Spring Holidays: Where to Go Skiing in March-April?

Jan 25, 2024

Dreaming of a spring ski trip… but worried about not being able to hit the slopes? Don't panic: Altitude Résidences helps you choose the perfect holiday destination that will meet your expectations as a skier, in March as well as in April.

@OT-La Rosière

In March / April, choose a high-altitude ski resort (snow guaranteed)

The main concern for skiers in spring? Whether there will be enough snow!

Save yourself this stress when booking your mountain holiday in March or April: choose a high-altitude ski resort. You will be guaranteed to ski on the entire domain, even in spring. Or at least on all high-altitude sectors in case of a particularly mild season.

In Tignes, for example, the ski area reaches an altitude of over 3,450 m (Grande Motte Glacier). You’re guaranteed a ski-in, ski-out return to the base areas of Val Claret and Le Lac (both located at an altitude of 2,100 m) until the end of the winter season. Whether you’re looking for green, blue, red, or black runs, you’ll have no trouble finding “runs that suit your skill level” during your vacation at Le Quartz!

The La Plagne ski resort is part of the Paradiski ski area (which includes La Plagne, Les Arcs, and Peisey-Vallandry), where 70% of the slopes are located at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. Snow is guaranteed in March and April! From our residence in Belle Plagne, Chalet Hôtel Turquoise, you can reach the highest point of the groomed ski area (La Roche de Mio, at an altitude of 2,739 m) and its blue and red runs directly in just one short gondola ride. From there, experienced skiers can even tackle the secure but ungroomed red and black runs on the Bellecôte Glacier, at 3,000 m.

La Rosière's ski area, connected to La Thuile in Italy (Espace San Bernardo), also reaches high into the mountains: 83% of its trails are located at an altitude of over 1,850 meters. So you're guaranteed to be able to ski in March and April—mostly on blue and red trails—during your vacation at Lodge des Glaciers.

Opt for a ski area with multiple exposures in March / April

Spring skiing sometimes gets a bad rap from inexperienced skiers, who recall unfortunate memories of skis getting tangled in the late-day 'slush'.

And yet! What a joy to enjoy the softness of the snow, just softened by the sun's rays, hour after hour, throughout the day.

As soon as the lifts open, head for the east- and south-facing slopes, and follow the sun as it moves across the sky throughout the day, ending with the north-facing slopes. Also, vary your altitude: start with the lower slopes and end your day of skiing in the highest areas (such as the Grande Motte Glacier at Tignes at an altitude of 3,456 m, or the Roche de Mio area in La Plagne).

Do you doubt your ability to distinguish north from south? Call on a ski instructor to guide you on the ski area of your choice: he or she will reconcile you with spring skiing! Because yes, ski instructors have much more to offer than just ski and snowboard lessons. Take advantage of their experience and let them choose the most suitable itinerary for your group's level and the day's conditions. They will also be able to give you some tips for mastering all types of snow you encounter during your outing…

You would be wrong to deprive yourself of this personalized support: by booking your holidays with Altitude Résidences, you benefit from preferential rates with partner ski schools in the resort ;)

Love ski touring? Explore preserved areas during your spring holidays!

Ski touring is no longer reserved only for spring holidays. But what a pleasure it is to "put on the skins" in March and April (seal skins, to stick under the skis for uphill skiing)!

Temperatures are rising. We shed our jackets during exertion. We replace ski goggles with light sunglasses, adapted to strong glare. And off we go for a long ride away from the crowds, in search of beautiful small slopes where the still-cold powder hasn't been tracked by an earlier skier!

Are you a ski touring enthusiast who’s still undecided about your vacation destination? Choose a ski resort nestled in the heart of a truly exceptional natural setting! TignesFor example, [resort name] is located right on the edge of three protected areas: the Vanoise National Park, the Tignes-Champagny Nature Reserve, and the Grande Sassière Nature Reserve.

Be discreet and get out your binoculars: you might spot a family of chamois or ibex in the distance, or even the first marmots of the season emerging from a long period of hibernation… Magical!

To get started with ski touring, choose a ski resort equipped with dedicated, secure trails.

Ski touring is a dream for many. But like any discipline, it requires a learning period before you can perfectly master your equipment. Rent your touring skis, skins, and boots from one of our partner shops, and test them safely on a dedicated ski touring trail: secure, groomed, and with no risk of encountering a skier in full descent!

Many ski resorts offer touring itineraries, popular with beginner hikers and "fitness" skiers looking for athletic performance.

La Plagne offers seven free ski-touring routes starting from Montchavin-Les Coches, Montalbert, Plagne Bellecôte, and Plagne Centre. Why not start with the “Plagne Bellecôte > Col de Forcle” trail? It’s just a few turns away from our residence Chalet Hôtel Turquoise in Belle Plagne (the blue run “ Belle Plagne ”).

At La Rosière, you can safely explore three groomed trails—each with an elevation gain of about 500 m—free of charge. Two of them (the Roc Trail, with a 483 m elevation gain, and the Border Trail, with a 550 m elevation gain) start at the center’s base area, just a stone’s throw from the Lodge des Glaciers. That way, you won’t get tired before you’ve even started.

Tignes, finally, offers a range of progressively more challenging routes, with three courses of increasing difficulty: La Fastoche (1 km / 190 m elevation gain), Le Collu (2.5 km / 390 m elevation gain), and Pala’foulée (3 km / 450 m elevation gain).

Enough to calmly familiarize yourself with how the risers on your bindings work, attaching and removing ski skins, gliding skis on snow (no need to lift skis to move forward), switching boots between ascent and descent modes, etc. With the promise of the view at the summit to motivate you to climb, even if your heart races in the steepest sections!

As you can see, you’re guaranteed to be able to ski during your March or April vacation, whether you choose to book your lodging in La Plagne, La Rosière , or Tignes. Can’t make up your mind? Since a mountain vacation isn’t just about skiing, you can also check out the non-skiing activities available at these three resorts, or take a look at the spring events calendar for La Plagne, La Rosière and Tignes !