Easter ski trip with teens, Andorra or Austria?

[trickyex]

Hello, have been devouring all the old threads but my head is now bursting with info overload.
I want to take my DSs who are 17 and 14 on an Easter ski trip. They are pretty good skiers, me not so much. So looking for blue/green/red slopes and not too busy.
We were hoping to find a hotel or appartment with access to a pool and sauna, ideally ski in/out or close to the lifts.
And we are really hoping to go via Stansted.
Am happy to book it myself as it seems cheaper and there are more options for Stn flights (have looked at Cystal and Inghams but not ideal flight wise).
Where would you recommend?
TIA

Easter is late this year and you really need to consider altitude if you don't want to ski on slush, so do need to be looking for somewhere with plenty of skiing over 2000m. We go to Tignes at Easter and always find plenty of good snow as it gives you the ability to get up high and stay high, without having to ski slushy runs back to resort level each time. Look at the villages at 2100 and Val Claret - neither remotely pretty but they offer about the best skiing you'll find at Easter. I think the hotel Diva might be linked to Crystal ( we always self-cater). You could also look at Val Thorens or Cervinia at that time of year, but I doubt Andorra will offer reliable enough snow for a good ski experience in April. I don't have experience of Austria so can't comment on suitability, but you need to look for altitude and slopes that are not south-facing at Easter.

I was coming on to say that you'll need to go as high as possible.
We went to France for Feb half term and there were unusually high temperatures for that time of year and the resort I was at - Serre Chevalier - was worried how long the snow would last.

I'm going again to Flaine mid March for a long weekend. It might work for you as fairly high with a good mix of runs, but not very scenic.

Oh and the hotel we're staying at in Flaine is called Rocky Pop and has a pool and sauna and looks quite funky.

Flaine is a tricky one - the highest point is only 2500m so arguably not high enough to give you sufficient skiing for April, but it invariably has plenty of snow left when they shut it for the season.

We went to Stubai Glacier in April a few years ago.
There is a hotel right by the gondola, (Mittersburg Sport hotel). Otherwise its ski bus from the village further down, (Fulmpes) or hire car.
Nearest airport is Innsbruck.

It was VERY busy. But most resorts are closed by that point which has a knock on effect.
Lots of Blues and Reds. The long route down to the Gondola bottom was shut by then I think.

Thanks, yes I realise its not ideal timing wise.
I do like the look of Italy, it sounds like it would be a good fit.
Tignes good for skiing but France sounds a bit busy? Am not very confident on skis so the less crowded the better.
Its hard to know (as newbies) and its expensive, which makes me feel a bit anxious about getting it wrong....

Depends where you go in Tignes - I'm fortunate to have been going for long enough to know where to find quieter runs , and it's nothing like as busy as half term. The only time I tend to find it busy at Easter is last thing in the afternoon when everyone is heading down off the mountain. Having said that, I think it may possibly be busier this year, given many people have not skied for the past 2 years, but that's probably likely of a lot of resorts.

I did a quick google and Solden and Obergurl are both recommended for late skiing if that's any help.
I do worry that this isn't the year for it with warm conditions and many more people skiing than normal. If you could go Feb half term next year you'd have a lot more likelihood of guaranteed snow.

Andorra is brilliant and we've been loads but I would never go at Easter. It's too far south and too low. Austria will be much better at Easter.

Have a look at Snowtrex
Website selling ski accommodation with lift passes included. You can filter for ski in, swim pool etc.
We haven't booked yet but will probably go to the French Alps

Thanks again for all the comments.
Am also a bit worried its not the year, all a bit last minute and very late etc and more demand after missing two years.
I feel bad for my sons as they missed their only chance at a joint school ski trip, which would have been so nice for them.
Perhaps a sunny holiday is a better bet.
Austria is possible but quite pricey in the areas where its high.

I have not found the slopes any busier than normal nor have I found it any warmer? Possibly sunnier for periods but not especially warm (and I may just have been lucky as the snow was decent). Of course nobody knows how the end of the season will pan out but I’ve been pretty happy with conditions on piste where I have been

I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of 'natural' snowfall at Easter as the resorts will use snow canons if they need to.

Andorra is fabulous for new skiers...and even though it is lower altitude, there will be enough snow for a good experience to learn on.

Easter is late this year but as long as you head for somewhere with access to a glacier there will be natural snow topped up by artificial perhaps lower down . Some lower pistes and lifts may close depending on conditions. Andorra is more risky but look at resorts like Kaprun, Schladming, Obertauern, Stubai area which will be snowsure.

(Which are in Austria)

Austria has had good snowfall this year. Plenty of options, especially if you book your own flights then book accommodation separately (sunweb, snowtrex, Peak Retreats, erna low are all good websites). Galtur, Ischgl, Mayrhofen (but avoid snowbombing festival week), Obertauern, Serfaus/Fiss, Kaprun or even stay in Innsbruck and get the free buses to local ski resorts each day.

Thanks all, I did see some good options for Austria so this sounds a good possibility.
Obergurgl is high and looks like it might suit us.

I love Andorra but it’s very warm. I wouldn’t go at Easter, snow is slushy and you will be skiing in a T-shirt (not as nice as it sounds).

I love Andorra too and am just back. It was super warm at half term and the conditions weren't great so I wouldn't risk it at Easter. Not high enough.

Its a shame about Andorra as it sounded like a good fit.
The Dolimites has been suggested so am looking into that. Looks a lovely area, but maybe a bit advanced for me....

Italy is not snowsure mid April.

Some of the lower Austrian areas are very snowy regardless- so Lech / Zurs / St Anton can be good, although not St Anton if you’re inexperienced.
Saas Fee in Switzerland ticks all your boxes - high, glacier, skiing well into May. It’s where a lot of the ski teams train.

Will look at Austria again. Having done some more reading/thinking just fancy somewhere a bit more low key (hence Andorra/Italy).
I thought parts of the Dolomites are quite high and therefore ok late season (we can travel out on 2/3 April so not quite mid April).

We were in Passo Tonale in the Dolomites at half term. Great in Feb but beginner slopes are South facing and they are a bit short of snow this year so I wouldn't risk it for Easter especially when it is this late

@trickyex I've skied in the Dolomites a lot and it's my favourite place but again, it's really not ideal for April. There is a glacier in Marmolada but most of the surrounding slopes are likely to be slushy. What about Cervinia? I haven't been myself but have heard it's good for late skiing.