Skiing in April!!!???

bandit wrote:
I'm coming round to the idea that either Zermatt or Saas Fee may be better destinations for a post Easter ski in Valais.

http://bergbahnen.zermatt.ch/e/skigebiet/
http://www.saas-fee.ch/en/welcome.cfm

definitely, if you had to make a prediction now it'd be Saas or Zermatt.

I went to the 3 valleys in April last year and there was more snow than there was in Deux alpes in january!!!! I would wait untill pratically last minute though so you can watch the snow forcast and choose the best resort!

Kymbillie wrote:I went to the 3 valleys in April last year and there was more snow than there was in Deux alpes in january!!!! I would wait untill pratically last minute though so you can watch the snow forcast and choose the best resort!

Closing dates for resorts in different countries do vary. For the Valais resorts, it will not matter how much snow is on the ground, or how much is forecast, if the resort is closed for skiing the lifts won't be running.
Of course, you could always use touring skis :D

well smarty pants I believe many of the resorts across europe were open untill may last year and I believe that included 3valleys. As I said its best to wait untill almost last minute to book at that time of year as the snow can become quite unpredictable. Its also if the tour companies are sending the tourists the resort is not going to be closed. I would recommend crystal, its very unlikely they are going to send you to a closed resort. (if the resorts closed they dont make any money, and no snow equals unhappy tourists)

Though as a general tip for the alpes Stay high and stay north. No point going to the southern alpes or a low lying resort as the sun will have killed the snow.

Kymbillie wrote:well smarty pants I believe many of the resorts across europe were open untill may last year and I believe that included 3valleys. As I said its best to wait untill almost last minute to book at that time of year as the snow can become quite unpredictable. Its also if the tour companies are sending the tourists the resort is not going to be closed. I would recommend crystal, its very unlikely they are going to send you to a closed resort. (if the resorts closed they dont make any money, and no snow equals unhappy tourists)

Though as a general tip for the alpes Stay high and stay north. No point going to the southern alpes or a low lying resort as the sun will have killed the snow.

You'll find that the closing date is tied to Easter which was later last year. It's only a minority that habitually open until May, 3V certainly but Val d'Isere, Verbier, Zermatt etc as well of course.

Most stations will be closing April 6th next season I think.

I'm not sure I'm understand what's meant by the southern alps though, like Alpe d'Huez or Les Deux Alpes? Should be excellent in April and open.

Kymbillie wrote:
well smarty pants I believe many of the resorts across europe were open untill may last year and I believe that included 3valleys. As I said its best to wait untill almost last minute to book at that time of year as the snow can become quite unpredictable. Its also if the tour companies are sending the tourists the resort is not going to be closed. I would recommend crystal, its very unlikely they are going to send you to a closed resort. (if the resorts closed they dont make any money, and no snow equals unhappy tourists)

Er, the enquiry was about skiing in Crans Montana in April 08. To answer your points.

1. Crystal don't go there, as per their brochure.
2. The resort is shut, as shown here on the C-M website
http://hiver.crans-montana.ch/
3. The poster wants to ski Valais, Switzerland, not 3 Valleys, France.
4. Inghams Ski do go to C-M, but they are not sending folks there in April as per their brochure, as the resort is shut.
5. Many Swiss resorts are dual season and earn their income from a variety of sources. Skiing is not the only reason for their existence.

Well if they are closed then obviously another choice has to be made. Whats the point of going to a ski resort that is closed? All I was doing was recommending where I would go at that time of year.If its strictly switz resorts probably verbier, That was open untill mid april last year but the snow was well a bit hit and miss as the sun had killed it. Obviously if you want to go to a closed resort then go for it!!! GREAT FUN. But as for last year the by knowledge and others (though I am no woman of wisdom) Most ski resorts were open untill at least april if not may.

And as for my brochure knowledge im not a travel agent. THe resorts I recommend are pure from experience. I just think Crystal are the best out of all the travel companies. Well unless your willing to fork out a bomb and half for Mark Warner.

Finally to the topic poster good luck with finding a resort as I said just watch the snow forcast, you have to be flexible at that time of year, dont get your heart set on any one resort and I am sure you will have a perfect holiday.

and yes ski resorts often become out door activity holiday resorts and before they discovered tourists alot of the villages were farm villages appart from the obvious purpose built resorts.

and yes some are open for summer ski but really only glacia resorts. But the big bucks come in during the winter. You dont see many of the bars during the summer packed full of people but you do in winter!