What is skiing in April like?
By April, many people’s attention turns toward beach vacations, but not die-hard skiers. A spring ski vacation can be the perfect way to get ready for summer without suffering a complete break from winter.
Those in the know, understand there’s often plenty of snow in April across large swaths of Ski Country. In fact, spring snowstorms are typically more regular than mid-winter, the days are warm and long, lodging is cheaper and lots of fun outdoor events await, making April a great time to book a ski trip.
However, there are two caveats:
1.) The conditions can be variable
More often than not, skiing in the spring means slushy conditions so make sure your skis are appropriately waxed. We also recommend donning wider skis, as they tend to perform better in slush, crud, and other variable conditions found off-piste in April.
2.) You need to know where to go.
As a general rule, resorts that are higher in altitude or more northern tend to stay open later, but of course, snowfall will also make a difference. Based on their orientation to standard storm tracks, some resorts just tend to receive more snow than others, so it’s good to keep those details in mind when choosing your April ski trip destination. Whether that’s in North America or beyond, we’ve got you covered.
So, where can I go skiing in April?
Best Places to Ski in April and Beyond in the U.S.A
Killington, Vermont – 4,236’
If you’re on the East Coast and still feel the need for speed, head to Killington to rip up some fast groomers. To close out your April, sign up for the May Day Slalom on May 1, where contestants can test their skills on the Superstar Trail slalom course.
Where to stay: For all the comforts of home, including spacious living areas and full kitchens, Highridge Condominiums come well recommended. See photos →
Mammoth Mountain, California – 11,030’
This resort is almost always California’s last to close. Mammoth’s closing day typically falls somewhere between late May and early July but April is when the resort sees some of its best spring skiing conditions.
Where to stay: Juniper Springs Lodge is your perfect Mammoth basecamp, offering the comforts of home with ski-in, ski-out convenience. The Eagle base lodge next door delivers all your ski resort needs. See photos →
Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows, California – 9,050’
Cali sun and bumps combined with nearly 400” of fun, slushy snow makes it easy to understand why Squaw/Alpine is dubbed the “Spring Skiing Capital.” Enjoying many of the same March snowstorms as Mammoth, Squaw/Alpine normally stays open until late May.
Where to stay: For convenient access to lively base village shops, bars, and restaurants, the 3.5-star Village at Squaw Valley is an easy choice. Guests enjoy condominium-style lodging and a 50- to 300-yard walk to the cable car. See photos →
Snowbird, Utah – 11,000’
Snowbird’s ski season is just beginning in April. It’s during this month that skiers can be treated to powder skiing in the morning and corn skiing in the afternoon.
Where to stay: Enjoy several topnotch onsite restaurants and ski in ski out access when staying at Snowbird’s flagship accommodations, the Cliff Lodge and Spa. See photos →
Breckenridge, Colorado – 12,998’
During April, Breckenridge is the ultimate destination for skiers and snowboarders seeking warm sunshine, great late-season snow conditions, and a laundry list of outdoor concerts, parties, and festivals.
Where to stay: Mountain Thunder Lodge offers well-appointed studio, one-, two-, or three-bedroom condominium or two- or three-bedroom townhome. See photos →
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado – 13,050’
Thanks to its high elevation along the Continental Divide, Arapahoe is typically the first to open and the last to close in Colorado. In April, ski patrol begins to open up the bigger lines on the mythic East Wall and steep skiing becomes a big draw at this Summit County standard.
Where to stay: Stay in the Frisco/Lake Dillon area, located just 30 minutes from Arapahoe Basin, and you can enjoy more than just skiing. Historic, downtown Frisco offers an array of charming shops, restaurants, and bars to enjoy. For a home-away-from-home experience opt for The Frisco Cedar Cabin for a higher-end stay and Cabin in the Woods for a more budget-friendly mountain home experience.
