Spring Skiing: Where to Ski in April in the French Alps

Skiing in spring, it is possible in most French ski areas, but skiing in April in the Alps in France, depends a lot on the weather conditions, year after year.

Passionate about ski want to ski all year round. They like to extend this feeling of sliding and freedom as long as possible into the season, right into the heart of the spring.

And if it is true that a few years ago skiing in April, until Easter, was possible even in years when the saying went 'Easter on the balcony...', nowadays, with climate change it is much more complicated.

Today, most ski resorts close their areas in the first half of April, often in very damaged slopes or even with no snow. And after that, in the second part of April ?

To go spring skiing in April in France, you need to plan to go to high altitude resorts.

Here are the best resorts in the Alps for good spring skiing in the French Alps.

Closing dates for ski resorts in the French Alps

Altitude and exposure are important points, but unfortunately economic constraints sometimes mean that some resorts remain well-covered with snow until the end of April without the ski areas remaining open.

This is the case for the following ski resorts: Avoriaz, Alpe d'Huez, The Three Valleys (except Val Thorens), Paradiski (La Plagne and Les Arcs), La rosière.

So we must take advantage of it to skiing in April in the French Alps, until their closure.

These are high-altitude resorts, almost all located above 1800 meters, and with a ski area that is close to or exceeds 2700 meters in altitude for the most part.

Other resorts remain open until May, generally until the first weekend in May.

This is the ski area of Tignes et Val d'Isere, of that of Val Thorens, the highest resort in Europe and that of Les 2 Alpes, the highest French ski area.

The ski areas are located mainly between 2500 and 3500 meters above sea level, benefiting from extraordinary natural snow cover which continues to increase with the last snowfalls at the end of April, which are often very frequent.

After this date, at the beginning of May, the ski resorts close their slopes. Only the area located on the glacier at the top of the Les 2 Alpes ski area remains open throughout the spring period, between the beginning of May and the beginning of July, the start of the summer season. This is a skiing that could be described as " summer skiing ", well beyond the 3200 meter mark.

But let's take a closer look at what each of the ski resorts has to offer for spring skiing in April.

You can still ski in Avoriaz in spring

Perched at an altitude of 1 meters, Avoriaz is an ideal destination for the spring skiing in AprilThe resort benefits from natural and permanent snow throughout the winter season, allowing skiers to enjoy the slopes until the third weekend of April.

Avoriaz is an integral part of the vast field of Doors of the Sun, one of the largest cross-border ski areas in the world, connecting 12 resorts between France and Switzerland. This area offers ski enthusiasts over 600 km of slopes suitable for all levels, with 308 runs served by 209 lifts. Avoriaz's central location within the Portes du Soleil allows skiers easy access to the entire area, offering an infinite variety of landscapes, from forest descents to wide snow-covered boulevards.

The high altitude of the station ensures a quality snow until the end of the season, ideal for spring skiing. In addition, the milder temperatures and longer days in April provide optimal comfort for hitting the slopes. Freestyle enthusiasts are not left out, with four snow parks maintained in excellent condition until the end of the season. These spaces dedicated to fun and creativity offer a variety of obstacles and features for all levels.

Finally, the unique architecture of Avoriaz, with its wooden buildings perfectly integrated into the landscape, and its warm atmosphere make it a destination of choice to fully enjoy the spring skiing.

Skiing in April in Les Trois Vallées

The Three Valleys, the world's largest interconnected ski area, offers an exceptional spring skiing experience in April. Spanning 600 kilometers of slopes, this vast area connects several iconic resorts, including Courchevel, Méribel, Les Menuires, and Val Thorens. Thanks to its high altitude, with slopes reaching up to 3 meters, snow conditions remain optimal throughout April.

Courchevel, made up of five villages located between 1 and 300 meters above sea level, is renowned for its unique atmosphere and high-end infrastructure. The resort offers 1 kilometers of varied slopes, ideal for enjoying spring skiing.

Meribel, nestled in the heart of the Three Valleys, seduces with its traditional Savoyard architecture and its slopes suitable for all levels. Les Menuires, at 1 meters above sea level, is a family destination offering excellent value for money and direct access to the vast expanses of the area.

Val Thorens, the highest resort in Europe at 2 meters, guarantees quality snow until the end of the season, with a planned closure on May 300, 4. Skiers can thus enjoy longer days and milder temperatures, while benefiting from exceptional snow cover.

