Posted on Monday, 12 November 2018

Go on-piste but off-radar, at one of these five rewarding winter sports locations - where UK visitors are a rarity.

When it comes to booking annual ski or snowboard forays, many winter sports lovers limit their options: France, Germany, Switzerland or Austria if they're feeling flush; Italy if they want to save; Bulgaria and Slovenia if they want to save even more. But those willing to expand their possibles-list a little will be rewarded with some rather unique, beautiful - and possibly very cheap - ski resorts. Here are five countries with great winter sports action that you may not know about.

Georgia (not the U.S. state)

Before we get down to the actual skiing, you should know that a day lift ticket in Georgia costs a mere £10 - about five times cheaper than most French resorts. The slopes are reasonably well-groomed, and are equipped with a mixture of old and new ski lifts. You can buy a meal - even on the mountain - for about £4 and choose from a wide range of accommodation, including backpackers, mid-ranges and 4-stars. A new ski school opened in Gudauri last year, with English speaking instructors. The stunning Greater Caucasus ridge along the border delivers incredible vistas.

Visa: UK residents get a one year visa on arrival; free (no need to organise in advance).

Flight time from UK: 4h 45m

Turkey

Turkey boasts 30 resorts, with slopes ranging from 1,500m to 3,000m. Among the most popular are Grand Erzurum, Palandoken and Uludag. If the crowds get too much, you could always splash the cash on some heli-skiing. A lift ticket costs about £9, with accommodation and food similarly affordable.

Visa: UK residents can buy a visa online for US$20 prior to arrival

Flight time from UK: 3h 40m to Istanbul

Armenia

iStock/Satilda

With stunning mountain scenery, good quality ski facilities and very affordable prices, Armenia is gaining popularity with budget UK skiers and snowboarders. The slopes and resorts - such as those at Tsakhkadzor - are simple but well-run. The food is tasty, generously portioned and cheap. The people are also reputed to be extremely friendly. A day pass at Tsakhkadzor costs about £17.

Visa: No visa required. Entry stamp valid for 180 days.

Flight time from UK: around 14 hours

Japan

While Japan is comprised of nearly 7,000 islands, skiers and snowboarders need only pay attention to Honshu and Hokkaido. Of the two, Honshu, the island on which Tokyo is located, boasts the larger mountains and steeper runs. If you're seeking very deep powder and amazing tree skiing, head to Hokkaido. Depending on which resort you choose, day lift passes range from around £12 to £30. While passes are reasonably priced, hotels, transport and food can be rather costly in Japan. That said, it presents a truly unique skiing experience.

Visa: no visa required. 90 day entry stamp on arrival. Evidence of a return/onward ticket might be requested by officials.

Flight time from UK: around 12 hours

Hungary

Another relatively undiscovered ski/snowboard location, Hungary offers quality skiing at prices significantly lower than those of the Alps. Expect some truly fantastic scenery. Among the most popular resorts is Bánkút Ski Center (beginner/intermediate), located in Bukk National Park, where a day ticket costs around £11. But perhaps the most popular is Síaréna Eplény, with slopes for all ability levels. A day lift pass here costs around £17.

Visa: none required; 90 day entry on arrival.

Flight time from UK: 2h 25m

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