Expect a warm weekend in Europe if you’re heading out to the slopes for a late-season Easter break.  The conditions are definitely deteriorating now, with plenty of snow-melt in lower resorts.

There has been some fresh snow in France this week and conditions are looking particularly good in Val d’Isere and Alpe d’Huez, although the runs to resort are quite slushy.

Warm sun all week in Austria and Switzerland means conditions are struggling, especially in lower resorts.   In most resorts, the lower slopes are now closed.  There are some snow flurries forecast for next week in parts of the Austrian and Italian Alps, but the snow level is now around 2500m so aim high!

We were skiing in Saas Fee and Saas Grund last weekend, courtesy of Crystal Ski and Switzerland Tourism, and the snow conditions were superb with beautiful corduroy pistes and sunshine, although the run down to the village at Saas Grund was decidedly patchy.  The toboggan run from the top of the Hannig in Saas Fee finally closed last weekend too as, due to snow melt and overnight freezing, it was becoming too icy to be safe.

Spring has also very definitely arrived across the pond although – thanks to superb snowfall this winter – conditions remain especially good in Canada and west coast resorts of the USA.  On the east coast, there’s been no snow for a couple of weeks and so conditions are deteriorating.  More white stuff is scheduled for Sunday so, hopefully, the situation will improve.

In northern Europe, it’s a very different picture.  Conditions in Norway and Sweden remain excellent thanks to colder temperatures and even a bout of fresh snow over the past day or two.

We fell in love with the Norwegian resort of Geilo, when we visited it for the first time earlier this season, and the snow’s still amazing out there two months on.   What’s more, there’s more forecast for Saturday and Sunday.

So… if you’re thinking about booking a last-minute ski break – head high or head north!