See all Frisco/Lake Dillon lodging options →
Top Skiing in Europe in April
Zermatt, Switzerland – 10,800’
Boasting the longest ski season in the Alps thanks to its high elevation, glacier skiing, and north-facing slopes, Zermatt offers skiing year-round! Ski across the Italian border to Cervinia through early May, and then schuss while soaking in the views from Glacier Paradise atop the Klein Matterhorn cable car.
Where to stay: Dating back to 1879, the historic Grand Hotel Zermatterhof is less than 250 yards from the lifts and provides a truly elegant, uniquely Alpine guest experience. See photos →
Verbier, Switzerland – 10,925’
This high-Alpine French ski area, which is part of the 4 Vallées, is known for awesome spring conditions, all despite having a southern orientation. That’s because Verbier has invested heavily in state-of-the-art snow-making, particularly lower down on the resort.
Where to stay: Perched at 1’531 meters, just steps away from the main Verbier ski lifts, W Verbier offers immediate access to more than 400 kilometers of ski terrain, plus 5-star amenities and services. See photos →
St. Anton, Austria – 9,222’
Most seasons, St. Anton is open from late November through early May thanks to its many north-facing slopes. But, if you want to ski on the southerly sunny slopes, you can do that too in St. Anton, as the resort is well-equipped with snowmaking.
Where to stay: Located in the pedestrian zone and only a 5-minute walk to the cable cars, the four-star Sporthotel is known for its authentic Tyrolean hospitality, wonderful onsite restaurants, and amenities. See photos →
Val Thorens, France – 10,597’
With high, snow-sure slopes, Val Thorens is open through May most seasons and the lift-accessed Peclet glacier makes summer skiing possible. Val Thorens is so confident of its snow cover it offers a snow guarantee for those coming for spring turns.
Where to stay: For ski in ski out access, a traditional Alpine atmosphere, and four-star services and amenities, book your stay at Hotel Le Val Thorens. See photos →
Tignes / Val d’Isere, France – 12,293’
Tignes and Val d’Isere make up 300-kilometer Espace Killy—one of the largest ski resorts in Europe—which is typically open until early May. Due to a high-elevation locale and the Grande Motte glacier, the spring skiing is some of the best in the French Alps.
Where to stay: Charming only begins to describe the ski in ski out Hotel Village Montana at Tignes. This chalet-style hotel features rustic modern style with traditional Alpine details and atmosphere. Enjoy three onsite restaurants, bar/lounge and health spa, outdoor heated pool, and much more. See photos →
Engelberg, Switzerland – 10,627’
Enjoy year-round turns on the Titlis glacier at Engelberg, which is convenient to Zurich and Lucerne. As you travel upwards to this year-round playground, you’ll enjoy 360-degree views of the central Alps on the Titlis Rotair, the world’s first rotating gondola. Once at the top of Klein Titlis, you can access the Glacier Snow Park via the Ice Flyer chairlift.
Where to stay: Hotel Terrace was built in 1903 and is just as lovely today as it was more than 115 years ago. Situated on the south-facing slope in Engelberg, the hotel is just a short lift ride from the village center as well as the bus stop for the free skier shuttle to the cable-car station. See photos →
Top Skiing in Canada in April
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia – 7,160’
When Blackcomb Mountain closes, Whistler Mountain typically continues hosting an extended spring ski season before glacier skiing and camps start hosting skiers and riders in July.
Where to stay: The Westin Resort and Spa provides easy access to the Blackcomb Excalibur Gondola, plus a host of world-class services and amenities. See photos →
Banff Lake Louise, Alberta – 8,954’ (Sunshine Village)
Lake Louise ski area will normally close near the end of April and offers great skiing throughout the month. If skiing past April is on your bucklist, head over to nearby Sunshine Village, which is always the last of the SkiBig3 resorts to close with the annual Slush Cup.
Where to stay: Offering a perfect blend of seclusion, luxury, and relative convenience to downtown Banff and the three resorts, Fairmont Banff Springs is a top lodging choice. See photos →