Sunshine, spring snow and marmots

Skiing in April can be absolutely gorgeous. Yesterday, as we were pottering around silky smooth slopes, I realised I enjoy spring snow just as much as I do powder. Good spring snow, whether off or on piste, is a joy to ski. That thin film of soft snow on a perfectly smooth base is flattering and easy to ski; blue skies, empty pistes and mild days all make for very relaxing and enjoyable days on the mountain

As you may have noticed, Easter falls late next year, on 16th April. Many people will ask themselves whether skiing so late in the season is worthwhile. Here are my thoughts on the advantages of late-season skiing.

• It’s warmer. You don’t have to wear ten layers of clothing or freeze to death on chairlifts 
• The slopes are quiet and there are no lift queues
• You can eat long lunches out of doors
• It’s often warm enough to sunbathe in the afternoon. Develop an all-over tan if you like, rather than the usual skiers’ ‘matchstick’ tan…
• The lift passes are cheaper in the final week
• There are bargains galore on accommodation
• You don’t feel obliged to ski from first lift to last: you can ski for a few hours while the snow is firm then relax for the rest of the day. It’s an ideal time for lazy skiers.
• Off-piste skiing is as easy as on-piste skiing so it’s perfect for novices
• Wildlife-spotting opportunities abound. (Yesterday, we saw chamois and lots of cute marmots, appropriately, under the Marmottes chairlift)
• You can go ski touring and stay overnight in a manned refuge. (This will earn you serious ski creditability and plenty of boasting points).

The disadvantages of April skiing are that some of the lower slopes and un-cannoned runs will be closed. This isn’t a problem in a ski area as huge and high as les 3 Vallees. Today, there are 294 pistes open in the ski area and you can still ski right into all the resorts. This year, there is still so much snow that all the snow parks and fun zones are still open and there are even still cross-country runs open. 

Skiing conditions are currently great during the mornings. The afternoons see slushy snow developing and that’s when it’s time to go for a long lunch.

If you want to try some easy off-piste, this is a great time to take a guide or instructor and discover why people become so addicted to back-country skiing. There are plenty of shallow and safe areas where you can experiment, without going too far from the pistes. I like to play around the snowfields below the Gros Tougne blue run above St Martin – it’s easy terrain and you can’t get lost. 

Do please always go with an instructor or guide, however. First, because it’s vital to get the timing right with spring snow -  you need some local knowledge to hit the right slopes just as they are softening but before they turn to gloop. And because afternoon avalanches are a real danger in some areas and spring snow avalanches are particularly heavy and lethal.

Méribel and Courchevel remain open until April 24th. Fancy some ski de printemps?