 Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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JamieUK, welcome to snowHeads! 
Skiing above 2000m continues until about the end of April - we go to Val Thorens regularly in the second week of Easter and other snowHeads are going right at the end of Easter. I've only skied twice in March, at Val Cenis (1400m) there wasn't much snow at valley bottom but up the mountain it was fine, Val Cenis was pretty cheap but little apres ski and a relatively small ski area. We also went to Obergurgl (1800m), a different year and it was freezing, -15C and blowing a breeze. Nursery slopes do tend to be at the bottom of the mountain and March is quite late so I'd head higher.
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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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Go somewhere high and you will be fine - Espace Killy, Paradiski and Trois Valles will all have snow I reckon
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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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Mayhofen is really nice - it was definitely a winner with my wife when we went a few Christmases ago.
La Clusaz is really nice around that time as well - I went on 16th March 2006 and we had heaps of snow. Great food, Not too many English - actually, we didn't speak to a single other English person for the whole time we were there!
Both of these places have more "charm" than Val D.
What sort of accommodatin would you be after?
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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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JamieUK,
High resorts will be very reliable for snow at this time of the year, resorts with lower skiing may be good but can be poor, if booking in advance I would go high, if prepared to wait and see you can often get great skiing at low to medium altitude.
Expensive places are often expensive because of fashion and the quality of the accommodation.
Cheapest places are Eastern Europe and the Pyrenees, can't say I have skied in either but many like them though they don't have great snow at the moment.
Austria and Italy tend to be cheaper than France and Switzerland though there are variations within these countries.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for the replies - Keep them coming! 
I'm actually a travel agent so should know bout things like this shouldnt I?! I think what we'll do is wait until 2/3 days before and hope to pick up a last minute cheapie. Accommodation I guess will be at least B&B - not too sure re HB or a catered challet - Do any of you ppl have experience of these? Whats the food been like?
Re equipment - Will we need to invest in some ski stuff before we go or is it generally available for hire? I know ski hire will be available but what about clothing?
Once again thanks for your replies so far...
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JamieUK, clothing is unlikely to be available for hire in resort, but there are companies who do it here. One of the big TO's (Nielson's or Inghams) used to advertise clothing hire in their brochures. You could also pick up some stuff at TKMaxx or one of the outlet places, like Freeport.
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Go high.
Village base level should ideally be at least 1800m from mid-Mar onward.
Most of the best higher stations are in France and Switzerland.
Val d'Isere, Tignes, Val Thorens, St Moritz and Saas Fee spring to mind.
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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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Thanks.
Just a quick look at Inghams Website and noticed there is a big difference in price between resorts for tuition. France appears to be over £100 more expensive than other places - Is this because it's more established/popular? I'd rather use this money to pay for nicer accom, board basis if I'm not going to notice a difference...!
As this is going to be something totally new to me am I really going to benefit from going to France & spending more money?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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JamieUK, many people on snowheads don't realise that there is skiing outside of France....so don't be swayed by their opinion 
As a beginner, the important things are that you are in a nice place, with things to do if you want to have an afternoon/day off, and that your accommodation is pleasant. Learning to ski is great fun, but can also be hard work/tiring. I would always favour Austria for beginners (I've never been to Andora or Bulgaria) as they are set up for receiving beginners, their ski schools employ a lot of native English speakers (those that are Austrian have to take their exams in English) and they tend to have their resorts based in towns.
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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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JamieUK, great skiing should be available more or less anywhere in mid-March. I would choose on the basis of having lots of beginner slopes for variety, ski school recommendations and availability of other activities if you get physically tired from the skiing. That will still leave you plenty of choice!
I've just read Elizabeth B's comments as I type - basically, I agree with those (though some similar resorts are available in France too!)
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You know it makes sense.
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Whitegold, I have never had any problem returning to resorts at 1350m in mid-March, mid=April may be a different matter, but not mid-March.
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FAQ
