If you haven’t managed to get to the slopes yet this season, or are after one final flurry of snowbound activity, don’t despair.
There are still several places across Europe that offer excellent late-season ski conditions. Below are some of the top locations where ski enthusiasts can ski – and in good conditions – right up until the end of the season.
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Val Thorens
As the highest ski resort in Europe, Val Thorens is a good place to start for late season skiing. Many of the slopes around this French town face northwards, meaning they get less direct sunlight than their cousins facing other directions, so the snow stays for longer. Combined with the sheer altitude of the skiable slopes – the highest is Pointe de Bouchet at 3220 metres – the resort often operates into the start of May. Val Thorens is also part of the Three Valleys ski system – a series of slopes and resorts, including Courcheval and Meribel – that are linked by cable cars and lifts. In good late-season condition, you can explore this vast skiing area with a single pass, and with fewer crowds on the slopes.
Val d’Isère
While the resort of Val d’Isère nestles into a valley, the surrounding slopes are positively vertiginous. The highest lifts take skiers up to over 3400 metres, where the snow can persist into May. The area also boasts the Pissaillas glacier that is skiable throughout the summer months. Val d’Isere forms part of the Espace Killy area, with over 188 miles of runs.
Zermatt
Across the border, Zermatt offers some of the best late season skiing in Switzerland. The slopes get regular overnight powder throughout March and April, while the Klein Matterhorn glacier, situated at over 3000 metres provides skiing into the summer. The traditional chalet-style of the village also makes for an authentic Swiss getaway.
St Moritz
A more modern resort than Zermatt, St Moritz offers over 200 miles of runs at high elevations, as well as a lively après-ski scene. The resort calls itself the ‘Top of the World’ and sits at almost 2000 metres.
Sölden
Situated in Austria’s famed Tyrol region, Sölden boasts not one but two glaciers, the Rettenbach and the Tiefenbach, meaning that skiing is guaranteed whatever stage of the season you visit. The highest slope sits at 3250 metres and the resort has plenty of runs for all abilities. It is also known as a party town, if après-ski is important to you.
Obertauen
With its position at the top of a pass in the Niedere Tauern mountains, Obertauen has some of the most consistent late season ski conditions in Austria. It also means that many accommodation options offer ski in-ski out, so you can hit the slopes directly from your front door. The resort has access to over 70 miles of runs, peaking at 2313 metres.
