It’s not too late for winter sports enthusiasts to hit the slopes for another ski break before the end of the season. Conditions for late-season skiing are perfect from mid-March to April and holidaymakers can expect blue skies, later lifts, warmer temperatures and softer snow.
Many tour operators still offer winter sports holidays. Belonging to TUI Crystal ski holidays has rounded up some of its best deals with fantastic options always available.
There are also great deals to be had with Ski Solutions, which organizes winter sports trips to resorts around the world. Craig Burton, Managing Director, said: “After a season of interrupted travel, we are delighted that so many countries with ski resorts have relaxed their entry requirements and Covid restrictions, making it much easier to travel to the ski destinations.
“Now is the perfect time for customers to book their planned ski vacation, and spring is a fantastic time to travel with warmer temperatures and sunny weather.”
Here are some of the great deals on offer:
Cervinia, Italy/Zermatt, Switzerland
The Cervinia lifts top out at 3,883m and there are loads of high altitude runs. Beginners can take advantage of excellent conditions in the nursery area at the top of the mountain, before tackling the nearby slopes. As for the rest of the 150km ski area, it’s tailor-made for intermediates, with long runs like the 11km red Ventina from Plateau Rosa down to the village.
And the region’s ski pass also covers the nearby town of Zermatt, so skiers and snowboarders can also explore the snowy slopes above one of Switzerland’s top resorts. The town itself is in a south-facing valley, which means it gets plenty of evening sun, with small hotel bars ideal for sitting out on a terrace.
Crystal Ski Holidays (www.crystalski.co.uk) offers a week’s bed and breakfast holiday at the three-star Hotel Furggen from £621 per person when booked online (based on two sharing), flights from Manchester to Turin and transfers (price quoted is for departure March 27). Direct flights available from all major UK airports.
Anyone who chooses to stay in Zermatt can try the Alex Hotel. The main focus of this hotel is relaxation and revitalization, with spa facilities including three massage rooms, sauna facilities, a tepidarium and a swimming pool. After working up an appetite after a day on the slopes, guests can also enjoy one of the hotel’s three restaurants or bars.
Ski Solutions offers a seven-night room-only stay at Alex Hotel to Zermatt from £1,970 pp, departing 9th April. This price includes accommodation, flights and transfers.
Ischgl, Austria
It’s easy to see why Ischgl is one of the best Austrian ski resorts. Most of the terrain is above 2000m so there is room to ski well into spring. It’s excellent for intermediates, with 238km of long, open runs to explore – a favorite is the Duty Free Run, a 12km blast on linked red runs between the Palinkopf Peak and Samnaun in Switzerland. For the experts, there are also tricky black runs and plenty of off-piste to try.
The resort is famous for its lively atmosphere, with plenty of slopeside bars like the Paznauner Taja, where après-ski can be enjoyed on the huge outdoor terrace. For evening fun, head to the square by the Silvrettabahn gondola, which is lined with nightclubs that stay lively until late.
Crystal Ski Holidays are offering a week’s half-board holiday at the four-star Seiblishof Hotel from £1,126 pp when booking online (based on two sharing), flights from Birmingham to Innsbruck and transfers (the price indicated is for a departure on April 2). Direct flights available from all major UK airports.
(Image: Shared Content Unit)
Tignes, France
With its high altitude, reputation for springtime snowfall and links to two glaciers, Tignes ticks all the boxes for an end-of-season getaway. The 300km ski area is shared with neighboring Val d’Isere and offers everything from soft greens to steep off-piste, so it’s a solid choice for groups of mixed abilities. Beginners can learn the basics in the beginner slopes near Val Claret and the Lac, while more experienced skiers can tackle descents of over 1,000m from the top of the Grande Motte glacier to the center from the resort.
When it comes to choosing a place to stay, there are five purpose-built villages to choose from. To be at the heart of the action, there is a lively afternoon scene at the Lac and Val Claret. Or for something more laid back, check out the quieter areas of Tignes 1800 and Les Brévières.
Crystal Ski Holidays offers a week’s half-board holiday at the three star Hotel Les Brévières, Tignes Les Brévières from £1,288 per person when booked online (based on two sharing), flights from London Gatwick to Chambery and transfers (price quoted is for departure on April 2). Direct flights available from all major UK airports.
Obergurgl, Austria
At 1,930m, Obergurgl is one of the highest villages in the Alps and has one of the longest ski seasons in Austria. This centuries-old village existed long before the ski lifts arrived, so it has a truly authentic alpine feel – imagine wooden chalets clustered around an 18th-century church.
The 122 km ski area offers a great variety, from beginner areas to tree-lined trails and open runs that intermediates will love. It is also known for having quiet slopes and an excellent ski school, so it is also one of the best resorts for families.
Crystal Ski Holidays offers a week’s half-board holiday at the four-star Hotel Alpenaussicht from £1,652 per person when booked online (based on two sharing), flights from Edinburgh to Innsbruck and transfers (the price indicated is for a departure on April 2). Direct flights available from all major UK airports.
Val-Thorens, France
For great spring snow, try Europe’s highest ski resort, Val Thorens with its village at 2,300m and lifts above 3,000m. It is part of the huge Trois Vallées ski area, which has 600 km of slopes and four glaciers to explore. And with everything from soft greens next to the center of the village to steep bumps on the Cîme de Caron black run, it’s a perfect choice whatever your ability.
Try one of the best après-bars in the Alps, La Folie Douce, for a carnival-themed party on the panoramic terrace. Or enjoy events like Jazz à Val Thorens and Festival’Tho, where the resort hosts international musicians and DJs to end the season in style.
Crystal Ski Holidays offer a week’s self-catering holiday at three-star Le Chamois D’Or apartments, Val Thorens, from £894 pp when booked online (based on two sharing), flights from Manchester to Geneva and transfers (the price indicated is for departure on April 2). Direct flights available from all major UK airports.
In the meantime, Ski Solutions offers fahrenheit seven – a modern ski-in ski-out hotel conveniently located on the slopes, so guests can get up and go on the slopes each day. The rooms have stunning mountain views and are decorated in a retro style. The hotel also offers a fun après ski scene that includes live music and original cocktails, the perfect place to end the day in the sun.
A seven-night stay at fahrenheit seven to Val Thorens from £1,645 pp, departing 9 April. This price includes accommodation, flights and transfers. www.skisolutions.com
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