 Poster: A snowHead
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Looking to take my daughter away this season but the only holidays that we can get together are from the 4th April, argh, is this too late? Anybody have experience of such late skiing? We are both intermediate skiers, this will be our 4th trip together. much appreciated.
Mark
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You should be fine. This isn't that late if you choose wisely. Look for somewhere high and with a good proportion of Northish facing slopes. In a normal season there'll be some Spring conditions but some lovely skiing under warmer temeratures. If you want something different, look at Sweden, Finland or Norway. They're often still in winter mode at this time.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Anybody have experience of such late skiing?
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Relax! I have skied past mid april for every one of the last 11 seasons in a resort at 1600m with a highest altitude of just under 2000m, always able to ski home which is at 1550m on a south facing slope (in the northern French Alps). Only had a problem with snow once in that time.
Best to choose a resort, as stated above, with plenty of north facing slopes. Aspect is more important than altitude, late season.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Mrs A; 14 April 2008; Combe de Saulire, Courchevel - and barely a soul in sight (well we couldn't see very far)!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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It'll be good, don't worry. Go to some highish resorts or a ones with glacier skiing if you're worried, but April is a great time to ski...nice and warm and often sunny. I've been a few times in the second half of April (mainly to Chamonix) and had a great time and lots of snow. Provided you're not after biting cold and icy pistes you'll have a great time!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Don't panic! The first week of April is NOT late for the loads of high resorts that are open until the end of April or into May- eg:
Espace Killy (Tignes/Val D'Isere)
3 Vallees (Val Thorens, Meribel, Courchevel etc)
St Anton
Lech/Zuers
Obergurgl
Soelden
Paradiski (La Plagne/Les Arcs)
Cervinia
Chamonix
Zermatt
I've skied most of the above in late season without any problems - there really is nothing to worry about!
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April can be the best time to ski. Longer days, empty pistes and usually pretty decent snow. For peace of mind you can go for guaranteed snow in Tignes, Val Thorens etc but most resorts will be fine! Pack plenty of sunblock though! 
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No, no, its rubbish, go at half term please and keep the slopes empty in April
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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phew, thanks for the replies folks. Looks like I wont be missing out on my ski fix after all.
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Easter is late next year. Easter Sunday is 20 April. So, mark8500, if you are going on 4th April things should be pretty quiet. I have not checked but I assume many resorts will be trying to last until Easter weekend if not the weekend after.
If things work out for me I attend to be out until 12/13th April
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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mark8500, there may some of the UK schools on holiday as well as some of the German states and parts of places like the Netherlands, but in general it should be quiet compared to the main school holiday period in February and at New year.
Been skiing in April since God knows when and to be honest, anecdotely-speaking, my impression is that the seasons are starting later and ending later. Time was we were worried about skiing from mid-March onwards, now I am hacked off that my season pass ends at the end of April! Happily most mainland Europeans pack their skis away in mid-March so we can enjoy the fluffy white stuff without it being skied out before 10.30am!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Anecdotely-speaking, my impression is that the seasons are starting later and ending later |
I'll second that .
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Samerberg Sue, mountainaddict, hmmm, my perception based on Northern French alps (your Austrian MMV) is that they're doing in 2013 exactly what they did in 1988...and more or less each year in between (annual variation allowed for).
In the 1930s Kitzbuhel town council voted against marketing it for winter sports before January as there was unlikely to be enough snow...
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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mark8500, just to get back to your original question, we generally (although not the last two years as the weather's been rubbish at the weekend in April) finish skiing last weekend in April, first weekend in May. Usually barbeques and sunbathing become too attractive at the beginning of May to tempt us out much.
So early April should be glorious.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Skied this year last weekend in March in Lofer and Waidring and it was fab. Managed to get sun burnt, it was Easter and best thing is crowd levels relatively compared to mid term and didn't have all the Dutch and Germans who head to Austria for mid term and traffic can be chaos getting to the Alps.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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There are loads of great places at that time of year! I've heard that Meribel is particularly nice!
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It probably was, last year, but most years Meribel wouldn't be my choice for a late-season holiday in the 3V.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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We've skied the 6th / 7th April (for a week) for the last 2 seasons and had brilliant holidays, great snow, lovely sunshine etc etc.
April 2012 we went to Montgenevre, and in April 2013 Val Thorens, both were excellent.
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