Where to ski in April? The resorts that hold on in spring
91 resorts keep at least 30 cm of snow on the ground in April in more than 4 winters out of 5. Arc 1800 comes first with 178 cm on average in April and a ski area up to 1,310 m.
Spring skiing has its followers: long days, sunshine, transformed snow in the morning and terraces in the afternoon, accommodation prices on the way down. The snow still has to hold. For each resort we counted the winters, since 2005, when the ground still carried 30 cm in April.
The resorts below manage it in more than 4 winters out of 5. They break down as follows: Northern Alps (73), Southern Alps (17), Pyrenees (1). In April, the average depth matters as much as the regularity: a deep snowpack in March means skiable pistes until closing, generally mid or late April, sometimes early May on the glaciers.
Watch the closing dates: most resorts stop the lifts between 10 and 25 April, whatever the snow. The official website of each resort, linked on its page, gives the end-of-season date.
Click a column heading to sort. Resorts with no reading stay at the bottom.
| # | Resort | Range | Snow in April | Measured at | Top | Pistes | Day pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arc 1800 Paradiski | Northern Alps | 178 cm · 100% | 1,701 m (model) | 1,310 m | 300 km | — |
| 2 | Arc 2000 Paradiski | Northern Alps | 178 cm · 100% | 2,127 m (model) | 3,166 m | 324 km | — |
| 3 | Roche Béranger Chamrousse | Northern Alps | 174 cm · 100% | 2,022 m | 2,145 m | 51 km | — |
| 4 | Saint-Gervais-les-Bains Évasion Mont-Blanc | Northern Alps | 169 cm · 100% | 834 m (model) | 2,373 m | 32 km | — |
| 5 | Aime 2000 La Plagne | Northern Alps | 166 cm · 100% | 2,111 m (model) | 3,250 m | 251 km | €58 |
| 6 | Chamonix-Mont-Blanc | Northern Alps | 166 cm · 100% | 1,048 m (model) | 2,317 m | 35 km | — |
| 7 | Champagny-en-Vanoise Paradiski | Northern Alps | 166 cm · 100% | 1,234 m (model) | 2,716 m | 57 km | — |
| 8 | Bourg Saint Maurice Paradiski | Northern Alps | 164 cm · 100% | 815 m (model) | 1,875 m | 17 km | — |
| 9 | Montchavin Paradiski | Northern Alps | 164 cm · 100% | 1,187 m (model) | 1,989 m | 137 km | — |
| 10 | Peisey-Vallandry Paradiski | Northern Alps | 164 cm · 100% | 1,351 m (model) | 1,989 m | 211 km | — |
| 11 | La Grave | Southern Alps | 163 cm · 100% | 1,523 m (model) | 2,416 m | 55 km | — |
| 12 | Le Chazelet | Southern Alps | 163 cm · 100% | 1,783 m (model) | 2,416 m | 22 km | — |
| 13 | Le Monêtier-les-Bains Serre Chevalier | Southern Alps | 158 cm · 100% | 1,465 m (model) | 2,764 m | 59 km | — |
| 14 | Aussois | Northern Alps | 157 cm · 100% | 1,489 m (model) | 2,100 m | 43 km | — |
| 15 | Orelle Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 155 cm · 100% | 987 m (model) | 3,221 m | 19 km | — |
| 16 | Brides-les-Bains Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 153 cm · 100% | 588 m (model) | 1,350 m | 6 km | — |
| 17 | Arc 1600 Paradiski | Northern Alps | 152 cm · 100% | 2,040 m | 2,383 m | 185 km | — |
| 18 | Arc 1950 Paradiski | Northern Alps | 152 cm · 100% | 2,040 m | 3,166 m | 337 km | €76 |
| 19 | Saint-Martin-de-Belleville Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 152 cm · 100% | 1,370 m (model) | 2,293 m | 82 km | — |
| 20 | La Norma | Northern Alps | 151 cm · 100% | 1,958 m | 2,750 m | 62 km | — |
| 21 | Valfréjus | Northern Alps | 151 cm · 100% | 1,958 m | 2,222 m | 45 km | — |
| 22 | La Flégère | Northern Alps | 144 cm · 96% | 1,850 m | 2,486 m | 61 km | — |
| 23 | Les Grands Montets Grands Montets | Northern Alps | 143 cm · 100% | 1,970 m | 2,134 m | 50 km | — |
| 24 | Planpraz | Northern Alps | 143 cm · 100% | 1,970 m | 2,502 m | 51 km | — |
| 25 | Lanslevillard | Northern Alps | 140 cm · 100% | 2,101 m | 2,800 m | 67 km | €50 |
| 26 | Val Cenis | Northern Alps | 140 cm · 100% | 2,101 m | 2,800 m | 76 km | — |
| 27 | La Plagne Vallée La Plagne | Northern Alps | 139 cm · 100% | 686 m (model) | 1,523 m | 20 km | €58 |
| 28 | Val Thorens Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 135 cm · 100% | 2,356 m | 3,001 m | 425 km | — |
| 29 | La Toussuire Les Sybelles | Northern Alps | 134 cm · 100% | 1,723 m (model) | 2,225 m | 105 km | — |
