Out of all the peak dates - Christmas, Half Term, and Easter - the Easter holidays are, for many, the most favourable for booking a family ski holiday. By Easter, the majority of pistes are covered with a good amount of snow, the days are longer, and the biting cold of peak winter has mellowed into a more pleasant can-probably-ski-in-a-jumper temperature.
Of course, snow conditions by the end of March/first two weeks of April are heavily dependent on how much snow has fallen over the course of the season. For a lot of the lower resorts and lower resort villages, there is a risk of some patchy slopes leading back down to your accommodation by the time Easter comes around.
Up high, however, you’ll find good conditions - particularly on north-facing slopes that are protected from the spring sunshine. And let’s not forget, there’s still plenty of opportunity for fresh snowfall - La Plagne, Les Arcs, and Tignes, which are three of our top ski resorts for an Easter holiday, see on average around 20-25 cm of fresh snow in April.
To bring you the best resorts for an Easter ski holiday, we’ve delved into our data to bring you the most popular ski resorts chosen by our customers. We’ve combined this with useful information, including average snowfall around the Easter holidays, resort height, and snow-making capabilities so you can make the best decision for your family ski holiday.
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The 10 best resorts for an Easter ski holiday are:
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La Plagne
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Les Arcs
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Tignes
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Alpe d’Huez
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Val Thorens
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Val d’Isere
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Meribel
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Les Menuires
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St Anton
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Ischgl
Take a look at the table below for some key stats about our top Easter resorts.
| Resort |
Snow range |
Easter snowfall |
Av. snow depth |
Snow machine coverage |
| La Plagne |
1,250 - 3,250m |
18cm/week |
162cm |
34% |
| Les Arcs |
1,250 - 3,250m |
23cm/week |
204cm |
11% |
| Tignes |
1,550 - 3,456m |
28cm/week |
276cm |
15% |
| Alpe d'Huez |
1,860, 3,330m |
20cm/week |
95cm |
35% |
| Val Thorens |
2,300 - 3,230m |
20cm/week |
183cm |
40% |
| Val d'Isere |
1,550 - 3,456m |
30cm/week |
276cm |
50% |
| Meribel |
1,300 - 3,230m |
17cm/week |
183cm |
50% |
| Les Menuires |
1,300 - 3,230m |
16cm/week |
183cm |
55% |
| St Anton |
1,121 - 3,016m |
27cm/week |
157cm |
60% |
| Ischgl |
1,400, 2,864m |
24cm/week |
68cm |
95% |
Find out more about these top resorts, in addition to popular accommodation choices for each of the resorts in the next section.
Read more:
French resorts almost always top the best late season skiing destination lists. Should you wish to avoid the Easter holidays, take a look at our choice of the best French ski resorts to ski across the whole of April.
Read more:
Looking for more April ski destination inspiration? We've listed the top April skiing destinations across Europe and beyond, including Italy, Austria, France, and Canada.
1. La Plagne
- Average Easter snowfall: 18cm/week
- Snow range: 1,250 - 3,250m
- Snow machines: 34%
With its plethora of villages and laid back attitude, La Plagne has and will likely continue to be a firm favourite among families for an Easter ski holiday. Whether you’re after the ski-in-ski-out convenience of Belle Plagne’s apartments or the villagey feel of Plagne 1800’s chalets, there’s something for everyone on La Plagne’s platter.
Much of La Plagne’s skiable terrain is north facing and above 2,000m, making it nice and snow-sure for the Easter holidays, and with an average of 18cm/week of fresh snow to fall, you may even get the odd powder day to play in while the kids are at ski school.
Popular Easter accommodation choices:
Hotel: Club Med La Plagne
At 2,100m, the ski-in-ski-out, all-inclusive, family-orientated Club Med La Plagne is one of our most popular ski accommodation choices.
Hotel: Hotel Terra Nova
Right in the heart of La Plagne in La Plagne Centre is Hotel Terra Nova. The 3* property offers great value half board accommodation. Plus, there are hotel-run kids’ clubs!
2. Les Arcs
- Average Easter snowfall: 23cm/week
- Snow range: 1,250 - 3,250m
- Snow machines: 11%
On the other side of the Vanoise Express is Les Arcs, which, like its neighbouring resort, La Plagne, has an excellent array of villages in which to stay. The lower villages of Plan Peisey and Peisey Vallandry are often cheaper but have fast links to the rest of the lofty ski area, whereas Les Arcs 1800 , Arc 1950 and Arc 2000 guarantee that smooth run back down into the resort, even at Easter.
