Where to go for a late season skiing holiday - where to ski in April
Zermatt, Switzerland
Height: 1620m (snow range 1620 - 3283m)
Airport: Geneva (approx 150 miles, 3.5 hours)
Zurich (approx 160 miles, 4 hours)
Milan (approx 130 miles, 3.5 hours)
Season: Year round (glacier skiing)
Winter season: Late November to early May
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Considered by many to be Europe’s best ski resort, Zermatt boasts high altitude slopes, an excellent snow record and an unbeatable scenic location beneath the mighty Matterhorn.
The early spring months of March and April are considered by many to be one of the best times to visit when temperatures rise and the hours of daylight increase. And even this late in the season, there is fresh snowfall during the night – April 08 recorded 75cm of snow. However, that said, there is a big difference between the higher and lower slopes and, although the lower slopes do enjoy excellent snowmaking facilities in order to compensate, many of the beginner trails nearest the village begin to close in mid April.
The Matterhorn Ski Paradise covers an immense area from Rothorn Paradise, through the Gornergrat and onto the Klein Matterhorn (and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise).
From the Klein Matterhorn, you have access to the glacier and, thanks to this glacier, Zermatt is able to boast year round skiing – in the summer there are 20km of runs, rising to 313km in the winter season. The glacier provides some good terrain for beginners with a couple of weeks experience under their belt as well as excellent variety of intermediate ski trails.
Over Easter, Zermatt attracts visitors with its annual mogul competition - the “Triftji Bump Bash", scheduled from the 4th to the 12th April 2009.
Verbier, Switzerland
Height: 1500m (snow range 1500 - 3330m)
Airport: Geneva (approx 88 miles, 2 hours)
Season: Year round (glacier skiing)
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Well known for its good ski conditions, Verbier lies in a south-facing bowl in the heart of the Swiss Alps - meaning the resort enjoys a sunny yet sheltered position.
Located within the Four Valleys, Switzerland’s largest lift-linked domain, not only does the resort boast over 400km of varied runs but there is also glacier skiing on offer at 3330m – providing intermediate and advanced skiers both guaranteed and challenging year-round skiing.
There is a great deal of difference between the upper and lower slopes when it comes to late season snow – for example in April 2008, the upper slopes recorded 178cm of fresh snow compared with just 6cm on the lower slopes. However, to ensure the slopes stay in peak condition, the resort has also invested in a number of snow cannons.
Early April (4-5 April 2009) sees the resort host the annual Verbier High Five competition where competitors demonstrate their skills in the giant slalom, boarder cross, moguls, parallel slalom and a mock triathlon.
And later in April (17-19th), visitors get the opportunity to watch some of the world’s top speed skiers as they fly down Mont Fort’s steep slope in the XSpeed Ski Open Race finals.
Val d'Isere. France
Height: 1850m (snow range 1550 - 3550m)
Airport: Chambery (approx 84 miles, 2 hours)
Lyon (approx 152 miles, 3 hours)
Grenoble (aprox 102 miles, 2 hours and 10 minutes)
Geneva (approx 113 miles, 2.5 hours)
Season: Year round (glacier open 6 July - 31 August)
Winter season: 29 November - 3 May
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Val d’Isere is another high altitude resort, linked with Tignes to form the Espace Killy. The resort enjoys a strong snow record and a long season, with year-round skiing available thanks to the nearby glaciers. The climate and high slopes make this a particular popular choice for an early or late season ski holiday.
Most of the slopes lie in a northerly direction, meaning the snow tends to last longer and the terrain here is highly regarded, but there are also 2 snow parks in the locality. For guaranteed snow head to the Fornet Glacier at an impressive altitude over 3500m.
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