Ski time may be ticking, but there are still plenty of opportunities to hit the mountains before the resorts close. And whether you haven’t booked yet or are planning a new snow flight, the truth is that late season may be the best time to go.
Prices, as well as demand, fall in March, offering a magical moment of opportunity between the highest-priced half term and the Easter school holidays. Even though Easter falls in early 2024 (March 31), there’s still enough time to take advantage of quieter airports, shorter ski lift queues and mountain restaurants with empty tables.
But even if you’re stuck with school holidays, there are reasons to be cheerful. As spring approaches, days get longer, cable cars open later, and rising temperatures make days in the mountains more enjoyable, especially for young children and beginners who are more sensitive to the cold.
What about snow? Things look rosy in this direction too. After a few fallow weeks at the beginning of 2024 and into February, the Alps have recently experienced heavy snowfall; Italian resorts are reporting their steepest falls of the year so far, and even France’s low-lying resorts are experiencing significant snow reinforcements.
Ian McIlrath of Ski Solutions says: “Conditions in Austria at this point in the season are outstanding, particularly in the Arlberg area which includes St Anton.” Further north, Scandinavian resorts continue to offer some of the best conditions in Europe. Ski Safari’s Andy Hemingway comments: “Norway is in the middle of an incredible winter, snowy days are plentiful and with fewer people on the slopes than other destinations, the snow stays untracked for longer.” As winter gets off to a slower start in some North American resorts, moderate to heavy snowfall is expected next week, with snow falling.
So when should you book and where should you go? The basic strategy is to aim high so that if you reach a warm spell you still have a chance of good skiing. Here are 10 last-minute deals on snow-guaranteed resorts to help you make the most of the last few weeks of the ski season.
Tignes, France
In Tignes, where cable cars operate above 3,400 m, there is a season lasting until May, followed by snow sports on the Grande Motte glacier in the summer.
Distinguish it: Peak Retreats (023 9283 9310; peakretreats.co.uk) offers self-catered accommodation with an indoor pool and jacuzzi, from £549, at Le Lodge des Neiges, near the Boisses telecabin in Tignes 1800. Two-bedroom apartment including Le Shuttle pass with free upgrade to FlexiPlus. It departs on March 16.
Mayrhofen, Austria
Located at a relatively low altitude of 630 metres, Mayrhofen can be bathed in warm spring sun but still has plenty of opportunities for late-season skiing and snowboarding as the slopes rise to snow-guaranteed heights of 2,500 metres.
Distinguish it: Crystal Ski (020 3451 2821; crystalski.co.uk) offers self-catered accommodation from £1,233 at Eberharter Apartments, located near the resort and close to the ski bus stop, with the option to upgrade to half-board. It departs on March 23.
Myrkdalen, Norway
One of the snowiest holiday destinations in the country and open until April 30, Myrkdalen offers the most suitable slopes for beginners and intermediates, as well as off-piste skiing for confident experts.
Distinguish it: Ski Safari (01273 224060; skisafari.com) offers the four-star ski-in/ski-out Myrkdalen Hotel, near the ski school and ski slopes, on half-board basis from £990 for two adults and two children under 12. I’ve been sharing the same family room for years. It departs on April 7.
Cervinia, Italy
Glacier skiing, a top station at 3,480 meters and a resort at 2,000 meters mean that luxury hotels and apartments can have their roofs covered in snow until early May; Cervinia has it all at the end of the season.
Distinguish it: Elegant Resorts (01244 897581; Elegantresorts.co.uk) offers accommodation from £2,530 per prestige room at the five-star Saint Hubertus Resort, which has a spa, pool and gourmet restaurant. It departs on March 16.
Val Thorens, France
Not only in the huge 600 km Trois Vallées region, but also in Europe’s highest resort, Val Thorens (2,300 m), has lifts that remain in service until the beginning of May.
Distinguish it: Erna Low (020 3011 1222; ernalow.co.uk) offers self-catering, quadruple accommodation from £564 at the four-star ski-in/ski-out Le Hameau du Kashmir, which has two restaurants and a pool. The return shares a two-bedroom apartment including a Flexiplus LeShuttle pass. It departs on April 13th.
Whistler, Canada
After a slow start, snow is falling on the associated Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in Western Canada’s Coast Ranges; this is a vast ski area with over 8,000 acres of slopes to suit all abilities.
Distinguish it: Frontier Ski (020 8776 8709; frontier-ski.co.uk) offers Summit Boutique Hotel Whistler with pool and hot tub in Whistler Village, based on a luxury studio with kitchenette, from £1,545 room only. He leaves on April 8th.
Avoriaz, France
Avoriaz is the highest of the dozen resorts that make up the Portes du Soleil region, and with slopes at 1,800m and rising up to 2,225m, the purpose-built, car-free center is strong on ski-in/ski-out accommodation.
Distinguish it: Sunweb (020 3170 8206; sunweb.co.uk) offers self-catering accommodation from £818 for two adults and two children sharing a one-bedroom flat with kitchenette at Résidence L’Hermine, 100 meters from the ski slopes. offers. elevator passes. It departs on March 30.
St Anton, Austria
Situated in Austria’s Arlberg ski region, St Anton is one of Europe’s snowiest holiday destinations, with quick connections to neighboring Lech, and is particularly popular with experts.
Distinguish it: Ski Solutions (020 7471 7700; skisolutions.com) offers the four-star Hotel Banyan, with modern interiors, pool and sauna, from £1,895. It departs on March 16.
Breckenridge, USA
Boasting a dizzying 3,915m and a resort elevation of 3,000m, the highest in North America, and spread across five peaks, this Colorado resort has a top snow base of 140cm, which bodes well for late-season skiing.
Distinguish it: Ski Independence (0131 243 8097; ski-i.com) offers accommodation at the Residence Inn by Marriott near the Quicksilver chairlift for £2,348 per room, based on studio accommodation only. It departs on March 21.
Zermatt, Switzerland
Skiing is possible all year round on the 3,883m highest slopes of the Matterhorn glacier in Zermatt, but the main season of this atmospheric resort usually lasts until the end of April.
Distinguish it: Inghams (01483 938047; inghams.co.uk) offers Aparthotel Naco from £1,419 for three people sharing a studio with a kitchenette, balcony and use of an indoor pool, including train travel from St Pancras. It departs on March 23.
Unless stated otherwise, prices are per person, based on two sharing, including breakfast, flights and transfers from London, and are subject to availability.