The Alps are transitioning from winter to spring in most areas, with staggered ski areas closures rippling across the vast mountain range. Some ski areas closed at the end of March, others will run until May and some glaciers will operate beyond that. Post-Easter is another date where many ski resorts traditionally pivot away from winter operations.
For those who booked a late season corporate ski event, the snow conditions have been exceptional, unquestionably the best of the winter with several weeks of powder skiing possible. The sun block has been less in demand, but for the snow-starved alps, this bounce at the end of the season has been a real boost.
For ski areas that continue to operate, the snow won't be sat idle wating for the spring melt – resorts such as Ischgl and Obergurgl in Austria will be operating until the start of May, whereas the Austrian glaciers will run beyond that. Whilst the action is still focussed on Snowsports, these late season ski events are often complemented by sunny lunch terraces, outdoor swimming, and ever-extending daylight. In Zell am See - Kaprun it is customary to ski the mornings on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier and then take a spa and / or round of golf – very much the good life.
Spring skiing isn’t the preserve of Austria, French resort such as Val d’Isère, Tignes and Val Thorens offer skiing into May. Accessing glacier skiing, these resorts are snow sure and are often dreamlike whether on fresh snow or skiing the late morning corn snow, as its surface melts in the spring sun. April and May lunches on the restaurant terraces of these area are something to behold.
In Switzerland the resort of Zermatt operates until the start of May, offering long sunny afternoons on the glacial slopes and terraces overlooking the Matterhorn – unbelievably special!
For those who aren’t experiencing a late season corporate ski event, fear not, when the lifts do close for the 22/23 winter, they will be opening as early as September on the Austrian glaciers for the 23/24 season – just time to fit in a break on the Mediterranean sands.