4 Top Ski Resorts for a Late-Season Ski Holiday

When April arrives and the winter ski season starts to show signs of a shift, some mountain goers are already storing their salopettes away for the summer and retiring their boots and poles until December. Others, however, are scouring the summits for the last bit of snowfall to enjoy before the hiking season truly arrives.

It's no secret that spring skiing can bring some of the most memorable days in the Alps. Sure, the snow can be slushy but the sun is glorious, and the après even more so. T-shirt weather is all the more enjoyable in the mountains; especially after a hot afternoon on the slopes in a ski jacket.

As the calendar marches on and the crowds start to thin out, it's time to consider the best ski resorts in the Alps for a late-season jaunt. Hone in on the destinations where the snow is still reliable, the altitude is high and the lifts are guaranteed to run until the last snowfall has melted.

Where does it snow in the Alps in April? Although each season is different, many resorts regularly enjoy fresh snowfall during April. High altitude resorts will often fare best, so be sure to consider this when booking a holiday to the Alps during spring.

Obergurgl

An absolute gem of a ski resort for a late-season ski holiday is Obergurgl. Tucked away in the heart of the Ötztal valley in the Austrian Alps, this charming ski resort is consistent and reliable, even as the season winds down.

Sitting at 1930 metres, the altitude of Obergurgl is key to its snow-sure status in the later months of the ski season. The area is great for family holidays, and for those who want to enjoy a more relaxed approach to skiing when the temperatures are warmer. The mountain features a great variety of gentle nursery slopes and wide-open pistes, with some beautiful tree-lined trails to enjoy too.

Hotel Grünerhof

A delightful blend of traditional alpine design and modern luxuries, the Hotel Grünerhof is a perfect base in a reliable late-season ski resort. The interiors are beautifully styled, with light and spacious rooms that are tastefully filled with furnishings that complement the alpine surroundings perfectly.

Guests can expect to immerse themselves in this serene hotel atmosphere, where batteries can be easily recharged after a fulfilling day in the sunshine on the slopes. Hotel Grünerhof has a wonderful sustainable ethos, and this focus is present and welcomed throughout.

Chalet Obergurgl Luxury Apartments

Offering a more intimate setting than a hotel stay, the Chalet Obergurgl Luxury Apartments provide a private, high-end mountain retreat in the heart of the Ötztal Valley. The chalet-style residence boasts all the sophistication and amenities expected of a five-star property and guests can enjoy access to the extensive wellness facilities on offer including a gym, pool, sauna and steam room.

Centrally located, the luxury ski apartments are only 150 metres walk away from the Festkogel cable car and the pistes of the Obergurgl-Hochgurgl ski area. After a day on the slopes and enjoying the extensive spring skiing, the town can be explored and features an array of charming shops, restaurants and cafés.

Cervinia

Known for its world-class skiing and breathtaking mountain views, choosing Cervinia for a late-season ski holiday in the Alps is perfect. Being based at the foot of the Matterhorn and having a connection to Zermatt's expansive ski resort means that spring skiing is plentiful in this high altitude area of the Alps.

Enjoying some Italian cuisine al fresco while basking in April sunshine is easily achieved on the slopes of Cervinia. A traditional alpine restaurant is the perfect post-ski gathering point after the group has split off for the morning to enjoy the variety of terrain on offer in this high altitude resort. Blue and red runs are plentiful for beginner and intermediate skiers, and advanced skiers can enjoy the challenges on offer throughout the Italian and Swiss connected ski area.

Hotel al Piolet

This gorgeous chalet-style hotel has a rustic ambiance that many mountain holiday-goers seek when travelling to the Alps for some late-season snow. Timber-clad bedrooms and natural materials bring the alpine atmosphere inside the accommodation, creating a wonderful warm and welcoming feel.

The hotel terrace is a great place to soak up the sun which can be incredibly strong at this altitude during the later months of the ski season. Remember to pack those polarised sunglasses! The in-house restaurant serves a delightful menu of hearty mountain cuisine as well as lighter, more refined dishes prepared with delicious local ingredients. A ski trip to the Italian Alps is often just as much about the food as the skiing.

