 Poster: A snowHead
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Hello all, hoping to pick your brains and resolve a dilemma.
Our large group has done 4 ski trips now, 3x first week of April and 1x Feb half term (this year). Been very very lucky with good snow and weather each time. Now trying to choose for next year, feels like whichever we choose will be the wrong one! We’d be looking at French resorts so have to contend with French crowds.
Statistically April has worse snow, but better crowds, prices, transfer times, sunshine. Feb has better snow, but worse everything else.
Is it a no brainer in favour of April (if we pick a high resort)? Which would you choose?
Also any resort suggestions please for either week… ? We’d fly not drive. Looking for plenty of good red runs, some blue, the odd black. Piste only. Prefer ski in ski out apartments and not too ugly a resort. Nice restaurants a plus. High if Easter (Les Arcs maybe? Les 2 Alpes? Tignes?) Any ideas for resorts to avoid the crowds at half term, and Carnevale to boot?
Thank you!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| pie81 wrote: |
Statistically April has worse snow, but better crowds, prices, transfer times, sunshine. Feb has better snow, but worse everything else.
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I'm not sure what the raw stats show, but my personal experience of the last 5-10 years has been that Easter snow is better than Feb. I've had more skiable powder days, on a much better base, and also more bluebird days on powder (vs repeated storm days).
We've done Chamonix/Argentiere almost every Feb, and Les Menuires/Val Thorens (and sometimes also Cham/Argentiere) most Easters.
If I had to pick one week to go skiing, without doubt it would be Easter. I've already booked Les Menuires, so that's where I'd chose!
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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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Thankyou! yes that’s been my experience of the last 4 years too but wasn’t sure if it was anomalous ! Les Menuires was on my list but prefer a bit prettier if we can… and avoiding the long 3V transfer would be nice too
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| pie81 wrote: |
| and avoiding the long 3V transfer would be nice too |
The problem with late skiing is that you're best off going high, and high mountains aren't ideal for airports 
Les Menuires is 2hrs from GVA, which I'd have thought compares very favourably with Les Arcs, Tignes, La Plagne, etc. Totally agree it's not the prettiest, tho' after Val Thorens, even Heathrow airport had a certain charm to it.
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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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Fair point about height and transfer times!
I have memories of 3+ hrs to Meribel and assumed Les Menuires was similar, but guess it’s a different valley. No Val Thorens is not a contender  I do like Reberty, but think it’s chalets mostly, will check.
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Over the last ~15 years we have mostly done Christmas week and early April but we did Feb HT in La Plagne once post pandemic.
Feb HT for me is a mindset and to some extent organisation thing. It can work. That said, we've only done it once for a reason. And if only had to choose between those two weeks it's a no brainer - April it is.
I wouldn't worry about the transfer time - difference between 2 or 3 hours is negligible. And if you do April the chances are the traffic, state of the roads and weather will make it more pleasurable.
We've done Les Menuires in April a lot recently. It's sprawling, it's certainly not pretty, but it works - cheap accommodation, great location for the slopes, easy parking, etc. See my TR's
LDA is a marmite resort, so tread carefully. Tignes not a bad option, Paradiski for sure. Don't discount AdH but if you hit a bad year it would be less fun.
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Thanks. I think Easter is a no brainer personally but some in the group are saying Feb (I think mostly just because it’s what we did this year and we lucked out). So wanted to check views!
Thanks for the resort pointers. Alpe d’Huez too sunny I think. I’m not familiar with les deux Alpes so will tread carefully as you say. Will reconsider Les Menuires.
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@pie81, I think half term next year is the perfect storm of most of Europe being off school at the same time as well as the more populous French regions (double check this though). As a result, I’d choose Easter. I think Easter is much earlier next year too.
If you have to book early, head high. If you’re happy to wait it out an take a risk, then book as late as possible and you might find somewhere really surprising (lower) that ends up being great. This is what we tended to do although sometimes we booked flights early without booking a particular ski area/resort until late.
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I've done a few ski trip, usually over Christmas and Easter but not during the month of half term. However, this year we will be doing Christmas for about 10 or 11 days in Les Arcs, end of January/Early Feb in Georgia and back to Les Arcs end of March/Early April. Les Arcs is to crowded for us during the mid winter holidays. Snow is usually good in Les Arcs in spring and was IMHO very good this year.
