February ideas

I'm lucky enough not to have to go skiing when school is out; hence I generally try to avoid February altogether. But I suppose there must be places (in Europe) which aren't too rammed in February, but I just don't know them! Any suggestions for resorts which don't attract the half-term crowds would be appreciated.

Depends on the resort and who goes there I think. You need to check your dates against local hols. Most of uk has a half term this year which clashes with some FR hols, some Fasching in AT and Carnivale in Italy. Scandinavia can be a good bet but good to check their hols too. Went to hemsedal once when it was Oslo half term and it was rammed

Got to say that virtually everywhere is rammed out in Europe around the middle two weeks of February. Possibly the Monterosa area in Italy not so bad as most resorts, would suggest Gressoney or Champoluc although there is no way to avoid the half term children! An alternative, and half term free is Colorado-try Breckenridge, Aspen, Vail or even Jackson Hole, although do miss the 'American college spring break'.

I think Italy is quieter on the whole.

I guess one thing you can pretty well guarantee (at least from my own experience) is that if you go to a country that isn't France, you at least won't get the French half-term skiers ! So maybe an idea is to go to Austria or Italy when the French hols are on especially if they don't overlap with Austria or Italy.

What about Andorra/Spain? Don't know if they have local hols which makes things very busy

Interesting thought; thanks.

How about staying in a valley and then trying out various resorts within driving distance? Then if one place is bad you can at least try another. One attraction of staying at a thermal resort is if the weather is really bad, you can just stay put and enjoy the swimming/wellness etc. My suggestions:

Stay at the thermal resort of Saillon in Switzerland (in the Rhône valley between Martigny and Sion) and get a Valais area skipass. Covers 47 ski areas and 4 thermal resorts.

https://www.bainsdesaillon.ch/en/
https://www.valais.ch/en/information/landingpage/valais-skicard/information

Note the SkiCard doesn't include the 4 Valleys (Verbier and its satellites of La Tzoumaz, Nendaz and Veysonnaz/Les Collons). So you might just pay the day rate at any places you visit. Alternatively, look at the Valais MagicPass:

http://www.ovronnaz.ch/en/ski-in-ovronnaz-with-the-magic-pass/

Which gives access to 25 ski resorts.