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Is it worth skiing in March? It’s a question you might be asking yourself if you’re planning a late season trip, or if circumstances will only allow you to hit the slopes in early spring.
If you’re used to skiing in the depths of winter or have never skied before, you might think that the snow will be melting away and that you’re unlikely to see a fresh fall before you go.
However, nothing could be further from the truth. As a team of ski experts, we’ve ventured to the Alps and beyond, from the season’s start to its end, and we can tell you that snow and weather conditions in March are as good as (and sometimes better) than the peak winter months.
Don’t just take our word for it: we’ve used real historical data on snow and weather conditions to come up with the definitive list of the best resorts for skiing in March across France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, and Canada.
Jump to:
- What's it like to ski in March?
- The best resorts for skiing in March
- The best resorts in France for March skiing
- The best resorts in Austria for March skiing
- The best resorts in Italy for March skiing
- The best resorts in Canada for March skiing
What’s it like skiing in March?
The big advantage of skiing in March is that you’re guaranteed longer days on the mountain. For example, in many resorts, the lifts close around 16.30pm in the peak of the season (roughly December to February) but can stay open until 17.30pm from March - that's another hour of skiing!
What about the snow? Well, historical data shows that there should still be plenty of snow on the ground throughout March, especially if you stick to a resort above 1,500m. And even if snowfall has been below average, the resorts are well equipped to compensate with snow cannons, snow stashes from large dumps, and expert resort staff there to groom and manage the pistes so they stay open as long as possible.
One thing to bear in mind is that early and late March can feel very different. At the start of the month, the weather and temperature may be more wintry, while the end of the month often brings warmer days. It's always best to check the forecast before you go so you can pack appropriate clothing.
Read more:
You can read more on spring skiing conditions in general in our dedicated guide.
What is the weather like in March for skiing?
The weather in the mountains in March is generally warmer than in January and February, but you can still get bitingly cold temperatures if it's cloudy, snowy, and the wind chill picks up. You’re also likely to have more of those ideal bluebird (sunny) days in March. For example, Val Thorens enjoys almost 4 days of sun per week in March, as well as 27 cm of snowfall. Zermatt gets around 3 weekly sunny days and a powdery 63 cm of snow.
Conditions often change during the day. Pistes may be firm when the lifts open, at their best later in the morning and softer by mid-afternoon, especially on sunny lower slopes. The most successful March skiers follow the snow: start on east-facing terrain, move higher or onto north-facing pistes as temperatures rise and don’t automatically leave the best skiing until after lunch.
The 12 best ski resorts for skiing in March: A roundup
Using our own scoring system, we’ve used historical weather data from snow-forecast.com to identify the 12 ski resorts for March skiing in Europe and beyond. These resorts offer fantastic March snowfall and high elevation, as well as plenty of sunshine under which to enjoy those longer days on the slopes and even longer lunches.
The best resorts for skiing in March are:
11. Livigno, Italy
12. Ischgl, Austria
March snowfall and sunny day information for each of the ski resorts
| Resort | Ski area altitude | Av. March snowfall | Av. weekly sunny days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zermatt | 1,620 - 3,883m | 63cm | 3 |
| Cervinia | 1,524 - 3,883m | 46cm | 2.8 |
| Val d’Isere | 1,550 - 3,456m | 38cm | 3.3 |
| Val Thorens | 2,300 - 3,230m | 27cm | 3.8 |
| Tignes | 1,550 - 3,456m | 35cm | 2.9 |
| Obergurgl | 1,800 - 3,082m | 32cm | 2.9 |
| Whistler | 653 - 2,284m | 58cm | 1.6 |
| Passo Tonale | 1,121 - 3,016m | 29cm | 3.1 |
| Solden | 1,350 - 3,340m | 37cm | 2.2 |
| Verbier | 1,500 - 3,330m | 25cm | 3 |
| Livigno | 1,816 - 2,797m | 23cm | 2.9 |
| Ischgl | 1,400 - 2,864m | 32cm | 2 |
The best resorts in France for March skiing
Thanks to the high altitude of some of France's finest resorts, March is still a great time to go skiing in France, and there’s sure to be plenty of snow. Our top picks for March skiing in France are:
- Val d’Isere
- Val Thorens
- Tignes
Val d'Isere
- Resort snow range - 1,550 - 3,456m
- March snowfall - 38cm
- Sunny days - 3.3
Located at 1,850m, and enjoying an average March monthly snowfall of 38cm, Val d’Isere is an excellent March destination for skiers. While it has a reputation for being geared more towards intermediate and advanced snow sports enthusiasts, in recent years, it has expanded its range of beginner and family friendly slopes.
