 Poster: A snowHead
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Family of 4 with two young teenagers. I always wanted to scratch the skiing itch and have never done it before. Have been avoiding Feb half term but Easter seems to be a mixed bag - some say its ok if your high enough up, and a bit quieter as the French don't seem to go?
Flights to Geneva on the 5th April are pretty good since I have some Avios points to use up so flights will be like £200 taxes only.
Would I be better leaving it till Easter next year which is at the end of March? Or could we try somewhere this year, for example Avoriaz? Belle Plagne, Val Thorens etc (although i read its not the prettiest?).
Is it madness going that time of year? Will Avoriaz be open and the ski lifts etc?
If we decided on it would then look to buy the essentials secondhand or cheaply from Decathalon etc, and book private lessons potentially.
Any advice appreciated here 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Loads of resorts open for that week; some will have that as their final week but plenty will go on for another week at least.
Plenty of transfers that can run to resorts a bit further south than the Portes De Soleil (where Avoriaz is), so you shouldn't be constrained to places on the airport's doorstep.
La Plagne/Les Arcs, Les Menuires/Val Thorens, Les Deux Alpes, Alpe D'Huez all offer plenty of skiing well into April. There are also resorts like Montgenevre, Zermatt, and Cervinia that could work also, not sure if they're easy to get to from Geneva. We've been in the middle of April and although skiing back to the foot of resort in L2A was not possible on all days, we had loads of terrain to go at and had a totally awesome week last year.
As for gear, we get most of ours from Vinted; there's always a decent selection and although it's pot luck, you can get stuff for low money
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Tue 13-01-26 14:56; 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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@bingobango, another route to look at is Munich flights to open up Austria. I have found that more cost effective with teens as they get cheaper lift passes as teens.
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Zermatt is very easy to get to from Geneva. Train direct from the airport with a change at Visp. Lots of (very) high slopes with the vast majority over 2000m. We were there in April 22 from 9-16 and it was fine, even though it was very warm! Runs to the resort were even still open as wide strips of white amongst the meadows - but all the higher slopes were wide open
Obviously slushy after lunch low down but we had a great week. Not cheap though!!
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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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We typically go around Easter with the family (15 years or more), and usually go to Arcs 1950 or 2000 driving and self catering. We 'never' had an issue with snow conditions - and quite often had some fresh snow whilst there. It always gets a bit sketchy on the lower slopes but nothing that detriments my enjoyment. Benefits of Easter skiing - longer days and warmer for the kids.
Due to A-levels this year, one of my children is staying home to revise at Easter, and my wife too (to feed and water him).
So I am taking the opportunity to take the other two kids somewhere different and fly. Avoriaz is convenient for Geneva and seemed like a good option.
2 years ago I did similar, but went to Flaine (1600). It was 'hot' in resort but the skiing was still good.
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Thanks all - sounds plausible then! For our first trip I would (ideally) be looking somewhere on the 'prettier' side to try and impress the missus. Accomodation suggestions welcome also (hotel, chalet etc)
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Our last four ski holidays have been at Easter - three times to Val Thorens and last year to Tignes (returning to Tignes this Easter). Our kids will be 13 and 10 this year. We originally chose to go at Easter as it's cheaper than half-term, not as busy, and as above, less worries about cold children (more of a concern when they were younger tbf).
Before children we've skied at every possible time of the year and I absolutely love spring skiing. Even after our kids are grown, if I could only go once a year it'd still be at Easter (although my plan is to go a lot more than that  )
Obviously we always pick high, snow sure resorts. Easter was late last year so we were there w/c 7th and the pistes were absolutely fine, despite not having much snow in the weeks preceding. The week after we were there that had so much snow the whole resort basically shutdown!
You're right that VT (or Tignes for that matter) is not the most aesthetically pleasing resort but makes up for it with the ski area.
