Skiing holidays aren't cheap. But with tour operators scrabbling for your custom there's never been a better time to grab a bargain. We seek out some great deals and cost-cutting ideas.

Before you go

Buy your kit in the UK - the weak pound means it's cheaper than abroad. Matalan has thermals for £5 and ski jackets for £28, while Uniqlo sells fleeces for £6.99 and tops for £5.99. Better still, borrow it.

Don't forget travel insurance. Many resorts require proof that you're insured before you can buy a ski pass.

If you have an accident on the mountain, it can cost £4,000 for an air ambulance in Europe and £8,000 in the U.S. A broken leg can cost £7,000 to fix in Europe and up to £16,000 in the U.S.

Direct Travel charges from £26 for a week's skiing in Europe for a couple and dependent children under 19.

Or open Abbey's Reward packaged bank account before December 13 for three months at £5 a month and get free travel insurance.

Close it after three months when it reverts to a monthly fee of £10 a month (as long as you've been on holiday).

Members of the Ski Club Of Great Britain (£85 for families, £20 for those under 24 and £55 for singles) can save £70 on the Eurostar Ski Train to the French Alps (making a ticket cost from £120) as well as other discounts.

›› Where to go

This winter's Post Office survey shows Eastern Europe is the best value, with Romania beating Bulgaria, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Ski and boot hire, lift-passes, meals and drinks come to £196 on average for a week in Romania compared with Italy, the cheapest mainstream destination, which costs £290. Neilson Holidays offers seven nights half-board in Romania, including flights, transfers, ski-school, lift-pass and equipment, starting at £405.

HomeAway Holiday-Rentals has apartments in Bansko, Bulgaria starting at £123 self-catering.

In Western Europe, resorts in the Pyrenees and the Italian Dolomites are cheaper than the Alps. Or opt for lesser-known spots which are cheaper than their famous neighbours, such as

Kirchberg rather than Kitzb¸hl in Austria, and Nendaz, which is linked to swish Verbier in Switzerland.

›› Freebies and special offers

Holiday group TUI, which includes Crystal, First Choice and Thomson, is giving free lessons for beginners in 13 alpine resorts for one week in January or March, free lift-passes in a wide range of resorts for children or for the family in ChamRousse, France.

Neilson also offers a variety of two-for-one deals on equipment and skiing lessons in Norway, Andorra and Livigno in Italy. Skibeat offers free creche and afternoon childcare in a number of French ski resorts. Ski Republic has ski hire shops in 29 top French resorts. Book online beforehand and pay around £60 (e64.50) for skis and boots for six days on a two-for-one dea.

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