The Late, Late Snow
If it takes you a few ski trips to really get into your ski stride, or you’ve been disappointed by this season’s warmer weather, then never fear, there’s still plenty of skiing time left, and now is a great time to book a late season ski break.
March and April may mean the snow is patchier, but it also means the days are longer and there are fewer people on the lifts, so by choosing the right resort you can pack a lot of last minute skiing into each day.
If in doubt aim high. The higher the altitude the more chance you have of a thick blanket of snow. And you’ve got an even better chance if your chosen resort has north facing slopes - at above 2000m.
Val Thorens is Europe’s highest resort at 2,300m, and its lifts take you up to 3,100m, to access beautiful Mount Vallon’s north facing slopes. It’s also got some of the most spectacular scenery in the Three Valleys region and extremely varied terrain.
- Altapura, with its traditional ski lodge motifs, but updated in a hip way, is a super cool, super modern, super five star recommendation for one of the best place to stay in Val Thorens.
Zermatt’s lifts up the Matterhorn go up to a dizzying 3,899m - which is the highest drop-off in Europe - unless you go by helicopter! And they’re open all year for glacier skiing. Zermatt itself is right at the foot of the Matterhorn, so the scenery is awe-inspiring, there’s also great après-ski and plenty of other sports on offer.
- The Hotel Phoenix is one of our Gurus recommendations for the best places to stay in Zermatt. It’s right by the lifts, has spectacular views and is also great value for money.
Saas Fee has the Allalin Glacier to keep it cool, and the ski runs run right beside it, starting at 3,500m. And if things get a little watery they just bring out the snow cannons.
- This Swiss town can be quite expensive, but it doesn’t have to be, the Hotel Schweizerhof is our Guru’s recommendation for one of the best places to stay in Saas Fee and it’s great value with a half board option which includes a six course dinner!
Chamonix, Verbier, Obergurgl and on the other side of the world, Vail, are also worth considering for late season skiing. Or, if you need more advice, please contact one of our friendly Gurus.
Written by Kat Parr Mackintosh
