Spring is Back in the Alps

9th April 2024

Last modified on April 12th, 2024

The roller-coaster weather continues. There were record April highs in the Alps last weekend, then the temperature plunged, now it’s warm again. UPDATED

Once again April delivers out in the Alps with a mixture of sun and snow.

The season isn’t over yet if you head to the right resorts.

PlanetsKI reader, Vanessa Fisher, has been St Martin de Belleville in Les3Vallees in France this week.

Les3Vallees, France. Image c/o Vanessa Fisher.

“Thursday 11th April and a 20 degree change back to the expected Spring weather in Les Menuires and Saint Martin de Belleville,”said Vanessa.

“It is typical of the whole season with large temperature fluctuations.

“There was incredible powder in the morning off piste after Wednesdays cold & snowy day, but by midday it was definitely safer to stay on the pistes as the temperatures rose quickly.”

Les3Vallees, France. Image c/o Vanessa Fisher.

“By 4pm the return to village runs are obviously struggling in the hot spring sunshine but still incredible skiing conditions across the whole 3Vallees for the time of year.

“We are expecting another beautiful sunny day to finish off the Easter holidays in the French Alps today.”

Les3Vallees, France. Image c/o Vanessa Fisher.

There was plenty of fresh snow earlier this week in Austria:

In France it started to snow in Val Thorens in Les3Vallees in France at mid-morning on Tuesday.

PlanetSKI reader Vanessa Fisher is staying in the neighbouring & linked resort of Les Menuires slightly lower down in Les3Vallees.

“The rain turned to snow in Les Menuires by 10.30am today with some heavy snow in VT,” said Vanessa on Tuesday.

She also reported that the wind has dropped.

Les3Vallees, France. Image c/o Vanessa Fisher.

It’s been interesting following the alpine weather this winter with a wide variety of conditions across the Alps and substantial changes happening very quickly.

“It has been a winter like none I can remember with such huge variations and drastic swings,” said PlanetSKI’s James Cove.

“Out in Austria last weekend it was like the middle of summer with the freezing level at 4,000m, well-above its highest peaks.”

April heatwave hits the Alps

“Now it is set to change again with the freezing level dropping to around 1,000m and people being warned to keep the snow tyres on their cars.”

“It will turn cooler on Tuesday and Wednesday, with some snow forecast to fall in many regions, which will improve conditions considerably,” said Fraser Wilkin from weathertoski.co.uk on Monday.

“Late on Tuesday the rain/snow limit will drop quickly to between 1,200m and 1,500m, and even lower in places on Wednesday.

“With significant accumulations of between 20-50cm at altitude, conditions will improve considerably in the higher resorts that remain open, including Val d’Isère, Val Thorens, Cervinia and Zermatt.

“These, alongside Tignes and Saas-Fee, will be our picks for the best snow conditions in the Alps later this week.”

If you are thinking of an April ski trip then do check out this report on the best places to head to: