours for the first gondola. If you’re still tempted to visit, try to avoid local parties and school holidays and start your day early to avoid getting caught up in the crowds.

Italy

Although not as “cheap and nice” as some of the other places mentioned, skiing in the Italian Dolomites gives you by far the best value for money. Placing your stay in Val Gardena (three hours from Verona) or Cortina (three hours from Venice) gives you access to seemingly endless perfectly maintained slopes: 1200 km of skiing to be exact. Buy a Dolomiti Superski pass from €75 (NZ$134) per day and you still won’t cover the entire terrain in a week.

A good place to start is skiing the Sella Ronda (accessed from Val Gardena in the northwest or Corvara in the northeast). It’s a relatively gentle and breathtakingly beautiful loop around a rock formation that takes you through four different ski valleys in about six hours. It should be on every skier’s wish list.

Apart from the impeccable skiing, Italy has (in my opinion) the best mountain food in all of Europe. Scattered across the piste are independent refugios (huts) serving lovingly prepared Italian (and some Austrian) classics. Sitting down to a warm bowl of pumpkin and sage gnocchi on a crisp but sunny day? There is nothing like it.