Les Arcs sees, on average, a tad more snow per week than La Plagne and also has a good amount of north-facing slopes in the bowl above Arc 2000. If there’s a large group of you, Les Arcs is the more lively of the Paradiski resorts, so you can take it in turns to mind the kids while the others enjoy a drink or two at any of the resort’s bars (La Folie Douce anyone?).
Popular Easter accommodation choices:
Hotel: Hotel Aiguille Rouge
Located in Arc 2000, Hotel Aiguille Rouge is safely in the great Easter snow zone. It, too, offers good value half board accommodation - and it’s literally 2 minutes from the ski school.
Self catering: Edenarc Apartments
These ski-in-ski-out apartments come with a great price-tag, because they’re a short bus ride into Arc 1800 itself. They’re modern, spacious, and there’s a pool and sauna, too.
Arc 1950 is a quirky village with its own uniquely designed buildings
3. Tignes
- Average Easter snowfall: 28cm/week
- Snow range: 1,550 - 3,456m
- Snow machines: 15%
Thanks to its height and glacier, Tignes enjoys a long and healthy season, and if the snow across the Alps has been unreliable, you can vouch that Tignes has had the best of it. The two most popular villages are the original resort of Tignes Le Lac and the convenient (and higher) Tignes Val Claret, and there’s no shortage of accommodation, bars, and restaurants to enjoy among them both.
Linked with Val d’Isere to form the Espace Killy, there’s an abundance of piste for keen skiers to explore. Tignes has grown in popularity over recent years, thanks to its affordability over its neighbour, firmly placing it as one of our top resorts for an Easter ski holiday.
Popular Easter accommodation choices:
Hotel: Club Med Tignes
You can’t go wrong with the family-friendly all inclusive! Ski lessons are included and there’s so much for the kids to join in on - plus there are outdoor hot tubs and a spa for parents.
Hotel: Village Montana Hotel
Decorated in a modern, alpine style, the 4* Village Montana Hotel in Tignes Le Lac features a heated outdoor pool, pool tables, and a high end restaurant - ideal for families with teens.
4. Alpe d’Huez
- Average Easter snowfall: 20cm/week
- Snow range: 1,860, 3,330m
- Snow machines: 35%
Since May 2013, Alpe d’Huez has been a certified ‘Famille Plus’ resort, which means it's dedicated to welcoming groups, providing excellent family-focussed activities, convenient amenities and a fantastic standard of childcare. This in itself makes it ideal for Easter holidays.
At 1,860m, the resort itself is nice and high - this means the beginner ski areas are high, too, so you don’t need to worry about learning on brown slopes. A south-facing plateau, you’ll find that the lower slopes will get slushy heading into the afternoon, but there’s plenty of skiing above 2000m and anyone up for the challenge will find testing terrain on the glacier.
Popular Easter accommodation choices:
Hotel: Club Med Alpe d’Huez
The all-inclusive Club Med strikes again - this time in Alpe d’Huez. The relatively new hotel is ski in ski out and just metres from the nursery slopes. Expect kids clubs and a games area.
Chalet: Chalet Salagou
This 4* 5 bed shared catered chalet has family rooms, ideal for a couple of families looking to ski together over Easter. It’s also in the midst of the resort - great for accessing amenities.
5. Val Thorens
- Average Easter snowfall: 20cm/week
- Snow range: 2,300 - 3,230m
- Snow machines: 40%
If you’re super, super worried about snow coverage over Easter, head to Val Thorens. At 2,300m, it’s Europe’s highest resort, which means it doesn’t tend to see a spot of rain till about May time. Just bear in mind the altitude when considering a ski holiday there.
There are lots of family-friendly green and blue runs to practise and improve on, with a handy beginners pass giving you discounted access to the resort’s easiest slopes - check out our beginner's guide to Val Thorens to find out more. With access to the vast Three Valleys ski area, parents can head over to Meribel, and if the kids are happy to be in ski school/kids’ club all day, you could even try and get over to Courchevel and back.
Popular Easter accommodation choices:
Popular Easter accommodation choices:Hotel: Club Med Val Thorens Sensations
Club Med Val Thorens Sensations is consistently one of our top selling hotels, and it’s in particularly high demand over Easter. It’s all inclusive and lessons are included in the price.
Chalet: Chalet Chloe
During school holidays, Chalet Chloe becomes a family-friendly chalet with kids even having separate dinner options. Adults will love the shared wellness area and sun terrace.
Val Thorens on a sunny day
6. Val d’Isere
- Average Easter snowfall: 30cm/week
- Snow range: 1,550 - 3,456
- Snow machines: 50%
Thanks to its high altitude, healthy snowfall over late March early April, and 50% snow machine coverage, Val d’Isere offers the perfect recipe for an Easter ski trip. The second part of the Espace Killy duo, Val d’Isere has more of a traditional Alpine feel to it than Tignes, and will still give you access to all that fabulous glacier skiing.
