Winter sports 2026-2027 from the Netherlands
Published 10 September 2026
More than 65 percent of Dutch skiers choose Austria, but there are also fast flight options to the French and Swiss Alps. Here you will find which airports are closest to which resorts, when to book to avoid the crowds and high prices, and what a ski week realistically costs in 2026-2027.
Plan your trip to Salzburg: flight, hotel and total price in one go
Quick answer: For winter sports 2026-2027, Salzburg (SZG) and Innsbruck (INN) are the most commonly used airports from the Netherlands, with direct flights by Transavia from Eindhoven and Rotterdam. The busiest, most expensive weeks are when the school holidays of the Middle and South regions overlap: roughly 27 February to 7 March 2027. Outside that peak, you save noticeably on both the flight and accommodation. A budget week costs realistically 600 to 900 euros per person including flight and ski pass; a mid-range package rises to 1,200 to 1,400 euros.
Which airport for which ski area?
The Netherlands has three relevant departure points for winter sports: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), Eindhoven (EIN) and Rotterdam (RTM). Which airport you choose depends on where you live and which resort you are heading to.
- Salzburg (SZG): gateway to the heart of AustriaTransavia flies directly to Salzburg from Eindhoven and Rotterdam, and various airlines serve it from Schiphol. From Salzburg station, buses and shuttles run to Zell am See (75 minutes), Saalbach-Hinterglemm (90 minutes), Kitzbuhel (80 minutes) and Maria Alm. By far the most popular departure point for Dutch skiers heading to Austria. Find out more about Salzburg as a city break on the CheapTrips Salzburg page.
- Innsbruck (INN): ideal for Tyrol and the ZillertalTransavia and Ryanair fly directly from Eindhoven to Innsbruck, sometimes from Schiphol too depending on the season. From Innsbruck you can reach the Stubai Glacier, Axamer Lizum, Zillertal and Ski Juwel (Alpbachtal) in 30 to 60 minutes. The Stubai Glacier is one of the few areas in Tyrol where you can ski on real snow from as early as October.
- Geneva (GVA): for the French Alps and part of SwitzerlandEasyjet and Transavia fly from Schiphol to Geneva. From the airport the train reaches the city centre in 6 minutes, from where buses and shuttles depart to Chamonix (60 minutes), Les Deux Alpes (2.5 hours), Alpe d'Huez (2 hours), Les Gets and the Portes du Soleil. Geneva is also the most logical departure point for Verbier or Crans-Montana in Switzerland.
- Chambery (CMF): closer to Savoie but limited optionsChambery is 30 to 60 minutes from the major Savoie resorts such as Les Menuires, Val Thorens and La Plagne. However, Transavia only flies there seasonally and the number of flights from the Netherlands is limited. Check before booking whether direct flights exist in your week, as a stopover largely negates the time advantage over Geneva.
Busiest and cheapest weeks in 2027
Dutch school holidays largely determine prices and crowds on the slopes. The spring school holiday (commonly called the "winter sports holiday") falls across three periods in 2027:
The most expensive and busiest period is the overlap of Middle and South: 27 February to 7 March 2027. That week sees the highest demand on slopes, gondolas and restaurants, and both flight prices and package holidays peak.
The week before 20 February (when the North is off but Middle and South are still at school) is noticeably quieter and cheaper. The same applies to the second week of December and early January, just outside the Christmas holidays.
Want the real bargain? Choose a week in early February or mid-March. The resort runs at full capacity but there are very few families with school-age children. At popular resorts like Ischgl and Kitzbuhel, that easily saves 200 to 400 euros per person for the week.
Popular Austrian resorts for Dutch skiers
More than 65 percent of Dutch winter sports enthusiasts choose Austria, mainly due to short flight times, good road infrastructure and a large supply of package holidays.
- Zell am See-Kaprun (Salzburgerland)One of the most complete ski areas for mixed groups: beginners find relaxed runs at Schmittenhohe while advanced skiers ride the Kaprun glacier, which is skiable even in low-snow winters. The picturesque town of Zell am See offers a good range of hotels, pensions and apartments. Flight time from Eindhoven: about 1 hour 40 minutes. Transfer from Salzburg airport to Zell: about 75 minutes by shuttle. 6-day ski pass: around 270 to 290 euros per person.
- Saalbach-Hinterglemm (Salzburgerland)200 kilometres of runs connected with Leogang and Fieberbrunn, enough for a week without repeating the same routes. Saalbach is known for its apres-ski, making it popular yet busy during the school holiday weeks. 6-day ski pass: around 280 to 300 euros. Shuttle from Salzburg: about 90 minutes.
- Ischgl (Tyrol)One of the largest and best-known resorts in the Alps, connected with the Swiss Samnaun. Ischgl has a reputation as a party resort and accommodation prices reflect that. The most logical departure point is Innsbruck airport; the drive to Ischgl takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. 6-day ski pass: around 320 to 350 euros. Not for budget skiers, but the quality of the runs and the skiing experience are outstanding.
- Kitzbuhel (Tyrol)World-famous for the Hahnenkamm downhill race and popular with Dutch skiers who combine it with a visit to Vienna. The connection with the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental makes it one of the largest ski areas in Tyrol. Shuttle from Salzburg: about 80 minutes. 6-day ski pass: around 290 to 310 euros. Combine Kitzbuhel with a stop in Vienna for a longer trip.
- SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser (Tyrol)Nine villages connected, more than 280 kilometres of runs, and all six villages are considerably cheaper than Ischgl or Kitzbuhel. Departure point: Innsbruck airport, drive about 45 to 60 minutes. Popular with families with children thanks to the large number of easy runs. 6-day ski pass: around 260 to 280 euros.
French and Swiss Alps
The French Alps often have larger connected ski areas than Austria, but the travel time is longer and the transfer from the airport is more expensive. For advanced skiers who want to rack up the kilometres, the Trois Vallees (Val Thorens, Courchevel, Meribel) or the Espace Killy (Val d'Isere, Tignes) are unrivalled options.
Switzerland is more expensive than Austria and France. Verbier, Zermatt and Davos are consistently at the higher end of the market for both ski passes and accommodation.
The advantage is guaranteed snow at altitude (Zermatt operates year-round) and excellent infrastructure. For budget skiers, Andorra (via Barcelona) and Bulgaria (Bansko via Sofia) are interesting alternatives, though they require an extra flight or longer journey.
Costs for a ski week: realistic estimates
Those amounts include flight (or bus) and accommodation for 7 nights, and in the case of package holidays include the transfer. The ski pass is usually separate in most packages unless you book an all-inclusive deal.
Food and drinks on the slopes quickly add another 20 to 35 euros per person per day. Ski hire or snowboard lessons: expect 30 to 50 euros per day at a local ski school.
Package holiday providers such as Sunweb and TUI dominate the Dutch winter sports market. Booking independently is sometimes cheaper if you plan ahead: Transavia flies to Salzburg and Innsbruck from Eindhoven and Rotterdam from as little as 49 euros one way in the low season, but fares double or triple as the busy weeks approach. If you would rather soak up some winter sun, check our guide to winter sun from the Netherlands.
When to book a ski week
- For school holiday weeks: book by October at the latestIf you want to go during the spring school holidays, the cheapest apartments and pensions in popular resorts (Saalbach, Ischgl, Kitzbuhel) are already sold out or significantly more expensive by September. Package holidays from TUI and Sunweb offer early-bird discounts of up to 15 percent when booked before 1 November.
- Outside school holidays: book 6 to 10 weeks aheadFor weeks outside the school holidays (early February, second half of March) there are usually good deals available up to 4 weeks before departure. Flights to Salzburg and Innsbruck are also still affordable when booked independently.
- Booking flights separately: always compare by dateTransavia often has good direct flights from Eindhoven and Rotterdam. Also check whether KLM Cityhopper has flights from Schiphol, as these can compete with early-bird fares. Ryanair sometimes flies to Innsbruck too, but check the baggage fees, which can quickly eliminate the price advantage.
- Ski pass: buy online in advanceMost major Austrian ski areas offer early-bird prices on the ski pass, sometimes up to 10 percent off if you book two months ahead. A ski pass bought at the ticket office is always the most expensive option.
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Frequently asked questions
Which airport is most convenient for winter sports from the Netherlands?
For Austrian ski resorts, Salzburg (SZG) is the most commonly used airport: Transavia flies there directly from Eindhoven and Rotterdam, and most major Austrian resorts are within 60 to 90 minutes by road. Innsbruck (INN) is better for the Zillertal and Stubai Glacier. For the French Alps, Geneva (GVA) is the logical departure point for Chamonix, Les Deux Alpes and the Savoie region. Chambery (CMF) is even closer to the major French resorts but has limited flight options from the Netherlands.
When are the busiest weeks for winter sports in 2027?
The spring school holiday of the three Dutch school regions falls across three periods in 2027: the North region is off from 13 to 21 February, the Middle region from 20 to 28 February, and the South region from 27 February to 7 March. The overlap of Middle and South makes the week of 27 February to 7 March the busiest. The weeks before and after that peak are noticeably cheaper and quieter on the slopes.
What does a ski week from the Netherlands cost in 2026-2027?
Expect 600 to 900 euros per person for a week in a budget pension or chalet with shared facilities, including flight or bus and a 6-day ski pass. Mid-range package holidays from tour operators like Sunweb and TUI start around 900 euros and can rise to 1,400 euros per person in an apartment or comfortable hotel. In top resorts like Ischgl and Kitzbuhel, or in Switzerland (Verbier, Zermatt), expect to pay 1,500 euros or more, excluding extra lifts and dining out.
Can I book independently rather than through a package holiday?
Yes, and for flexible travellers it is sometimes cheaper. You book a separate flight, an apartment through Booking.com, and a ski pass directly at the resort. Make sure you book the return flight early: direct flights to Salzburg and Innsbruck from Eindhoven are available from 49 euros one way with Transavia, but those fares disappear once the school holidays start driving up demand. The main advantage of a package is the transfer from the airport to the resort and the assurance of a snow guarantee if snow conditions are poor.
Which ski resort is best for beginners travelling from the Netherlands?
Zell am See-Kaprun is one of the most beginner-friendly Austrian resorts with easy runs on the Kaprun glacier, which is skiable even in low-snow winters. Saalbach-Hinterglemm has a large beginner zone with wide, relaxed pistes. For beginners on a tight budget, Soldeu in Andorra (reachable via Barcelona) and Bansko in Bulgaria are popular alternatives, though these cannot be reached directly from Eindhoven or Rotterdam.
Published 10 September 2026. Ski pass prices and flight costs are indicative and may differ from current rates.
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