If we wanted to go skiing in Easter holiday, have we left it too late?

[Spiritedlight]

I have a child who’s obsessed with skiing - it’s not my thing but we are wondering whether to go in Easter. Have we left it too late? Is there snow even? Where should w consider?

totally out of my comfort zone, so all input welcome

Higher resorts are more likely to have snow as are resorts nearer the Arctic. You could wait until nearly Easter and check the snow situation. Currently there’s lots of snow in Scotland too which is flexible for short notice trips, not sure if there will be by April

La plagne area in France likely to still be decent snow at Easter

We went last Easter and the one before that. Was great both times

Easter will be fine (been loads of times) but as a PP said you absolutely need to go to the higher altitude resorts.

I know a couple of people who went to Norway at quite short notice. Although if you are expert skiers it might not suit.

The higher you go, the better the snow.
Some great last minute deals in France at the mo, even better if they don’t need lessons, as they are likely booked up, but ski rental should be fine.

Easter is generally decent for skiing the first week of the school holidays, if you go somewhere high and snow sure. After that it gets a bit risky.

If you don’t know much about skiing I would suggest going with one of the big package companies like Inghams or Crystal. You could also look at agents like Ski Solutions who offer packages from lots of different ski companies. With all of these you can look online for your dates and see what’s available. You can also speak to them by phone.

I would suggest phoning as that way you can specify that you want a high, snow sure resort. And your budget.

Remember as well as flights and accommodation, you will also need lift pass, ski hire, lessons, ski clothes and travel insurance that covers winter sports. And of course food in resort (chalet holidays and some hotel holidays include breakfast and dinner but not lunch).

Go somewhere high and with not too many south facing slopes

if your dc will need lessons, check availability before you book anything else

Could you please advise what those might be?

Easter is early so should be fine, but to be on the safer side go high (skiing at 1600m +) and with a glacier as a back up. Zell am see/Kaprun, Schladming/Dachstein, Stubai or Hintertux areas in Austria, Tignes or Vald’Isere, les Arcs in France, Saas Fee, Villars or Zermatt in Switzerland might be worth a look but there are plenty of others.

Skiing at easter is SO much worse than feb - 30 years ago it was ok but these days its so much warmer by march the snow is crap.

Basically by after lunch all but the highest slopes get slushy. Accomodation thats ski in/ski out earlier in the season often isn't by then.

Save your money & book for next feb instead!

If you are beginners, go north. Finland and Norway have good learner slopes, they'll have decent snow and excellent English language tuition. And reindeer.
I recommend Levi in Finland.

Generally agree with this

If you have to do at all - les deux alpes, val thorens, tignes, les arcs (arcs 2000), in austria obergurgl/hochgurgl is high & the glaciers

I don’t, we’ve often arrived in the three valleys first week of Easter hols to a massive dump of snow. Some years had better snow in late March than in Feb, although it doesn’t last as long.
also not that useful to tell someone this year to ski in Feb given that the school holidays window is pretty much over.
feb has had insane snowfall this year. I’ve skied a lot less than usual because of closed lifts, white outs etc. Last Easter in 3Vs was amazing.
OP you still have plenty of time to plan an amazing trip. But if you are flying I’d get that booked in.

Also - easter is late this year, not early. The years its late march are the best for skiing at easter.

I've done Andorra and France usually around the first two weeks of March and never had an issue
2019 I did March 30-april 6th in Morzine and got good snow, I just checked my booking emails.
I usually just keep an eye on snow cams etc

I really want to do Zakopane, it's meant to be great

We have been to Obergurgl in Austria for skiing at Easter. We went at fairly short notice and it was an even later Easter than this year. The conditions weren't as good as February but there was snow and we skied and we greatly enjoyed ourselves.

Whereas we did Morzine mid march in 2016 and it was crap. Slushy, we had to go to avoriaz all the time to get better snow. Morzine/Les Gets are pretty low, i wouldn't go back there now.

We spent many years skiing in Tignes at Easter and always found good snow. Stay inthe highest village - Val Claret - which isn’t pretty but sits at 2200m - and there is plenty of skiing above there, so you don’t have to go any lower if you don’t want to. Easy to get over to Val d’Isere as well and, while I wouldn’t recommend skiing down into the village - there are gondolas that will get you down so you can get across the resort - there are plenty of high slopes offering great skiing there too. Alternatively Val Thorens would offer good skiing at Easter.

We went first week of April once (around 7 years ago) to Les arcs. Slushy in afternoon especially on lower slopes but OTOH lovely and sunny and warm for lunch - I’d recommend

Make sure it’s a resort that’s north-facing eg Alpe d’Huez is high altitude but also has a lot of south- facing slopes, so it’s one I’d avoid at Easter.

Thanks so mch everyone

Did you book anything OP?

No, I decided against it for various reasons...but I've stored all the info for next year!