Are you looking for help with selecting the best resorts for Easter skiing? Easter may be low season for hitting the piste, but you can still take the family somewhere with plenty of sun and snow. The most important factors are high altitude, north-facing terrain and, ideally, some glacier skiing. We’ve put together a list of the best ski resorts for Easter.
There are some major advantages to skiing outside of December-March. Fewer people means shorter lift queues. Reservations for popular restaurants are easier to come by and ski schools have plenty of availability. Not to mention picture-perfect weather for long, warm lunches and post-ski drinks in the sunshine. You should find lower-priced lift passes too. Here are our best ski resorts for Easter.
Tignes and Val d’Isère, France
Skiers looking for a late-season resort with plenty of snow cover and lots to do should head to Tignes and Val d’Isère. The skiing area goes up to 3,456m at the top of La Grande Motte glacier in the Espace Killy ski area. Combined they give you 300km of high-altitude slopes and incredible glacier skiing for those with a bit of experience. They also offer plenty of practice lifts and natural links. The Espace Killy stays open until early May, so it’s a snow-sure spot for Easter.
There’s an expansive children’s area in Val d’Isère with a magic carpet lift. Ski schools take little ones from the age of four and there’s a strict no-car policy in resort. Off the slopes, you could take adventurous teens waterfall climbing and lake diving in Tignes.
Val Thorens, France
The highest major resort in Europe and one of the best places to ski at Easter, Val Thorens sits at a lofty 2,300m, with the highest lift reaching 3,200m. It gets some serious snow, even well into May. There are plenty of green runs across the Three Valleys ski area and savings on lift passes if you’re travelling with children. Little ones can learn the ropes on beginner slopes with magic carpet lifts, or while away the afternoons at Galerie Caron, an indoor fun park with trampolines, bouncy castles and swimming pools.
The majority of accommodation in the resort is family-friendly too, with ski-in, ski-out apartments and hotels offering childcare. If you like to take your skiing at a leisurely pace, there are some tranquil spots for lunch on the mountain. You can try the buffet-style dining at Les Chalets du Thorens and local specialities and a sun terrace at Le Chalet de la Marine.
Verbier, Switzerland
One of the best ski resorts for Easter, Verbier is a mainstay for snow and sunshine. It has runs up to an altitude of 3,330m, Four Valleys access for challenging skiing and an extensive restaurant and retail complex at the base of the Médran gondola.
The resort is a highlight on the circuit for fun off-slope activities for families. Slow down and admire the scenery with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Adventurers will find dog sledding on designated trails, tobogganing along hairpin bends in Savoleyres and ice karting on a Daytona-style track. The kids will also love the ice rink and leisure pool at Centre Sportif.
Lech, Austria
Head to the traditional Alpine village of Lech in the Austrian Arlberg region for the ultimate Easter getaway. Lech’s microclimate gives it a superb snow record, with more snow here than almost anywhere in Austria. The ski resort enjoys a reputation for attracting royalty and celebrities alike but is also particularly suited to families. Gentle nursery slopes in both Lech and Zurs are ideal for kids finding their snow legs. A cable car service takes guests two hundred metres to the satellite resort of Oberlech, which has its own ski kindergarten.
The skiing above the resort is also well suited to children who are starting to build their skills and confidence. After a day on the slopes, head back to one of the friendliest hotels in the Alps. We recommend the family-run Chalet Hotel Elisabeth Lech. This superb hotel is located just five minutes from the Rufikopf gondola and close to the village centre.
Geilo, Norway
Geilo is one of Norway’s oldest ski resorts and a magical destination for a winter holiday. The resort is perfect for families and beginners, with plenty of quiet, easy slopes. Norway is still relatively undiscovered by the British, so the slopes are often blissfully empty. This makes Geilo one of the best ski resorts for Easter if you’re looking to escape the crowds.
The charming town is home to cosy bars and restaurants where a stay isn’t complete without sampling the local tipple, Akevitt. Off the slopes, Families will love forging memories driving husky sleds and spotting reindeer at the nearby Langedrag Nature Park. Stay in a cosy wood cabin, with log fire, for the full Scandinavian experience.
Méribel, France
Gather together a group of friends and head to the largest ski area in the world – the Three Valleys – located in the Savoie region of France. Méribel is a great base to explore the vast ski terrain. Surrounded by more than 1,000 Alpine peaks – including Mont Blanc and the Grande Casse – the views here are nothing short of spectacular. The ski resort has modern, high-speed chair lifts, so getting around is a breeze. There’s skiing available for all abilities and there’s more than 33km of cross-country skiing available in the Méribel Valley too.
Cortina, Italy
For the ultimate luxury getaway, the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’ in Italy takes some beating. Cortina is one of the most glamorous resorts in the world and one of the best resorts for Easter skiing. It’s surrounded by some of the most legendary peaks in the Dolomites including the Tofane and the Crystal. Visitors come here for the shopping, wining and dining as much as for the skiing, meaning that slopes stay relatively uncrowded.
The broad cruising pistes on the south facing side will suit intermediate skiers, whilst beginners will find some excellent nursery slopes. Stay in one of the oldest hotels in Cortina, the Hotel Ambra Cortina, which is decorated with Persian rugs and 20th century paintings. The town’s historic bell tower is just a stone’s throw away, while the Faloria cableway is within 200 metres.
Chamonix, France
Chamonix has glorious panoramas over the cloud-capped Alps and 150km of piste. In the shadow of Mont Blanc, the valley has an old-world charm, with balconied Belle Époque mansions sitting alongside traditional wooden chalets. There’s also a bustling open air market every Saturday morning, held in the town’s pedestrianised centre.
There’s ski terrain for everyone. With tree-lined pistes, gentle nursery slopes, as well as plenty of challenging runs for skiers who want to test their limits. Above the village of Argentière, and at an altitude of 3,300m, is the Grands Montets, the largest ski station in the Chamonix Valley. Two black pistes run from here – Les Pylônes and Point de Vue, which are both a challenge, even for expert skiers. With a transfer time of just one hour, Chamonix is easily accessible.
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
Few resorts offer such high-altitude skiing opportunities as Saas-Fee, with slopes reaching up to 3,500m. As a result, the ski resort has a fantastic snow record and skiers can look forward to fresh powder as late as April. This makes Saas-Fee one of the best resorts for Easter skiing.
The slopes in Saas-Fee are predominantly blues and reds, so families and beginners are well-catered for. There are plenty of opportunities for advanced skiers too. Try the black Kanonenrohr run below Maste 4 or hire a guide and enjoy the untouched powder up at altitude.
La Clusaz, France
La Clusaz is in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps and one of the best resorts for Easter skiing. This ski resort is steeped in Savoyard charm. Its traditional village square hosts a food market every Monday selling specialities like local cheeses, nougat and homemade bread. There’s a superb range of dining options, ranging from the striking La Scierie, housed in a converted wood mill, to the traditional home cooking of Le Chalet du Lac.
The area’s five interlinked mountain slopes offer a variety of terrain. From airy glades to tree-lined runs, its slopes are particularly well suited to beginners. More experienced skiers will find plenty of off-piste opportunities, as well as challenging black runs including La Noire and the long Lapiaz. Families looking for an adventure can try activities like sleigh riding, snowshoe walking and tobogganing.
Call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700 to find out more about the best resorts for Easter skiing.