The one thing to bear in mind with Val d’Isere is the only runs back down into the resort itself are red, and in the warm Easter weather, these tend to get churned up in the afternoon. While experienced skiers should be fine, those with less miles on their clock may need to get the gondola back down.
Popular Easter accommodation choices:
Hotel: Club Med Val d’Isere
The 5* Club Med Val d’Isere hotel is perfect for anyone looking for a high end Easter ski holiday, while still keeping a lid on the price - everything is included, even lessons.
Chalet: Chalet Cristal 4
In La Daille, the next village along from Val d’Isere, just 150m from the gondola, is the 3* chalet Cristal. It’s catered, and kids under 11 can eat at 6pm to help keep their routine.
7. Meribel
- Average Easter snowfall: 17cm/week
- Snow range: 1,300 - 3,230m
- Snow machines: 50%
Part of the Three Valleys ski area, Meribel itself offers high altitude skiing beyond Meribel Mottaret, and you’re just a valley over from the very lofty Val Thorens, which means you’re always bound to find great skiing conditions when you stay in Meribel over Easter.
With snow machines covering 50% of the slopes, Meribel is very well equipped to deal with any snow shortage lower down. The resort is also great for beginners, has a fantastic beginner ski area with a handful of free lifts, and some lovely, protected tree lined green and blue runs, perfect for when visibility is low.
Popular Easter accommodation choices:
Chalet: Chalet Andre
Chalet Andre is in Meribel Mottaret, Meribel’s higher village, so if you are at all concerned about snow lower down, here’s a good option. The chalet is catered and offers great value.
Chalet: Chalet La Fugue
This 3* sole use chalet is ideal for a couple of families with children that have a holiday's skiing under their belt, as the chalet sits on the edge of the blue La Chaudanne piste.
8. Les Menuires
- Average Easter snowfall: 16cm/week
- Snow range: 1,300 - 3,230m
- Snow machines: 55%
If you’re finding other resorts in the Three Valleys are pushing the budget this Easter, have a look at Les Menuires. It’s situated in the same valley as Val Thorens, just a bit lower down. We say lower, Les Menuires resort centre sits at 1,850m, so you’re still in a great position for good Easter snow conditions.
Les Menuires also has good snow making capacity and is really well connected to the rest of the Three Valleys. Just a couple of lifts and you’re skiing above 2,500m, which will give you some of the best spring conditions out there.
Popular Easter accommodation choices:
Hotel: Hotel Le Menuire & Spa
The perfect hotel for families. There’s a kids’ club, ski school drop off and pick up and even a child-minding service. Plus, who wouldn’t want to splash around in the adventure pool?
Chalet: Chalet Blanchot
Hot tub - check. Kid-proof garden - check. Ski school just metres away - check. This 3* family-friendly catered chalet has it all and offers fantastic value for an Easter ski holiday.
9. St Anton
- Average Easter snowfall: 27cm/week
- Snow range: 1,304 - 2,811m
- Snow machines: 60%
Austria does great Easter skiing, too, with St Anton being one of the most popular Easter ski holiday destinations in the Austrian Alps. We wouldn’t say it’s the most beginner-friendly - a lot of the gentler slopes fringe the resort and you need to be staying around the Nasserein end to have easy access to the learner slopes.
However, for families with a few winters under their belt, St Anton and the surrounding 350 km of piste are an intermediate’s paradise. The ski area is vast and you’ll enjoy heading to nearby higher villages of Lech and Zurs for a spot of lunch before continuing your exploration.
Popular Easter accommodation choices:
Hotel: Hotel Nassereinerhof
Not far from St Anton’s learner slopes, this comfortable, half board 3* hotel is well-positioned for families with beginners in tow. There’s a pool, spa, and the cable car is just 150m away.
Chalet: Chalet Nimbus
This 5* luxury chalet in the centre of St Anton is a fab choice for parents with teenagers. The chalet is sole occupancy, is fully catered and has amazing shared wellness facilities.
Blues skies and treelined runs in St Anton
10. Ischgl
- Average Easter snowfall: 24cm/week
- Snow range: 1,400, 2,864m
- Snow machines: 95%
With snow machines covering 95% of the resort, you know there’s going to be a decent amount of snow on the ground by the time you get there at Easter, even if natural precipitation has been on the low side.
Like St Anton, Ischgl isn’t the first place to head to if you’re a beginner looking to advance off the nursery slopes to explore the wider ski area, but it is excellent if the adults are seasoned skiers and the kids are taking their first turns. The beginner ski area is above 2,000m, so conditions should be better than if the learner slope was lower down.