I don't understand the problem with transfer times. I suppose it depends on where you are transfering from, what mode of transport you are using and how long you have to wait for it. We've all been there sitting on the coach waiting for that delayed flight from Glasgow.
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On transfer times it’s just that we got slammed with a 5 hour transfer this year that should’ve been 2 hrs (due to half term traffic) - not the end of the world and much less of an issue at Easter.
We can’t leave it late to book unfortunately as there are 16 of us, so would be too risky!
John and any others who know Les Arcs, is it split into different villages like Tignes or La Plagne? Any specific ones to aim for if so? Thank you
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@pie81, Strickly Les Arcs is split into 4 villages:
1600, the oldest and smallest. It's where we have an apartment. It has an architectural protection order on it and staggering vies across the valley.
1800, the next oldest and the largest by a long way. It has many districts, some convenient for lifts others less so. Supposidly has the best night life.
1950 (and the seasonaire village below it) the most recent and possibly a bit bigger than 1600. Thought by many to be quite stylish. Everywhere is ski out/ski in
2000, built after 1800 and at 2150m the highest. Has the only 5* hotel in the area.
There are other more outlying settlements
Vallandry, originally a sperate resort now linked to Les Arcs and via the Vanoise Express telecabine to La Plagne
Villaroger, a small village connected by slow lifts to Arc 2000 which should be dramatically improved next year by a telecabine.
Coubaton, actually the orignal Les Arcs village but now disconected with no lifts to the main resort, but very beautiful
Bourg st Maurice, a large town with lots of facilities and connected to Arc1600 by funicular.
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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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@pie81, IMHO the skiing above Arc 1800 would probably suit your need for blues and reds with the odd black very well. We have similar requirements and have stayed in the Edenarc apartments in April for the past 3 years and will be back again next Easter. The only thing is Arc 1800 isn't exactly pretty, though it's not the worst either. For something more charming Arc 1950 is worth a look.
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Thank you! Will take a look at Arc 1950, sounds ideal for us
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You know it makes sense.
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@pie81, in Reberty I’ve stated in the Alpages des Reberty apartments which are reasonable, very convenient and have a pool. I’ve also stayed in the Ours Blanc hotel which is excellent.
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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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Done 2 Aprils easter weeks in Arc 1800. Id say stay near the Transarc gondala. Great for begginers as can get to the 2000 side easy and back again, download back to 1800.
I felt 1950 was a bit boxed in when i skied through. 1800 has great views and gets the afternoon and evening sun with amazing views of setting sun.
One thing i dont like about les arcs is alot of the blues are just cat track traverses. My 7 year old even finds them annoying and says they are not proper runs( i agree) just a means of getting to anothe part of the ski area.
It is good value for money though, especially if you get lift ticket in the early bird sale, think almost 40% this year for easter week.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Just returned from L2A (there's a trip report here https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=173034#5433353)
Stayed at Chalet Faverot, which is a pair of big chalets (1x 10 person, 1x 14 person) and would easily work for a big group who want to be close to lifts and shops/eateries.
It was pretty quiet despite 1600 students being in town, and even though there were quite a few runs down to resort not officially open, there was ample room up the mountain for everyone. The fact it had an absolute mega dump mid-week helped satisfy the powderhounds. Obvs that's never guaranteed but my pst two Easter rips (the other to ADH) was exactly the same, with oodles of fresh stuff.
Resort-wise, loads of choice for food and drink.
Only thing I'd say is when the runs down to resort aren't open then the number of red and blacks are reduced significantly; it's a very blue resort and the reds I did do weren't particularly exciting, or at leats they didn't feel much of a step up from the blue in terms of length or gradient. Easter is a bit earlier in 2026 so it may be that the snow is better plus Vallee Blanche area would still be open if there's snow.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@pie81 For Les Menuires - I stayed in the Bruyeres part and it was nothing like the concrete jungle of the main resort centre. I'm not saying it was 'pretty' - more like pretty inoffensive.
And that area of Les M is quite convenient as there is a fast lift that takes you right up to the route to Val Thorens, or you can ski down to the lift that goes up to the other side of the valley (great for Powder which lots of the families leave alone). There is a nice little parade of shops and restaurants incl ski hire and the food options were pretty nice and reasonably priced (for 3 valleys)...
