 Poster: A snowHead
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As the title really - I've been skiing in March/April for much of the last 20 years or more, but this season, circumstances have dictated a mid January trip.
Will I be converted to Jan, or will I miss the blue sky, sunshine, beers on the terrace that comes with late season skiing? Not sure I'll miss the slush fest in the afternoon though.
Heading to La Rosiere should that make any difference.
Cheers
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@TheMikeSki, January can be cold and snowy, can be cold and sunny . La Ros can be windy too especially on the link but there's nothing nicer than a vin chaud in front of a roaring fire. As you say there is less possibility of a slush fest too
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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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Not having school-age children any more, we pretty much always go out across the end of Jan to beginning of Feb for our main ski break. Conditions are likely to be better in terms of snow base, both thickness and condition. Downsides are the piste can be very hard first thing, and the light goes earlier and can go quite rapidly, as well. In terms of weather, looking back, I don't think we've lost any more days due to bad weather compared to later in the season. I've noticed more difference in terms of the drive down/back: Jan means more likely to have snow/fog/rain en route and the shorter days make an overnight stop more attractive, and I wouldn't like to make the journey then without all-season or winter tyres on the car.
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I've skied in minus double digits in January, and I've skied in double plus digits in January. Chances are it's more likely to be the minus figures, but there's no guarantees either way.
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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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Cold, greater chance of lesser visibility, less rain, possibly pistes don't soften much during the day. Goes dark much sooner. Possibly can still be awaiting first big dump of the season so can be scratchy in places.
As to time of year - both is the correct answer. Embrace the spray 'n pray of April and the cold blower of January.
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will I miss the blue sky, sunshine, beers on the terrace that comes with late season skiing?
Yes
Not sure I'll miss the slush fest in the afternoon though
Also yes
Like others, I've had warm temps in Jan and snow storms in March / April so there is variance. But it is noticeably darker in January. However, the plus side of that is you can get the true cold Winter vibe, vin chauds and fires as described, and cold cold snow on occasion. I'm not sure you ever really get that squeak out of cold fresh snow in March or April, or certainly a lot less.
I like both.
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The sun is lower in the sky, so terraces that might be sunny in March could be shaded in Jan. Also, it tends to be colder mid-afternoon for the same reason and you don't get the balmy ends to the day in the same way. On the other hand, south-facing slopes tend to hold up much better which is important for La Rossiere and you don't tend to get the ice-in-the-morning, slush-in-the-afternoon pattern. Also, it should be much, much quieter.
But every year is different...
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| 8611 wrote: |
| I'm not sure you ever really get that squeak out of cold fresh snow in March or April, or certainly a lot less. |
Make sure to have the right wax on your skis if that is the conditions, i've fallen foul of that before! 
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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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I've done two weeks in January almost every year (COVID excepted) for the last 25 years and only once did it feel colder than Glenshee. Overall it's generally been disappointingly mild. Most of this had been Austria and Switzerland rather than France.
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@TheMikeSki, less people around is a big plus
As has been said, you can get the beers on the terrace in Jan. Just they're more likely to be lunchtime not evening as it will get dark earlier.
Think the only way to be sure is go in Jan then late March 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| 8611 wrote: |
| I'm not sure you ever really get that squeak out of cold fresh snow in March or April, or certainly a lot less. |
Amen. Here endeth the lesson.
Levity aside, it's just different. Pluses and minuses. Only sensible solution is to do multiple trips throughout the season !
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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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It is one of my favourite sounds in the world
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@TheMikeSki, I always ski in January; quieter slopes and town, often colder than, say, mid-March onwards, but we’ve had sun and blue skies more often than cloud. FWIW we were in La Rosiere last January and it was indeed very windy on one day but we just skied down to lower slopes and through the trees.
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You know it makes sense.
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@TheMikeSki,
When the sun drops behind the mountains the temps plunge - just leave the terrace & go into the bar.
You'll still need the suncream & lip salve.
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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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As I ski all season, January is generally my favourite month post Epiphany. Quieter, mostly locals, good snow, more chance of a powder day and earlier finishes.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thanks all. Multiple trips does seem to be the answer, but sadly can't make it work for the coming season.
Slightly shorter days are OK, my aging legs might appreciate those, and I might actually get chance to try the pool for change.
I was in VT late season in 2024 (around 21st April I think), and it felt like it snowed day and night the entire time, so I agree, you can't always predict based on timing.
Quiet slopes is definitely high on my list, absolutely love Ste Foy in March this year, and we'll almost certainly be heading back there in the future.
Should the snow 'feel' any different to ski on? I'm pretty competent on all pistes, but have got so used to the snow being softer, maybe, if that's a thing? I'll be able to work it out pretty quickly, but my wife is a fairly nervous blue run skier.
I know what I mean, but maybe not explaining it too well.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| TheMikeSki wrote: |
Should the snow 'feel' any different to ski on? I'm pretty competent on all pistes, but have got so used to the snow being softer, maybe, if that's a thing? I'll be able to work it out pretty quickly, but my wife is a fairly nervous blue run skier. |
Like most of the other issues raised, this can vary much more for reasons not directly related to the time of year, but in general the dreaded rock-hard boiler-plate conditions to which I assume you refer are more likely to occur later season than in mid-winter. For ice to build up there needs to have been some liquid water, either from rain or from daytime melting in the sun, so with lower temperatures and less sun, piste conditions are more likely to remain better for longer, and less changeable through the day, in January than they are in March or April.
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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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My last 4 seasons of skiing a week each in December, and early Jan Feb and March, the best snow has been the week before Christmas (powder every time) but you have to go very high (Val d'Isere for me).