Combined with Tignes to make the Tignes-Val d'Isere ski area opens up 300km of pistes and 90 lifts, in addition to a wealth of après bars and restaurants, making it a fantastic destination if you like to ski and party.
Our take: "Start around Solaise when the pistes are firm, then move towards the higher, colder snow above Le Fornet or across to the Grande Motte side of Tignes as the day warms. We wouldn’t judge conditions by the snow beside the church: much of the skiing is considerably higher than the village. Late in the day, avoid forcing a tired descent down a busy or polished home run."
Val d'Isere Featured Accommodation: Chalet Quebec
A chalet for 8 people right in the centre of the resort, a short walk from the Olympique or Solaise lifts, and with a hot tub shared with one other chalet.
Val Thorens
- Resort snow range - 2,300 - 3,230m
- March snowfall - 27cm
- Sunny days - 3.8
Val Thorens is the highest ski resort in Europe (2300m), making it very snow-sure throughout March and beyond. With 3.8 sunny days a week on average, it’s also the sunniest of our top March resorts. It offers a fantastic variety of runs for skiers of all abilities, as well as access to Meribel and Courchevel, totalling 600km of pistes across the Three Valleys.
The resort itself is compact but has a vibrant centre and a lively après scene, with around 40 bars and 60 restaurants to choose from.
Our take: "Val Thorens local terrain is often enough when visibility is good, while confident skiers can use colder spells for longer trips towards Méribel and Courchevel. If you cross into Méribel, the usual return from Mottaret is via the Plattières Côte Brune gondolas from before skiing down towards Val Thorens, but check the day’s lift status and last return times. On a mild day, we’d finish back on the higher Val Thorens pistes rather than chasing soft lower runs elsewhere in the Three Valleys.
Val Thorens Featured Accommodation: Club Med Val Thorens Sensations
In the heart of Val Thorens, this ski-in-ski-out hotel has great access to the lifts, activities and other amenities in the resort, and offers panoramic views, gourmet eating at all hours, and a restaurant run by a Michelin-starred chef.
Tignes
- Resort snow range - 1,550 - 3,456m
- March snowfall - 35cm
- Sunny days - 2.9
At 2100m, Tignes has an excellent snow record (35cm on average in March), guaranteeing late season skiing. This world famous resort, which also gives you access to Val d'Isere, is best for intermediate and advanced skiers but has plenty to offer beginners across its vast ski area.
There’s also a bunch of late night bars and a club for the après crowd, as well as decent restaurants, a cinema, bowling alley and a modern sports centre for off-the-slopes entertainment.
Our take: "Choose Le Lac or Val Claret over Les Brévières for your Tignes March base. They start much higher and make it easier to reach the Grande Motte sector early, before queues build or the wind affects upper lifts. In poor visibility, lower runs towards Les Boisses and Les Brévières can provide more definition, although their snow can soften sooner."
Tignes Featured Accommodation: Hotel Tignes 2100
Just 150m from the lifts and offering easy access to both the Tignes and Val d’Isere ski areas, this hotel is a great value base for your ski holiday. It also has shops, cafes, and bars on site.
The best resorts in Austria for March skiing
With excellent snow coverage, high altitude runs, and sophisticated lift infrastructure to get you up there, Austria is a great destination for a March ski trip.
Our top Austria resorts for march skiing are:
- Obergurgl
- Solden
- Ischgl
Obergurgl
- Resort snow range - 1,800 - 3,030m
- March snowfall - 32cm
- Sunny days - 2.9
With a wealth of runs located at high altitude, one of the longest ski seasons in the Alps (usually November to May), and a balmy almost 3 days of sun on average a week, Obergurgl is excellent for skiing in March.
The resort itself is charming and traditional, and with everything from a lively après scene to a kindergarten ski area, it’s great for families and groups of friends alike.
Our take: "You don’t need to travel far to find high, well-groomed pistes in Obergurgl in March. The Festkogl side catches the morning light, while Hochgurgl and the Wurmkogl sector give you high cruising later in the day. Ski the valley descents earlier when the surface is firmer, then stay high once the afternoon sun has softened the snow lower down."
Obergurgl Featured Accommodation: Hotel Lohmann
With child-friendly facilities, in-house ski hire, and a wellness area, this good value hotel is perfect for all the family (there’s unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks with the evening meal), and is just 100m from the nearest lift.
Sölden
- Resort snow range - 1,350 - 3,340m
- March snowfall - 37cm
- Sunny days - 2.2
While the resort centre itself isn’t especially high (1,350m), Solden enjoys healthy snowfall (37cm on average in March) and one of Europe’s best lift systems, which takes you all the way up to pistes at 3,340m. As well as a decent stock of challenging blues, reds and blacks for intermediates and advanced, Solden is well supplied with wide easy slopes for beginners.
