When you think of skiing your mind probably lands on locations such as Val D’Isere, Tignes and Aspen. But hidden away in Eastern Europe is the little gem of Zakopane, a Polish ski resort in the heart of some excellent skiable mountains which wins acclaim for being both fantastic value for money and an interesting destination too. If you’re skiing on a budget you’d do well to check out Zakopane as the expenses which you’d usually associate with a skiing holiday are much more affordable there, and with that in mind, here’s a mini guide to Zakopane.

The Slopes - Situated in the heart of the Tatra Mountains, which is the peak of the Carpathians, a northeast offshoot of the Alps, Zakopane has some really good slopes for beginners through to more advanced skiers. The most impressive of the slopes is without doubt Kasprowy Wierch, its peak reachable by cable car from Kuznice. But do book you cable car tickets in advance as the queues can be hours long due to the car’s age (near on 80 years!) and restrictions in place to prevent the slope itself becoming too crowded. Once you’re up there you’ll enjoy a long ski down, but beginners beware as the slope can be tricky in parts so ask a local guide or check the map before attempting to ski it if you’re unsure. Others to check out include Nosal and Gubalowka which on clear days give you amazing views of the surrounding landscape.

The Prices – The biggest tourist magnet in Zakopane is the incredibly low prices for just about everything. With lift passes starting around £7 a day and equipment hire at a maximum of around £50 a week for skis, boots and poles you’ll be able to do a ski holiday on a budget, which is rare. Accommodation is also cheap and there’s the usual mix of chalets and hotels to suit, try looking at chalets if you’re travelling as a group of friends to keep the cost down and give you that extra bit of freedom which a chalet holiday gives you.

The Food – In Zakopane there are an abundance of restaurants on the main street serving fresh fish, barbeque, stews and steaks, along with all of the traditional Polish dishes such as cabbage, fried potato and dumplings. And with the prices so reasonable you can easily do a meal with drinks on £10-£15.

As with all activity holidays, skiing carries an obvious degree of risk. Therefore it’s strongly advised that you take out adequate travel insurance with a reputable provider such as Go Travel before you head for the mountains, happy skiing!