| 30 | Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval Grand Massif | Northern Alps | 132 cm · 96% | 786 m (model) | 1,507 m | 22 km | — |
| 31 | Serre Chevalier Serre Chevalier | Southern Alps | 129 cm · 100% | 1,401 m (model) | 2,764 m | 191 km | — |
| 32 | Termignon | Northern Alps | 126 cm · 100% | 1,295 m (model) | 2,454 m | 30 km | — |
| 33 | Combloux Évasion Mont-Blanc | Northern Alps | 126 cm · 96% | 993 m (model) | 2,373 m | 43 km | — |
| 34 | Piau-Engaly | Pyrenees | 125 cm · 100% | 1,860 m | 2,528 m | 34 km | €55 |
| 35 | Les Boisses Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 124 cm · 100% | 2,080 m | 2,564 m | 80 km | — |
| 36 | Tignes Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 124 cm · 100% | 2,080 m | 2,664 m | 221 km | €78 |
| 37 | Tignes Le Lavachet Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 124 cm · 100% | 2,080 m | 2,664 m | 225 km | — |
| 38 | Tignes le Lac Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 124 cm · 100% | 2,080 m | 2,664 m | 222 km | — |
| 39 | Val Claret Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 124 cm · 100% | 2,080 m | 2,855 m | 204 km | — |
| 40 | Le Freney-d'Oisans Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine Ski | Northern Alps | 123 cm · 100% | 924 m (model) | 3,311 m | 32 km | — |
| 41 | Les Deux Alpes | Northern Alps | 123 cm · 100% | 1,656 m (model) | 2,750 m | 109 km | — |
| 42 | Molines-en-Queyras | Southern Alps | 117 cm · 100% | 1,784 m (model) | 2,187 m | 23 km | — |
| 43 | La Rosière Espace San Bernardo | Northern Alps | 114 cm · 96% | 1,867 m | 2,390 m | 142 km | €59 |
| 44 | Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise | Northern Alps | 114 cm · 96% | 1,867 m | 2,593 m | 97 km | €46 |
| 45 | Arvieux | Southern Alps | 110 cm · 100% | 1,686 m (model) | 2,106 m | 10 km | — |
| 46 | Belle Plagne La Plagne | Northern Alps | 102 cm · 93% | 1,980 m | 2,587 m | 356 km | €58 |
| 47 | La Plagne La Plagne | Northern Alps | 102 cm · 93% | 1,980 m | 2,587 m | 356 km | €58 |
| 48 | La Plagne 1800 La Plagne | Northern Alps | 102 cm · 93% | 1,980 m | 2,106 m | 319 km | €58 |
| 49 | La Plagne Centre La Plagne | Northern Alps | 102 cm · 93% | 1,980 m | 2,106 m | 329 km | €58 |
| 50 | La Plagne Montalbert La Plagne | Northern Alps | 102 cm · 93% | 1,980 m | 2,106 m | 259 km | €56 |
| 51 | Plagne Bellecôte La Plagne | Northern Alps | 102 cm · 93% | 1,980 m | 2,300 m | 350 km | €58 |
| 52 | Plagne Soleil La Plagne | Northern Alps | 102 cm · 93% | 1,980 m | 2,106 m | 350 km | €58 |
| 53 | Plagne Villages La Plagne | Northern Alps | 102 cm · 93% | 1,980 m | 2,106 m | 339 km | €58 |
| 54 | La Forêt Blanche | Southern Alps | 101 cm · 94% | 1,855 m | — | 71 km | — |
| 55 | Vars La Forêt Blanche | Southern Alps | 101 cm · 94% | 1,855 m | 2,719 m | 87 km | €58 |
| 56 | Saint-François-Longchamp Le Grand Domaine | Northern Alps | 100 cm · 96% | 1,417 m (model) | 2,516 m | 96 km | — |
| 57 | Sainte-Anne-la-Condamine | Southern Alps | 98 cm · 99% | 1,824 m (model) | 2,423 m | 17 km | €26.50 |
| 58 | Alpe d'Huez Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine Ski | Northern Alps | 98 cm · 94% | 1,860 m | 2,112 m | 136 km | — |
| 59 | Courchevel Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 98 cm · 94% | 1,780 m | 2,700 m | 313 km | — |
| 60 | Courchevel 1850 Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 98 cm · 94% | 1,780 m | 2,700 m | 317 km | — |
| 61 | Courchevel Le Praz Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 98 cm · 94% | 1,780 m | 2,305 m | 184 km | — |
| 62 | Courchevel Moriond Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 98 cm · 94% | 1,780 m | 2,245 m | 254 km | — |
| 63 | Courchevel Saint-Bon Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 98 cm · 94% | 1,780 m | 2,305 m | 186 km | — |
| 64 | Courchevel Village Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 98 cm · 94% | 1,780 m | 2,305 m | 244 km | — |
| 65 | La Tania Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 98 cm · 94% | 1,780 m | 2,305 m | 154 km | — |
| 66 | Méribel-Les Allues Les 3 Vallées | Northern Alps | 98 cm · 94% | 1,780 m | 1,740 m | 48 km | — |
