Are you looking for help with selecting the best resorts for Easter skiing? Easter may be a 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 on a French ski holiday to Tignes and Val d’Isère. The skiing area goes up to 3,456m at the top of La Grande Motte glacier in the Tignes-Val d’Isère 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 Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area stays open until early May, so it’s a snow-sure spot for Easter.
Stay At:
The exceptional five-star boutique Hotel Diamond Rock is ideally-located in Tignes Valley.
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 the ski resort. Off the slopes, you could take adventurous teens waterfall climbing and lake diving in Tignes.
Stay At:
Located in the heart of Val d’Isère, Hotel Ormelune is close to the nursery slopes and ski school making it a great base for beginners.
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.
Stay At:
Sitting among the snow-capped peaks, Club Med Val Thorens offers guests spectacular panoramic views of the alps.
Verbier, Switzerland
One of the best ski resorts for Easter, Verbier is a mainstay for snow and sunshine. It has ski runs going up to an altitude of 3,330m, Four Valleys access for challenging skiing in Switzerland, and an extensive restaurant and retail complex at the base of the Medran gondola.
The ski 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.
Stay At:
Situated in the heart of Verbier, the Hotel Vanessa is an ideal spot for an Alpine break.
Lech, Austria
Head to the traditional Alpine village of Lech in the Austrian Arlberg ski area for the ultimate Easter getaway. Lech’s microclimate gives it a superb snow record, with more snow here than almost anywhere else you’ll find on a ski holiday to 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 Zürs 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.
Stay At:
With its first-class service and top cuisine, the Hotel Arlberg in Lech has excellent reputation.
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 skiing in Norway, 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 creating 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.
Stay At:
Vestlia Resort in Geilo is an amazing four-star hotel located just 50m from the ski school, lifts and childcare.
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.
Stay At:
The Hotel La Chaudanne in Méribel is a comfortable hotel which offers great access to the slopes.
Cervinia, Italy
Cervinia is an excellent snow-sure ski resort, perfect for skiing in Easter. The ski resort neighbours Zermatt in Switzerland, offering fantastic border skiing for visitors. The transfer from Turin airport is a short two hours, making Cervinia a great choice for weekend breaks too. The skiing altitude reaches a mammoth 3,500m and there are more than 360km of slopes to explore in the region. The ski area is best suited to intermediate skiers and there are great off-piste sections for the advanced.
Stay At:
Located in the beautiful pine forest, Hotel St. Hubertus is a five-star luxury stay in Cervinia.
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.
Stay At:
Chalet Ardoise in Chamonix is a luxurious, bright and spacious chalet.
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.
Stay At:
Located in the heart of Saas Fee, the Walliserhof Grand Hotel & Spa is one of the top luxury ski hotels in Switzerland boasting superb swimming pool and spa facilities.
Flaine, France
Flaine is a purpose-built ski resort sitting proudly at 1,600m. It is a fantastic resort for ski-in ski-out accommodation, perfect for those who want to maximise their time on the slopes. Flaine is part of the Grand Massif ski area, giving access to more than 265km of piste. All levels of skier will enjoy Flaine, there is a nice mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes. It’s a great choice for families or groups with mixed abilities. Off the slope, there are plenty of activities available for children, perfect for keeping the little ones occupied in the evenings.
Stay At:
For a quirky retreat, visit RockyPop Hotel in Flaine. The 80s themed hotel is perfect for those looking for a unique stay.
Call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700 to find out more about the best resorts for Easter skiing.