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Top 7 ski resorts for late-season skiing

Late-season skiing is a pleasure for those who prefer slopes that are less busy. Winter is almost over, but that doesn’t mean that the ski season will be! Spring is a wonderful time to travel, making skiing in the spring a great way to hit the slopes in relative peace, and perhaps have an après-ski French wine while enjoying the alpine sunshine on a terrace.

Also, the daylight lasts longer – so you will have more time to enjoy the snow and take the slopes to the fullest. With Spring the weather settles down, and skiers and snowboarders can enjoy some of the most fun events of the season, with festivals and displays like Snowbombing or Snowboxx.

Great reasons to book a last-minute holiday, right? Now you might wonder “Where can I ski in April?”, “Are there any ski resorts opened in May?” or “Where can I book an airport transfer for the Alps?”. Well, we’ve done all the research for you and listed the best ski resorts to ski in the late season.

Tignes, France

At Tignes, approximately 2 hours away from Geneva Airport.

Tignes is located at 2,100m of altitude, and it’s part of the Espace Killy resort, which is one of the resorts in Europe with the biggest ski area over 2,000m of altitude. Because of the elevation of the ski area and the fact that it has some slopes facing north, the ski resort offers almost-certain fun in the pistes until May.

St. Anton, Austria

At St. Anton, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Innsbruck Airport.

St. Anton has an excellent snow record and is open from November to early May. Even if it has lovely Spring sunshine, the many north-facing slopes hold the powder and the snow machines cover the south-facing pistes. With your ski pass, you’ll be able to ski at any point of the Alberg region, the largest linked ski area in Austria and with highly efficient lifts.

After the slopes, enjoy the sunshine at the legendary après-ski mile while listening to live music and having an Austrian beer.

Mayrhofen, Austria

At Mayrhofen, approximately 1 hour away from Innsbruck Airport.

With 142km of slopes and the runs mostly between 1,650m and 2,500m, Mayrhofen is a reliable destination to make the most of the ski season. The ski resort is close to the Hintertux glacier and is home for the steepest slope of Austria: the Harakiri. Also, in mid-April, Mayrhofen hosts Snowbombing, a music festival that combines fun mountain experiences during the day and excellent live concerts and parties at night.

Verbier, Switzerland

At Verbier, approximately 2 hours away from Geneva Airport.

The ski resort that James Blunt sings about is located over 2,000m up and is a well-known ski resort for having great snow in late-season. Verbier’s significant snowmaking installations guarantee that the powder will last longer for visitors, being open until April. Also, if you decide to explore and go to the Mont Fort Glacier, you will be able to enjoy the views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn.

Breckenridge, Colorado, USA

At Breckenridge, approximately 2 hours away from Denver Airport.

If you are considering travelling to the other side of the Atlantic to hit the slopes for the last time this season, Breckenridge is the ski resort you are looking for. The resort is also known as “Breckenwind”, because of the wind and cold conditions that make the snow hold for longer in the hills, rewarding you with almost 3,000 acres of powder.

Chamonix, France

At Chamonix, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Geneva Airport.

When you travel to Chamonix in Spring, there is something you have to do after hitting the piste: enjoy a glass of Alpine wine outdoors while contemplating Mont Blanc and the stunning view of the Chamonix Valley, glorious! Skiers can take to the slopes of Chamonix until May since it has the highest point of the resort at 3840m of altitude and it has the most regular snowfall figures in the Alps.

Saas-Fee, Switzerland

At Saas-Fee, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Geneva Airport.

Less busy than its neighbour Zermatt, Saas-Fee is an excellent decision if you want to enjoy a calm late-season break. The Swiss resort has been car-free since 1951, making it a quiet destination and a more environmentally friendly option. With 100km of pistes and 2 snowparks, as well as being home to 13 peaks over 4,000m; you can hit the slopes of Saas-Fee until after Easter.

5 environmentally-friendly ski resorts

As a skier or snowboarder you probably love nothing more than hitting the slopes, enjoying the great snow and having a moment to contemplate the magnificence of the mountains. Unfortunately, the current climate crisis puts the possibility to keep enjoying nature as we know it at risk. Already, we have experienced some devastating changes in the mountains, with animal species in danger of extinction and ski resorts having to close because of the low snowfall.

On the other hand, many ski resorts are taking action towards the preservation of the climate and are taking steps to provide an eco-friendly ski holiday for their guests.

Saas-Fee, Switzerland

At Saas-Fee, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Geneva Airport.

The incredible feeling of inhaling fresh air when you arrive at the highest point of the piste makes you connect immediately with nature, especially when your ski holiday is a runaway from the hectic city life. Your whole body relaxes and you are ready to descend the slopes.

