Latest posts for the topic "Late March Skiing."

Late March Skiing.

Sun, 6 Jan 2013 17:10:47 GMT

Now i know this is 'one of those questions' that is really impossible to answer but i would like to ask your opinion, especially those experienced, on late march skiing.

I am now looking at W/C 23rd March for our second trip this year. Should i be restricting my search to high resorts or do you think i would be limiting myself needlessly?
I have no experience of spring skiing, i have only been before the end of feb.

I really fancy the budget 3V resort of La Tania but at 1400m i get a little worried.

What do you think?

Re:Late March Skiing.

Sun, 6 Jan 2013 17:26:59 GMT

My husband and I were in Les Deux Alpes at Easter this year. Low doen was a bit scant but the rest was fabulous and up on the glacier well...... Beautiful. Keep an eye on the snow reports. Any North facing high resort should be ok.
42 sleeps :)

Re:Late March Skiing.

Sun, 6 Jan 2013 17:41:00 GMT

Never been to La Tania and suspect at 1400 m you can't guarantee full snow cover.
However, I don't consider 23rd March late.
We have been going at end March/ beginning April for years and have always enjoyed our skiing to the full.
You will just have to accept you may not be able to ski to the door and head to the higher areas to ski and maybe drive back to your apartment or walk a little further from the lift.
We went to the 3V on 4th to 11th April a few years ago and on the last day the road to Val Thorens was closed due to heavy snowfall.
Other places we've skied in April have been Samoens, Les Saisies, Puy St Vincent (great day in Serre Che too) and Les Houches/Chamonix.
At Samoens you stay at 770 m and just get the gondola to the ski area. The excitement of 'going over the top' and seeing the snow covered ski area in front of you cannot be beaten.
Go f'rit...the days are longer, evenings warmer and most of all it's somethng to look forward to.
:D

Re:Late March Skiing.

Sun, 6 Jan 2013 18:33:21 GMT

Never skied La Tania but have skied last week of march/first of April the last two years in Are Sweden and had powder conditions both times. Last minute deals that seemed too good to be true both times but turned out excellent.

Re:Late March Skiing.

Sun, 6 Jan 2013 18:34:13 GMT

3V will be wonderful Snapzzz.
From what I know of you (and et al en famillee???) you should love the area.

Worst case scenario is bubble up/bubble down - but that is not a huge hardship as the run down to resort is pretty boring!

Re:Late March Skiing.

Sun, 6 Jan 2013 21:57:13 GMT

Hi Snapzzz,
This is the snow history for La tania for APRIL, in the last 4 seasons, village/mountain.
29cm / 79cm

37cm / 119cm

7cm / 81cm

56cm / 130cm

I have skiied La Tania in March and April, with good complete skiing. It is good to just skate a few yards through the woods, and drop onto the piste, then ski home at night.

I would have no concerns. I have skied many end of seasons (April)at Niederau, which is some 500m lower, and always had complete runs. This year I will be in Niederau in March, and elsewhere in Tyrol in April.

The conditions are generally different from Jan/Feb powder skiing, tending towards variations during the day.

Because the night skies tend to be clear of clouds, the early runs may well be frozen piste machine tracks, really great to ski on, but ~ it jars your brain ~ any residual hangovers are quickly gone.

Great skiing as the snow softens, 9.30am ~ 2.00pm.

Then gradually starts the challenge! The snow can go heavy, like porrage. You notice a difference passing from sun into shade, rocking backwards, then skis shooting forwards. Again, great skiing, but different from smooth groomers.

Towards evening, it can get really tough, as the porrage starts to re-crystallize, and the legs are tired.

After this is the time of day, I like to get out on the balcony, in the sunshine, glass of wine, and paint.

On the other hand, it is still just after mid-season, and you can still expect to get some good snowfall.

Re:Late March Skiing.

Sun, 6 Jan 2013 22:06:01 GMT

I have just booked ADH on 30th March fingers crossed will be good, never "sprung skied" there before, hoping will still be able to ski in and out of hotel.

My plan was anything over 1800 should be a safe bet, however, if not then its only a lift or gondola ride up anyway

TP

Re:Late March Skiing.

Sun, 6 Jan 2013 22:24:34 GMT

ADH is a great resort/area, we'll be back for the third time in mid Feb.

