April can be a real hit-and-miss month for skiing if you don’t pick the right ski resort. Ski resorts need high altitudes and glaciers to extend their ski seasons through to April. Skiing in April can be a real treat with soft forgiving snow and stunning sunshine to enjoy. Our ski experts have created an informative guide about the best places to ski in April.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Known for the iconic Matterhorn mountain, Zermatt is one of the best places for a ski holiday to Switzerland in April. The Swiss ski resort has a high altitude of 1,620m-3,820m plus the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise area. Both of these great natural resources mean there are brilliant snow conditions all year round. There is 360km of slopes in the area, with most open through to April. The pistes are mainly suited to intermediate to advanced skiers. In addition, you can take a trip over the border to Italy to ski in Cervinia.
Stay At:
One of the leading hotels in the Alps, Zermatt’s Mont Cervin Palace is located near the Gornergrat station in the centre of town.
Whistler, Canada
Whistler is on many skiers’ bucket lists because of its unique ski terrain and atmosphere. The Canadian ski resort in British Columbia has some of the best snowfall in the world and is great for April skiing. Even late in the season, it has low temperatures plus a high altitude of 670m-2,284m making it very snow-sure for skiing in Canada. All levels of skiers will enjoy the 200km of slopes on offer. If you’re a powder hound there are great April off-piste opportunities to enjoy too.
Stay At:
The Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel offers 81 spacious suites complete with kitchenettes, fireplaces and balconies in every suite.
Val Thorens, France
Val Thorens is an ideal choice for April skiing because it’s one of the highest ski resorts in Europe. It has an incredibly high altitude of 2,300m-3,230m which means its snow-sure throughout the ski season. You are spoilt with 600km of varied slopes with brilliant access to neighbouring ski resorts Courchevel, La Tania, Les Menuires, Méribel and St Martin De Belleville. It doesn’t matter what level of skier you are on your skiing holiday in France, there’s a slope that suits all in the area.
Stay At:
Sitting among the snow capped peaks, Club Med Val Thorens offers guests spectacular panoramic views of the alps.
Tignes, France
Arguably one of the most visited ski resorts in the world, Tignes is also a fantastic place to ski in April. The Grande Motte Glacier and its high altitude of 2,100m-3,456m mean there are great snow conditions throughout the season. There’s an impressive 300km of slopes to access if you purchase a full Espace Killy ski area pass. On top of this, there are great links to the equally popular Val d’Isère which has a fantastic snow record in April too.
Stay At:
The exceptional five-star boutique Hotel Diamond Rock is ideally-located in Tignes Valley.
Sölden, Austria
Sölden is unique with its two glaciers, the Rettenbach and Fiefenbach glaciers that provide great April skiing in Austria. On top of that, it has a high altitude of 1,380m-3,250m keeping the pistes firm all ski season. Intermediates will love the 155km of slopes available in the area with mainly easy red runs to enjoy. There are also the ‘BIG 3’ peaks, Gaislachkogl, Tiefenbachkogl and Schwarze Schneide which have breathtaking views from over 3,000m high.
Stay At:
Hotel Das Central in Sölden has a fantastic location and offers a free shuttle bus to the ski lifts.
Passo Tonale, Italy
Passo Tonale is one of the best places to ski in April because it’s one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in Italy. It has a high altitude of 1,885m-3,100m and great pistes on the Presena glacier. All abilities of skiers will enjoy the 130km of slopes in the area on an Italian skiing holiday. If that wasn’t enough there are also 200 snow cannons on the mountain that guarantee the excellent conditions on the pistes.
Stay At:
Hotel Delle Alpi is Passo Tonale is traditional alpine style hotel with easy access to the slopes.
Mammoth, USA
90km of slopes cover one huge mountain in Mammoth. It is very snow-sure because of its high altitude of 2,425m-3,370m. This is one of the main reasons it is one of the best places to for a ski holiday to the USA in April. The terrain is suited to any level of skier and has a variety of slopes. At the top of the mountain, there are wide-open pistes and toward the bottom, there are more tree-lined runs. A great choice if you’re looking for snow reliability in April.
Stay At:
The Westin Monache resort is superbly located close to the gondola in Mammoth, USA. It boasts fantastic amenities, including an outdoor swimming pool and hot tubs.
Kaprun, Austria
Another brilliant option for skiing in April is Kaprun. There are 138km of slopes that are kept in good condition due to the high altitude of 800m-3,203m. In addition, there’s the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier that keeps the ski resort open for longer too. You can also explore the beautiful neighbouring ski resort of Zell am See, with the great lift links in the area. As part of the Hohe Tauern National Park, there are incredible mountain views to admire.
Stay At:
Found on the outskirts of Kaprun, Hotel Tauern Spa features a contemporary design, with food & facilities.
Engelberg, Switzerland
Engelberg is considered one of the best places to ski in April because of its high altitude of 1,050m-3,020m. On top of this, there’s great snow reliability on the Titlis glacier. It has a fantastic reputation for its powder skiing in the latter part of the season, with amazing off-piste terrain available. All types of skiers will enjoy the 89km of slopes in the area too. On or off the piste Engelberg is a real treat to ski in April.
Stay At:
Hotel Kempinski Palace is a luxury escape in Engelberg, with beautiful scenery and skiing.
Alpe d’Huez, France
Alpe d’Huez is a great place to book a ski trip in April. It has a very high altitude of 1,860m-3,330m and is the home of the Pic Blanc glacier. Both of these factors increase the chances of great snow conditions in April. You can access 250km of slopes with great links to nearby ski resorts Vaujany and Oz-en-Oisans. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced skier, this ski resort caters for abilities that visit.
Stay At:
Club Med Alpe d’Huez offers a ski-in ski-out all-inclusive ski holiday in one of the finest resorts in Europe.
To find out more about the best places to ski in April, call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