The resort itself is picturesque and has a great selection of shops, bars, restaurants, and other amenities.
Our take: "On a clear March day, head for Rettenbach and Tiefenbach early because reaching the glacier sectors takes time and traffic can build. If cloud arrives, the lower runs around Gaislachkogl offer better contrast than the exposed glacier. Don’t assume the descent to town will match the snow higher up – it can become slushy late in a warm afternoon."
Featured Solden Accommodation: Hotel Bergland
Conveniently located for both skiing and après, the Bergland has beautiful rooms, a brilliant wellness and spa area, and a weekly entertainment programme that will keep both skiers and non-skiers occupied.
Ischgl
- Resort snow range - 1,400 - 2,872m
- March snowfall - 32cm
- Sunny days - 2
High in the Paznaun valley, Ischgl is a wonderful March ski destination, with an efficient high altitude lift system, 239km of pistes across the Silvretta area, and reliable snow coverage. It's another resort that's usually snow-sure enough to remain open from late November to early May.
Known for the quality of its après ski bars, (The Trofan Alms has been named the world’s #1 aprés bar several times), Ischgl also has excellent restaurants across its compact and pretty, but lively, village. And there are lots of other ways to enjoy the snow and the mountain, including 7km of tobogganing slopes, which are open at night, ice skating and Bavarian curling.
Our take: "Most of Ischgl’s skiing sits above 2,000m, so the resort's pistes usually preserve snow well late into the season. In March, we like to spend the morning travelling across the Silvretta Arena and return to the Ischgl side before the main homeward traffic builds. Runs into Samnaun are an enjoyable part of the day, but they create a long return involving several lifts."
Featured Ischgl Accommodation: Hotel Piz Buin
Right next to the Fimba and Pardatschgrat lifts, Sporthotel Piz Buin is a family-run four-star hotel with comfortable, well-equipped rooms, an excellent spa, on-site parking, and dining facilities.
Read more:
Discover all of Austria's most snow sure ski resorts in our dedicated guide.
The best resorts in Italy for March skiing
Home to some of Europe’s highest resorts that offer near guaranteed snow and frequent bluebird days, Italy should definitely be one of your go-to countries for a March ski holiday.
Our top Italy ski destinations for March are:
- Cervinia
- Passo Tonale
- Livigno
Cervinia
- Resort snow range - 1,524 - 3,883m
- March snowfall - 46cm
- Sunny days - 2.8
A high-altitude resort (2050m), Cervinia’s 200km of pistes peak at a dizzying 3,883m, making it one of Europe’s most snow-sure resorts. Combined with Switzerland’s Zermatt (which makes up one of the world’s highest ski areas), you have a total of 360km of slopes.
Cervinia is mostly pitched towards beginners and intermediates, though advanced skiers can venture into Zermatt for more challenging terrain.
Our take: "Cervinia’s broad, relatively gentle pistes suit March sunshine extremely well, and most skiers should be satisfied with the local terrain. If you do plan to cross the border, check the conditions before committing. Wind can close the upper connection to Zermatt even when local skiing remains open. Always allow yourself plenty of time to get back.
"If the border is closed, the long runs towards Valtournenche are a rewarding alternative. You should also check out the 11km Ventina from the Plateau Rosà cable car station down to Cervinia, which drops 1,400 vertical metres."
Featured Cervinia Accommodation: Valtur Cervinia Cristallo Resort
Part of the Cervinia Cristallo Ski Resort 5-star, this hotel has a mix of classic Alpine and modern rooms, as well as a large pool, a spa, a kids’ play area, and a four course buffet for dinner.
Passo Tonale
- Resort snow range - 1,121 - 3,016m
- March snowfall - 29cm
- Sunny days - 3.1
Situated between Trentino and Lombardy, with a snow range of 1,121m to 3,016m, Passo Tonale is one of Italy's highest ski resorts. It’s a great option for March, with plenty of high-altitude runs, mostly above the tree line, allowing you to make the most of those longer, sunnier days.
The village is compact, but has a number of lively bars, decent restaurants and amenities.
Our take: "Head towards Presena for the highest and most dependable snow, then consider the longer descent towards Ponte di Legno while the lower section is still firm. The exposed pass is convenient and sunny, but it offers little shelter in wind or cloud. Families may appreciate that many easier pistes finish close to the accommodation, while experienced skiers will want to explore the full linked area."
Passo Tonale Featured Accommodation: Hotel Paradiso
Befitting the name, Paradiso is a beautiful hotel that’s located a stone’s throw from the Serodine chairlift and Paradiso gondola. It’s modern and stylish, with great views and a fantastic restaurant.
