 Poster: A snowHead
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I know these questions are impossible to answer with confidence, but I'm just looking for a gut instinct. We have just come back from an awesome week in Tignes. My second week in the Alps, and my gfs first time. We want to get out to the Alps again before the season ends, and my gf's sister and husband are booked for a week in Morzine from the 6th to 14th April with their kids.
We are thinking of joining them for 4 days at the end of the week after they have said they'd love to have us out there. My only worry is that Tignes was incredible mild when we were there, and generally this year looks to be milder than most on record? Given Morzine's lower altitude, I can't help but feel that early to mid April is going to be pushing it for good conditions. I know there is access to Avoriaz which is a bit higher up, but then if that's the only decent snow available, I guess that could be quite crowded?
Despite the fact that we would love to join the others in Morzine, I can't help feel we'd be better off heading back to Tignes or Val d'Isere instead to get a proper fix! Last year was a bumper time for snow in Les Gets and Morzine around April from what I've read and conditions were great, but given the weather this year, I don't know if its quite a sure thing?
Any thoughts?! I suspect I know what the answer will be!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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It depends how important the quality of skiing is to you. If you happy to cruise around on a limited number of runs, with piste conditions 'a bit ropey' instead enjoying the mountains and the company of the people you are skiing with then it would be no problem. If you want to maximise your skiing pleasure then you should plan accordingly. Bear in mind mid-April is always going to be pushing it but there are places to go to maximise your actual skiing.
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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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sixspeed, there's no need to make up your mind now, is there? Wait till much nearer the time. It's low season in France, should you need to head back somewhere higher you should have no problem finding accommodation.
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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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at the moment snow depths are good - and the weather to date is no guide to the weather to come.
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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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I suppose looking at the available accommodation online (hotels rather than chalets I'll admit) it seems like a lot of places are getting thin on the ground with spaces (at least at reasonable cost), so I wanted to firm something up sooner rather than later. I could book somewhere and cancel, but there would be cancellation fees.
As for the weather predictions, I guessed as much... hence the title! 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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sixspeed, don't worry about accommodation for mid April. All those websites always say only one room left at that price. Prices as likely to fall if anything closer to time
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sixspeed, also, they won't want to quote for 4 days accommodation - they deal in whole weeks. Nearer the time you might get something but you might just have to get a small apartment for a week and write off the first few days.
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sixspeed, if you want to check it out a bit more and you're after a chalet, have a look on Chalets Direct, and post your requirements in the Solutions Room. I'm not sure I entirely agree with pam w about everywhere only wanting bookings of a full week. I've never had any difficulty booking short breaks outside of the peak season, even quite far in advance.
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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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Hells Bells, they're reluctant, in our neck of the woods - I once failed to book for one night, on the day, anywhere in Les Saisies in the deadest of mid Januarys, even in the expensive 3 star hotel which was definitely not full. Morzine is probably more of a "short break" destination though but there should be plenty of availability in Morzine in April, so I thought that could be the reason it's not showing up on the OP's searches.
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I'm getting loads of private chalet emails in Morzine with short break deals for Easter and April in general.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Ok, this is a bit more reassuring. I think I'll look to sit on it for a while longer then, and decide nearer the time!
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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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sixspeed, remember it is the forst week of th Easter holidays, that is why accomodation is looking thin
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Go to chalets direct. There will be lots of offers for just 4 days. Many chalets have spare beds that need filling. I have done this for last 2 years and get some decent offers in catered chalets with transfers included.
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks Mike! Will give them a shout!
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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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I was in Morzine in January and am going back next week (well, sort of... I'm actually going to Champery next week).
At the end of March, I am going to Tignes.
Much as I love the place, as the season has been so mild, I would be amazed if there was much snow in Morzine come April.
In your situation, I would book somewhere high and more snow sure. Those will be the places that are really getting booked up right now!!
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Poster: A snowHead
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bar shaker, these have been my thoughts exactly. Tbf, i've covered myself for a couple of weeks, and have a reservation in both Tignes and Morzine at the moment, with free cancellation up to around 10th March. Will need to make a decision with those then, either keep one, or dump both and go for a very last minute offering!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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bar shaker,
A. The general mildness is no sure indicator of what's to come and
B. here's been quite enough precip recently that (i think) piste snow depths are probably around seasonal norms
But nothing gets away from mid April being well into spring and all the delights that should accompany it - long late lunches on terraces in the sun, not having to be out of bed by the crack of because it'll be crunchy until 10h00, etc. None of which is bad, in my book!
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Snow cover above 1500m is at, or above, the seasonal norms in morzine. And that's the height of the top of the pleney. If that's a bit sketchy there is avoriaz. I like the town and have friends there, so I'll be back on the 8th April for 5 days regardless. Not looked at accommodation yet either but I'll find a couch to sleep on if there is any kind of struggle.
Long sunny lunches, fun on spring snow, beers outside in the evening, t-shirt boarding. The same chance it could be blizzarding however...
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