France Ski Bargains - Skiing Holidays in France » spring skiing

Fresh snow at the end of the ski season

Alan — Sat, 07 May 2011 07:54:05 +0000

Fortunately the Alps have recently been covered in snow even though the ski season is close to being over. The end of April is chosen by many to go skiing. The spring sunshine and lively parties that mark the end of the season are enticing to anyone.

You may think the ski season has gone by and maybe even quicker than others, but the specialists at SkiHorizons have ski holidays and advice for anyone that wants to get the most out of the slopes.

The high temperature and sun have caused some problems at some the ski resorts, but resorts in the northern Alps in France still have a great deal of snow and will not be closing before May and that includes Tignes and Val Thorens.

There is more than 2m of snow in both Switzerland and Austria at Solden and Engelberg and skiing is still available. SkiHorizons can help you make the right choice and let you know about some of their secrets. Winter is not quite finished.

Night skiing for example is a great way to get more out of your skiing holiday. Not only do you end up skiing longer but night skiing is wonderful experience that transports you to another world under storybook starry skies. There is an enchanting feeling as you glide down the starlit slopes and experience the peaceful quiet of the mountains. There is hardly another soul to share the slopes so you have unlimited space and unlimited skiing.

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Easter ski washout as snow thaws in France

Alan — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 08:21:38 +0000

Business in the Alps has been cut short with the highest Easter temperatures in over 65 years. Snow is less than 20% typical Easter depths, due chiefly to a one-two punch of record high temperatures in the first two months of this year, followed by the high Easter temperatures.

Both staff and resorts have had to end work early this season due to the snow drought. 9th April set a record high temperature at Chamonix ski resort in France when the thermometer hit 79.7 F or 26.5 C.

The snow research centre recorded a 40-year high for April, while at Bourg St. Maurice 83.1 F or 28.5 C melted the snow. As a spokesperson for Great Britain’s Ski Club, Betony Garner pointed out, “This year was a flop with Easter coming so late and the pitiful snow.”

“The economic woes combined with the diminishing snow have ultimately resulted in too few people taking a ski holiday.” Even at mountaintops the depth is as low as 6 feet or 1.8 metres. Alpe d’Huez, an alpine resort, has lost all of its snow for the year. Chamonix and La Plagne are the only two resorts that have had fresh snowfall in the week.

Val d’Arly is an example of the loss in visitors at resorts this year, starting in February with a fall of 10%. Metec France claims this is the biggest failure in 40 years of French skiing. At first, skiers expected to find more snow at higher resorts, so the likes of Chamonix were benefiting from the drive upward, with 15% increase.

Germany has reported only four resorts left in operation for this season and temperatures in the Swiss Alps are also extraordinarily high.

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Late season skiing gets you high

Alan — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 01:09:48 +0000

Late season skiing can be the best there is if conditions are right; slopes are less crowded, prices come down and the days are longer to let you get in more time on the slopes. The trade-off of warmer weather and usually (but not always) less snow can be evened up quite nicely. You just need to aim high, as in altitude.

By Easter weekend this year, many if not most of the lower slopes will be shedding white and turning green, but there are lots of other options. Resorts at altitudes above 1500 metres are still a good bet through April and sometimes even into May. Most of the bigger resorts have lifts to take you up past the snow line even if there are sheep grazing where you get on.

Any resort that has a glacier on or near it is almost a sure bet for successful skiing, and there are quite a few. In France, Tignes and Val d’Isere, Les Deux Alpes and Val Thorens are some of the long-stayers, all with glacier slopes. In Switzerland, St. Moritz and Zermatt are very good possibilities. In Austria there are numerous resorts with glacier access; Obergurgl, for example, is one of the highest villages in Europe, and the resort stays open into May.

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Chamonix in France has the altitude for great spring skiing

Alan — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 04:34:55 +0000

Off piste trails, high altitude skiing, and overall wonderful conditions are all reasons that Chamonix in France is an amazing resort location to head out to for spring ski holiday.

At Chamonix around 90% of all the ski areas are at altitudes above 2000m, which allows most trails to stay open and skiable well into the late spring. In fact, the trails of the Grands Montets which surround the Chamonix resort offer piste heights of 3300m, which is why annually Chamonix is the last ski resort to close with a final ski date of May 9^th.

Up in the mountains, every April shower brings fresh powder not rain, so before you put your skis away consider making it out for one last ski holiday. In fact, spring is one of the best times to experience Chamonix due to its 20km Vallee Blanche piste and many backcountry trails that take adventurous skiers all around the valley area.

Those who do not have a lot of ski experience or families with small children also find that spring is the best time to hit the slopes because of milder conditions and a wider array of activities off piste.

For example, the Chamonix resort area boosts an ice rink, indoor swimming pool, indoor tennis courts, dog sleigh rides, an English cinema, and a bowling alley. The mild conditions also make it the perfect time to explore the Chamonix resort by heading off on one of the many valley hiking trails or simply heading into the city to check out the active après ski activities.

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