VRetreats

A refined and elegant retreat for those seeking style as well as skiing when visiting the summits during the spring. VRetreats is luxurious and is an idyllic destination for snow-sure slopes at the end of the winter season.

This contemporary accommodation has multiple restaurant options, one, in particular, boasts panoramic views overlooking the Matterhorn. The wellness area is also a highlight for guests. Taking a dip in the hotel's indoor pool is a great way to cool off and unwind after skiing in the late-season sun all day.

Val Thorens

The highest ski resort in Europe will always be included in the list of where to go skiing in April. Val Thorens sits at a lofty 2300 metres and the ski area stretches even further up across the glacier.

Being part of The Three Valleys, the extensive lift system connecting Val Thorens to Meribel and Courchevel means there's plenty of ski terrain to explore even when other destinations are already suffering under the late-season sunshine. It's also the perfect place to fit in some last minute après ski. The closing parties at their infamous slope-side bars should not be missed. A euphoric experience that will last until the lifts open again.

Hotel Pashmina Le Refuge

A vibrant and opulent slope-side hotel, the Hotel Pashmina Le Refuge is a family-run accommodation that stands out in Val Thorens. The furnishings are colourful and eclectic, a refreshing change to the traditional alpine interiors seen elsewhere. The atmosphere epitomises what this high-altitude resort is all about - adventure and fun!

Choose this hotel for your late-season ski holiday if you want to enjoy the alpine party scene one last time before the shutters close for the summer. When the ski boots won't stomp anymore, take a well-earned rest and indulge in a restorative treatment in the L'Occitane spa.

Le Fitz Roy, A Beaumier Hotel

Beautiful, yet homely, is the best way to describe Le Fitz Roy, an outstanding hotel in the heart of Val Thorens that has all the tell-tale features of a Beaumier Hotel. Perfectly curated interior design fills every room and the location couldn't be better. Understated luxury runs throughout Le Fitz Roy, rich wooden beams and cosy fireplaces create a comforting home away from home in the Alps.

No matter the time of year, great ski conditions will be had when staying at this hotel. The well-being centre has a hammam, sauna and an indoor swimming pool, and guests can easily book a massage to soothe weary muscles during a late-season ski holiday.

Saas Fee

While Saas Fee can be a bitterly cold place to ski in January, its north-facing slopes are the secret weapon to its success as a top destination for spring skiing in the Alps. With much of the ski area hidden from the sun during the winter months, tucked away in the shadows of the Mischabel range, the sun streams through in the later part of the season and illuminates the pristine slopes still in prime condition.

A wonderful nursery slope area ticks the box for beginner and family skiing, while the glacier offers challenging pistes for more advanced skiers. All-in-all, Saas Fee is a hidden gem in the Swiss Alps that promises a dreamy late-season skiing experience in the mountains.

Navigare Resorts

Combining high-end accommodation, excellent services and top-tier amenities, Navigare Resorts brings luxury and sophistication to Saas Fee. Multiple apartment buildings that can accommodate both couples and larger groups, the Navigare Resorts provide centrally located mountain hideaways in one of the most snow-sure ski resorts in Europe.

Expect the interior style to be perfectly executed. Modern furnishings and contemporary finishes sit perfectly alongside cosy log burners and incredible panoramic mountain views. Enjoy access to multiple gondolas that take you to pristine glacier skiing in minutes.

Walliserhof

An impressive chalet-style hotel in central Saas Fee, the Walliserhof Hotel is the definition of alpine luxury. Updated to feature all the modern amenities and aesthetics one would wish for when staying in five-star accommodation, but the hotel still beautifully embodies traditional alpine style.

Famous for featuring in the Wham! Last Christmas video, the Walliserhof is an iconic place to stay no matter the time of year. Saas Fee offers incredible snow conditions right down to the village until the very end of the season, and the glacier means that skiing is often accessible in the summer months as well.