The Best Resorts For Spring Skiing In Europe
It's understandable why people choose to go skiing during the colder months. But they may be missing a trick as the mountains take on a whole new personality during springtime and offer many advantages over other times of the season.
Spring skiing is fantastic as you don't have to wrap up as warm, the slopes are quieter, and everything is a little bit cheaper. Okay, there's less chance of you getting an epic powder day, but choosing a resort with slopes at high altitudes will mean you can ski on quality snow and have lots of fun slush bashing in the afternoons.
Another great advantage of heading to the mountains during spring is that there is a much more relaxed atmosphere, and the après scene delivers an almost beach-like vibe if you go to the right resort.
With this in mind, we have put together a list of the best results for spring skiing in Europe. We have chosen these resorts for their reliable snow cover, fantastic slopes, amenities and après scenes. Whichever one you choose, you will be sure to have a fabulous time this season.
Val Thorens, France
Sitting at 2,300 m Val Thorens is Europe's highest ski resort. This altitude means the temperatures are consistently cold, maintaining excellent snow conditions. It also has one of the longest winter seasons in Europe, allowing you to ski into May.
Many of Val Thorens' slopes are above 2000 m, and some offer glacier skiing. Therefore you can expect excellent snow, but it is also located in the Three Valleys, the world's largest interconnected ski area, providing many opportunities for late-season fun.
The resort is famous for its excellent après-ski scene, which means you can expect some great end-of-season parties and a selection of events put on by the tourist office that perfectly bring the season to a close.
Val d’Isere/Tignes, France
Val d'Isere and Tignes are connected by the same ski area, with about 60% of its 300 km of slopes above 2500 m. These two resorts have excellent snow cover and a lot of north-facing runs. There are even a couple of glaciers; therefore, the ski area offers fabulous late-season skiing.
The two resorts have very different personalities. Val d'Isere is a chic ski resort filled with traditional-style chalets and luxury accommodations and is brimming with charm. It also has a fantastic après-ski and nightlife scene that can quickly get out of hand. Still, there are also some more low-key establishments if you fancy taking it easy.
Tignes is less pretty than its neighbour, thanks to many high-rise buildings. But the landscape and ski area are fantastic. It also features the 3000-meter-high Grande Motte glacier, which is even open for skiing during the summer. In spring, you will be able to attend lots of sundrenched closing parties or chill out on the banks of the lake while topping up your tan.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt in Switzerland offers a considerable amount of high-altitude skiing, which means you can still find excellent snow into late April. It also has a glacier which is open all year round for skiers and snowboarders to get their snow fix at any time.
The area comprises three sectors, with the highest point at 3000 m. This makes Zermatt one of Europe's most reliable places to go skiing in spring. It is best suited to intermediate snowboarders; however, it's pretty easy to find more mellow terrain, especially when you go up to the glacier.
Zermatt is famous for having some of the best on-mountain restaurants in the world. Therefore you can easily forget about your afternoon of skiing while dining on a sunny terrace overlooking some of the world's most incredible scenery. Then you can head down the mountain to the resort's vibrant après-ski scene.
There are also a lot of off-slope activities for those who don't ski or snowboard or want to experience something else the Swiss Alps have to offer.
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
Even though Sass-Fee has a smaller ski area than Zermatt, its snow cover is just as reliable for spring skiing. It has some excellent nursery slopes at the resort level, so beginner skiers and snowboarders can get to grips with their first turns in the sun and milder temperatures, giving them an excellent introduction to winter sports.
Saas-Fee has the highest average skiing altitude in the Alps, with the majority of its slopes above 2500 m. Therefore good late-season snow is pretty much guaranteed until the last weekend in April. If you are looking for the best snow in the area, you can head up to the glacier, which is renowned for its excellent conditions.
Obergurgl, Austria
If you fancy heading to Austria this spring, you can't do much better than spring skiing in Obergurgl. It often has reliable and quality snow cover until the lifts stop turning in early May. It's true that other resorts get more snow, but the Obergurgl sits at 1930 m, which is very high for an Austrian ski resort.
In addition to this altitude, Obergurgl has plenty of north-facing slopes protected from the sun and reach above 3000 m. This means the snow quality is excellent and preserved exceptionally well into spring. And don't forget Austria is famous for its party atmosphere, which is enhanced exceptionally well by warm spring weather.
Do You Like The Idea Of Spring Skiing?
Heading to the mountains in spring is a wonderful experience. The laid-back vibe, long sun-drenched lunches and après-ski make a refreshing change from the freezing cold temperatures of early winter. Some people choose to only ski in the spring, while others love to take advantage of the lower prices and squeeze in an extra trip while the lifts are still running.
We believe these high-altitude European resorts are ideal for spring skiing. They tick all the boxes with their excellent snow cover, high altitudes, and the fact they have everything you need for a fantastic spring skiing trip.