Dave

tonypants wrote:
I have just booked ADH on 30th March fingers crossed will be good, never "sprung skied" there before, hoping will still be able to ski in and out of hotel.

My plan was anything over 1800 should be a safe bet, however, if not then its only a lift or gondola ride up anyway

TP

Re:Late March Skiing.

Sun, 6 Jan 2013 22:29:09 GMT

Thanks rusty

Snapzzz come to ADH with us on 30th -)

Re:Late March Skiing.

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 07:55:12 GMT

Late March skiing ...... Livigno good snow warm sunny days and very cold nights, La Thuile warm days not so cold nights runs to village slushy in the afternoon, Passo Tonale cold days and nights snow in good condition in the afternoon be careful although very high the resort is south facing so slopes do get a lot of sun, Adelboden again warm sunny days slopes were in good nic all day.
These were conditions between dates 16th March to the 26th March. Hope it helps 8)

Re:Late March Skiing.

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 08:51:32 GMT

I consider 23rd March to be late. Its spring which often means warm days and cold nights, hence icy pistes early on and sometimes slush or sticky skiing later on.

I have to say I will never run the risk of going somewhere where there wont be snow to ski on, which is why I always pick a ski area with high enough altitude skiing, no matter what time of year. March can often end up being snowier than January as the weather will be more variable that time of year.

I love longer days, sunny afternoons and daylight when youve finished skiing, just as much as I love the cold days, late sunrises and dark descents in January. The 2 are totally different skiing.

I'd always aim to ski with areas above 1800m any time of year, so whilst La Tania itself might struggle, the ski area itself will have tons of great skiing in March.

I''ve skied Sauze d'Oulz and of March and it was 20c in the village when we arrived (ridiculously cheap last minute deal) and then the first morning it turned really cold and they had managed to keep the pistes in great shape, so there will always be skiing provided theres the altitude and the base in place.

I have skied Verbier in April, which had lots of fresh snow overnight and was awesome. I have also skied Serre Che twice in March, and am going again 16th March this year. Its never been bad, and one year in particular the snow was as good as I have ever skied, with great fresh powder off piste.

I dont think you'll have a problem with the 3v but it may take you longer to find the better snow, thats all.

Re:Late March Skiing.

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 12:40:47 GMT

Well, no one has said stay at home!

Re:Late March Skiing.

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 12:44:51 GMT

Went to Courchevel in mid-April one year - and the quality of piste maintenance etc was beyond reproach. Mild temperatures but we did not see a bare patch all week.

Re:Late March Skiing.

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 18:29:54 GMT

Thanks guys, you have given me some confidence. Since my last trip was tainted by man flu i just don't want to make any mistakes with my next.

Thanks again all.

Re:Late March Skiing.

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 18:35:45 GMT

Sure you will make the right decision and find something suitable, even if you end up with some slush lower down, you just have to adapt your skiing (like I did last year, and not particularly successfully), its all good practise.

Re:Late March Skiing.

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 19:24:13 GMT

We went to Tignes the second week of April last year. We had lots of powder and fabulous skiing. It was a very different ski experience to our Christmas week ski trips.

Unfortunately for us, the kids Easter hols fall the last week of April/ first of May. My DH s so obsessed he has been researching if anywhere would still be open.....

Re:Late March Skiing.

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 20:09:49 GMT

Melbatb wrote:We went to Tignes the second week of April last year. We had lots of powder and fabulous skiing. It was a very different ski experience to our Christmas week ski trips.

Unfortunately for us, the kids Easter hols fall the last week of April/ first of May. My DH s so obsessed he has been researching if anywhere would still be open.....

How can ur kids easter hols fall so late? Easter is early this year.

Re:Late March Skiing.

Mon, 7 Jan 2013 20:38:05 GMT

Melbatb wrote:We went to Tignes the second week of April last year. We had lots of powder and fabulous skiing. It was a very different ski experience to our Christmas week ski trips.

Unfortunately for us, the kids Easter hols fall the last week of April/ first of May. My DH s so obsessed he has been researching if anywhere would still be open.....

Funny time for an Easter holiday as Easter Monday is April 1 this year!

Val D'Isere stays open until May 5 this season, by the way!

Re:Late March Skiing.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 08:15:37 GMT

I think Meltab means last week of March/first week of April

Re:Late March Skiing.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 08:18:42 GMT

If so, Tony, why would the other half be looking at resorts still open in the first week of May?