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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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@AliAfro, Bruyeres has to be the most convenient location in the 3V - a single lift from bottom to top, that lets you access 5 villages without taking another lift (VT, St M, Meribel, Mottaret and Les M).
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Half term. Bit of winter sun and keeps you going through the dark times Between Xmas and march.
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Perfect thank you!
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@pie81, it’s funny, absolutely everyone I know been to Seville says that. Happened to me and our postie just got back after Feb and said the same!
We go back to the same place in Switzerland every half term as it’s quiet and then love the 3V first week of the Easter holidays. Never had a bad week (had a couple of mixed ones with good fresh snow though!)
Two weeks a year makes a huge difference to the kids’ progression…!
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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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@snowdave, we used to do Christmas and Easter instead of half term. We got some amazing bargains for Christmas trips.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Apologies for threadjack but this might be relevant for an Easter 2026 ski trip:
UK Easter school hols come a week earlier than France in 2026 (for most UK schools at least) - which presents a rare opportunity to go skiing a week earlier than normal which hopefully means emptier slopes, better snow, cheaper accom etc...
An Unofficial Spring Family Bash 2026 has been proposed (by me) here: [url=]https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=5435558#5435558[/url]
Have proposed Val Thorens (to retain possibility of upgrade to official Bash) but open to other suggestions.
Please click on the link and add a comment on that thread if you might be interested.
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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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@AliAfro, I don't think French school holidays make much difference to April/Easter skiing as many French families have given up skiing by then (Belgian holidays might be more relevant, but even then, there aren't generally "hordes" out on the slopes. And accommodation is generally at "low season" rates after mid-March, regardless of French school hols.
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@Origen fair point, but at the very least its a week earlier than usual - I know that doesn't guarantee better snow or conditions - but I'll take it!
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You know it makes sense.
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@pie81,
Best Resorts for April (Easter)
Choose high-altitude + good snow history:
• Tignes – Top pick: high (up to 3450m), excellent for late-season, great red/blue mix, ski-in/out friendly. Functional architecture but practical.
• Val Thorens – Highest resort in Europe. Great snow reliability into May, ski-in/out is the norm. Can be windswept and lacks village charm, but fun atmosphere and broad terrain.
• Les Arcs 1950/2000 – Strong all-rounder for late season. 1950 has charm, ski-in/out, and good restaurants. Broad terrain with good reds and blues.
• La Plagne (Belle Plagne/Plagne Soleil) – High enough at 2000m, lots of intermediate terrain, more sun-exposed though.
Avoid: Les 2 Alpes (south-facing = slushy), Alpe d’Huez (same), Avoriaz (iffy in warm Aprils), anywhere below 1800m base.
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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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April in Tignes is wonderful.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Val Cenis? High 2750 north facing keeps snow well smaller resort 120km significantly cheaper lift pass food drink done 2 x April’s and had great snow up high fresh snowfalls can get slushy low down in afternoon
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Geneva Airport to Les Menuires isn’t just 2 hours on any changeover day.
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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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Quick one on transfer times. If you pick somewhere like Les Arcs or 3 Valleys the problem is traffic, especially in bad weather or at Feb half-term. That can make the transfer 5 hours when it should be 2-3.
We’re lucky in that we fly from London airports so have lots of options but these days we fly on Friday night, stay overnight in the cheapest airport hotel we can find and get picked up by the transfer company before 7am on Saturday. That way you’ll miss the traffic and be sure of limiting the transfer to its minimum possible time. The flights are often cheaper as well.
Try to find a hotel you can walk to from the terminal though, the taxis charge a fortune to got a Km or two.
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If you're only skiing a week or two a season it's harder to apply generalisations IMO when it comes to the weather.
I like skiing in April, longer warmer days, quieter (generally speaking). Don't think anyone else has mentioned it so I will. I was in Tinges in April which was the week that the heavy snow closed the lifts for a day and a half. I've taken a long hiatus from skiing so this could be just back to my first paragraph but I really noticed the difference to all the other times I've skiied in April. No freeze thaw over night left it really chopped up to slushy and everything in between. I've never had such variable conditions in 30 years of skiing. For me it was massively enjoyable, it makes you a better skier for sure but some intermediates in the group used to 'winter' skiing conditions they really struggled. I wouldn't class them as unfit, maybe not ski fit but they'd had enough very early afternoon every day.
