Easter ski destination in Italy / France

Hi,

We are looking forward to our Easter ski holiday !
Previous spring trips to: La Plagne, Courchevel, Livigno, Bormio, Val d'Isere and Ischgl were all great.
This time we would like to be somewhere new and have selected these 3 areas:
1) Chamonix / Courmayeur
2) La Thuile / La Rosiere
3) Champoluc / Gressoney.

Our top priority is snow, and then variety of runs on / off piste, ambience, some apres ski...

Could You please offer any advice on the resorts / areas above.

We are always happy to advice on our previous destinations.

We are good and intermediate skiers.

Have a great late season, everyone :)

That's close to our shortlist for Easter too! With The Dolomites as a last-minute outlier if it gets cold too... 8)

They're all pretty good choices with the possible exception of Gressoney if apres-ski does matter to you; brilliant location if the snow's good, however, and probably our preferred option by a whisker at the moment. Champoluc has more restaurants, bars, etc. I haven't checked this year yet, but the Monterosa resorts usually do some free-lift-pass-with-accommodation offers for the last week or 2 of the season.

La Ros probably least likely, for us; it's high and sunny so needs to stay cold for Easter to be good (for us) there. Good spot for some Spring skiing and cold beer in the sunshine after though.

Right now we're waiting to see how the snow falls and will go North or South of the main alpine ridge accordingly.

The snow could really go either way at the moment; next week is looking pretty good for the north side of the ridge and Chamonix valley, PdS, Grand Massif, etc. look like getting the goods as March arrives.

That said... a Genoa Low is starting to feature in the forecasts beyond next week and that could push some decent snow into the Aosta Valley and maybe the Dolomites.

Wait and see?

How about Valtournenche? Cervinia/Zermatt (not in France, I know) is high and snow is normally very good well into April

Admin wrote:That's close to our shortlist for Easter too! With The Dolomites as a last-minute outlier if it gets cold too... 8)

They're all pretty good choices with the possible exception of Gressoney if apres-ski does matter to you; brilliant location if the snow's good, however, and probably our preferred option by a whisker at the moment. Champoluc has more restaurants, bars, etc. I haven't checked this year yet, but the Monterosa resorts usually do some free-lift-pass-with-accommodation offers for the last week or 2 of the season.

La Ros probably least likely, for us; it's high and sunny so needs to stay cold for Easter to be good (for us) there. Good spot for some Spring skiing and cold beer in the sunshine after though.

Right now we're waiting to see how the snow falls and will go North or South of the main alpine ridge accordingly.

The snow could really go either way at the moment; next week is looking pretty good for the north side of the ridge and Chamonix valley, PdS, Grand Massif, etc. look like getting the goods as March arrives.

That said... a Genoa Low is starting to feature in the forecasts beyond next week and that could push some decent snow into the Aosta Valley and maybe the Dolomites.

Wait and see?

Thank you Admin for some insight into these resorts.
La Rosiere
So it sounds like:
1) Champoluc might be the better option than Gressoney
2) La Thuile might be the better option than La Rosiere.

I have heard that there is a closed high lift at Grand Montets limiting high altitude skiing in Chamonix valley at present. Does it mean that Courmayeur is the better of the two at the moment ?

Also I wonder if it is practical to stay in La Thuille and have a day skiing in Courmayeur ?

dellaga1 wrote:How about Valtournenche? Cervinia/Zermatt (not in France, I know) is high and snow is normally very good well into April

Hi Dellaga1,

Thank you for your suggestion.

It is an option however we stayed and skied in Cervinia few seasons ago and this time would like to go somewhere new.
Madonna Di Caqmpiglio/Passo Tonal/Peio is also on our radar.
Yes, it is all about snow conditions...
Anyone skied Aletsch Glacier Arena in spring ?

Would have thought that Passo Tonale might be a bit on the pudding side by Easter. The Glacier runs at Ponte-de-Legnio should be OK but the runs in Passo itself go soft very easily. Having been there later in the season I probably wouldn't choose it at that time of year. To be honest it's Ok for beginners or early intermediates (and those who don't like to get lost as most of the runs are off the main road)

Don't know about Madonna - had a day there but it was rtoo foggy to appreciate!

I shouldnt be saying this but La Ros is a fave of mine. Small family resort but enough off piste that will not get tracked too soon. The general clientele isnt of that mindset. The area is a little snow pocket and ive been there with great conditions 3 out of the last 4 years. The other year we went elsewhere but snow levels are often very good. Ive never seen rocks and certainly not hit any which is testament to snow cover, ime. I'd go past all the other resorts in the valley..seriuosly..because of one simple reason. Crowds chasing untracked. Weve opened up tracks on a blue bird day after a dump and our tracks were the only ones there 2 hrs layer. This was off the back of a lift but with a bit of navigation and check back into the lift system...so not a simple route and you needed to think it through but even locals went elsewhere. On a bluebird powder day, everyone hit the col and left la ros area behind. When we got ovef to the Col..the snow was windblown anyway so a mad rush no where.
The one issue is when the weather closes in..it could shut down the link to Italy where everyone lunches..because the food is great, typically, and people like the sense of mileage. We like to find new places but im back there like a shot for all the above.
I shouldnt have posted the above and ive been most places. Keep an eye on snow levels and leave it late to book if poss..which is what youd do for any resort late season.

Down side...no apre ski but we chalet anyway.