The 3 Valleys stand out for their ability to offer optimal ski conditions until the end of April, thanks to 85% of their ski area is located above 1 metersThis configuration ensures remarkable snow quality, even at the end of the season. The efficient connections between the resorts allow skiers to vary their pleasures and discover the diversity of the Alpine landscapes. Modern infrastructure and the numerous activities offered outside of skiing, such as the Aquamotion spa in Courchevel or the sports center in Val Thorens, enrich the spring mountain experience. This is why the Three Valleys are a destination of choice for the April skiing, combining the size of the area, the quality of the snow and the diversity of the resorts.

where to ski in spring — The ski slopes of Val Thorens in spring

Paradiski: La Plagne and Les Arcs, skiing in April on good snow

The Paradiski ski area, located in Savoie, is a popular destination for spring skiing in April. Spanning 425 kilometers of slopes, it connects the resorts of La Plagne, Les Arcs et Peisey Vallandry, thus offering a diversity of terrains suitable for all levels.

La Plagne, made up of several villages spread between 1 and 250 meters above sea level, offers a vast ski area culminating at 2 meters.

Les Arcs, for its part, stands out for its various sites, notably Arc 2000, located at an altitude of 2 meters, ensuring abundant snow in April. The resort offers exceptional panoramas of Mont Blanc and varied slopes, ideal for spring skiing. The Vanoise Express cable car, connecting La Plagne and Les Arcs in less than four minutes, allows skiers to explore the entire area without constraints. 70% of slopes located above 2 meters ensure quality snow throughout the month of April.

In addition, the Paradiski resorts offer various après-ski activities, such as aquatic centers and wellness areas, thus providing a complete experience for visitors. Due to the exposure of their slopes to the north, La Plagne and Les Arcs, whose areas close around the third week of April, prove to be prime destinations for the spring skiing.

Alpe d'Huez, the island in the sun

Nestled at an altitude of 1 meters, Alpe d'Huez is a popular destination for spring skiing in April. Nicknamed "the island in the sun" due to its exceptional sunshine, the resort offers a ski area of 250 kilometers of varied slopes, suitable for all levels. The area extends from 1 to 100 meters above sea level, guaranteeing quality snow until the end of the season. The ski area is scheduled to close the third week of April. The highest point in the area, the Pic Blanc at 3 meters, offers a 330° panorama of the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps. Skiers can access it to hurtle down the famous 3-kilometer Sarenne black run, renowned as one of the longest in Europe.

The high altitude of the area ensures quality snow throughout the month of April, allowing ski enthusiasts to fully enjoy the joys of spring skiing. In addition, Alpe d'Huez is equipped with 1 snow cannons covering 000 kilometers of slopes, thus guaranteeing optimal snow cover even at the end of the season. The longer days and milder temperatures of April provide ideal conditions for extended and enjoyable ski sessions. The resort also offers various après-ski activities, such as wellness centers, gourmet restaurants, and a lively nightlife, allowing visitors to relax and fully enjoy their stay. The accessibility of theAlpe d'Huez, located just an hour's drive from Grenoble, makes it easy to organize last-minute stays for lovers of spring skiing.

Montgenèvre, April skiing in the Southern Alps

Located at an altitude of 1 meters, Montgenevre is a ski resort in the Hautes-Alpes which offers ideal conditions for spring skiing in AprilThe ski area extends over 85 kilometers of varied slopes, suitable for all levels of skiers. Thanks to its high altitude and favorable orientation, Montgenevre benefits from quality snow cover until the end of the season, generally scheduled for the third week of April. Skiers can thus enjoy longer days and milder temperatures, characteristic of spring skiing.

The Montgenèvre resort enjoys exceptional sunshine, with over 300 days of sunshine per year, making skiing in April particularly enjoyable. Snow conditions generally remain excellent in April, thanks to regular snowfall and cool nighttime temperatures that preserve the quality of the slopes. The resort also organizes various events and activities to celebrate the end of the season, providing a festive atmosphere for visitors. The modern infrastructure and the warm welcome of the locals make Montgenevre a destination of choice for the spring skiingWhether you are a beginner or an experienced skier, you will find slopes suited to your level and will be able to fully enjoy the joys of skiing under the spring sun. In addition, Montgenevre is offering discounts on ski passes starting April 6, allowing skiers to take advantage of great late-season rates.

La Rosière, for the last slopes of spring

Finally, one last ski resort open until the third week of April, La rosièrePerched at an altitude of 1 meters, La Rosière is a Savoyard ski resort, Upper Tarentaise, which offers ideal conditions for spring skiing in April. Part of the Franco-Italian ski area of Espace San Bernardo, it offers 154 kilometers of varied slopes, connecting La rosière à La Thuile in Italy. The area extends up to 2 meters above sea level, ensuring quality snow cover until the end of the season. La Rosière benefits from a south-western exposure, offering generous sunshine that makes spring skiing particularly pleasant. Snow conditions generally remain excellent in April, thanks to favorable weather flows that guarantee excellent snow cover from mid-December to the end of April. The connection with La Thuile allows skiers to discover varied panoramas and enjoy a unique cross-border getaway. Modern infrastructure and the warm welcome of the locals make La Rosière a prime destination for spring skiing.

