The ultimate guide to late ski holiday packages to suit all budgets

Where to go for late late snow: Several resorts are staying open well into May. Here’s our guide to springing into action on the slopes with packages to suit all budgets

• Inghams is offering seven nights in France’s Val d’Isere from £899pp with chalet catering and Gatwick flights  
• For a low-cost ski trip, head to La Plagne in France – what’s more, many of its runs are at a ‘snow sure’ altitude
• The Austrian resort of Obergurgl has plenty of altitude, with the highest runs reaching more than 3,000m 

After two years in the doldrums, skiing is coming into its own once more, with several resorts in the Alps staying open later in April and into May — by which time the dreaded Passenger Locator Form should be consigned to history.

No wonder demand is soaring. But you need to know that there will be enough snow. Here’s our guide…

SWISH SWISS STYLE

Chalet dreams: Ski Solutions is offering a seven-night trip to the slopes of Verbier, pictured, from £1,945pp

Join the late-season ski crowds at the fashionable Swiss resort of Verbier. Enjoy apres ski bars and excellent restaurants in the wide, sunny village.

Season ends: April 24.

How to do it: Seven nights at La Cordee des Alpes from £1,945pp including flights on April 17 (skisolutions.com).

ALTITUDE IN AUSTRIA

Obergurgl has plenty of altitude, with the highest runs reaching more than 3,000 metres. It’s best suited to intermediates and beginners.

Season ends: April 24.

How to do it: Seven nights at Pension Martinshof from £929pp B&B departing from Gatwick on April 16 (igluski.com).

A FRENCH FAVOURITE 

Embrace the lively apres ski at Val Thorens (pictured) on a seven-night self-catering break with Inghams 

At 2,300 metres, the French ski village at Val Thorens is the highest in Europe. Runs are suited to all levels of skier, with top slopes reaching 3,230 metres. Expect lively apres ski.

Season ends: May 8.

How to do it: Seven nights in Village Montana Apartments from £778pp self-catering, based on six sharing, with Gatwick flights on April 16 (inghams.co.uk).

MATTERHORN MANIA

Book a week’s stay in Zermatt (pictured), under the shadow of the Matterhorn, from £960pp with Ski Solutions 

Beneath the towering Matterhorn, Zermatt’s slopes rise to nearly 4,000 metres and are best suited to intermediate and advanced skiers.

Season ends: May 1.

How to do it: Seven nights in a Christiania Apartment from £960pp self-catering on April 17. Return flights to Geneva cost from about £65pp (skisolutions.com).

COUNT ON ITALY

Picturesque Cervinia, pictured, tends to be sunny in April, but it’s high enough to retain snow. Momentum Ski is offering a week’s break at the Italian resort from £1,189pp

Cervinia has excellent runs for those who like to cruise along, and there aren’t many terrifying ones. It tends to be sunny in April, but it’s high enough to retain snow.

Season ends: May 1.

How to do it: Seven nights in Hotel Grivola from £1,189pp B&B with flights on April 9 (momentumski.com).

PLENTY OF PISTES

Tackle a wide selection of pistes that are suited to all levels at Val d’Isere (pictured) on a package trip with Inghams

CURRENT TRAVEL ADVICE…

France: Those over the age of 12 must be fully vaccinated and complete a ‘sworn statement’ confirming that they have no Covid symptoms.

Austria: You must be fully vaccinated over the age of 12 or have taken a recent negative PCR test.

Switzerland: Adults must be fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated people under 18 are accepted as long as they travel with fully vaccinated adults.

Italy: Travellers must be fully vaccinated or have taken a recent negative PCR test if aged six or over.

France’s Val d’Isere has long been popular for late season skiing. Enjoy the wide selection of pistes suited to all levels (with experts well catered for).

Season ends: May 1.

How to do it: Seven nights at Hotel Ducs de Savoie from £899pp with chalet catering and Gatwick flights on April 16 (inghams.co.uk).

PEAK APRES SKI

Apart from some of the runs close to the village, most pistes in Ischgl are above 1,800 metres. This Austrian resort is renowned for its apres ski. Expect first-class restaurants, too.

Season ends: May 1.

How to do it: Seven nights at Chalet Zita from £741pp with chalet catering on April 16 (igluski.com). Return flights from Manchester to Innsbruck cost from £129pp (easyjet.com).

MAGNIFICENT IN MAY

Tignes has a glacier and some of the highest slopes in Europe, rising to 3,455 metres. No wonder it will remain open into May.

Season ends: May 8.

How to do it: Seven nights at Hotel Arbina from £1,500pp half-board, flying from Liverpool and other regional airports on April 9 (crystalski.co.uk). 

LOW-COST BUT LOVELY

The French resort of La Plagne is a dream for intermediate skiers, and many runs — excluding the lowest ones by the village — are at a ‘snow sure’ altitude. It may not be the prettiest resort, but it’s good value for spring skiing.

Season ends: April 30.

How to do it: Seven nights at Residence Le Cervin Apartments from £598pp self-catering, with flights from Gatwick on April 16 (inghams.co.uk).

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