Easter Skiing 2024 – Tips For A Successful Family Holiday

Skiing at Easter is always a great idea, but when Easter falls in March, as it does this year, it really makes sense. Most state schools break up on Good Friday 29th March for two weeks.

Top Tips for getting it right this Easter 2024:

• Stay in high-altitude ski resorts, ideally above 1,800m.
• Don’t forget to apply sun cream, a goggle ski tan looks ridiculous when you return to work!
• Pre-book ski lessons. Easter is a peak week, and lessons sell out quickly.
• Stay close to the slopes. Ideally, ski in ski out.
• Ski the south-facing slopes in the mornings, by the afternoon, they could be slushy.
• Book your lunchtime terrace table in advance to get the best views.
• Choose a ski resort with afternoon slopeside après ski fun, there is nothing like dancing in your ski boots with your children.

How will the skiing conditions be this, Easter?

It’s impossible to guarantee excellent snow at Easter, but when Easter falls in March, you can be pretty sure of good conditions. El Nino, weather patterns which we are seeing this winter, generally bring in some artic invasion to the latter part of winter to Northern Europe, which in a few of the El Nino years has seen excellent skiing conditions well into April.

Expect mixed weather, more snowfall is recorded in March than it is in January, it’s just that the warmer weather melts it a little quicker in March/April. Wear layers, which can be added to if a cold front moves in.

Easter events in ski resorts

Most ski resorts will host special events such as an easter egg hunt, check out where and when these are locally.

Travel plans at Easter

Book flights early, as demand over the school holidays always pushes prices upward only, so the sooner you book, the less you pay. If you are travelling with children, think about the distances between the airport and the ski resort. In Europe, most ski resorts are at least 90 minutes from the nearest airport. Some are at least 3 hours from the arrival airport. Small children and long transfers aren’t good bedfellows. The train could be a good option, it’s possible to pick up trains across Europe to many different ski resorts in France, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.

The snow will still be excellent, the days are longer, the slopes not as busy as the February half-term and the spring sunshine makes a lunchtime mountain restaurant irresistible and an après ski bop in your ski boots is much more fun in the sunshine.

The opportunities to ski as a family without missing any schooling were reduced this year, as for many families, school holiday dates didn’t match how the New Year week fell. The February half-term week has always been busy.

Alpe d’Huez, France

Alpe d’Huez is a good choice for skiing over the Easter holidays, its high resort altitude at 1,860m makes it one of the highest ski resorts in France’s Southern Alps, with the highest skiing at 3,330m, there is snow up there well into May. The slopes are excellent for all levels, 45% of the slopes are on Greens and Blues and 52% are lovely cruising reds. At the end of the day, the Folie Douce is guaranteed to get you dancing in your ski boots.

Where to stay in Alpe d’Huez at Easter, Club Med l’Alpe d’Huez hotel is brilliant for families.

Highly recommended for Easter skiing at Club Med’s hotel in Alpe d’Huez.

Val d’Isere, France

Val d’Isere is linked with its sister ski resort of Tignes, this 300km ski area is high and snow-sure. Val d’Isere is an attractive purpose-built skiing resort, without the ugly tower blocks seen in Tignes. Val d’isere offers two glaciers, so you can even ski here in the summer, the snow is very good at Easter. The legendary Apres ski venue the Folie Douce above La Daille in Val d’Isere is a great venue on a sunny day.

Where to stay in Val d’Isere at Easter, the Club Meds Val d’Isere hotel is ski in/ski out and perfect for families.

Tignes, France

Tignes is one of the most snow sure ski resorts in the world. Most of the skiing is above 2,000m, when it’s raining in other ski resorts, it will be snowing in Tignes. The glacier makes Easter skiing 100% assured.

Avoriaz, France

Avoriaz is the highest ski resort in the Portes du Soleil ski area, which is Europe’s largest internationally linked ski area, which includes skiing in France and across the border to Switzerland. Located at 1,800m Avoriaz is snow-sure for Easter.

Where to stay at Easter in Avoriaz. Chalet Marie is ski in/ski out and is offered on a fully catered chalet board for groups of up to 15 people.

Val Thorens, France

Val Thorens is Europe’s highest ski village, most of the tourist beds offer ski in/ski out, this is still very much the case by Easter. If you like big ski areas, they don’t come bigger than the 3 Valleys, which offers 600km of perfectly groomed pistes and a load of brilliant off-piste skiing options.

Where to stay at Easter in Val Thorens. Very few hotels or ski chalets, of which there are many in Val Thorens, can match the Club Med resorts in Val Thorens.

90% of the rooms have balconies, many offer interconnecting rooms, ideal for families. It’s the all-inclusive nature of Club Med that makes Club Med the obvious choice for skiers looking for good value for money.

Obergurgl, Austria

Obergurgl is one of the highest ski resorts in Austria and will always have excellent snow conditions in Easter. The top skiing is above 3,000m with a fast and reliable lift system which includes skiing Hochgurgl too and offers all ski abilities good options.

Where to stay in Obergurgl? The Hotel Alpina is an excellent choice for families looking for a good 4★ superior hotel at Easter. There is an excellent spa, and the restaurant is highly regarded.

Cervinia, Italy

Cervinia on the Italian border, shares its skiing with its Swiss neighbour Zermatt and offers some of the highest skiing Italy has to offer and therefore perfect for Easter skiing. The pistes are broad and ideal for long carving turns and are best suited to intermediate skiers.

Where to stay in Cervinia? Valtur Cervinia Cristallo is a popular slopeside hotel, perfectly located for easy access to skiing and the main departure point from the village.

Saas Fee, Switzerland

Saas Fee is also known as the Pearl of the Alps, this Swiss ski resort is high enough to guarantee excellent snow at Easter, not least of which, is the glacier and the shade from the surrounding mountains which keeps the snow in perfect condition well in to May.

SEE OUR REMAINING SKIING HOLIDAYS FOR EASTER 2024 HERE

Easter Skiing 2024 – Tips For A Successful Family Holiday: A Summary

Easter skiing in March presents an enticing opportunity, especially with schools breaking for two weeks around Good Friday. For optimal conditions, aim for high-altitude resorts above 1,800m, where snow remains plentiful. Remember essentials like sun cream and pre-booked lessons due to peak week demand. Choose slopeside accommodations for convenience and enjoy south-facing slopes in the morning. Easter events add to the festive atmosphere, while early flight bookings and considering train options streamline travel. With destinations like Alpe d’Huez, Val d’Isere, Tignes, and more, there’s a range of options for families seeking the perfect Easter ski getaway with excellent snow, varied slopes, and enjoyable après ski activities.