Re:Late March Skiing.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 08:57:54 GMT

Maybe she means 2014 when Easter's really late.

Re:Late March Skiing.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 16:33:51 GMT

i was in 3 valleys march last year, low down in la tania the snow was starting to go and it was low down in meribel too. coucheval and val thorens was ok. we stayed in brides le baines, only prob was the town is quiet and we had a 30min gondola ride to meribel. but was worth it.
good luck in your search.

Re:Late March Skiing.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 16:38:14 GMT

if i remember, there was late snowfalls last year and the season was extended in a few resorts, so you never can say for def. if there will be snow or not low down.

Re:Late March Skiing.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 18:25:03 GMT

I do mean the last week of april/first of May! We live in the south of France and here the holidays are staggered. Though having said that I don't think anyone actually has their Easter hols at Easter this year - but they are still called the Easter hols. The Paris crowd start the week after us so their Easter hols are actually in May!

As clear as mud??

Re:Late March Skiing.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 18:55:25 GMT

Melbatb wrote:I do mean the last week of april/first of May! We live in the south of France and here the holidays are staggered. Though having said that I don't think anyone actually has their Easter hols at Easter this year - but they are still called the Easter hols. The Paris crowd start the week after us so their Easter hols are actually in May!

As clear as mud??

sludge

Re:Late March Skiing.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 20:12:22 GMT

So, wading through the mire, does that men the french Easter hols is not the first week of April then ?

Or does that mean when i go it will be full?

Re:Late March Skiing.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 20:51:28 GMT

The french Easter holidays are from 13th April till 13th May! To be honest, the main ski period for the French is the Feb half term - which runs from 16th Feb till 16th March!

Ladt year we booked for Tignes at the last minute. This year no chance! Will have to make do with some weekends and a 5 day trip to Andorra - if we are lucky 15 ski days!

Re:Late March Skiing.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 20:52:54 GMT

As long as they arent 16th March I couldnt care less

Re:Late March Skiing.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 21:19:24 GMT

Tony_H wrote:As long as they arent 16th March I couldnt care less

Me neither. I am seriously considering this week.
Mrs Snapzzz has said that she will not be skiing again this year so now im looking at a solo trip.
The Crystal Ski Fest, which looks good, is this week in La Plagne......maybe.

Re:Late March Skiing.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 21:47:00 GMT

I remember you were going to chamonix with someone you knew? ;-)

Re:Late March Skiing.

Tue, 8 Jan 2013 21:51:47 GMT

I am looking at 9 March possibly

Re:Late March Skiing.

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 07:07:13 GMT

There are some good deals about for the Southern alps commencing 16/03/13 :thumbup:

Re:Late March Skiing.

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 07:19:31 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:There are some good deals about for the Southern alps commencing 16/03/13 :thumbup:

Elaborate

Re:Late March Skiing.

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 07:20:36 GMT

Iceman wrote:I am looking at 9 March possibly

16th is far better, cheaper and no school hols

Re:Late March Skiing.

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 07:21:53 GMT

Iceman wrote:I remember you were going to chamonix with someone you knew? ;-)

Yeah, should have stuck to that. Let me know where u go, maybe I'll magically appear

Re:Late March Skiing.

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 08:29:16 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:

Ian Wickham wrote:There are some good deals about for the Southern alps commencing 16/03/13 :thumbup:

Elaborate

Have a look at this lot, self catering apartments inclusive of lift pass.

http://www.snowtrex.co.uk

Re:Late March Skiing.

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 13:56:51 GMT

Serre Che, self catered chalet for 6, GBP250pp including 6 day lift pass 16th march.
Rude not to wouldn't you say?

Re:Late March Skiing.

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 14:11:41 GMT

Looks like some good deals but the headline price did not include lift passes on any of the dates or resorts I tried! The transfers from the airport are quite pricey, too!

Re:Late March Skiing.

Wed, 9 Jan 2013 15:32:44 GMT

Tony_H wrote:Serre Che, self catered chalet for 6, GBP250pp including 6 day lift pass 16th march.
Rude not to wouldn't you say?

Very, if there are 6 of you.

Re:Late March Skiing.

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 11:22:57 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:

Tony_H wrote:Serre Che, self catered chalet for 6, GBP250pp including 6 day lift pass 16th march.
Rude not to wouldn't you say?

Very, if there are 6 of you.

Same price on apartments for 2 as well