Often now there isn't much snowfall in February.
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It could be -20C in January or it could be positive numbers, the weather is quite unstable nowadays. As many accommodation options are more available, I would decide last minute where to go and which week in January to select based on snow condition and forecast.
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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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Mmm, empty slopes…
Real skiing using sharp edges, none of this casual sliding from one coffee stop to the next.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Is it quieter in January now? It always used to be but my recent trips have been quieter in March than in January though not to the same resort so it may be a reflection of resorts rather than Month.
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@ed48, yes, in January and February we too decide where to go a week before, based on the snow. However in December we go high to Val d'Isere. (And March is EOSB)
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| ed48 wrote: |
| It could be -20C in January or it could be positive numbers, the weather is quite unstable nowadays. |
It's nothing new. The instability, I mean. My first ski trip was in around 1994, late January, Chatel. There was no snow below about 1600m and the temperature displays at the super-chatel cable car top station (1650m) were reading over 20C most days.
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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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| Chaletbeauroc wrote: |
| TheMikeSki wrote: |
Should the snow 'feel' any different to ski on? I'm pretty competent on all pistes, but have got so used to the snow being softer, maybe, if that's a thing? I'll be able to work it out pretty quickly, but my wife is a fairly nervous blue run skier. |
Like most of the other issues raised, this can vary much more for reasons not directly related to the time of year, but in general the dreaded rock-hard boiler-plate conditions to which I assume you refer are more likely to occur later season than in mid-winter. For ice to build up there needs to have been some liquid water, either from rain or from daytime melting in the sun, so with lower temperatures and less sun, piste conditions are more likely to remain better for longer, and less changeable through the day, in January than they are in March or April. |
So in theory, better and more consistent conditions? I'll take that.
Thanks all, some interesting responses to what I thought would be a pretty stupid question.
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@TheMikeSki, it’s a trade off imo, shorter daylight and less strength in the sun should give better snow conditions, especially in La Ros which suffers once it gets warmer, personally I’d trade off the slush fest for less sunlight everytime and wrap up accordingly. Hopefully the weather gods will be on your side, a nice dump just before you get there and then cloudless skies whilst you are.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@geoffknight, we can but hope.
Cold isn't an issue, I mean, just add layers really.
Slightly shorter days are fine too, it's not like we'll be losing 3 or 4 hours.
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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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In my experience snow depths are lower in January than in March/April so a slightly greater number of rocks on the piste.
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We've skied in January every year bar one and only once is 30 years has it been very cold , its easier to put an extra layer on in jan than take off a layer or two off when overheated and then get cold on an exposed lift in late march .
The mega bonus of Jan is no queues this time is the st gervais/ megeve area and les saissies did we have have anyone one in front of us in most lifts.
Of course that's just our opinion and when we had a late extra one its great to ski all day and sit in the sun on a balcony afterwards. Swings and roundabouts I guess. What I would say is any day on the snow is a good day compared to the British rain
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You know it makes sense.
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@TheMikeSki,
Should have added, in case of exceptional cold weather:-
A pair of silk inner gloves might be an idea, especially if you are a chair lift fidget.
And avoid touching metal with bare hands/tounge!! (latter tends to be a student thing  ).
You'll also find the batteries your electrical bits and bobs run out of juice very quickly.
If self driving make sure the fluids etc in your car are good for the temperatures, even if in underground parking.
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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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| TheMikeSki wrote: |
Will I be converted to Jan, or will I miss the blue sky, sunshine, beers on the terrace that comes with late season skiing? Not sure I'll miss the slush fest in the afternoon though.
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I doubt you’ll be “converted” to Jan.
You WILL miss the (almost) guarantee blue sky, sunshine and beers (plural) on the terrace.
You will likely still have (some) blue sky and sunshine. At least a beer (singular) on the terrace on a good day. Your second/third beer may have to be inside.
But you might get really fluffy powder!
Strategy-wise, because of the shorter day, you want to get out when the lift opens. Short lunch. Quit as soon as the sun move below the peaks making the piste icy and hard to see. Have your post-skiing beer(s) in the village instead of on mountain. (Unless you fancy skiing in the dark after sunset, in that case, you get your chance to do that in Jan which is not possible in March/April)
Yes, a soak in the pool after the early quitting becomes your bonus.
You’re far more likely to be “converted” to a 2 weeks a year skier! 
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Poster: A snowHead
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I tend to ski a bit later in the day in December than in April. In April we get out early and finish about 3 or 4 in the afternoon depending on how tired we are and how soft the snow is getting. In December, as the snow usually stays firmer later, we may start later and finish later often returning after 17:00 having got the last lift (I'm not very fit and can only manage about 6 hours skiing a day and most of that sitting on chairlifts).
Some of my memorable descents have been at dusk coming down to Arc 1600 with the lights of Bourg st Maurice twinkling in the distance and the piste entirely to myself.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| abc wrote: |
| TheMikeSki wrote: |
Will I be converted to Jan, or will I miss the blue sky, sunshine, beers on the terrace that comes with late season skiing? Not sure I'll miss the slush fest in the afternoon though.
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You’re far more likely to be “converted” to a 2 weeks a year skier! |
Or, if I might make a suggestion, to a long weekends skier. If you ski long weekends, rather than weeks, then you can get 20+ days on snow for less than ten days leave ... a far far better outcome than taking the usual 5 days leave for 6/7 days 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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It's been said above but I also skiied lots in March/April, I also feel the cold a bit more than I used to but it feels noticeable colder for the same forecast temp in Jan vs March especially when the sun drops early afternoon and you are skiing north facing slopes.
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