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| bingobango wrote: |
| Thanks all - sounds plausible then! For our first trip I would (ideally) be looking somewhere on the 'prettier' side to try and impress the missus. Accomodation suggestions welcome also (hotel, chalet etc) |
For your 1st trip you'd do better to choose a resort with convenient access to the ski school meeting spot over pretty.
See if Action Outdoors have any beginner and/or family deals for your dates - excluding pretty their place in Flaine would suit your needs, and close (as ski resorts go) to Geneva.
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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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@BornAgainSkier? Have you ever been to Avoriaz? The shorter transfer from Geneva is appealing and it seems to tick the boxes for a first trip (good beginner slopes, its car-free)
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I skied every year at Easter before having a self inflicted 7 year break from skiing due to a bad rugby injury then x2 children 
It's nice, in theory longer days, warmer weather-something very nice about having lunch and or ending your day on a sun drenched terrace with a cold beer.
We were in Tignes last year where a storm brought biblical amounts of snow so much that we missed a day and a half of skiing.
This trip was very different to the Easter trips I'd had, either due to some climate change or just down to the fact weather is weather and luck of the draw..... even at above 2000m it softened and got chopped up quickly. I dont think I've ever known anything like it where it was noticeable just how much the snow under your skis changed on a single run with the altitude difference. It really honed your ski technique and needed a full box of tools! It broke a few of the confident intermediates in the group. Then the snow came low vis wet day, a day of closers then a race to enjoy the pow which quickly turned to concrete once the warm spring sunshine hit it.
I didn't find it particularly quiet but I expect a lot of people will logically think 'late Easter go high altitude'. We got a hell of a deal in Les Brévières and at 1550m was skiable back down but was pretty sketchy until the snow arrived.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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| bingobango wrote: |
| @BornAgainSkier? Have you ever been to Avoriaz? The shorter transfer from Geneva is appealing and it seems to tick the boxes for a first trip (good beginner slopes, its car-free) |
Avoriaz (and rest of PdS) is low for that time of year.
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Easter 25 was pretty late - which might be why last years ski trip felt different? Easter Sunday was the 20th - I think the latest it can be is the 25th
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You know it makes sense.
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Although places like Val Thorens and Tignes are not architecturally “pretty”, they have the advantage of being very snowy, which can make them more attractive than a more traditional alpine village looking a bit bare and brown while awaiting spring. As @Kenzie, says, once you start skiing, you’ll probably find that convenience trumps chocolate-box architecture.
I’ve been every Easter (bar COVID) for 15 years, and it’s definitely my favourite time to ski. Long days, sunshine, good snow base, and marmottes.
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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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| snowdave wrote: |
| Although places like Val Thorens and Tignes are not architecturally “pretty”, they have the advantage of being very snowy,. |
I’d rather have snow on a skiing holiday and it tends to cover things up anyway.
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Poster: A snowHead
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We always go at Easter. Last year was bonkers. It was very Springlike the first half of the week. More so than normal - lots of brown hills off the pistes and marmottes running around - but Easter was late. Then, in the middle of the week, there was a metre of snow overnight. I've never seen so much snow in my life.
We normally go to Tignes but also been to La Plagne, Les Arcs and Alpe D-H at Easter. (ADH is pretty much all south facing so may be more risk of slush) All have been fine. One year, there were women sunbathing in bikinis on balconies at the bottom it was that warm! But still plenty skiing.
The last run of the day back into resort is always a bit grim but the massive trade off is less layers, less grumpy cold kids and more opportunity to sit on a terrace in the sun with a drink admiring the view. And much quieter than Feb half term. A bit cheaper but you will probably have to go to the higher, usually more expensive resorts. But still less expensive.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Tue 13-01-26 21:25; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi!
We have only ever skied at Easter with our kids. Now 15 and 17 but their first time (age 7 and 9) was actually in Chamonix which, although not desirable to some as it’s separate ski areas and not ski in/out, was easy to chuck them in the car and get straight on the lift with the bonus of lots to do in town if skiing was too much. Had decent snow and was like a spring holiday down in resort.
