Things to Do in the Mountains in March and April: Ideas for Your Spring Vacation in Savoie

Jan. 11, 2024

Are you thinking of spending your spring break in the mountains? What a great idea! Soft snow, rising temperatures, and a festive, relaxed atmosphere: everything points to a perfect getaway in the snowy wilderness… which is anything but boring. Follow our guide: your vacation itinerary is sure to be a treat.

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1.Take advantage of spring break to learn how to ski in soft, powdery snow

Learning to ski can be intimidating when you start in January or February. Experienced skiers love winter snow for the carving opportunities it offers… But it can feel pretty hard on the butt for beginners, who inevitably take one fall after another!

In March and April, the snow changes rapidly under the sun’s rays. It becomes softer and “sinkier.” It’s much more forgiving of hesitant turns and loss of balance. It’s impossible to pick up too much speed—or to watch your skis careen a few hundred meters down the slope after you’ve accidentally taken them off.

What more could you ask for? A special rate on your ski lessons, perhaps? It’s practically a done deal thanks to our resort partners;)

2. Put your youngest child on the skis for the first time

Were you hesitant to sign your little one up for a ski class at kindergarten during winter break for fear that he or she might catch a cold? Why not get him or her on the slopes during spring break instead!

Rising temperatures, soft snow, and longer days that let you follow up your ski lesson with a fun sledding session before the sun goes down… Learning to ski in the spring is the perfect experience for the little ones!

3. A must-do during spring break in the mountains: Enjoying fondue on a patio

Of course, enjoying a fondue is a must-do during any mountain vacation, no matter the season. But what a treat it is to savor it on a terrace at lunchtime, without the cheese hardening on your piece of bread—as can happen in winter!

Our tip: Start skiing early, as soon as the lifts open. And reserve a table in the sun around 1 p.m. In any case, you won’t have the energy to head back out onto the slopes after your feast… So you’ll definitely want to do nothing—except maybe relax in a lounge chair for the rest of the afternoon on your apartment’s balcony.

4. Take off your ski jacket and dance on the tables at La Folie Douce

Whether at La Folie Douce or elsewhere, there are plenty of lively spots in the resort where you can let loose after a day of skiing! In winter, your fiery performances on those open-air dance floors are sometimes cut short by the cold… In spring, you can take off your jacket and keep the party going until closing time ;)

Did you know? Après-ski isn’t just for skiers! In Tignes , for example, La Folie Douce is accessible to pedestrians via the Daille gondola in Val d’Isère (shuttle departing from Tignes). The terrace of the Bollin restaurant is also accessible to pedestrians via the chairlift of the same name. And the Cocorico is located right on the snow front at Tignes Val Claret. Champagne for everyone!

5. Sunbathe all afternoon on a lounge chair facing the mountains

A recurring theme in this article: in the spring, temperatures are rising in the mountains. The perfect excuse to soak up some vitamin D on a terrace!

Choose one:

Choose a spot that faces due south so you don't have to lift a finger all day;
Move from one terrace to the next to test the comfort of the lounge chairs and the smoothness of the hot chocolate (for the sake of completeness);
Or simply settle into the comfortable sofas on the balcony of the apartment you’ve booked for your vacation (near the stack of novels you’ve packed in your luggage; roughly 50% of your suitcase’s total weight, at a guess).

@evolution2tignes

6. Take advantage of the mild spring weather to treat yourself to your first flight.

There’s no doubt that the mountains are beautiful when viewed from the sky all year round. But they’re even more magical when they’re covered in snow!

Book a paragliding flight now (in La Plagne, La Rosière or Tignes), or a microlight flight (in Tignes) for March or April: you’ll enjoy the experience without having to worry about layering up with scarves—which are essential in December, January, or February to brave the sometimes freezing temperatures at high altitudes…

7. Treat yourself in preparation for your first outings with bare legs

As spring arrives, clothing stores fill their racks with colorful shorts, skirts, and dresses that are just too tempting to resist… The cozy, chunky sweaters we’ve been wearing all winter suddenly seem so dull: we can’t wait for summer and its light, airy outfits!

To ease your impatience, there’s nothing like adding a little something new to your “beauty routine”: put away your stash of hand creams, and treat yourself to a complete body treatment during your mountain vacation! A gentle exfoliation, a detox treatment, and a relaxing massage to give you a taste of the lazy days you’ll soon be spending at the beach…

Don’t feel like putting your winter clothes back on after this little break in the warmth? Slip on your swimsuit and head to the wellness area at Lodge des Glaciers, in La Rosière. Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna… Everything you need to unwind while daydreaming about your summer wardrobe.

8. Go on a day-long snowshoe or ski-touring trip

Longer days, rising temperatures… In the spring, there’s no way you want to waste a single minute indoors: plan activities that will let you spend as much time as possible in the mountains!

How about a long snowshoe hike or ski tour to a mountain hut? Many of them open in March and April (check with the tourist office beforehand, just in case).

So you could start the morning with a hike of varying difficulty, accompanied by a guide or a mid-mountain guide. Then recharge your energy with lunch at the mountain hut. Before heading back “home” at a leisurely pace, with images of majestic landscapes filling your mind (and your smartphone).

As for us, we're all for it!

9. Find your next ski outfit during the end-of-season sales

All of our residences are located near sporting goods stores where it's nice to go shopping at the end of the day (Intersport at Tignes, Elpro at Belle Plagne, Skimium at La Rosière).

Take advantage of your spring vacation in the mountains to replace your growing teen’s ski outfit—which has become too small—or to treat yourself to an eco-friendly jacket-and-pants set that you’ll enjoy wearing next winter.

Hot Deal: There are some great sales in the spring, as the season comes to a close. Go ahead and treat yourself with peace of mind!

So, which of these 9 ideas sounds most appealing for your spring vacation in the mountains? Learning to ski? Going on a snowshoe hike? Enjoying the sunny outdoor seating areas? Book your apartment now to make these wonderful plans a reality!

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