 Poster: A snowHead
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Hey everyone,
I'm planning a ski trip for the first week of April 2026 and looking for some advice. Right now I'm considering two options:
1. Zell am Ziller
2. Hochzeiger in Pitztal
Does anyone have experience with these resorts during that time of year? Which one would you recommend?
Also, I'm mainly looking for resorts that are still in good condition that week but without long lift queues – ideally pretty empty. If anyone has other suggestions for good ski resorts in early April with minimal crowds, I'd love to hear them.
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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@Jack_nice, Hochzeiger is small and none of the runs will extend below the midstation in April. It may have the majority of runs over 2000m, but it tops out at 2500m, so while the conditions will be OK to good, the runs are short and pretty samey on the main area.
Hintertux, Kaprun, Solden, Ischgl and Hochgurgl, and maybe Obertauern would be possibles with a high chance of skiing on good snow in April.
The rest are a lottery, with your chances of winning diminishing significantly as the altitude drops. Many will simply close at or shortly after Easter, which in 2026 is 6th April, so you could be there as they close and skiing on somewhat limited slopes. As an example, Saalbach goes from ~1000m up to just over 2000m and has extensive snowmaking, and was planning to close on 21st April 2024 after Easter. At https://saalbach.panomax.com/zwoelferkogel?t=2025-04-12+14-00-00&r=-12&z=100&tl=0 you can see a panorama photo from Zwölferkogel on 12th April which shows the slopes down the valley - and it's not a pretty sight. The dedicated thread on here has reports of the conditions from the 1st onwards at https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=169959&start=520 and while it started with a powder day, that was gone quickly.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Tue 1-07-25 9:35; edited 1 time in total
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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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Swskier is your man for Zillertal
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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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Maybe this is one where it makes sense to decide late - when you have some chance of divining what conditions are likely to be.
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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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Some say buy the cheap tickets now then drive/train to your chosen resort accordingly.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Yes, if you know what airport, that makes sense. Or just drive the whole thing = ultimate flexibility!
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@Jack_nice, Intrigued as to why you chose those two areas neither of which seems to be ideal in most Aprils. Zillertal is a possibly good option as Hintertux is at the end of the valley as back up in case of a poor snow season but Kaltenbach likely to be better than Zell. Other Austrian spots would include Ischgl (open until beginning of May), Arlberg, Obergurgl / Sölden, Obertauern. If it is decent snow year then other places would become possible like Saalbach (also has Kaprun glacier nearby). Early April queues are unlikely everywhere, maybe if excellent snow locals would come out at Easter but otherwise it is likely to be pretty quiet, end of season feel
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I choose thos 2 because of very cheap accomodation I found
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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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If you're just looking for any ski resort rather than an Austrian one, and cheap accommodation is one of your main criteria then I'd suggest Les Menuires in the 3 Valleys in France. Lots of cheap self catering apartments that will have lots of availability at that time of year, good snow record in April as it's high and has lots of snowmaking. In a normal year you can ski the whole 3 valleys in that week, in a bad year you're one lift away from Val Thorens with it's very high altitude skiing so even more snow sure slopes. Less good if you want a hotel and its less lively than a typical Austrian resort (I don't know the ones you've mentioned). Think piste side beer in the sun before heading back for dinner rather than dancing on tables from 3pm to 3am.
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| Jack_nice wrote: |
| I choose thos 2 because of very cheap accomodation I found |
Perhaps there is a good reason why the accommodation is so cheap? I would suggest work out somewhere where the skiing is likely to be decent then look for accommodation
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Jack_nice, well I have chosen Hochzeiger for that week and am very much looking forward to it.
However, I have specific requirements, in that it is the first trip for my daughters. The area looks great for beginners and is high enough to be snowy in early April. As you mentioned, it is cheap as well (the girls get free lift passes, free ski hire and free HB in our hotel), so that’s not to be sniffed at + short transfers from Innsbruck.
That said if I wasn’t going with beginners, I would be looking at Zillertal or some of the other larger resorts mentioned above.
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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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| munich_irish wrote: |
| Jack_nice wrote: |
| I choose thos 2 because of very cheap accomodation I found |
Perhaps there is a good reason why the accommodation is so cheap? I would suggest work out somewhere where the skiing is likely to be decent then look for accommodation |
+1 I keep finding similar looking at returns on my Sunweb searches thinking wow that price is brilliant but then further research decide I can't risk it late season.
I have been to a number of places at Easter. A good number have been the "traditional" late season options and it has shown on the queues.
The one I have gone back to several times due to affordability, and reliability with no queues has been Mayrhofen.
Gressoney was another that did one-year and would definitely go back to for Easter (or staying Champoluc side where we stayed one Feb half term).
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munich_irish wrote:
“If it is decent snow year then other places would become possible like Saalbach (also has Kaprun glacier nearby).”
Most seasons the first week of April is one of my favourite times to ski in Saalbach (the others being mid-December, mid-January, and mid-March); but don’t come looking for me if this season’s an exception 
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