However the last few years we’ve been to Les Arcs (2000 and 1800). Great resort for Easter skiing. I love it as the days are long and relaxing for lunch outside in the warmth is so lovely.
We are actually skiing this half term for the first time and I think they’re going to get a shock at the difference.
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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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Easter, especially an early Easter like this year, is fine. Could be one of the higher French resorts for efficiency, Austria for cheap passes and pretty villages.
No one has yet mentioned lessons which in my opinion should be obligatory. I don’t know how many schools offer lessons at Easter if some are winding down. They should! But I’ve seen odd comments here before so I mention it.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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You can’t beat sitting outside in a pair of shorts after skiing hard all day when Easter skiing!
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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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1. Verbier
2. Zermatt
3. Val d'Isere
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Don't good into here. Will check ski schools in the likes of Tignes, Val Thorens, Les arcs etc and check if they are still running. Maybe private would be an option.
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| bingobango wrote: |
| Don't good into here. Will check ski schools in the likes of Tignes, Val Thorens, Les arcs etc and check if they are still running. Maybe private would be an option. |
All ski schools in all those three resorts will be still running well into April.
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Yeah all the main ski schools in big resorts will be running lessons, we've used evolution 2 every time we've been at Easter (in both VT and Tignes) and the groups are usually pretty full
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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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The ESF in Arc 1600 will run until the last day of the season April 25th. I imagine that this will be the same in every resort.
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Can't help with resort recommendations: I've only done Alpe d'Huez at Easter in 1994. I much prefer the snow to be cold. However...
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No one has yet mentioned lessons which in my opinion should be obligatory
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Some advice: find some dry slope or indoor slope and do some lessons on the basics, like getting boots and skis on, standing comfortably, basic snowplough and parallel skis (for teenagers: "pizza" and "chips"). You want to avoid, particularly if you are in group lessons, being in the absolute beginners class and get in one just above that. Much more fun by the end of the week.
Decathlon can be good. SportPursuit (online only) can be very good value for money.
And if you are going at Easter: good sunglasses with shaped Cat 3+ lenses, because you can get an awful to of reflected light off the snow behind ordinary lenses. It might be worth having Cat 3+ goggles too (I, for one, find sunglasses uncomfortable under a helmet). It's not guaranteed to be sunny though, so consider a second pair of goggles for poor light/snow. Don't skimp on these: they need double lenses or they will fog up quickly, if you do need to use them. Anyone wearing glasses needs to try goggles on with a helmet (in Decathlon, perhaps, if you plan to rent helmets).
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I replaced my ancient and very scratched goggles with a pair of mid range decathlon ones last year and they were actually pretty good. Default lens is for low light with an additional snap on lens for sun so both bases covered.
Agree on getting a taster session or two in the UK first, either your local dry slope or an indoor slope if location/budget allows.
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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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If wanting private lessons by recommended instructors, I'd suggest getting in touch with them sooner than later as anecdotally it seems that availability is already pretty limited for Easter 2026.
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ischgl, serfaus/fiss/ladis, soelden, Mayrhofen, Pitztal, Surprisingly France isn't the only place with mountains and snow in Europe. Facing North is also important for snow condutions
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You know it makes sense.
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Avoriaz will have skiing at Easter! As you are beginners ( or that is how I’m reading it) the need for for vast amounts of linked pistes is less critical… and you may not even get beyond the Avoriaz ski area ( as opposed to the whole portes de Soleil PDS area). Thus cheaper ski passes and they are reduced towards end of season anyway.
Less busy as French tend not to do Easter. Warmer and lots of daylight… had some delightful long lunches in the Lindarets village!
As a curve ball suggestion, I’m currently in Ruka Finland. It’s a small resort … we’ve skied the place in 2 days! We are here on a package with Crystal. There absolutely will be snow, runs are short ( and empty!)… and the bizarre thing for me used to skiing in France, the runs are lit so the limited daylight is no issue… lifts open into the evening too. I believe it would be a great place to learn, and there other ‘snowy’ things to do…skidoo, sledging, cross country, snow shoeing, northern lights spotting.
