British skiers may not have to slope off so far to get the best-value winter sports holidays this season, according to a survey.

Austrian and Italian ski resorts are closing the gap on eastern Europe for low prices for holidaymakers, the poll by Post Office Travel Money shows.

Based on a basket of typical ski costs plus meals and drinks, Bansko in Bulgaria offers the best value, with the items setting back skiers only £274.

The next best value is at Kranjska Gora in Slovenia, at just under £326. But after that the table is dominated by Italian, Austrian and French resorts.

In third place is Livigno in Italy (£351), with Ellmau in Austria fourth (£368) and Morzine in France fifth (£402).

Of the 22 European ski resorts in the survey, which also involved Crystal Ski Holidays, the most expensive for the basket of items was Wengen in Switzerland, at £639.

The survey also involved eight North American ski resorts, with Winter Park in Colorado the best value, with the items costing £528, and Breckenridge in Colorado being the most expensive, at £821.

Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money said: "The continuing weakness of sterling and all sorts of other pressures on the pocket in everyday life means that resort costs are bound to be a key factor in determining ski destinations this winter.

"Skiers on a budget have great value resorts to choose from if they head east to resorts like Bansko and Kranjska Gora but the Italian resorts we surveyed are strong contenders too."