When to go skiing in the Alps? The best time to hit the slopes

Written on : 09 October 2023
By : Steve Dunne

Every winter groups of friends and families flock to the storied slopes of the Alps to make the most of the endless array of pistes, spectacular scenery, lively après ski and the cosy, chalet-lined towns and villages that make up this spectacular mountain region. The reasons for visiting are thousand-fold, but when is the best time to experience the one-of-a-kind magic of the Alps?

We detail the pros and cons of each month, so that you can choose the time that best suits you, for the perfect winter break in the Alps.

October - Glacier skiing and half-term options in some places

For some, the days becoming shorter, the air crisper and the trees' mournful shedding of once verdant leaves can bring a sense of gentle melancholy to their lives. The last lingering days of summer are but a memory, the feel of sand under their feet a fallacy, the scent of suncream in their nostrils little more than a myth, and the foreboding chill of winter now inevitable...

For others, it's the signal to rummage under the stairs for their skis and thermals and jump on the first plane to the Alps! Fortunately for the most eager among you, there are a handful of alpine glacier resorts already sprinkled with snow by the Autumn half-term school holiday, with pristine runs begging to be carved through and dishes of melted raclette and Savoyard delicacies awaiting eager mouths and bellies.

Of course, many of the restaurants and bars are unlikely to be open and the weather is less predictable at this time of year, with the possibility for disappointment at lower levels, but at the highest altitudes, especially those with glacier skiing, you can be confident you'll find plenty of fresh powder before the winter crowds arrive.

Ski resorts to look out for in October:

Gstaad*, St Moritz & Zermatt* (Switzerland), Hintertux*, Solden (both Austria), Cervinia (Italy)

*offers year-round glacier skiing, however the official season usually begins at the end of November

November - Switzerland's top resorts open

A great time to visit, if you can get the time off work, as it sits between the popular half-term and winter holiday seasons, providing a greater chance of powder than October alongside the opportunity to enjoy uninterrupted skiing and little-to-no queues for the lifts. A handful of popular resorts open in November - so you will start to have a wider selection of resorts to choose from, as well as an increased likelihood that the bars, restaurants and other amenities are operating, while opening parties are not uncommon at this time of year.

Of course, there is no guarantee that the snow conditions will be as hoped for, but for those willing to take a risk, or content to enjoy the alpine ambience and alternative activities with or without the ski, November provides an intriguing option.

Ski resorts to look out for in November:

Tignes/Val d'Isere, Val Thorens, Courchevel, Meribel (France), Verbier, Crans-Montana (Swiss Alps)

December - Season opening in all major resorts

The official opening of the ski season across the Alps sees all the best destinations opening in time for the winter holidays, with those at high altitudes naturally more likely to offer the best snow conditions. While recent years have seen increased unpredictability in the weather, December is still one of the most popular times to visit the Alps, when a festive atmosphere is enjoyed by all and the chances of a white Christmas still higher than almost anywhere else. For those wishing to avoid the crowds, however, this might not be your best bet. For those wishing to make the most of the delightful Christmas markets and après-ski, you couldn't ask for a better time!

Ski resorts to look out for in December:

...All of them!

January - See in the New Year with a spot of skiing

With the Christmas and New Year celebrations fresh in your minds and the season now in full swing, January is among the best months to visit the Alps to indulge in the full alpine ski experience. As such, early on before the kids go back to school it is also among the most popular times to visit - but with the snow likely to be widespread throughout the Alps, there are plenty of options for places to ski, and the choice you make will be governed more by your tastes and requirements (family-oriented, good resorts for groups, lively après-ski, special events etc) than by your need to chase down the best powder. The children are usually back at school by the second week of January, after which point the queues thin out and you find your best chance of having the slopes to yourself.

In recent years the January weather has become a little unpredictable with milder winters and lighter snowfall not uncommon. Although many of the top resorts in the French, Swiss and Tyrolean Alps have not been too badly affected, to guard against disappointment, our advice is still to head to the snowsure high altitude slopes, with anything over 1500m a safe bet.

Ski resorts to look out for in January:

Lech & St Anton (Austria), Megève, Chamonix & St Gervais (France)

February - Half-term holidays and a festive atmosphere

With the ski season in full flow, February probably represents the best month for alpine skiing, as a combination of reliable snow cover, warmer daytime temperatures and an ideal time for beating the winter blues comes together to bring everything you could hope for from an alpine holiday in some of the best resorts in Europe.

February sees the French and English school half-term holidays and therefore guarantees a busy time on the slopes. But rather than see the crowds as a drawback we believe it's a question of embracing it, as it's a fantastic opportunity to introduce for children to the magical world of alpine skiing, and in many ways represents the best month for a sociable, snow-sure, skiing holiday full of days packed with activities to keep everyone entertained.

Ski resorts to look out for in February:

Meribel, Courchevel (1650 for families), Chamonix, Tignes/Val d'Isère, Morzine, La Plagne... (France); St Anton, Zillertal & Lech (Austria); Zermatt, Verbier, St Moritz (Switzerland)

March - perhaps the best time to ski in Europe

The snow conditions in March remain first-class, often with a deeper layer of snow than February, while - early Easter aside - there tend to be fewer people on the slopes, especially during the week. The longer days and warmer sun alongside the reliable snow conditions mean you can experience the best of both worlds when you head to the Alps in March. It also sees many events take place, such as the Slopestyle World Cup and the Snowboxx music festival in Avoriaz, Rock The Pistes occurring in Les Gets, Chatel and Tomorrowland in Alpe d'Huez,

By the end of March, you might see a handful of resorts starting to shut up shop, but by and large, the snow conditions should still be good, with plenty of skiing still to be enjoyed.

Ski resorts to look out for in March:

Avoriaz, Morzine, Alpe d'Huez, St Martin de Belleville, Chatel, Les Gets (France)

April - season ends with a party atmosphere

April tends to see the close of the ski season with the snow by now less reliable and the skiing giving way in some of the lower-lying resorts to hiking and cycling by late-April. The closing of the season is marked with fireworks displays and the same festive atmosphere that marked its opening - events take place throughout the Alps as the longer days and better weather make it a glorious time to spend an afternoon on a terrace looking out over the jaw-dropping scenery.

In Switzerland, Zermatt Unplugged brings live music to the slopes, while Crans Montana sees the Caprices Techno Festival and Mayrhoffen in Austria hosts the popular Snowbombing festival. When all this is met with the possibility of Easter holidays, it's fair to say that this is the best time to find a party in the Alps.

Ski resorts to look out for in April:

Zermatt, Crans Montana (Switzerland)

May - The skiing ends as the Alps come alive

In general, there isn't a lot of skiing to be had by May. However, some of the early season resorts -especially those with glacier skiing - may still be open, such as Tignes/Val d'Isère, Zermatt, Cervinia. For those worried about the possibility of a big melt ruining your holiday plans, let us remind you that there is plenty more to the Alps than just skiing. This is the time of year when most of the slopes turn from patchy white to brilliant green, when the lower-lying valleys and much of the land comes to life, and Mother Nature is in her full splendour.

What's more, with most of the ski tourists now absent, it's a great time to take in some hiking, biking, via ferratas and other pursuits that make this region so special.