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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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Choose somewhere north facing, small and simple. You don't need to go to any of these mega resorts being quoted. Waste of time and money for beginners.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| AvoAndi wrote: |
| I’m currently in Ruka Finland... the limited daylight is no issue… |
Easter is after the equinox so there would be more hours of daylight than France, although the sun would be a lot lower in the sky.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Kenzie wrote: |
| bingobango wrote: |
| @BornAgainSkier? Have you ever been to Avoriaz? The shorter transfer from Geneva is appealing and it seems to tick the boxes for a first trip (good beginner slopes, its car-free) |
Avoriaz (and rest of PdS) is low for that time of year. |
We go to PdS every year at Easter. We treat it as a mountain holiday where you may be able to do a bit of skiing. Mornings tend to be icy, late mornings onwards slushy. I like both types of skiing. But one big rainstorm, and lots of the skiing can be finished. Avoriaz/Chatel have always been fine. So far.
Personally, I love it. Skiing in a T-shirt, barbecues in the afternoon, hiking, cycling.
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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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Definitely agree that big resorts could be a lot of money for ski passes you won’t use, and that you should try to get a few hours on a fridge or dry slope before going to make the most of it.
Also stretching; beginners in particular get skis tangled up and limber limbs can really help!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| harvey13 wrote: |
| Choose somewhere north facing, small and simple. You don't need to go to any of these mega resorts being quoted. Waste of time and money for beginners. |
While I can see the logic in this, bigger resorts often have the benefit of being higher and more snow sure IMO. Although sure there are exceptions which will be pointed out.
In some larger resorts there are options for sector passes, in Serre Chevalier for example you can just buy a pass for Monetier lifts. There are also often discounted tickets for family groups or discount if puchasing through booking agent
If you can wait until last minute to see what the snow is then I'd agree got to a smaller resort. If you need to book then personally I'd go for a larger/higher resort.
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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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@Boris, larger doesnt always mean higher. Pitztal, Subital, kaunertal, kaprun, Möllertaler, Hintertux will all be open in to May and dont have KMs of pistes
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Baron von chippy, which is why I said
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Although sure there are exceptions which will be pointed out.
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| bingobango wrote: |
| Don't good into here. Will check ski schools in the likes of Tignes, Val Thorens, Les arcs etc and check if they are still running. Maybe private would be an option. |
We're off to Arc 1950 on 28 March. Have booked kids lessons with Evolution2 and adult lessons with ESF.
Initially we wanted New Generation for the kids and were too late to book the levels we needed, but they were the only ones who didn't have availability (at that time). Evolution2 was recommended by a friend who uses them for their three kids (and will do so again on this trip) and they have been very impressed.
https://evolution2.com/en/les-arcs
https://www.ski-school-arc1950.co.uk/arc-1950/
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Awesome thanks I like the look of les arcs 1950!
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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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@bingobango,
Do it. Do it. Do it. Do it.
We love Easter skiing. We didn't ski at Easter last year as we went on a long haul trip instead, but that was fine as Easter was so late (we just went in February instead). We'll be in Les Arcs at Easter this year. 1950 will definitely fit the aesthetic requirement. It's also all ski in/out so very accessible for you to get to ski school. We rate Evolution2. We'll be staying down in 1800 (not as typically 'pretty', but the biggest of the villages with plenty of evening options) with children a similar age to yours.
You've definitely not left it too late. Our first trip to Les Arcs was an Easter one, and we didn't book it until February (but we drove).
You won't regret it. If you do decide on Arc 1950, come join us on the Les Arcs thread.
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5th April is a Sunday. Just make sure the ski school is happy with you joining lessons on the Monday (they run Sunday to Friday). Also, double check your accommodation is happy for you to have a Sunday to Sunday booking. Lots of places want you to book Saturday to Saturday, but as it's Easter and not half term, there may be some flexibility.
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FAQ
