The best resorts for an early season ski trip
May 17, 2020
An age old question of skiers is where to go in late November or early December so that they can guarantee good snow conditions. Whilst there’s never a 100% guarantee of good snow there are ways in which you can definitely increase your chances. Having altitude on your side, heading to a resort with glacial skiing or fantastic snow making facilities all helps.
So below you will find not only a shortlist of resorts which are excellent for an early season ski trip but ones which can also be seen as a fantastic choice for those looking for a snow-sure resort throughout the season.
If by early season you mean skiing all year round, then Zermatt is the answer. The exceptional altitude of Zermatt’s ski area means that the slopes are open 365 days a year so long as there aren’t adverse weather conditions such as very high winds.
The highest point of Zermatt’s ski area is 3,899 metres which is an astounding altitude. The pistes are excellent and there’s a real variety of slopes to keep the best skiers and snowboarders happy. There are also some incredible mountain restaurants to visit for lunches or coffee breaks between skiing.
In terms of the winter season when increasingly more ski slopes should be open to keen early season skiers and snowboarders. The ski slopes in Zermatt are open throughout the year including July and August, however the main winter season is from the end of November to the end of April. During the winter season there is a significant increase in skiers hitting the slopes during these months. Over the summer there are 21 kilometres of pistes to explore but the full area encompassing Zermatt and Cervinia provides 360 kilometres of perfect pistes.
Tignes and Val d’Isère collectively form the Espace Killy ski area. With 300 kilometres of slopes to explore and an overwhelming majority of these being above 2,300 metres, altitude definitely helps with early season skiing.
Tignes is home to the Grande Motte glacier which offers skiing over the summer months and Val d’Isère also has its own glacier in Le Fornet. With the ski area reaching 3,456 meters in altitude there’s a lot of snow-sure skiing to be had and the Espace Killy often fairs exceptionally well for December skiing.
The resort of Tignes is located at 2,100 metres altitude whilst Val d’Isère is 1,850 metres so both are excellent starting points height wise. The ski season typically runs from the last week in November to the first week in May offering over five full months of incredible skiing.
Obergurgl is less known than the other ski resorts on this list but that is no bad thing. This picturesque Austrian ski resort is set at an altitude of 1,907 metres and perfect for families, beginners and intermediates looking for an early season ski trip as there are a number of gentle slopes and beginner friendly areas.
Obergurgl is also linked to Hochgurgl, both coming under the same lift pass and Hochgurgl affords guests glacial skiing. The snow is historically excellent particularly in the early and late part of the ski season and there’s warm Austrian hospitality to enjoy as well. Obergurgl is normally the first non-glacial ski resort to open and the last to close, with the winter season typically running from the end of November to the mid-end of April.
Sitting at 2,300 metres above sea level is the French ski resort of Val Thorens, Europe’s highest ski resort and one of the safest options for an early season ski trip! The popular resort is part of the Three Valleys ski area which provides 600 kilometres of pistes in total, although during the early season not all of these slopes will be open.
Val Thorens has skiing up to 3,220 metres at the Pointe du Bouchet and the Péclet Glacier which ensures good snow cover. A large number of the slopes are also north or north-west facing which helps to protect them from the sun which is excellent for skiing late in the season as well. The length of the ski season in Val Thorens is one of the longest that there is, running from mid-late November into the first or second week of May typically.
Admittedly this is a bit of a weak link in the group, but bear with me… Whilst St. Anton’s first couple of week’s of the season can be a little lacklustre in terms of snow, it’s worthy of inclusion for its snow-sure spirit throughout the season.
The Arlberg area is home to St. Anton and a number of other resorts including Warth-Schröcken. This little known pocket of the Arlberg typically tops the list for having the highest volume of snowfall in the Alps each winter thanks to local weather fronts, the protection of miles and miles of surrounding mountains and a more generous sprinkling of snow than you might expect each year. Add to this the fact that a large number of the slopes are north facing so hold the snow well and that over 95% of the slopes of St. Anton are covered by snow cannon cover, it is easy to see how this is a great snow-sure resort.
Are you ready to go skiing and head to the Alps but waiting for winter to hit? Speak to one of our specialists today to start planning your ski trip and we can help you find the resort to suit you best. Whether that’s for an early season ski trip, snow-sure slopes in the middle of the season or for skiing and sun towards the end of the season.
