Spring skiing: a guide to the best time of the season

You also send me plenty of questions: what is skiing like in spring, are conditions still good, how should you prepare and is it worth going at this time of year at all? So I decided to gather everything in one place and share the experience I have built up over many spring trips.

Because the truth is this: spring skiing can be absolutely brilliant. You just need to know how to prepare for it.

Weather is the foundation: go when the conditions are right

In spring the weather matters much more than in winter, and it is the first thing I consider when planning a trip. In winter the snow is usually stable. Even in poorer weather you can ski in decent conditions. In spring everything depends on temperature and sunshine.

If the temperature drops below freezing at night, the slope “sets” and in the morning you get a hard, fast surface. That is the perfect basis for a good day. But if the nights are warm, the snow has no chance to freeze and can be heavy, wet and demanding from first thing in the morning.

That is why before a trip I always check the night-time temperatures, the hours of sunshine and the general forecasts. If I can, I react. Even a small change of dates can make a huge difference.

Choosing a resort: altitude makes the difference

I know from experience that in spring the choice of resort matters even more than in winter. What works perfectly in January may no longer make sense in March or April.

The biggest problem is the lower slopes. That is where the snow disappears fastest and where pistes most often close. You can have great conditions at the top and still be unable to ski down to the valley.

So I always look at the resort's altitude and the range of its pistes. The more skiing above 2,000 metres, the better the chance of good conditions. Glaciers or very good snowmaking are an added bonus.

I know, though, that in practice we do not always have a free hand. Very often we plan a trip in advance (we book accommodation, buy ski passes, arrange transport) and simply go where we decided to go earlier. In that situation changing resort is out of the question, and often we cannot match the dates to the weather either. So below I share some concrete tips to help you prepare well for a spring trip and make the most of the conditions, wherever and whenever you go.

Planning the day: conditions change faster than you think

One of the most common mistakes is assuming that the resort runs the same way as in peak season. In spring the reality is different. Some pistes may already be closed, especially lower down, not all lifts are running and sometimes you cannot ski down to the valley. That is why every morning I check the snow report and the map of open pistes. It tells me where to go and how to plan the day. It is a small habit that really makes a big difference.

The second key thing is to understand that in spring you do not ski “where you want” but “where the conditions are”. And these change during the day along with the sun. In the morning I start on the sunny slopes. That is where the snow becomes pleasant fastest. As time goes on I move higher up or to pistes in the shade, where the snow stays in good shape for longer.

To make good use of this, study the resort map beforehand and plan your skiing for the whole day deliberately. I pay attention to the aspect of the slopes, their position relative to the sun and their altitude. That way I know which pistes will be best in the morning and which will work later on. This approach lets you adapt your skiing to the conditions as you go and genuinely extend the good skiing by as much as a few hours.

This brings me to another absolute basic: you have to get up earlier. The best conditions are in the morning and they end very quickly. If you are on the first lift, you get a freshly groomed slope and can ski dynamically and precisely. With every hour the snow gets softer and more demanding, so I treat the morning as the most important part of the day and the afternoon more as a bonus or a time for more relaxed skiing.

Clothing: light, but sensible

In spring we head to the mountains expecting sunshine and pleasant temperatures. And very often that is exactly what we get: beautiful weather and temperatures above zero during the day. But I have also skied in typically wintry conditions, with temperatures dropping even below -10°C, when only a warm jacket and solid ski trousers kept me comfortable. There are also very warm days, real “T-shirt weather”, so you need to be ready for that scenario too.

That is why it is always worth checking the weather forecast before you go and choosing your clothing accordingly. In spring the range of temperatures and conditions can be really wide, especially as we often ski in high-altitude resorts, where the weather can change quickly.

Layering works best: a light jacket or softshell, good breathable base layers and the ability to adjust quickly to the temperature. The morning can be really chilly, while at midday you often end up skiing with your jacket open or in just a fleece. It is also worth taking an extra layer, for example a light fleece or a gilet, which is ideal for the morning runs or at the end of the day, when the temperature starts to drop again.

In warmer conditions it is also much easier to sweat, so I always take extra sets of base layers. I go for breathable, quick-drying materials and also use an effective antiperspirant. Skiing in the sun makes you sweat faster, and base layers pick up unpleasant smells very quickly. So it is worth having spares and changing into fresh ones every day, and if that is not possible, washing them in the evening so they are ready to use in the morning. This is really not something to take lightly. More than once I have found it hard to bear a gondola cabin because someone clearly had not looked after their hygiene.