To be sure that you take only the freshest breaths of air in the Alps, and to provide skiers with a sustainable ski holiday, Saas-Fee has been car-free since 1951. Not allowing cars in the resort, Saas-Fee reduces its environmental impact and its carbon footprint, taking steps to help to protect the Alps and improve the quality of life.

Therefore, the Swiss resort is working to be a pioneer in ecological alpine tourism and is developing procedures to be carbon-free. Its efforts in sustainability have seen Saas-Fee win the title of “Energy Town”, because of the introduction of clear quality standards in traffic and energy policies. No other ski resort in Switzerland can show off its use of natural energy so consistently, as it obtains 100% of their electricity by renewable Valaisian hydroelectric power.

Pejo 300, Italy

At Peio, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Verona Airport.

Most plastics take an average of 1000 years to decompose completely. So if you consume a single-use plastic bottle today, it will still exist when your great-great-grandchildren go to college, along with all the plastic their previous generations have used. And yes, that can be a lot of rubbish. This crazy fact has shocked many people who have decided to stop reducing their plastic waste or even wholly stop consuming plastic at all and have a zero-waste lifestyle to reduce their impact on the environment.

Aware of the impact the plastic has on the climate crisis and following the need to take steps to preserve our mountains, Pejo 3000 has become the first ski resort in Europe to ban plastics. The Italian resort has forbidden disposable straws, bottles, cutlery, glasses, packets of ketchup and mayonnaise and any other single-use plastic items. The new zero-waste action will reduce the disposal of plastic into the mountains and will help to preserve the local nature so all skiers can enjoy the Stelvio National Park for longer.

Even if Pejo 3000 took the initiative, having a plastic-free ski holiday can be a personal ambition of any skier, besides the polyethene in your skis of course. If you are wondering where to start, we recommend you take a look at Laura Singer’s blog post – most of the things are free! http://trashisfortossers.com/zero-waste-travel-ki/

Avoriaz, France

At Avoriaz, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Geneva Airport.

Designed to be a green ski resort, since the beginning Avoriaz has been zero-car, fuel monitored to avoid energy waste and has planned sustainable accommodation. These procedures have made them win the Green Key accreditation, the top international certification for eco-friendly tourist accommodation.

The resort has done great work building environmentally-friendly construction and developing a dual-energy network. Also, the French resort has two environmentally responsible snowparks and train their drivers to do their tasks in the most eco-friendly way. Lately, they’ve renewed their snow canyons to introduce modern machines which consume three times less energy, and they try to avoid using them so the skiers can enjoy the natural fresh snow.

Aspen, USA

At Aspen, approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes away from Denver Airport.

The world-famous ski resort Aspen has been a pioneer in sustainable skiing, applying eco-friendly procedures since 1997. Their goal to eradicate emissions has led them to be one of the first cities in the USA to be powered by renewable energy and become seven-times winners of the Golden Eagle Award for Overall Environmental Excellence.

Besides, they don’t only advocate for green power and develop energy-efficient methods; they also take on the best eco practices in the resort. They purchase local food and beverages to reduce their impact, they are home for the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (where they inform visitors of the local environment), and they take part in many local activities to protect the climate.

Söll, Austria

At Soll, approximately 1 hour away from Innsbruck Airport.

One of the energy challenges that the ski resorts have to face is heating. To keep all the skiers and snowboarders warm, the ski resorts have to make significant investments in energy which directly affects the climate crisis. However, Söll is renowned for its green heating initiative. Rather than using gas or coal, they burn wood chips to make fuel to heat the entire bottom lift station, an excellent alternative to keep everybody warm and reduce the environmental impact.

Also, the Austrian ski resort uses eco-friendly snow cannons and has a stable system for sorting waste.

Lastly, the future of the mountains is everyone’s responsibility, and all of us can make a change in our daily life.

Travel to the EU after Brexit: how it would affect my ski holidays?

Since the 31st of January 2020, the United Kingdom is no longer part of the European Union. The new political relationship brings new arrangements for travelling across borders and with it new questions about how everything will work from now on.

Even if we’ve been reading news about the new political situation for the last few years, some people still have questions about what’s happening after Brexit. So far, British tourists in the EU haven’t experienced any important changes to their holiday, such as needing a visa to visit a European country or paying extra charges, as the travelling conditions will remain the same until the end of the current transition period.

But, what does the transition period involve?

The 31st of January 2020 started the transition period. This means that the UK is no longer part of the European Union, but many agreements decided before this stage will still be effective, especially the ones related to travellers. The transition period will be over by the 1st January of 2021, bringing new rules and agreements that haven’t yet been defined.

Will I need a visa to travel to the EU?

With the UK and the European Union having a new set-up for the borders, the first question that comes to the mind of a British tourist is: will I need a visa to travel to Europe? During the transition period, British citizens won’t need to get a visa if they’re going to stay as a tourist for up to 90 days in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Therefore, after the transition period, British citizens will become “third-country nationals” and it’s likely that they will have to pay for a ‘visa-exempt travel’ if they’re travelling in 2021. Also, the European Union will implement the European Travel Information and Authorization System (Etias) by 2022, a specific programme for non-EU citizens that would like to travel in Europe, including British citizens. The application for Etias will cost 7 Euros.

What will I need to travel after Brexit?

After the transition period, at border control, British citizens may need to show their return ticket and prove that they have enough money for their stay. Also, once at border control, British citizens will have to queue in different lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens. Besides that, when travelling between the UK and the EU, you’ll need to declare cash of £10,000 or more (or the equivalent in another currency).

Do I need a new passport?

After the transition period, you’ll need to renew your British passport if the expiration date is shorter than 6 months or if it is more than 10 years old. If you are travelling after the 1st of January 2021 and you need a new passport to meet this requirement, keep in mind that renewing your passport usually takes 3 weeks.

How long can I stay in the EU?

British citizens will be able to stay as a tourist for up to 90 days in any 180 days in an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Can I drive in the EU with my British driving license?

Driving in Europe will be the same for citizens with a British driving license until 2021. After the transition period, citizens with a British driving license may need to purchase an International Driving Permit (IDP) 1968 or 1949, it will depend on which country they are going to and how long are they staying. Therefore, it’s recommended to check the regulation of the country you’re visiting for your holiday.

If you’re travelling in the EU with your car, you might also need a ‘green card’ or valid proof of insurance and a GB sticker.

Of course, there are other issues with driving to ski resorts yourself and this is where a quality ski transfer operator can come in handy.

How will Brexit affect travel insurance?

Until the end of the year, citizens with the European Health Insurance Card (Ehic) are entitled to have healthcare in any EEA member state as well as Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Switzerland.

Therefore, the Ehic is not a substitute for travel insurance and it’s recommended to always have travel insurance that covers your healthcare and pre-existing medical condition.

What will happen to roaming charges after Brexit?

The guarantee of free-roaming for British mobile in EU countries will disappear after the 1st of January 2021. We recommend you check the new terms with your phone operator to avoid any ghastly bills from getting that perfect photo for the ‘Gram. However, a new law protects you from getting phone charges over £45 without you knowing.

Travel after Brexit Checklist

Check passport is valid for the next 6 months.
Get travel insurance that covers healthcare and pre-existing medical conditions.
Check roaming conditions with phone operator.
Decide whether to learn the driving regulations of the country or to get airport transfers.

We hope this information has been useful and we’ve solved your questions about travelling after Brexit. In case you need more details, you can find more advice here: https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021

If you are going on a ski holiday after the 1st of January 2021, we recommend visiting gov.uk to check the latest news about Brexit.

Bon appè-ski! The best ski resorts for foodies

For many skiers, a great holiday must include excellent snow and delicious haute cuisine. After a day on the slopes, you need to relax, enjoy the company and have a nice meal so the next day you are ready for those pistes. If you’re a foodie, taste a classic and warm raclette or explore new flavours like céleri and wild sorrel in sorbet, or risotto with smoked onion at some of the fanciest restaurants in the Alps.

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

Hospiz Alm, St. Anton, Austria

At St. Anton, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Innsbruck Airport.

St. Anton is a great destination for après-ski plans and that makes it a remarkable ski resort for foodies. Hospiz Alm, located in St. Christoph am Arlberg, is upscale fine dining with traditional alpine decoration, gourmet balcony and a wonderful terrace to enjoy the sun. The opulent restaurant serves traditional Austrian cuisine, such as Tyrolean duck and filet of pike.

L’Atelier Edmond, Val d’Isère, France

At Val d’Isère, approximately 3 hours away from Geneva Airport.

Part of the illustrious Espace Killy ski area, Val d’Isere is a world-renowned luxurious destination with top-rated accommodations and restaurants such as L’Atelier Edmond, with 2 Michelin stars for chef Benoit Vidal. A little bit pricey, the food of L’Atelier Edmond is well-known in the region. The menu has references to the traditional local cuisine and includes dishes such as céleri and wild sorrel in sorbet or crawfish with candied lemon. Also, the brasserie food is delicious too and it has a more reasonable price compared to the other dishes.

Azimut, Courchevel, France

At Courchevel, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Geneva Airport.

Courchevel is part of the famous Three Valleys ski area and one of the most exclusive ski resorts in France. The cosy and rusticCourchevel ski resort is also home to 7 Michelin-starred restaurants, with it being the resort with most Michelin-rated establishments in the Alps. Amongst these prestigious restaurants, Azimut stands out for its creativity in dishes like foie gras with caramel and braised chicory with orange and Porto cream.

Petit Royal, Courmayeur, Italy

At Courmayeur, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Geneva Airport.

The charming Courmayeur is one of the best ski resorts to enjoy the traditional home-made Italian cuisine combined with the alpine gastronomy. The chef of The Petit Royal, Paolo Griff, is considered one of the most promising cooks in Europe. His colourful dishes and his attention to local products has caught the attention of the gastronomy critics, giving him a Michelin star for his results at the Petit Royal.

Les Explorateurs, Val Thorens, France

At Val Thorens, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Geneva Airport.

Home to some of the smartest hotels in the French Alps, the resort also has prime restaurants for the most exquisite palates. Inside the 5-star Hotel Pashmina is Les Explorateurs, awarded with a Michelin star and with a colourful decor inspired by mountaineering expeditions. The signature dish of Josselin Jeanblan is a combination of sea scallops, Nori seaweed and truffle and declination of Jerusalem artichokes: yum!

Da Vittorio, St Moritz, Switzerland

At St Moritz, approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes away from Zurich Airport.

Close to the Italian border, the three-times Michellin-awarded chef Fratelli Cerea decided to open a restaurant in St Moritz, a recognised destination for superb après-ski plans. Da Vittorio St. Moritz is located inside of the elegant Hotel Carlton and it has a beautiful view of the mountain. Stefano Bacchelli, the resident young chef, explores new dishes around the traditional Italian cuisine. Some of the dishes you should try are the risotto with smoked onion or the classic Paccheri alla Vittorio.

Il Gallo Cedrone, Madonna di Campiglio, Italy

At Madonna di Campiglio, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Verona Airport.

Madonna di Campiglio has a traditional charm, with centenary buildings and barely being able to spot a car in the streets. Still, in the centre of the resort, Il Gallo Cedrone combines an updated and modern style with traditional Alpine decoration. The young chef, Sabino Fortunato, doesn’t limit his menu to the traditional mountain cuisine and surprises the clientele with creative dishes with lobster and sea bass.

Piz Boè Alpine Lounge, Alta Badia, Italy

At Alta Badia, approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes away from Bergamo Airport.

With over half of the 130km piste marked blue, Alta Badia is a great destination for beginners, families and newbies who want to test themselves on the slopes. After trying your best for the first time, you deserve a fancy menu at Piz Boè Alpine Lounge with a stunning view of the valley. The restaurant offers Landin cuisine, a fusion of Italian and Tirolean styles that includes dishes such as carpaccio or barley soup.

Le Chesery, Gstaad, Switzerland

At Gstaad, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Sion Airport.

Gstaad is famous for skiers and non-skiers who are looking for a luxury holiday. Amongst the extravagant places you can go, Le Chesery is a Michelin-starred restaurant ran by the Chef Marcus G. Lindners. The dishes change depending on the season and the preferences of the chef, but always maintains an updated traditional approach of the Swiss Alpine cuisine with a wide choice of fishes.

L’Arlequin in Aime 2000, La Plagne, France

At La Plagne, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away from Geneva Airport.

The general quality of La Plagne is moderate, but some restaurants make the exception. One of these restaurants is L’Arlequin in Aime 2000, with a great customer service provided by Monique and Georges, famous in La Plagne for their hospitality. The alpine-homelike restaurant serves raclette, fondue and tartiflette, some of the must-eat food on your holiday in the Alps. Also, you can find other unique dishes such as their creamy risotto with morille mushrooms or a salmon and beef tartare.

How to plan a family ski holiday without breaking the bank

Guest contribution from Mountain People, the simplified way for you to book your next tailor-made Alpine winter and summer holiday, allowing you to book everything you need for your next trip all in one place

A common misconception still remains around the ski industry, that ski holidays are for the chosen few and are expensive. Like all holidays though, they can be as expensive or in this case, as inexpensive, as you want.

Of course, whether you are a seasoned skier family returning to the slopes this season or a family considering your first ever ski holiday (which you won’t regret), the options open to you are endless and this is all reflected in your budget. There are plenty of benefits of booking a package skiing holiday with a reputable tour operator or agent and if you do so in good time you can certainly find a bargain! However, we know some families may prefer to book a holiday independently, and if that includes you, here’s how you can do it.

Family Holiday

Let’s consider the options available for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children). Your first port of call has to be looking at your flight options; do you have to fly Saturday to Saturday? The answer is simply no! With the emergence of low-cost carriers and competition between the others, flight prices vary significantly, why not fly on a Friday or any other weekday that works for your party or consider an early morning flight which means more time in the resort. This will all have a significant effect on your flight prices for the whole family.

The Resort

Your choice here will have some effect on your budget, but most resorts will have a wide range of accommodation types ranging from Self Catered Apartments, Hotels and Chalets with deals to be found in all. For you, looking for resorts within as short a distance as possible from your airport will start reducing costs from the get-go. Transfer times to resorts range from an hour and thirty minutes up to four hours, depending on your chosen airport and chosen resort, so do your research.

Most big resorts are situated within a larger ski area, like the Portes du Soleil, Les Trois Vallées, Arlberg Ski Region, Dolomiti Superski etc. The majority of these ski areas have smaller resorts or what are known as satellite resorts nestled in the Valleys around them. These smaller resorts and satellite resorts are just smaller villages nestled in the same ski area and here you can make savings on accommodation and also enjoy a quieter space if that is what you and your family like. So why not consider Les Gets in the Portes du Soleil or Les Menuires in the Les Trois Vallées as options when considering where to go.

Transfers

Coach, Scheduled, Shared or Private transfer options, they scale in price accordingly. For a family on a budget, your best option could be a return shared or coach transfer to and from resort. Timing is a factor to consider here, so booking as early as possible will always be your best option as prices can go up if left until last minute!

Accommodation

Self-catering accommodation has to be next on your list for a budget-driven ski holiday. An apartment for a family of 4 will start off at €500 for non-peak season weeks. Non-peak season weeks are a good option to consider if you want to keep your price down and stay away from the large crowds in-resort. Peak weeks around Christmas, New Year’s, February mid-term, and Easter see prices increase and large numbers travelling, so if you can avoid these peak periods for your winter holiday, you will save accordingly. There are countless Residence operators across the vast majority of European resorts and this will give you access to self-catered apartments ranging from small studios for 2 – 4 people up to 3 and 4 bedroom apartments for 10 – 12 people if your family is slightly bigger or you convince another family to come with you (you won’t have to convince them ever again). One thing you will never forget after waking up in a ski resort is the view you will be greeted with every time you look out the window or stand on your balcony.

Ski Pass

Let’s be honest, you do not need a full area access ski pass, it is your first time skiing, a local area ski pass is going to be more than you need for your first trip and your next one (once you start skiing, you won’t stop). The difference between these two options is significant; you will save between €50 and €60 per ski pass. This will aid greatly in reducing your overall price. Further discounts are also available if you purchase a family pass which is available for groups of 2 Adults and 2 Children minimum, across a range of resorts.

Rental

You will be learning how to ski or snowboard and spending some time on your bum laughing in the snow, so you will require basic equipment. You’ll need an economy pack (Skis, Boots, Poles or Snowboard and Boots) for the week which will cost you around €90 per adult and between €50 and €70 per child depending on their age. A must recommend for us is a helmet, not everyone wears them (but you should), some insurance companies have gone as far as stating that you must wear a helmet under their insurance policy. An adult helmet will cost another €25 with children’s helmets costing around €20.

Lessons

The only way to ski or snowboard is to learn! With numerous Ski and Snowboard school providers in each resort, you will have a choice to make in terms of who to go with? Some of the big names have been around for years and subsequently charge accordingly. However, these providers will give you and your family some of the most reliable and focused ski and snowboard lessons on the mountains. For a family of 2 adults and 2 children having lessons every morning (half day) for the duration of their stay (6 ski days) the cost will be €740 approximately, that breaks down to €185 per person. To keep your family lesson costs down, take your lessons in a group. Each of these groups will generally have up to 6 people sharing a lesson with a dedicated instructor. These other people in your group will be of the same skill level as you and it is a great way to meet new like-minded people while in resort. Kids will love the group lesson experience and will receive a badge or equivalent at the end of the week after completing their lessons.

Travel Insurance

This is a must! No matter what level of Skier or Snowboarder you are, travel insurance with winter sports cover is something you and the whole family should have. Travel insurance comes in various options, where you can avail of a cheaper single holiday cover. However, if you will be travelling again later in the year, it may be more beneficial to get yourself multi-trip cover. There are countless travel insurance providers so you will always find a good deal for this.