Non half-term skiing. Probably Easter

A snowHead

Just back from a week in Tignes (see other posting) and, with youngest now about to do A-Levels, this was probably our last half-term ski trip ever.

Next year, assuming that she gets into Uni, we're looking at an Easter trip. A quick google suggests that the dates are Friday 26th March - Monday 26th April.

The question is, that late in the year where would be good for snow? Should we specifically aim for a high resort? We've traditionally been to France, as we have driven for probably the last 6 or 7 years, and we get around so like a big super-domain.

We have done Tignes at Easter a few years ago (as a 2nd trip in the year) and it was good, but having just done it, we're keen to go somewhere else.

Any suggestions?

LR

A snowHead

Val Tho, or Paradiski (Les Arcs/La Plagne) are still snow sure in their upper parts, and you know the route!

Of course there's always Chamonix but it's a completely different set up - having said that you have a car so could.work out, and opens up nearby areas (Megeve, Les Contamines).

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I don't know French resorts (though this year am off to Val Thorens 18/4, do hope that's still good!) , but have done Austria several times late March - early April. Mayrhofen is usually still good & has the Hintertux glacier within easy reach. Other glacial areas / resorts are also available (e.g. Kitzsteinhorn and Stubai).

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@LittleRob, You don't know what you don't know. We discovered this year that the University's hold their mid-year exams quite soon after the new year (week 1 or 2 of January), then the students have a week or two off before returning at the end of the month. Our 2nd year students have already identified week 16-23 Jan 21 as their optimal ski week with 23-30 Jan 21 as the back up. We booked accordingly. That said, Easter can be much nicer. Easter weekend is earlier next year on the 1st weekend of April and conditions will be pretty good anywhere high or with good snowmaking facilities to lay down a base.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

@LittleRob, 26th March is pretty early and should be fine even down to 1350/1450. More mid-April we stayed in Les Menuires and it was a good location with no problems skiing back. Or the 1800 resorts at La Plagne/Les Arcs - although you can always stay at Les Coches/PV which have good snow cannoned links on account of the VE connection.

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As above.. in a normal year, going in the last week of March opens up a whole load of options. The further you go into April the higher you'll potentially you'll need to go.

A lot depends on when you are looking to book. If you're looking to book late, then in a good snow year you might a whole load of options open up for you. If booking early, you might need play it safe and book higher just in case (but you will get the pick of the best value accommodation).

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Thanks for the replies. I should have perhaps been clearer. We're looking for a week and it probably has to be between 26th March and 26th April. However, thinking about it, we usually drive Friday evening, and had discussed going earlier on Friday (and staying in a hotel rather than kipping in the car), so that probably means that the possible range is: April 2nd to April 26th, though equally we could perhaps do a Sunday-Sunday rental.

I was assuming that later=higher, but I don't have enough experience of March/April to know what is "normal" (if such weather systems exist any more). Equally, I'd prefer a simple drive. Tignes, and presumably Paradiski/3V, is a long way from the peage and so, as we found this year, the risk of bad traffic much increased.

The kids are keen on the idea of Chamonix, but I can't get my head round the lack of connectedness of it all. Plus I'm not that big of an off-piste skier, so I'm not sure if it would be for us (though I like the town in the summer and have been several times).

We did wonder about Flaine. We skied there a few years ago and we had a good time.

LR

@LittleRob, Chamonix is a collection of areas. Each easily big enough for a day. Absolutely no issue at all if you have a car. And TBH, if you time it right for e.g. Argentiere or Vallorcine the train works very well (and is, I think, on a twice hourly schedule imminently?)

Late season, Brevent-Flégère is south facing so if it's still good, it will get cooked pretty early on. By contrast, Grands Montets is north facing and should hold up well. There were people skinning up and skiing late June last year!

Accommodation choice is quite key as well, if you are planning on using buses or trains. Not so much with a car.

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Obvious answer: The EoSB snowHead

Yes, by April you're looking for altitude.
IMV Val Tho is the best domain that late. The town is at 2300m and there are 6 points on the lift system above 3000m: basically, the whole area is open*. Tignes only has the one spot above 3000m.

*I've been there in the 2nd half of April every year for nearly 20 years: one year the lowest lift was closed when we arrived and the 2nd lowest was closed by the time we left, due to melting snow. Every other year, the whole domain has had cover.

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You know it makes sense.

Stay above 1500m.

1. Verbier
2. Zermatt
3. Val d'Isere

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@RedandWhiteFlachau, yep we’re eyeing up last week Jan to go now as boys have break. Will be naughty and take daughter out of school for week Toofy Grin

Help!!

Non half-term skiing. Probably Easter

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