Of the 150 ski resorts in the Alps, 80 extend their season into April. By late April, only a handful can guarantee sufficient snowfall for skiing. Would you like to ski in April to enjoy all these advantages: longer days, warmer temperatures, easier snow and above all fewer crowds on the slopes? Passe Montagne offers you a selection of 5 resorts to discover, if you're wondering where to enjoy spring skiing.
Our selection of 5 resorts to discover for spring skiing
1. Val Thorens, the highest resort in Europe
99% of the Val Thorens ski area is located above 2,000 metres in altitude. This natural advantage allows this Savoie resort to offer excellent snow quality until very late in the season. Val Thorens has therefore rightfully become a highly reputed resort for spring skiing. Located near Moûtiers, Val Thorens is easily accessible from Albertville and Chambéry.
Passe Montagne's favourite: From Val Thorens you can enjoy the world's largest ski area. 7 interconnected resorts make up the 3 Vallées ski area: 600 km of carefully groomed slopes and an XXL off-piste area.
2. Les 2 Alpes and its glacier reaching 3,600 m in altitude
Discover the Les 2 Alpes ski resort in Isère, offering exceptional spring skiing between 1,300 m and 3,600 m in altitude. With its well-deserved reputation, this unmissable destination attracts skiing enthusiasts. Each year, the resort stays open until May, allowing skiers to enjoy mountain pleasures even in summer thanks to its high-altitude glacier. Les 2 Alpes offers quality snow in spring thanks to its various altitudes and aspects. Avoid icy or overly slushy conditions.
Passe Montagne's favourite: The undeniable asset of this ski area is certainly its world-famous snowpark! Les 2 Alpes was a pioneer in this field. Snowboard and freestyle ski enthusiasts will be delighted to discover the Easy Park, the Slopestyle and Big Air, the Park de l'Envers, the Boardercross or even the Cool Zone at Les 2 Alpes.
3. La Clusaz for an introduction to spring skiing in a smaller resort
Discover the magnificent La Clusaz ski resort, nestled in the heart of the Aravis massif, close to the splendid Lake Annecy. La Clusaz, despite the absence of a high-altitude ski area, offers optimal snow coverage in spring. Thanks to its north-facing slopes, enjoy an exceptional skiing experience in this enchanting setting. Abundant snow awaits you even at the end of the season.
Passe Montagne's favourite: The Défi Foly is a wacky event held in April at La Clusaz. This waterslide challenge consists of attempting to cross the Lac des Confins on skis, monoskis, a snowboard or any other unidentified sliding objects (the extravagant USOAs), after building up speed down a steep, snowy slope. The Défi Foly is the zany end-of-season event.
4. Serre Chevalier Briançon, a sun-drenched destination
Discover the remarkable Serre Chevalier resort, nestled in the Hautes-Alpes department, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. With 300 days of sunshine per year and 80% of its slopes located above 2,000 metres in altitude, Serre Chevalier offers you the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of the Southern Alps and the majestic Écrins massif until the end of the season. Explore this exceptional environment and enjoy a unique skiing experience where nature and sunshine combine for your greatest pleasure.
Passe Montagne's favourite: After a day on the spring ski slopes, why not take a moment to relax at the Monêtier baths? Large indoor and outdoor pools with bubble beds, a geyser, swan necks, an indoor jacuzzi… This natural hot spring is certainly one of the finest in the Alps.
5. Bonneval-sur-Arc, the authentic village
The Bonneval ski area, which reaches 3,000 m in altitude, offers great spring skiing opportunities. Located at the end of a remote and wild valley, Bonneval-sur-Arc is also a prime destination for ski touring in spring: Pointe d'Andagne (3,217 m), Albaron (3,637 m), Ouille du Midi (3,042 m), L'Iseran (2,000 m)… Several ski raids are also possible thanks to the opening of mountain refuges from mid-March until the end of May.
Passe Montagne's favourite: The village of Bonneval-sur-Arc is a small traditional Savoyard village ranked among the most beautiful villages in France. With its stone houses and lauze rooftops, it is impossible to remain indifferent to the rustic charm of Bonneval. During your stroll through the village, stop for a gourmet break at the cooperative cheese dairy to taste the "Bleu de Bonneval".
