 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
Due to my wife being a teacher and my kids in different schools we are very restricted as to when we can ski next year. It looks like the only possible week will be 5th April.
Does anyone have any resort recommendations? Would like somewhere with decent places to eat at night but will be working on a reasonably strict budget! We will be flying from Manchester...
Would like somewhere that suits a variety of needs as my son and I are reasonable skiers whilst my wife hardly skis at all so a decent town and views would be appreciated.
Have looked at Are in Sweden and Murren in Switzerland. I'm not sure whether either of these will be too much of a gamble snow wise?
Any ideas?
Thanks!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Kronplatz?
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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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Having skied a few Aprils now but not at those particular resorts, the lessons for me are
- Go high or go north
- Check resort closing dates (even parts of the resort)
- Dont expect to ski much of the afternoon.
- Make sure there are other activities to do on case of hot/rainy weather.
I would look at Trysil, Zermatt, Val Thorens.
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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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@ster, You tinker - Zermatt on a budget is a bit challenging.
Val Thorens a good suggestion.
Have you thought about driving? That means you can book the week re ferries, train etc but then chase the snow closer to the date by booking accommodation in March. Snow has been great in late season in the last few years but always difficult to predict which specific resort will be best.
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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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@valais2, it said a “strict” budget not necessarily or meaning a small budget, I refer you to the pedant thread 
But everything can be paired back, e.g. stay in Tasch?
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@smudger, Val Thorens, Tignes, Belle Plagne, Arc 1950/2000 - all good bets. We tend to rotate for our easter trips. We're aiming for Arc 1950 for the same dates as you next year.
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| smudger wrote: |
| Would like somewhere with decent places to eat at night but will be working on a reasonably strict budget! |
If on a strict budget you should self cater rather than eat out surely?
Last 3 April's and the one before the pandemic we've been to Les Menuires. I prefer it for a few reasons - essentially it gives you the same access to Masse, Val T, Mont Vallon and to a bit of a tour of the 3V.
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Although Val Thorens is great for late season snow I've spent a week there as a non-skier...I wouldn't choose to do it again.
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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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April 5th or 25th? I think 05/04/25?
Avoriaz - despite a poo-poo season theyve had an excellent base and top ups of powder late season seem to be a trend there
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| valais2 wrote: |
@ster, You tinker - Zermatt on a budget is a bit challenging.
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But indeed if you go here keep your wife when not skiing away from the many expensive boutiques.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Nadenoodlee, whilst I recognise the latest trends I wouldn’t bet on Portes du Soleil - can go bad very quickly due to low altitude…
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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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| Nadenoodlee wrote: |
| April 5th or 25th? I think 05/04/25? |
I believe the title refers to April 2025 whilst the detailed post confirms w/c April 5th 2025.
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@valais2, hence Avoriaz not Portes du Soleil in my suggestion
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You know it makes sense.
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????
‘….Avoriaz (French: [avɔʁja], Franco-Provençal: [aˈvɔʁja, aˈvɔʁi])[1] is a French mountain resort in the heart of the Portes du Soleil. It is located in the territory of the commune of Morzine…’
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avoriaz
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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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@valais2, this is indeed becoming a pedant's thread. @Nadenoodlee specified Avoriaz rather than just saying "Portes du Soleil". Like you might specify Val Thorens, not just "Three Valleys".
And @ster is quite right, too, that "budget" means nothing except that you have a sum of money in mind. I've never had any particular "sum of money" in mind, going on a ski holiday. Indeed, I don't have budgets for anything at all. I have no idea what I spent on food in a week, for example Not that that means I spent money like there's no tomorrow. Just means I make sensible choices and probably never add up what it's cost me.....
I agree that arranging to drive (or booking flights but not accommodation) and then choosing accommodation nearer the time, makes sense. As does self-catering so you can have more control over spending.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Origen, good point…sorry
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Les Gets or Morzine in the French Alps could be awesome for you guys. They've got skiing, cute villages, and loads of places to eat. If you're up for it, check out Mayrhofen or Saalbach-Hinterglemm in Austria too. They usually have good snow in April and plenty to do besides 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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Heres one I didn’t expect, Sierra Nevada still has decent coverage looking at their website. Cheap flights to Malaga. Other activities could include day trip to Granada or even the beach!
But also to keep a lid on costs look for resorts that have Easter specials (kids go free etc..) and off peak ticketing.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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We've spent the past 2 Easters in Arc 1800 and the skiing has been fantastic but I don't think I'd want to be a non-skier there. I'd be looking at Mayrhofen. The Snowbombing festival might be on that week though which could be a good or bad thing depending on your point of view.
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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 would suggest Mayrhofen too. Seems to be getting a lot more expensive and booked up via TOs (depending on what board & facilities you want) and certainly not as cheap as it used to be, but DIY might work? Or stay out of the main town, one of the other valley/ski area resorts, & use ski bus & trains?
Is Snowbombing still on? There was a comedy festival this year.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| EricTheRed wrote: |
| The Snowbombing festival might be on that week though which could be a good or bad thing depending on your point of view. |
Doesn’t sound the most family friendly event.
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There will be loads of availability a week before your departure date .
I know as was idly checking availability this year (as you do) and there were plenty of flights and (good quality) accommodation in all the high resorts .
And bargains to be had with the main tour operators for last minute bookings .
And this year , Easter was early , 2025 it is much later in April so likely to be even more availability .
Book the time off work now and look at the best places closer to the time .
And if the snow looks terrible everywhere - ditch the skiing and go to the canaries (or somewhere else warm) instead .
This is my plan - for the same week you are looking at .
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I’d go to Tignes (Le Lac). Holds snow well and has a pool/wellness etc if your OH may like that sort of thing. Second the suggestion to drive if you can. I appreciate it might be ideal to decide and book late but the best late season places are usually the same ones — with kids in school it’s nice to have it all arranged and sorted given there’s so little flexibility with dates. So that would be my pick. Val Thorens another.
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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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| ster wrote: |
- Dont expect to ski much of the afternoon.
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Agreed. April afternoons are 5h1te and are much worse than not skiing. It's much better to go to work and wish you were skiing instead.
This was yesterday afternoon in Val Thorens. I wish I hadn't bothered 
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@Bergmeister, it was a general comment based on experience of different resorts in different years, obviously it will not always apply
Happy April skiing.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@smudger, you'll have no budget issues if you leave your non skiing missus at home and just go with your son. Put the money saved in to a decent hotel and a few heli drops. Pretty obvious solution really, surprised you hadn't thought of it!
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