WHERE TO CATCH THE LAST OF THE SEASON’S SNOW
If you’re keen to make the most of every last minute of this winter, here’s where to go for your ski fix
For full details of entry requirements and in-resort Covid rules for your favourite ski destinations, including the ones below, see telegraph.co.uk/ttskirules. Refer to gov.uk/foreign-traveladvice for further travel information.
BEST FOR: HIGH ALTITUDE AT A REDUCED PRICE
Val Thorens, France
At 2,300m, Val Thorens is the highest resort in Europe and has one of the longest, most snowsure seasons, which usually lasts into May. If you time your stay for mid-April, you can save on a sixday lift pass, which drops to €297 (£248) from €330 (£276) for the final weeks. Erna Low (020 7584 2841; ernalow.co. uk) offers Le Hameau du Kashmir, a four-star ski-in/ski-out residence with two restaurants and a pool, from £545, self-catering, based on four staying in a two-bedroom apartment, including Eurotunnel crossing. Departs April 16
BEST FOR: GLACIER SKIING WITH ADDED GLITZ Zermatt, Switzerland
With a dizzyingly high top station at 3,883m, Zermatt offers year-round skiing on the Klein Matterhorn’s glacier, where 13 miles of pistes are accessible by gondola after the main winter season closes on April 30. The resort also scores well on early spring atmosphere, with outdoor bars and café tables set out in its compact, car-free centre and narrow back lanes.
Ski Independence (0131 243 8097; ski-i. com) offers stays at the four-star Hotel Mirabeau Zermatt, in the resort centre, with a spa and views of the Matterhorn, from £2,099 B&B. Departs April 10
BEST FOR: BEGINNER-FRIENDLY NORDIC ADVENTURE Voss, Norway
While Norwegian resorts rarely lack snow, freezing temperatures and short days early in the season can be a deterrent, especially for family skiing. Visit in March or April and the longer days and milder temperatures mean fewer layers and maximum ski time. Voss has an easy rail transfer from Bergen, gentle beginner pistes and an indoor swimming pool complex for off-the-slope fun.
Ski Safari (01273 977893; skisafari.com) offers the four-star Scandic Voss, a large modern hotel with sauna facilities, by the railway station and next to the Voss Gondol lifts, from £899, B&B. Excludes transfers. Departs April 3
BEST FOR: WORLD-FAMOUS APRÈS ANTICS St Anton, Austria
Austria’s Arlberg ski region has one of Europe’s best snow records and, from early April, lifts stay open longer to maximise the daylight hours while sixday-pass prices drop to €279 (£233), reduced from €326 (£272). Head to St Anton’s outdoor bar terraces (Basecamp at the Bergschlössl is a favourite at the foot of the slopes, or the Krazy Kanguruh, which claims to have the largest open-air dance floor in Arlberg) to soak up the sunshine and après atmosphere. Ski Solutions (020 3504 8677; skisolutions.com) offers the four-star Valluga Hotel, with a spa and near the resort’s shops and restaurants, from £1,990, room only. Departs April 2
BEST FOR: LAID-BACK SOUTHERN CRUISING
El Tarter, Andorra
With north-facing slopes and skiing up to 2,560m, Andorra’s Grandvalira ski area is always a decent bet for late-season snow; this year is looking good, with 75-120cm in mid-February. Plus points of the region include excellent English-speaking ski schools and plenty of cruising pistes for intermediates. Neilson (0333 014 3351; neilson.co.uk) offers stays at Hotel del Clos in El Tarter, a spacious hotel with views of the slopes from its sun terrace, from £879 including free guiding and coaching. Departs April 3
BEST FOR: STEEP AND DEEP AMERICAN POWDER Mammoth, United States
The Californian resort of Mammoth, with nearly 60 miles of pistes, has been known to stay open until mid-June and this year looks like no exception – it currently has a base 6-12ft deep. Time your stay for the annual Mammoth Caldera Burn on April 16, a demanding ski mountaineering event that is open to backcountry skiers of all skill levels. Virgin Holidays (0344 4729646; virginholidays.co.uk) offers a 10-night stay at the three-star Mammoth Mountain Inn, with pool and hot tubs, from £1,647, room only. Excludes transfers. Departs April 9
BEST FOR: EXPLORING CANADA WITHOUT THE CHILL Banff, Canada
Canadian skiing is notoriously cold in winter, but by March, the spring sunshine makes inroads on the temperature without spoiling the snow cover. Of the Ski Big 3 resorts, Banff Sunshine Village claims to have the longest nonglacial ski season in North America. It
remains open until May 24, while Lake Louise Ski Resort welcomes visitors until May 8 and Mt Norquay until April 18 – between them there’s terrain to suit all levels.
Frontier Ski (020 8776 8709; frontierski.co.uk) offers the four-star Royal Canadian Lodge, with an indoor pool and close to the restaurants and bars of downtown Banff, from £1,225, room only. Departs April 3
BEST FOR: AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE ALPS Baqueira-Beret, Spain
Sophisticated and scenic, this Spanish Pyrenean resort on the high Bonaigua Pass in the Val d’Aran rivals its Alpine counterparts for late-season snow cover. This year, the pistes (up to 2,516m) are open until April 18 for a chance to ski and snowboard under the Mediterranean sun – and an extension of the season could be on the cards if the white stuff sticks around. The resort is perfect for intermediates who are also after a spot of warm, outdoor aprèsski, Spanish-style.
Momentum Ski (020 7371 9111; momentumski.com) offers the four-star Hotel Montarto, with spa and pool located by the slopes, from £1,339. Departs April 10
BEST FOR: A LUXURIOUS YEAR-ROUND ESCAPE Cervinia, Italy
With a year-round season of glacier skiing, this Italian resort’s top station stands at a lofty 3,480m and the village itself is high too (just over 2,000m) so the snow can sometimes blanket the resort’s chi-chi hotels until early May. Treat yourself to a luxurious room with views of the Matterhorn bathed in warm spring sunshine and ski even as your friends are heading to the beach. Elegant Resorts (01244 757561; elegantresorts.co.uk) offers the five-star Hotel Hermitage, with spa and finedining restaurant, from £3,695 half board in a superior room, including a 50 per cent reduction on the final night – saving up to £315pp. Departs April 2
Prices are per person, including half board, flights and transfers unless stated, and are subject to availability
Sophie Butler