The Best Time to go Skiing
When is the best and worst time to go skiing?
The winter ski season in Europe can run from November to May, depending on the resort. And during those weeks the conditions, prices, crowds and atmosphere can change dramatically. So when you’re booking a snowboard holiday, or deciding when to go skiing, you want to pick the weeks that will best suit you according to who you’re travelling with, their ski levels, your budget and expectations.
So I’ve put together some information on what I think are the best – and a few of the worst – times to book a ski holiday. Read on to get some ideas before you book your next ski trip.
Get in there early!
The first week of the season is a great time to book a ski holiday. You can be one of the first people to ride that year’s snow, check out any new runs, chair lifts or features, and enjoy the excitement that fills a resort when the lifts start running again.
Also, the first week or two often comes with a discounted ski pass since some of the ski areas might still be closed. For instance, in La Plagne, the Vanoise connection to Les Arc generally does not open in week one. But, if you don’t mind some limits on your skiing, you could bag yourself a bargain.
Get Festive
Ok, so they are expensive, but Christmas and New Year weeks are wonderful times to be in a ski resort. There’s nothing quite like seeing in the new year with an open-air piste party featuring pumping music, steaming cups of vin chaud and fireworks lighting up the peaks at midnight.
And experiencing a real white Christmas with all the festive fun that goes along with it is something children will never forget. Ski all day as a family, then spend the evenings watching live nativity scenes, visiting Santa’s grotto or meeting Father Christmas himself. Maybe he’ll come snowboarding down the piste or ride through the resort on a sledge pulled by a team of huskies. Magical!
Start the new year off right
The last three weeks of January are a perfect time to book a ski holiday. The festive crowds are gone, the half-term crowds haven’t arrived, and the conditions are crisp, cold and beautiful.
Make the most of the spring
I am a massive fan of spring skiing! From around mid-March until the lifts close, the resort is quieter, the temperature goes up, and we get more hours of sunshine per day. Many resorts throw parties and festivals, and there’s a real ‘last day of school’ vibe around the bars.
You may have to sacrifice some snow quality, but a little slush is a fair trade for empty pistes, bluebird skies, and lower prices.
When is the best time to go skiing with children?
Booking your holiday based on the best snow conditions is always a gamble. Unless you’ve got the freedom to watch the snow forecasts and book a last-minute deal, a certain amount of guesswork will be involved in your booking. But as a general rule:
- Early December is a good time. Although there might not be huge amounts of snow, what’s there is fresh and as yet unridden by thousands of skiers.
- January and February are usually a safe bet for snowfall. And if there’s no fresh stuff, the low temperatures mean what’s there will be in good condition.
What time of year has the best snow?
I’m a big fan of getting kids out on the snow as early as possible – as evidenced by my two little snow monsters. But it can be a costly excursion. Sadly during the school holidays, the price of flights and accommodation increase dramatically compared to off-peak weeks.
Some parents choose to take their kids out of school because the fine for doing so is substantially cheaper than the price difference in holidays. While I would never advise you to do that….it is an option.
Another option is to go for the Easter holidays. Although prices do go up, they don’t reach the astronomical prices as of Christmas or February half term. Plus, the warmer weather and quieter ski schools make spring an enjoyable time for little skiers.
When Is The Cheapest Time To Go Skiing?
Early December, the last three weeks of January and mid-march onwards tend to be the cheapest weeks of the ski season. Basically, any weeks outside of the kids’ school holidays and festive period. But you can bag great last-minute deals throughout the season, so keep an eye on those websites.
And Lastly … When Is The Worst Time To Go Skiing?
There’s no bad time to go skiing or snowboarding! But:
- Skip the busy, pricey school holidays and festive periods if you’re on a budget, don’t like crowds, and don’t have children.
- Off-piste powder hunters should probably avoid the last few weeks of the season. Fresh dumps of snow in April and May are not uncommon (see this year for proof!), but they’re more likely earlier in the season.
So there you go.
That’s my guide to the best – and worst – times to book a ski holiday. So start planning because winter 22/23 is on its way!
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