Livigno
- Resort snow range - 1,816 - 2,797m
- March snowfall - 23cm
- Sunny days - 2.9
Livigno is a great all-rounder of a resort that combines a rustic charm with modern and efficient ski lifts and amenities. With a snow range of 1,816 - 2,797m, and 115km of pistes for all abilities, there should be plenty of snow for your March trip.
And with a pedestrianised centre, numerous duty free shops, and loads of non-skiing activities on offer, Livigno has something for everyone.
Our take: "March is a good time to move between the Mottolino and Carosello peaks rather than staying on whichever side is nearest your hotel. Follow the firmer snow in the morning and switch aspect as the surface softens. The ski-bus links are useful because the two sides aren’t connected by piste. Livigno can also feel colder than a sunny forecast suggests, particularly when wind runs along the valley."
Hotel Intermonte
Superb views of the valley and near to the lifts, this four-star hotel has great facilities and, while being one of Livigno’s largest, maintains a relaxed atmosphere.
The best ski resorts in Switzerland for March skiing
Beautiful, high up resorts, reliable snowfall, and incredible skiing makes Switzerland a March ski destination that won’t disappoint.
Our top ski resorts for Switzerland in march are:
- Zermatt
- Verbier
Zermatt
- Resort snow range - 1,620 - 3,883m
- March snowfall - 63cm
- Sunny days - 3
With high altitude pistes of up to 3,883m, quality skiing, and a standout average snowfall of 63cm, Zermatt is our best overall ski resort for March.
As stated earlier, Zermatt is linked to Cervinia, and offers over 360km of varied runs for skiers of all abilities across its shared ski area. It’s also just a very attractive town to hang out in, has world-class restaurants and après, and provides loads of non-skiing activities – great for all holidaymakers.
Our take: "Zermatt mountain restaurants are destinations in their own right, especially around Findeln, where you can stop at Chez Vrony, Findlerhof or Adler Hitta with the Matterhorn in view. March is well suited to a longer terrace lunch, but book ahead and check the route home before settling in."
Zermatt Featured Accommodation: Hotel Alpen Resort
A modern but homely hotel that’s a short walk to the nearest lifts, Hotel Alpen Resort has spa facilities, an adventure pool, a games room, and a dining room.
Verbier
- Resort snow range - 1,500 - 3,330m
- March snowfall - 25cm
- Sunny days - 3
Verbier is one of Switzerland’s most famous resorts for good reason. Set in magnificent surroundings, snow-sure thanks to its high altitude, and with a vast ski area to explore, you're sure to have a unforgettable March ski trip.
On top of that, Verbier marries traditional charm with premium accommodation and a vibrant après scene. An Alpine ski dream.
Our take: "Marked itineraries such as Chassoure–Tortin can become steep, heavily mogulled and tiring, particularly once spring conditions develop. Intermediates still have plenty to enjoy around Lac des Vaux and La Chaux, but don't feel pressured to tackle every famous descent. If adventurous terrain is a priority, we’d book a guide who can choose appropriate routes for the day’s snow conditions."
Verbier Featured Accommodation: Hotel Montpelier
This traditional, chalet-style, 3-star hotel has fantastic facilities - including a ski shop, pool, and late night bar - and offers wonderful views over Verbier.
Where’s best in Canada for March skiing?
If you’re heading for Canada for a March ski trip, there’s really only one place that should be on your list:
Whistler
- Resort snow range - 653 - 2,284m
- March snowfall - 58cm
- Sunny days - 1.6
Sitting at just 675m above sea level, Whistler might lie low compared to our other resorts, but thanks to its unique geography it gets loads of snow (58cm on average in March) and has high enough pistes (2,284m) to make it a great place to go skiing in March.
Speedy gondolas fly you up over 1,000m to the high altitude pistes, where there are runs for all abilities and very reliable snowfall throughout the season.
Our take: "Whistler and Blackcomb are better treated as two large, linked ski areas. Whistler has memorable high-alpine bowls around Harmony and Symphony, while Blackcomb is particularly rewarding for confident skiers seeking steeper terrain. The Peak 2 Peak gondola makes switching mountains easy, but repeatedly crossing wastes time that could be spent skiing. We’d give each mountain at least one proper day, then use the rest of the week to return to whichever best suits the group."
Whistler Featured Accommodation: Crystal Lodge and Suites
Among Whistler’s most popular hotels, Crystal Lodge Suites is right in the heart of Whistler village, with easy access to the gondolas and modern, well-equipped rooms.
In summary: March is a great time to go skiing
As you can see, whichever country you choose, you can find excellent conditions for skiing in March at one of our top 12 resorts.
If you had to pick just one, Zermatt offers great weather, high-altitude runs, regular snowfall, and beautiful surroundings. But every resort has plenty to offer springtime skiers.