Popular Easter accommodation choices:
Hotel: Jagerhof Hotel
Fortunately, those who stay at the Jagerhof Hotel don’t have to worry about drinking any of the infamous German liquor. They’ll get comfortable, convenient 4* accommodation instead.
Chalet: Chalet Zita
Planning an epic multi-family ski holiday? Chalet Zita could be just the place. This catered 22 bed chalet is great for the budget and offers great space for kids to be kids.
Read more:
Discover even more Austrian ski resorts that are ideal for an Easter ski holiday in our guide to the most snow sure resorts in Austria.
Top Tips For Choosing an Easter Ski Holiday
The Iglu Ski sales team have done countless ski seasons between them. As seasoned Easter skiers, they offer advice on choosing an Easter ski holiday destination and answer some of your top questions.
The most common questions from those looking to book an Easter ski holiday are:
Will there be enough snow and how good will the snow be?
Their advice is:
Check the snow history over Easter for the last few years
Our Snow History log shows you the historic snow depth by month for the lower and higher slopes of each resort, so make sure you check to see if there’s been a good amount of snow by the time Easter comes round - that way, you’ll know if your chosen resort is snow-sure. If the resort you’re heading to is mostly fields and pastures in the summer, you need very little snow depth for a smooth skiing experience.
Check the height and slope orientation of your intended resort
A common factor of Easter skiing is thawed snow freezes over night, leading to icy conditions first thing. There’s then the sweet spot of late morning where snow becomes soft and powdery, before it starts getting slushy heading into the afternoon.
The more north east facing the slopes, the quicker the ice will thaw in the morning and the longer the snow will stick around in the afternoon. And of course, the higher the resort, the cooler the temperature will stay, meaning even south facing slopes will hold the good conditions much longer.
Read more:
A safe bet for choosing a ski resort for an Easter ski holiday is to pick a snow sure one - you can read about the top snow sure resorts in France in our dedicated guide.
What is Easter skiing like compared to February half term
Half the fun of Easter skiing is the long lunches basking in the glorious sunshine. Yes, you could go February half term to get better snow conditions, but it's much busier, there’s no leisurely outside lunches in -12, and the cold can be bitter, even if you’re skiing hard.
The thing to bear in mind with February is that while snow conditions are more reliable (particularly for lower resorts), British schools aren’t the only schools on their winter break. In this instance, both France and Austria have winter breaks in February, too, which means the slopes are full of families taking advantage of the school holidays.
The French tend to have their Easter holidays later, leaving the slopes freer for when the UK has its Easter break. Austria tends to just have one week off over Easter, so you can always choose your holiday on the week they’re back in school if you’d prefer quieter slopes.
Read more:
You can find out more about what it's like to ski in late spring compared to peak winter in our dedicated guide to spring skiing.
Is the first or second week of the Easter holidays better?
That really depends on when Easter falls. A March Easter means either week will be okay, however if Easter and the Easter holidays fall in mid to late April, the first week would be the most popular choice. If you're looking to go skiing in the last week of March, we've written a dedicated guide to March skiing, with additional resort suggestions for your March ski holiday.
That’s not to say don’t ski in late April - the French resorts of Tignes, Val d’Isere, and Val Thorens welcome visitors until May, while La Plagne and Les Arcs also stay open until the last week of April. It’ll be slushy, it’ll be warm, but there will be excellent Easter holiday deals. Why not check out our guide to the best ski resorts for April skiing for even more ideas on where to go?
What should you wear on an Easter ski holiday?
While the weather tends to be warmer, don’t forgo the thermals and jacket. On the days where the sun is hidden behind the clouds, it’ll be cold, so you may need them, but on the sunny days, many people find a t-shirt and ski jacket suffice.
If you’re a beginner, try and bring salopettes and a coat with good waterproofing - 15,000mm and above - as you’ll be spending a fair bit of time falling over into wet snow.
When it comes to jackets, make sure you bear in mind breathability. It’ll be warm and you’ll sweat more, so airflow is important. A breathability of 15,000 gm2 is a good starting point.
And suncream, suncream, suncream. UV rays are much harsher in the mountains and there’s nothing worse than a bright red face, a bout of sunstroke, and an horrendous goggle tan to go home with.
Come Easter skiing with Iglu Ski
So, there you have it - the top 10 resorts for Easter skiing and advice from the experts to help you choose your ideal Easter ski holiday destination. If you’d like to chat to us further about any concerns you have about skiing over Easter, don’t hesitate to give our sales team a call. In the meantime, take a look at these awesome Easter ski holiday deals.
