Ski accommodation: 5 great hostel deals

A simple and effective concept, The Hideout is the only hostel in the centre of Morzine. In a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, you can choose your bed from double, triple and dormitory rooms from 30 euros per night, with breakfast included. Low prices and yet great facilities: there’s a bar with a selection of local beers, a pop-up restaurant serving Japanese fusion, a snack service, free WiFi and even private parking. In short, the benefits are worthy of a luxury residence – and it’s all within five minutes’ walk of the TC Super Morzine cable car, a launch pad for the Portes-du-Soleil ski area. A cool base for a last-minute getaway with friends.

A real gem for small budgets, Base Camp Lodge is situated in Bourg-Saint-Maurice’s former military barracks. With fun decor, this new-look base camp offers rooms or dorm beds for solo, couple or group stays. Thumbs up for the ‘capsule’ concept which combines comfort and intimacy at ultra-competitive prices: €22 per night, €31 B&B or €53 half board. The menu of the restaurant is ‘locavore’ and centered around the terroir, with plenty of local cheese and mountain charcuterie. There aren’t pistes in Bourg-Saint-Maurice itself, but the Arcs Express cable car will whisk you to the Domaine des Arcs 1600 in seven minutes. Simplicity itself.

Clearly inspired by hotels for backpackers, the 1861 is located halfway between the centre of the village and the ski lifts. Depending on the size of your group, you can opt for a bed in four- or six-person dormitory or a capsule in the Boxroom for 14 people. In high season, it’s €30 per night in a capsule, €6.50 for breakfast and €7 for a packed lunch. In the evenings you can do your own cooking in the communal kitchen before settling down in the TV room, or while away the hours at the bar with the seasonaires. Skiing wise, La Chapelle d’Abondance boasts 23 pistes but there’s access to the entire Portes du Soleil, one of the largest linked ski areas in the world. What more do you need?

Accustomed to welcoming the new generation through its doors, the People Hostel is youthful and sociable, with 45 private rooms and 41 shared (sleeping four, six and eight people), including some reserved for women only. Other big pluses: the Chill Out room, a 140-square-metre communal area with a well-equipped kitchen, dining room, mini cinema and sofas galore. On arrival you receive a special bracelet to unlock your room and ski locker and even pay your tab at the bar. And the ski scene? Les Deux Alpes has 96 tracks, 47 lifts and a glacier at 3,600m with commanding views of the Alps and Mont Blanc. Top class.

In Isère, the Moontain Hostel in Oz-en-Oisans has fully integrated the philosophy of the new hostel trend within its well-established design. Opt for a ‘Moontain’ bed and you get a little cocoon equipped with reading light, blackout curtain, power and USB socket. A mere €23 per night also includes a secure locker, a cashless bracelet and WiFi. And no need to stuff your bags with provisions – you’ll find everything you need to eat here, from hearty and healthy breakfasts to evening raclette, and the ‘MoontyBox’ for picnics on the slopes. The hostel is perfectly positioned at the heart of the resort, just 300 metres from the Alpette gondola. Perfect for skiers and travellers craving the natural world.