Val Thorens, April skiing like in the middle of winter

Already cited, in the paragraph relating to Three Valleys, Val Thorens is one of the resorts open until the beginning of May. Located at an altitude of 2 meters, Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe, offering exceptional conditions for spring skiing until the beginning of May.

The ski area of Val Thorens-Orelle is open from late November to early May, allowing ski enthusiasts to enjoy six months of uninterrupted snow. The Val Thorens ski area stretches over 150 kilometers of varied slopes, spread over 87 runs served by around thirty ski lifts. The resort's high altitude, up to 3200 meters, guarantees quality snow throughout the season, with optimal conditions even at the end of the season. Skiers can thus hurtle down long runs with large vertical drops, offering an unparalleled skiing experience. The resort also offers various activities for non-skiers, such as tobogganing on the Cosmojet run, which is over 6 kilometers long, or the thrill of snowtubing with Moon Xperience. Adrenaline seekers can also take on the 1,8-kilometer zip line, offering breathtaking views of the ski area.

The nightlife of Val Thorens is lively, with a multitude of bars, restaurants and festive events that punctuate the spring evenings. One of the most pleasant ski resorts for spring skiing. Note that access by cable car to the ski area from Orelle, a village located in the valley of the Mauritian near the motorway and the railway line (Saint Michel de Maurienne), is possible until the last day of opening. You can therefore ski for the day without having to climb the forty kilometers of road that leads from Moûtiers to Val Thorens !

Tignes and Val d'Isère, skiing in spring in a vast area

The ski area of Tignes et Val d'Isere is a destination of choice for the spring skiing, offering optimal conditions until the beginning of May. Spanning 300 kilometers of slopes, this vast area peaks at an altitude of 3 meters, ensuring quality snow cover throughout the season. The season ends at the end of the first week of May.

Tignes, located between 1 and 550 meters above sea level, guarantees quality snow even in April, thanks to its high altitude and the presence of the Grande Motte glacier. Skiers can thus hurtle down the slopes to the resort, enjoying natural snow cover and optimal conditions.

https://alpaddict.com/ski-val-d-isere/Val d'Isere, for its part, offers 300 kilometers of slopes with a vertical drop of 1 meters, extending from 900 to 1 meters above sea level. Its exposure and geographical location guarantee quality snow until the end of the season, in mid-spring.

Spring's longer days and milder temperatures allow visitors to fully enjoy the ski area, with fewer people, reducing wait times at the lifts and offering a more relaxed skiing experience. In addition, special events, such as Tignes' Spring Break, punctuate the end of the season, offering visitors a festive and friendly atmosphere.

Skiing in April in the Alps — The Grand Pisaillas glacier in Val d'Isère

Les Deux Alpes: spring skiing until July

Located at an altitude of 1 meters, the resort of 2 Alps is renowned for its exceptional ski area that extends up to 3 meters, offering one of the highest skiable glaciers in France. The area covers 600 hectares of marked slopes, allowing skiers of all levels to enjoy varied descents. The winter season extends from the end of November to the beginning of May, thus providing a long period to enjoy winter sports.

Beyond this period, the station of Two Alps offers a partial opening of its ski area from the beginning of May to the beginning of July, allowing skiing enthusiasts to extend the fun until the beginning of summer. During this period, access to the high-altitude area varies: in May, the slopes located between 2 m and 600 m are open, then in June and until the end of the season, at the beginning of July, access extends from 3 m to 600 m, including the Signal sector.

The 2 Alps are distinguished by their impressive vertical drop of 2 meters, allowing uninterrupted descents from the glacier to the village without using ski lifts. This unique configuration guarantees an unparalleled skiing experience, with slopes suitable for all levels, from beginner to expert.

The snow park of 2 Alps, recognized as one of the best in Europe, is also on the same period, offering freestylers an exceptional playground to train and push their limits. In addition, the resort is planning events such as the Black Garden Party in April, marking the launch of the mountain bike season, to mix up activities that allow you to hit the slopes.

Skiing in April in the French Alps is therefore entirely possible. spring skiing allows you to practice board sports at high altitude, in the sun, outdoors even in April and even until May in certain resorts.

A story to make the transition between winter and summer holidays less long!

Before you pack your skis and head out, here are two helpful links to ensure you have a great spring ski day: