An Easter trip to Chatel and Morzine for Snow.Guide Ski Editor, Rob Stewart, and his family, firmly cemented the belief that skiing in spring could really be the optimum time to take a holiday on the snow.
‘This is the best day of the season’, said one of the seasonaires to me half way through our trip and after two days of heavy snowfall. The clouds had lifted leaving up to half a metre of fresh snow as the spring sunshine shone down on Morzine.
It was the 8th April and the skiing in the French Alps was as good as it had been all winter. But this is not an unusual scenario – storms often fly in from the west, dumping snow and quickly clear to leave warm sunny days.
In Morzine you get the best of both worlds.
Heading down to the valley means once you’re off the slopes it feels like summer in the mountains, but high up the snow remains fresh and cold. The Portes du Soleil ski area, one of the world’s largest, was over 80% open during this time with almost all ski lifts in the Morzine, Avoriaz and Chatel sectors running through the week, and they even stay open later than in the winter.
Here’s ten reasons why we think skiing into spring is going to rock your world…
10 GOOD REASONS TO GO SKIING IN MORZINE DURING THE SPRING
- Morzine is open until late April for skiing – whilst many ski resorts in the Alps have closed down, Morzine remains open and offers a huge area of skiing within the Portes du Soleil region spanning many resorts and two countries (you can easily ski into Switzerland).
- The snow cover is normally of a good quality – let’s dispel a myth about the Portes du Soleil and its snow record. Because the area isn’t as high as some other French ski resorts, some people believe they won’t get snow. This is far from the truth as the location of mountains, on the north west corner of the Alps, means they get a lot of snow, especially in the spring. Yes, it can rain down in the valley, but on the slopes the snow is generally fantastic.
- The ski area is quieter than during peak times – Some skiers choose to avoid Easter for their holiday and this means the slopes are relatively quiet, especially compared to peak times such as Christmas, New Year and February school holidays.
- Conditions are ideal to improve, with more light and less people – beginners can get a lot out of skiing into the spring. The sun rises high above meaning the light is better and longer days mean more practice! Although it’s important to rest those tired legs, which brings us to…..
- Après ski – there’s nothing like sitting outside an Alpine bar at the end of day sipping the drink of your choice, in the warm sunshine, after you’ve worked up an appetite on the slopes.
- It’s generally warmer: we relax on sunny terraces for lunch without six layers of clothing – why not just spend an extra hour eating lunch on a sunny terrace….you’ve earned it!
- School holidays over Easter mean we can take the kids – no more fines from the government, the kids are off school and the prices are less than other peak holiday times, so for a family, it’s the perfect time to go skiing.
- There’s always plenty of special offers available: accommodation, ski passes, rental flats – there’s lots of bargains to be found at Easter and you don’t have to book late to get them.
- Service is always good: available professionals, joyous and relaxed atmosphere, less stress – the winter is a busy time for resort workers and during the last weeks of the season they start to relax and enjoy the sunny days.
- Morzine offers outdoor events, such as “Rock the Pistes” Festival – a leading music event in Morzine during late March is a great time to combine two passions in one holiday.
UNIQUE SPECIAL OFFER FOR FAMILIES: FREE ALL INCLUSIVE STAYS FOR CHILDREN
The “Offre Marmots”, free stay for children from March 28th. This offer includes free accommodation, ski pass, bathing area, skating rink and cinema for children.
1 paying adult = 1 free child (child under 12 years old, based on a service equal to the bought adult service):
Furnished or hotel accommodation
Ski lift pass for the Portes du Soleil
Unlimited Pass’Loisirs (access to bathing area + skating rink)
Cinema
More information and booking: Morzine Réservation – +33 (0)4.50.79.11.57 – www.resa-morzine.com