Beginners in first week of April - Chamonix?

Hi Everyone

We are in a group of 3 adults, complete beginners.
We are looking to spend 4 days learning skiing somewhere close to geneva (since we only have 4 days and therefore we would like to keep the transfer time short)...we have been looking at chamonix as there are a few baby slopes in the area e.g. les houches, la vormaine etc.

However, we started to get worried that there will not be enough snow during the first week of April.

Can someone shed some light on the current snow condition and whether chamonix is a good place for beginners in early April?

Thanks v much!

Hi,

well Chamonix will still be open and plenty of snow in the area so this would not be a concern, will not shut until May 8th. If you are complete beginners then most likely (given time of year), you would start at Le Tour/Balme at top end of valley. This is about a 20min bus ride from Chamonix itself (which is where I would base myself).

I assume you are taking ski school in which case plenty of good options, including many British based companies (BASS + many independent ski instructors).

If you are progressing well then resort has an abundance of easy runs at Les Houches and Balme ski area.

Not a classic beginners ski area but certainly an option. However if you look at snow reports I believe many of the lower resorts will be shutting with loads of snow left. Unfortunately as they already advertised closing dates it is unlikely they can justify financially keeping open much longer as lack of tourists. 1st week of April though you can still pick any resort and will be fine.

Grand Massif! Very short transfer time, impressive snow depths, good tuition & abundant easy blues to progress to. Oh and quality affordable restaurants at altitude - there have to be some rewards!

Thanks

The snow condition is what I concerned the most in chamonix as the beginners slope are located quite low. So we should be expecting some spring snow.. Is it difficult for beginners to learn skiing under such conditions?

Would you guys recommend staying in chamonix, or going to flaine ( better snow but uglier surroundings), or going further up to the 3 valleys?

Thanks v much

no, ski in Flaine, but stay in Les Carroz - best of both worlds!

Yeah, but unless you have a car it's not practical for a beginner to do that.
The runs to/ from Les Carroz/ Flaine are hairy at the best of times. ( thinking the Tourmaline) and I think the Silice. Tricky!

Stay in Samoens and learn there!
Stunning village and great learner area too.

Well a matter of taste but I'd recommend Carroz over Samoens - always prefer skiing down to queuing for a gondola. and if conditions dictate a trip to Flaine it's a lot shorter from Carroz than from Samoens!

Sounds like I had better try a week in Les Carroz then!
Love the whole ski area, so will give it a go one day. And I have often said LC is my fave ski area in the GM.

Have been to Samoens loads of times in April though and in my opinion, in worse snow years, there's always been plenty of skiing, especially for a beginner.