In light of recent media reports showing that an increasing number of school classes are cancelling traditional ski trips due to rising costs, the Austrian Youth Hostel Organisations ÖJHW and ÖJHV emphasise the importance of affordable, non-profit accommodation solutions for school winter sports programmes.
According to current media coverage, only around 15% of students now take part in school ski courses, as many families can no longer afford the sharply rising overall costs. This development puts an important element of school sports and experiential education at risk and creates social inequality, as winter sports weeks play a key role in promoting teamwork, motor skills and healthy physical activity among young people.
Youth Hostels focus on affordability and social value
As long-standing non-profit accommodation partners, Youth Hostels across Austria have always provided cost-effective yet educationally valuable settings for school ski trips. Programmes such as ski class trips to Heiligenblut, Zell am See, Bad Gastein, Dachstein West oder Villach/Gerlitzen Alpe are characterised by fair pricing, group discounts and inclusive services that help ease pressure on school budgets. These offers are deliberately non-commercial and tailored specifically to the needs of school groups and educational purposes, including catering, accommodation and on-site infrastructure.
Non-profit structures ensure financial accessibility
“Especially in economically challenging times, we must ensure that winter sports weeks do not become a privilege for a few, but remain an opportunity for many students,” says Andreas Wanker, Chair of the Austrian Youth Hostel Organisation ÖJHW. “Our Youth Hostels offer socially fair prices and transparent packages, enabling school classes to enjoy unforgettable experiences in the mountains in 2026 – without placing an excessive financial burden on families.”
The combination of affordable group rates, lower accommodation costs and a pedagogically supervised environment makes Youth Hostels a reliable alternative to commercial providers, which often involve significantly higher additional expenses.
Austria’s Youth Hostel organisations encourage teachers and school administrators to consider these cost-efficient Youth Hostel programmes when planning ski trips, thereby contributing to greater social equity in education and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.
