Easter Family Ski Holidays – Sun, long days skiing, lounging on sun decks… what could be better.
Easter is a brilliant time to go skiing with your family. By heading to higher resorts like Val Thorens and Tignes you’ll still get good quality snow.
For me if you are fixed to school holidays, Easter is easily the best option:
- Longer days
- Sunnier
- It’s warmer than Christmas
- Less risk of freezing on a lift
- Tends to be less busy than February
- It’s the cheaper of the three peak holidays
However the compromises are:
- More varied snow conditions, ie a likelihood of icy mornings and slushy afternoons.
- Lower resorts may struggle with snow depth
- Warmer
The snow at Easter
Firstly don’t fret, in the days of modern snow making and piste management they’ll be plenty of snow on the pistes.
Easter snow is characteristically a bit icy in the morning and slushy in the afternoon, with a sweet spot around lunch.
That’s said don’t let it put you off, my first five holidays were at Easter and we had everything from fresh each day to lounging on decks in shorts.
Also for me what defines a great skier is that they know how to ski in different types of snow.
How to make the most of an Easter ski holiday
My key tips would be:
- Go to a higher resort
- Take clothing that will work for hot and cold days
- Hit the slopes early each day
The best resorts for an Easter family ski holiday
With it being warmer head high, just to give yourself a bit of extra security.
Resorts at 1800 and above are perfect, Val Thorens for instance stays open into the start of May. Then if your happy to hike or tour you could keep going.
My pick would be:
- Val Thorens, 2000m
- Tignes, 2100m
Val Thorens
Sat at the top of the Belleville Valley it is the highest resort in Les Trois Vallee ski area. Located in a bowl it’s also a great option for those going skiing as a family. You won’t find the volume of Chalets in the other resorts, but you will find a great selection of apartments of all sizes, hotels and amazing skiing.
For more details read the psste Val Thorens Family Ski Guide.
My pick of accommodation for a family ski holiday at Easter would be:
Résidence Les Balcons de Val Thorens
Résidence Les Balcons de Val Thorens is located just above the main centre with great access onto the slopes and a selection of shops and restaurants nearby. All apartments complete with a kitchen, balcony and free access to the indoor swimming pool and spa. There is also a restaurant onsite and the option to have breakfast each day. Accommodation options are:
- A one bedroom apartment with a bed in an alcove for £1,679
- For slightly more a slightly larger two bed apartment, £1,836
Tignes
Tignes reputation precedes it. It may not have the selection of greens and blues of say Flaine or La Plagne. However even it’s Piste map looks beautiful and the connections between Tigne and Val D’siere are flawless.
Plus it’s high and at Easter you can get some great deals to stay in the main centre.
My pick of accommodation would be:
L’Ecrin des Neiges
L’Ecrin des Neiges is located in the Val Claret area just above the main centre of Tignes.
Other residence ran by Pierre et Vacance and you can expect the same standard as their other properties. This modern block is well rated by families and is ski in/ski out. You can still rent a massive two bedroom apartment on the slopes for £1,649.
Other resorts to look at, which are not quite as high, are:
- Les Menuires, 1800
- La Plagne – Belle Plagne, 1800
Skiwear for an Easter Ski Trip
Basically take some options, it could be cold, it could be warm. There’s nothing worse than being freezing or sweltering. In addition to the standard ski pants and jacket, I’d make sure you have a fleece or softshell that you can wear if it gets warmer.
But please always make sure your skin is covered and you wear your ski pants, gloves and helmet. It maybe warm, but a fall on the piste could give a nasty friction burn.
Should you go on a Easter Family Ski Holiday?
Simply if you have to ski in school holidays and slightly better snow is not worth the extra £1000+ you’ll pay to go
- You have to ski in school holidays
- Slightly better snow is not worth the extra £1000 or more.
Going skiing at Easter, it’ll be great.