We Thought Doing It Yourself to La Thuile Would Be Cheaper – We Were Wrong

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After several Crystal Ski holidays, we thought we’d try doing it ourselves to La Thuile. We imagined it would be cheaper — book our own flights, rent a car, organise ski hire, lessons, and accommodation — and have more flexibility. What we found? It was surprisingly similar in cost and far more work, but it did have some real perks.

Here’s the full breakdown of what we spent on a DIY family ski trip to La Thuile for three taken in December 2024:

• Airport Parking: £109.99

• Flights: £650.87

• Ski lessons: £253.96

• Car hire: £308.37

• Ski passes: £670

• Ski hire: £325.26

• Fuel & tolls: £80.91

• Air BnB: £1,435

• Hotel night before our flight: £70

Subtotal for main trip costs: £3,904.36

Add in food and spending while in resort (more on that below): ~£532

Grand Total DIY Ski Trip: £4,436.36

For comparison, our February Crystal Ski package to La Thuile in February 2025 (self-catered at Planibel) totalled approximately £5,128 once lift passes, ski hire, lessons and in-resort spending were included. That is a difference of £692 more or £230 per person.

When we hire a car, we usually book through Holiday Autos because it’s easy to compare options, prices are competitive, and the free cancellation gives us a bit of flexibility — which always helps when travelling as a family. We use an Airalo eSIM for data in Italy, which we downloaded and activated before we travelled — it connected us to a local network on arrival so we could use Google Maps without relying on WiFi or paying expensive roaming charges. A reminder for skiing to always book proper winter sports travel insurance. When lifts close or accidents happen, you want to know you’re covered. We use Just Travel Cover because they compare multiple insurers and include winter sports cover options — which is essential if you’re skiing or snowboarding.

Breakdown of Spending While in La Thuile

Even once you’re there, day-to-day spending can add up quickly. Here’s where our money went:

On the slopes & snacks: £133.23

• La Ratrak (our favourite mountain café – this was our daily coffee visit + the occasional pastry):: £26.30

• La Buvette (Mountain side post ski bar, convenient but way overpriced – I didn’t realise till later in the week it was 7 euro for a hot chocolate!): £64.12

• Macelle Coffees (yes, another mountain café) : £42.81

Meals & treats: £198.64

• Taverna dinner: £69.39

• Chocolate shop: £36.98

• Le Petit Skier lunch: £52.01

• Evening drinks at Planibel: £25.78

• Rotisserie chickens from local butcher: £14.48

Groceries & supermarket: £129.89

Airport: Wetherspoons: £36.54

Grand total while in resort: £498.30

As you can see, food, snacks, and drinks add up quickly — even if you cook most meals yourself.

If you want more insight into what to pack for a family ski trip to Italy, or Where to eat in La Thuile we’ve got a full list of essentials and extra tips.

DIY vs Crystal Ski: The Real Pros & Cons

Even though the numbers on paper looked similar, the experience was quite different.

Pros of DIY:

• The apartment we booked was much bigger than Planibel and had a true Italian feel. Joshua even had his own room — a huge win for families — something you don’t get in the Crystal Planibel apartments.

• The apartment was slightly further from the slopes (approx. 10-minute walk), but the walk was a beautiful snowy tree path, and Joshua loved playing along the way.

• We were able to rent a ski locker from Bethod Sport, meaning all our gear was left safely on the slopes each day — super convenient.

• Getting ski passes and hire independently was smoother than with Crystal because we avoided the crowds.

• Driving ourselves gave flexibility: no long 2.5-hour coach ride, which meant we could set our own schedule.

• Ski lessons were easy to book for Joshua direct with the Ski School

Cons of DIY:

• Distance to slopes meant a longer walk each day, which could be tiring if the weather was bad.

• Ski locker logistics were less comfortable than getting ready in your own apartment — always busy and a bit smelly.

• We missed Crystal’s Beanie Club, which is a massive bonus if your kids want lessons and activities while you ski. For families with younger kids, this alone is often worth the price of the package. For more on this, see our full 👉 Crystal Ski Kids Club Review in La Thuile.

• Ultimately, the cost savings were minimal — DIY didn’t really save us money once you include all the extras like ski hire, passes, parking, and food.

Day-to-Day Life on a DIY Ski Trip

• Renting a locker meant Joshua could store his skis safely, but getting ready there vs in your own apartment was less relaxing.

• Buying lift passes and ski hire independently worked well, and we could avoid crowds, but it took more time and planning.

• Meals were flexible — cooking in the apartment gave us freedom, but we also missed the convenience of Planibel’s half-board hotel option.

In short, DIY gives more space, privacy, and flexibility, but you trade off convenience and the luxury of a full-service ski package.

Want more info on our stay at Planibel Residence La Thuile? 👉Check out our full review of the apartments vs hotel.

The Verdict

• DIY: Perfect if you want a larger apartment, privacy, and flexibility, and are happy to organise everything yourself. The Italian vibe and space were a huge plus.

• Crystal Ski: Perfect if you value stress-free logistics, especially with kids. The Beanie Kids Club, ski lessons, and transfer included make life so much easier, and the cost is similar to DIY anyway.

For families with young children or multiple kids, we’d still choose Crystal Ski — the convenience and peace of mind outweigh the benefits of a bigger apartment.

For more on skiing with kids in La Thuile, see 👉Skiing in La Thuile with Kids: Is It Beginner-Friendly? or check out 👉 10 Fun Winter Activities to Do With Kids in La Thuile if your little ones want something other than skiing.

Quick Takeaways

• DIY is feasible and can be enjoyable, especially if you like Italian-style apartments and your own space.

• Expect hidden costs: ski hire, passes, parking, and snacks all add up.

• Beanie Kids Club is hands-down a huge advantage of Crystal Ski if you want some free time on the slopes.

• Flexibility vs convenience is the main trade-off — consider what matters most to your family.

What About Prices Now? (February Half Term 2027 Update)

It’s also important to look forward — not just backwards.

When we priced the same Crystal Ski La Thuile package for February half term 2027, it is now coming in at around £5,200 for a similar setup. That changes the equation. If DIY still sits in the mid-£4,000 range (allowing for inflation on lift passes and hire), the price gap becomes far more meaningful — potentially £800–£1,000+ in difference. At that level, DIY starts to feel less like “extra effort for minimal saving” and more like a deliberate budgeting strategy.

Of course, that assumes:

• Flights don’t spike dramatically

• Car hire remains reasonable

• Lift pass prices don’t surge

• You’re comfortable managing the logistics

But the pricing trajectory suggests that DIY may become increasingly attractive during peak school holiday weeks.

What We’re Testing Next

We’re currently planning:

• A DIY ski trip to Pila via Milan (December 2026)

• Target budget: under £4,000

December pricing is typically more forgiving than February half term, and flying into Milan opens up more airline options and potentially cheaper transfers.

The aim is to:

• Keep accommodation costs controlled

• Manage flights early

• Limit eating out

• Avoid unnecessary extras

• Maintain skiing quality without paying peak-week premiums

If we can successfully deliver a well-run Italian family ski holiday for under £4,000, that will be a very different cost narrative from February half term.

So watch this space — we’ll publish the full numbers once booked.

Not sure? read more about our trip with Crystal Ski or about La Thuile The Ultimate Guide to a Family Ski Trip to La Thuile with Crystal Ski or Is La Thuile Good for Families? Our Honest Review of Skiing in Italy with Kids

For a complete overview of our family ski resort reviews, planning advice and cost breakdowns, visit our main Family Ski Hub.