The million dollar question is which month or even week is the best time to go skiing – when both the snow is reliable and blue skies are the norm?
Of course this is an impossible question to answer as each year is different and we can only speak for our area – Morzine-Les Gets and the wider Portes Du Soleil – but what I can say is that 23 years on from when we first started Reach4thealps, we still LOVE skiing and we ski every week of the season. This is my take on the best time to ski and board – while Marcus and I loyal skiers, luckily our daughters do both so I can speak for both disciplines.
3rd Dec 2023
EARLY SEASON
I REALLY recommend the first week of the season, the week before Christmas as there is ALWAYS snow in Avoriaz and it’s quiet, so plenty of skiing and no lift queues. Accommodation and flights are cheap as it’s before the school holidays, and you also get good deals on lift passes as they will sell by the day and adjust prices depending on what is open – if you do have more restricted areas to ski in, you pay accordingly. But as it’s so quiet, this doesn’t really impact your skiing and there is often good cover even on the lower slopes.
We do great deals for this week in both self-catered and in our catered properties and also offer shorter stays too. The staff are all fresh and super enthusiastic, so while they might not all know every inch of the resort, they will be super excited to welcome you and look after you – and there are enough of us old timers to help with the rest!
18th Dec 2023
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR
Christmas and New Year are busier weeks as it’s within the school holidays, with Christmas being less busy than New Year as the French tend to dedicate this time to being with family rather than going skiing. Christmas is always special in Morzine as the town is beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and there is a great show on Christmas eve and a fireworks display. Christmas Day itself is excellent on the slopes and the lifts and restaurants are all open as normal. People tend to be slower getting up – we go up for 10ish and have lunch on the slopes.
New year’s week, well what can I say. It is busy BUT it is also fun to be away and not have to worry about that New Year’s party at home. And if your hangover permits, you can ski on the 1st of January when its quiet!! We have had quite a few fresh powder days skiing over the years on the 1st of Jan!
23rd Dec 2023
JANUARY
The first 3 weeks of January are my favourite weeks for skiing as it tends to be quieter on the slopes and it’s colder meaning good quality snow. The days at the beginning on the season are shorter though with last lifts at 4.30/5pm. Coming straight after the festive season, it is a less popular time to ski in general but that just means accommodation and flight prices are cheaper than later in the season. Cheaper, good quality snow, and quiet – and often plenty of (cold) blue sky days too.
9th Jan 2024
END OF JAN / FEBRUARY
This is the most popular part of the season as the slopes are considered snow sure. It’s true that there is generally a good base of snow, and the days are also starting to get longer. French holidays normally start about the 4th/5th of Feb so if you aren’t restricted to school holiday times, I would personally avoid 7th/8th Feb to the end of Feb as the European school holidays mean the slopes get busy, especially once the UK half term kicks in too.
20th Jan 2024
MARCH
The first 2 weeks of March are very popular as it’s after the school holidays, the snow is good and the days are longer – so perfect for some great après skis or later skiing with lift opening times being extended to 5/5.30pm. People worry that mid-March onwards is not so snow sure, but in truth, there is always plenty of it. However, the snow quality can deteriorate during the day, becoming slushy in the afternoons. But there is a lot going for later March skiing. It is quieter on the slopes, which means the snow holds better. Often people think they need to go high for better snow, but details such as slopes being north facing or less skied can have a greater effect on snow condition. We will often ski in Morzine and Les Gets rather than Avoriaz if the weather is bad as there are more trees to give you better definition and the area is less exposed to the wind.
Also, the lower slopes in Morzine and Les Gets don’t need as much snow to cover them as the higher slopes in Avoriaz do because they are grass meadows rather than the rocky terrain of Avoriaz.
6th Mar 2024
APRIL
April is the month of surprises. There will be high temperatures but there will also be fresh snow – and we seem to get more of this each year (we’re frequently sad when the lifts shut as there is still so much snow and skiing to be had!) Certainly for families, I would recommend Easter skiing because accommodation is a lot cheaper than at Feb half term, days are longer, and the kids don’t mind heavier skiing conditions – they just power over slush bumps. And who skis from 9-5 pm all day anyway? You can have a great morning skiing from 9 till 1/2pm then a long lunch in the sun and chill out in the chalet garden or balcony, go for a swim, or walk along the river and relax – it’s like two holidays rolled into one!
7th Apr 2024
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