Europe ski holidays: vacation rentals cheaper than hotels

According to a comparative study published by Tripadvisor on Tuesday, holidaymakers can save up to 71 percent in Europe's most expensive ski resorts by choosing a vacation rental rather than a hotel.

In Meribel (Savoie), a vacation rental costs about €731 for one week compared to €2492 in a hotel. By opting for this accommodation which offers more of the conveniences of home, tourists can therefore save 71 percent.

The same is true in Courchevel (Savoie) where there is a 67 percent difference (€785 compared to €2,405). In Tignes (Savoie), another French resort, skiers will only pay €674 on average for a week's rental compared to €1,705 in a hotel.

In Gstaad, a prestigious Swiss resort, holidaymakers can save up to 61 percent as vacation rentals cost an average of €763 a week compared to €1,975 for a week in a hotel.

Zermatt in Switzerland was the only resort where there was very little difference. Renting would cost €1773 compared to €1848 for a hotel.

Costs of vacation rentals and hotels in some of Europe's most expensive resorts (average for December 15, 2012 to April 15, 2013 period)