April Skiing in the Alps: Powder, Blue Skies & Empty Pistes

Forget April showers – it’s all about April powder! Fresh from the VIP SKI end-of-season alpine adventure, we're absolutely convinced that skiing in April might be Europe's best-kept secret. We were lucky to enjoy great snow coverage, (mostly) blue skies and empty pistes for days...

Snow, snow and more snow

April skiing in the Alps typically promises sun-drenched slopes and long alfresco lunches, but Mother Nature had other plans this year. Just before our trip, the weather dramatically shifted, treating the region to a spectacular late-season surprise. Winter returned with a vengeance, delivering January-worthy snowstorms - over a metre of fresh powder blanketed Les Arcs and Val d'Isère on April 17th, while Avoriaz enjoyed a timely 30cm top-up! This unexpected twist transformed the resorts into winter wonderlands once again, proving that April can offer some of the season's most magical and unpredictable conditions.

7 of the VIP SKI UK sales team smiling on skis and snowboards in Val d'Isere — Maxine, Cam, Maxine, Millie, Jess, Megan and Nici enjoying the quiet pistes in Val d'Isere

VIP SKI UK staff getting ready to film some content on the ski slopes of Val d'Isere — Getting ready to film some content on the slopes

Making memories in Arc 1950

The snow continued throughout Wednesday evening and most of Thursday with both Val d'Isere and Les Arcs being "shut down" for the day due to the avalanche risk. Once the snow groomers had cleared a way out of the hotel, our guests in Bear Lodge enjoyed a fabulous day of fun and snow-man building with our host for the week, Chemmy Alcott and her family. Many memories were made!

The calm after the April snowstorm

Our guests were delighted to wake up to a blanket of fresh snow and clear blue skies for on Friday 17th April for the ultimate bluebird day!

Will there be snow in April?

Sceptical about April skiing? You're not alone! We're often met with raised eyebrows when mentioning our late-April ski plans, but the mountains have consistently proven the doubters wrong. In recent years, we've been rewarded with exceptional snow conditions during the season's final weeks - including a magnificent fresh powder delivery as late as April 23rd, 2024.

This well-kept secret offers the perfect formula: reliable snow on uncrowded slopes, gloriously longer days, and excellent value with a week in one of our catered chalets – the ideal way to enjoy one last ski fix before the lifts close.

Colourful sculpture of woman's face at top of ski slope in Tignes — Blue skies and colourful photo opportunities in Tignes

Lanches chairlift in Tignes in April with quiet piste and powder snow beneath chairlift — Make the most of quiet pistes in April

Happy team enjoying time in the mountains

Aim high for April skiing

For late-season skiing success, altitude is everything. Val d'Isère offers exceptional spring conditions with its impressive elevation range reaching 3,400m, ensuring reliable snow coverage well into April. Within the expansive Paradiski area, both La Plagne and Les Arcs climb to commanding heights of 3,250m, where north-facing slopes preserve snow quality remarkably late in the season. Meanwhile, Avoriaz benefits from its prime position at 1,800m within the vast Portes du Soleil region, where higher altitude sections consistently deliver excellent late-season conditions. These four destinations provide the perfect formula for April skiing - high elevations that maintain snow quality while lower resorts have already closed for the season.

Choose from 18 VIP SKI luxury ski chalets in Val d'Isere

A pool with a view in Chalet Kakisa, Avoriaz

Ski-in/ski-out luxury in the Graciosa, La Plagne

Enjoy a dip in the pool at our family-friendly ski hotel in Arc 1950

Get in touch

After an incredible few days away from our desks enjoying all that April skiing offers, we’re now back in the office and ready to help you book your dream winter ski holiday. Browse our luxury catered chalets or give us a call - Millie, Louise, Cam, Maxine and Jess are on hand to help you choose the perfect ski resort and chalet for your group.