I've never skied in France when the schools have been out. I've headed to Austria or Italy so I can't comment on the levels of crowds etc but going in Feb should open a much larger variety of resorts.
Just an observation again during the hiatus, I was surprised how busy it was in April. Weather is probably pushing more and more people to a select few high altitude resorts. The queues were never bad but many slopes quite congested.
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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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| Grizwald wrote: |
If you're only skiing a week or two a season it's harder to apply generalisations IMO when it comes to the weather.
I like skiing in April, longer warmer days, quieter (generally speaking). Don't think anyone else has mentioned it so I will. I was in Tinges in April which was the week that the heavy snow closed the lifts for a day and a half. I've taken a long hiatus from skiing so this could be just back to my first paragraph but I really noticed the difference to all the other times I've skiied in April. No freeze thaw over night left it really chopped up to slushy and everything in between. I've never had such variable conditions in 30 years of skiing. For me it was massively enjoyable, it makes you a better skier for sure but some intermediates in the group used to 'winter' skiing conditions they really struggled. I wouldn't class them as unfit, maybe not ski fit but they'd had enough very early afternoon every day.
I've never skied in France when the schools have been out. I've headed to Austria or Italy so I can't comment on the levels of crowds etc but going in Feb should open a much larger variety of resorts.
Just an observation again during the hiatus, I was surprised how busy it was in April. Weather is probably pushing more and more people to a select few high altitude resorts. The queues were never bad but many slopes quite congested. |
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head about high altitude. Even in January (after the record heat and rain in the French Alps in 2023 and 2024), the high altitude resorts are extremely popular. Folk owning properties and businesses in resorts such as Val Thorens must be thriving.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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I ski Easter every year, and have given up on half term. We go to the PdS, which is low.
We love it. Treat it as a sun holiday where you may get some skiing, and it is excellent. I never get people who ski for 3 hours and then lunch/apres all afternoon (not you OP!) Complaining about snow conditions. Go at Easter and your lunch and apres can be in a T-shirt, in the sun!
Easter is skiing in the morning, through lunch, and then sunny afternoons doing whatever. That said, i love slush and skiing in a T-shirt so have no problem with a full day when it's warm.
Kids prefer it too as less crowded, warmer sunnier, and other things to do apart from skiing.
It's also way, way cheaper (for now - that won't last), and as others have said I have had powder days at Easter, and none at half term.
That said, we are also lucky and get to ski at other points in the season, without children. So I get the debate if this is the only week one can get...
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| Grizwald wrote: |
If you're only skiing a week or two a season it's harder to apply generalisations IMO when it comes to the weather.
I like skiing in April, longer warmer days, quieter (generally speaking). Don't think anyone else has mentioned it so I will. I was in Tinges in April which was the week that the heavy snow closed the lifts for a day and a half. I've taken a long hiatus from skiing so this could be just back to my first paragraph but I really noticed the difference to all the other times I've skiied in April. No freeze thaw over night left it really chopped up to slushy and everything in between. I've never had such variable conditions in 30 years of skiing. For me it was massively enjoyable, it makes you a better skier for sure but some intermediates in the group used to 'winter' skiing conditions they really struggled. I wouldn't class them as unfit, maybe not ski fit but they'd had enough very early afternoon every day.
I've never skied in France when the schools have been out. I've headed to Austria or Italy so I can't comment on the levels of crowds etc but going in Feb should open a much larger variety of resorts.
Just an observation again during the hiatus, I was surprised how busy it was in April. Weather is probably pushing more and more people to a select few high altitude resorts. The queues were never bad but many slopes quite congested. |
what i noticed during the last years, is the the weather goes from one extreme point (too cold + snow) to the other extreme side (too warm).
Thats explains the situation you described i think.
What i also notice, especially during the start of the saison, and the end of the Season, very importan ist the orientation and the artificial snow : more noth looking, and artificial snow, better conditions..
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Another vote for first week of April. Half term next season is for the masochists. Transfers won't be an issue without the world and his wife on the road at the same time.
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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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@pie81, we’ve decided to go skiing the end of Jan/early feb this year and decided to go somewhere different- Georgia. It isn’t looking too expensive, though we could do France cheeper. I have no idea when Georgian schools have a half term or even if they have them. The famous video of the chairlift makes it look exciting.
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