| 67 | Oz-en-Oisans Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine Ski | Northern Alps | 98 cm · 94% | 1,860 m | 2,817 m | 112 km | — |
| 68 | La Clusaz Aravis | Northern Alps | 97 cm · 99% | 1,597 m | 1,865 m | 69 km | — |
| 69 | La Giettaz-en-Aravis Évasion Mont-Blanc | Northern Alps | 97 cm · 99% | 1,597 m | 2,348 m | 49 km | — |
| 70 | Crest-Voland Cohennoz Espace Diamant | Northern Alps | 94 cm · 94% | 1,212 m (model) | 2,039 m | 76 km | — |
| 71 | Les Rafforts | Northern Alps | 94 cm · 94% | 947 m (model) | 1,749 m | 44 km | — |
| 72 | Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe Espace Diamant | Northern Alps | 94 cm · 94% | 1,139 m (model) | 2,039 m | 71 km | — |
| 73 | Chamrousse Chamrousse | Northern Alps | 91 cm · 93% | 1,725 m (model) | — | 51 km | — |
| 74 | Le Recoin Chamrousse | Northern Alps | 91 cm · 93% | 1,665 m (model) | 2,246 m | 52 km | — |
| 75 | Risoul La Forêt Blanche | Southern Alps | 90 cm · 99% | 1,128 m (model) | 2,719 m | 15 km | — |
| 76 | Samoëns 1600 Grand Massif | Northern Alps | 89 cm · 97% | 1,760 m | 1,708 m | 206 km | €63 |
| 77 | La Daille Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 87 cm · 99% | 1,854 m | 3,455 m | 146 km | €78 |
| 78 | Le Fornet Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 87 cm · 99% | 1,854 m | 3,182 m | 106 km | €78 |
| 79 | Val-d'Isère Tignes – Val d’Isère | Northern Alps | 87 cm · 99% | 1,854 m | 2,789 m | 167 km | — |
| 80 | Pra-Loup Espace Lumière | Southern Alps | 85 cm · 81% | 2,100 m | 2,503 m | 148 km | — |
| 81 | Le Sauze | Southern Alps | 84 cm · 93% | 1,352 m (model) | 2,389 m | 42 km | — |
| 82 | Le Pleynet Les Sept Laux | Northern Alps | 83 cm · 92% | 1,460 m (model) | 2,236 m | 54 km | — |
| 83 | Bonneval sur Arc | Northern Alps | 82 cm · 87% | 1,830 m | 2,950 m | 31 km | — |
| 84 | Chaillol 1600 | Southern Alps | 79 cm · 91% | 1,595 m (model) | 1,790 m | 11 km | — |
| 85 | La Foux d'Allos Espace Lumière | Southern Alps | 79 cm · 82% | 1,900 m | 2,576 m | 126 km | — |
| 86 | Val d'Allos - La Foux | Southern Alps | 79 cm · 82% | 1,900 m | 2,576 m | 126 km | — |
| 87 | Montgenèvre Voie lactée | Southern Alps | 76 cm · 89% | 2,134 m | 2,581 m | 232 km | — |
| 88 | Cordon Évasion Mont-Blanc | Northern Alps | 76 cm · 84% | 911 m (model) | 1,538 m | 30 km | — |
| 89 | Romme | Northern Alps | 76 cm · 84% | 1,304 m (model) | 1,561 m | 6 km | — |
| 90 | Crévoux | Southern Alps | 71 cm · 88% | 1,572 m (model) | 2,537 m | 26 km | — |
| 91 | Vaujany Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine Ski | Northern Alps | 66 cm · 86% | 1,720 m | 2,817 m | 28 km | — |
Frequently asked questions
Which resorts are open in April?
Those that keep their snow: Arc 1800 (178 cm on average in April), Arc 2000 (178 cm on average in April), Roche Béranger (174 cm on average in April), Saint-Gervais-les-Bains (169 cm on average in April), Aime 2000 (166 cm on average in April), Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (166 cm on average in April). The exact closing date is set by each resort, often around 20 April.
Can you ski in May in France?
Only on the glaciers. 18 resorts have pistes mapped on a glacier: La Daille (3,455 m), Le Fornet (3,182 m), Arc 1950 (3,166 m), Arc 2000 (3,166 m), Val Claret (2,855 m), Val-d'Isère (2,789 m); their opening in May or in summer is announced each year on the official website.
Is spring snow good to ski?
In the morning, refrozen snow is hard and fast; it turns into pleasant “corn” snow around 10 am, then goes heavy in the early afternoon. Ski early, aim for north-facing slopes in the afternoon, and expect a snowpack melting by several centimetres a day.
Guides
Where to learn to ski? The resorts for beginnersWhere to ski at Christmas? The resorts you can count on in DecemberHigh-altitude ski resorts: snow you can count onSki touring: the resorts with waymarked uphill routesThe ski resorts with a snowparkCross-country skiing: the resorts and nordic areasSkiing without a car: the resorts you can reach by trainThe resorts with the Famille Plus labelThe resorts that are fun without skiing too Near a city All guides
Rankings
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