A chalet price can look like the cost of a ski holiday until you begin adding the other bookings. In his conversation with Daniel Edward, Soberski founder Ben Coombes separates the accommodation-and-food element from the costs that follow each guest onto the mountain. It is a useful way to build a budget before committing to a trip.
Start with what your accommodation actually includes
Ask for the inclusions in writing: room type, meals, drinks, activities and any transport between the chalet and slopes. Seven nights of accommodation does not automatically mean seven catered dinners. Check the chef’s night off and budget for that meal separately.
For the advertised 22–29 January 2027 Alpine Reset, Soberski lists £1,750 per person in a shared twin room and £2,500 for a private room. Those are retreat prices, not an all-in cost for the journey and skiing. Confirm the current retreat details before booking. Prices checked on 19 October 2026.
Give the lift pass its own line
Your pass is a substantial separate purchase. The official Three Valleys listing gives a 2026/27 six-day adult Solo Pass price of €421. That is a specific product, not the price every guest must pay: duration, area, age and group arrangements can change the choice.
Before buying, ask your instructor which pass you need. A beginner spending the first days in a smaller area may have different requirements from an experienced skier planning to cross the valleys. Check the official lift-pass information for your dates and circumstances. Price checked on 19 October 2026.
Add equipment, lessons and the journey
Equipment hire depends on the kit, the shop and the length of the booking. Ask whether boots and helmet are part of the quoted package, and include lessons separately unless the offer explicitly covers them. Ben describes how local partners can help Soberski guests arrange some of these elements, but assistance with booking is different from inclusion in the retreat price.
Then add flights or rail travel, luggage charges and the transfer to the accommodation. Compare return journeys as well as arrivals. A cheaper flight is less attractive if it leaves you needing a private transfer or an extra overnight stay.
Budget for the time between breakfast and dinner
Lunches on the mountain are easily overlooked when a chalet offers breakfast and evening meals. Put lunches, café stops, snacks and the uncatered dinner into the same budget. Ben points out that mountain restaurant prices can vary markedly, so look at the menu before settling in.
Alcohol-free travel can remove a sizeable bar bill for someone who would otherwise drink regularly. It does not make the holiday inexpensive by itself. Decide where you would enjoy spending the difference, whether that is a lesson, a room upgrade or simply keeping the total manageable.
Make one complete total before paying a deposit
Your final worksheet should cover accommodation, meals not included, transport, pass, hire, instruction, insurance and discretionary spending. Arrange suitable winter sports cover and check what your planned activities require with the provider. Add a buffer for changes rather than spending every pound of the budget in advance.
Ben’s quoted figures in the episode reflect the time of recording. Use them to understand the categories of spending, then replace them with quotes for your actual dates. That is how a tempting headline price becomes a holiday you can plan with confidence.
Hear the conversation
These ideas come from Daniel Edward’s conversation with Ben Coombes, founder of Soberski. Find the complete collection in our Méribel and alcohol-free ski holidays hub.