Die-hard skiers hate to see the season end. It’s a yearly quest to stretch the ski season for as long as possible, but locating decent spring skiing is not has difficult as you might think. In fact, there are plenty of French ski resorts that fill the need. Some of the best late-season skiing can be found in the magnificent mountains of France, where the good times continue to roll well into the spring.
1. Val Thorens
Suitable for everyone from beginners to expert, Val Thorens boasts the Alps’ highest resort at 2300m. Many slopes face north and have limited sun exposure, offering excellent conditions late into the season. Two small glaciers and slopes that run from 1800 to 3230m contribute to the beauty of what is usually one of the last resorts to close for the season.
2. Arc 1950/2000
With ample protection from the sun, Arc 1950/2000 generally maintains its high-quality snow cover into the spring months. Ski height is 1200-3255m and is welcoming enough for beginners and exciting enough for advanced skiers.
3. Val d’Isère/Tignes
Intermediate to advanced skiers love the adventure of Val d’Isère/Tignes and its high altitude skiing. Slopes offer a variety of challenging runs that keep avid skiers coming back for more. A couple of glistening glaciers help the quality of snow to remain satisfactory quite late into the spring. In fact, you’ll often find the slopes filled with skiers until the second week of May.
4. Les 2 Alpes
While some runs may be a bit patchy, snow on the higher slopes is wonderful in the spring. Well-suited for intermediates to advanced level skiers, the resort claims one of the largest glaciers in the Alps. With the highest piste in all of France, it’s easy to see why Les 2 Alpes made the top five list.
5. Argentière – Chamonix
This one is not for the beginner, but expert skiers flock to Argentière for good reason – the late season offers some of the best snow of the year. Altitudes reach 1035-3275m and the higher altitudes tend to have the best snow. The resort is located at 1240m and offers all the charm and elegance that makes France such a popular ski destination.
Photos: KittyKat3756, linssimato , phil_br , the3k86, Yuri Saranchov