Snow conditions, technique and equipment

In spring the snow changes during the day, and your skiing should change with it. In the morning you can ski fast, precisely and dynamically, making use of the hard surface. It is the best time for long, confident turns and carving on the edge. As time goes on the snow becomes softer, heavier and more uneven. Moguls appear and the pistes become more physically demanding.

In these conditions you need to change your approach: ski more smoothly, cut down on aggressive movements, keep a more centred stance and work actively with your legs. In my experience, the sooner you accept the change in conditions and adapt your style, the more you will get out of the whole day.

Equipment also matters a great deal and can make a big difference in spring. Wider skis cope much better with soft, cut-up snow and give more stability in “slush”. In the morning, on hard snow, skis with a sportier character (stiffer and narrower underfoot) work brilliantly, but in the afternoon they often become more demanding and less comfortable.

That is why hiring equipment on the spot is a good solution. In many resorts you can easily choose skis to suit the current conditions and even swap them during the day. I have used this option myself and it really does make a difference: in the morning you can ski on more precise equipment, then switch to something wider and more “forgiving” in the soft snow.

Nor should you forget about servicing. Spring snow is wet and often dirty, so skis without proper preparation start to “brake”. Use warm-weather wax and keep your bases regularly prepared. Even well-chosen skis will not be fun if they are not properly prepared.

Well-chosen equipment combined with adapted technique can completely change how spring conditions feel: from tiring to genuinely enjoyable.

Sun, visibility and safety

The spring sun in the mountains is very strong and really easy to underestimate. Its rays reflect off the snow, which makes them even stronger, so sun protection is an absolute must. I use sun cream, protect my lips and eyes and, importantly, I do it regularly, not just in the morning. Sunburn on a ski trip is very easy to avoid, yet it can ruin the following days of your trip.

When it comes to sun cream, it pays to choose carefully. On the slopes the best choice is a high-factor cream, SPF 30 or 50, which protects against both UVB and UVA radiation. It is also important that the cream has a richer, protective texture. Not a light summer cream, but a product that also shields the skin from wind and moisture loss. Ideally it should contain moisturising and regenerating ingredients such as shea butter, ceramides or panthenol. Apply the cream a quarter of an hour or so before heading out to the slopes and reapply during the day, especially in strong sunshine.

Remember to protect your lips and hands too. A lip balm with UV protection is a must, as chapped lips can really spoil your skiing. Your hands, even in gloves, are exposed to wind and dry air, so after a full day it is worth moisturising them.

Eye protection, however, is not just about the sun but also about visibility and safety. In spring, conditions on the slopes change quickly, from hard morning pistes through soft snow to cut-up “slush” in the afternoon. Add to that the strong light, the glare off the snow and the changing contrast. That is why well-chosen goggles and lenses are one of the key pieces of kit.

Types of goggle lens: what do S1, S2, S3 and S4 mean?

Goggle lenses are rated in filter categories S0 to S4, which describe how much light passes through the lens (known as VLT, Visible Light Transmission)

Goggle lenses are rated in filter categories S0 to S4, which describe how dark the lens is and how much light it lets through. In practice it looks like this:

• S0 (80 to 100% of light): very light or clear, for night skiing or very poor visibility
• S1 (43 to 80%): for cloudy days, fog and snowfall
• S2 (18 to 43%): all-round, good in changeable conditions
• S3 (8 to 18%): for sunny days, ideal for typical spring weather
• S4 (under 8%): very dark, for extreme sunshine, glaciers and high mountains.

If you only use one lens, S2 or S3 will be the most versatile. In practice, in spring I mostly use S3 lenses, and in very strong sunshine the even darker S4.

I am not a big fan of goggles with photochromic lenses. This comes mainly from my own experience: I have skied in fog or cloud, with limited visibility, and the lens still stayed dark and was not as comfortable as a lighter lens. I realise, though, that we cannot always carry several lenses or a second pair of goggles.

In those situations photochromic lenses can be a convenient and practical solution. They adapt to the conditions automatically. In the morning, in weaker light, they are lighter, and they darken as the sunshine gets stronger. In spring, when conditions can change during the day, for many people this will be a compromise between convenience and function.

Beyond the skiing itself, think about protecting your eyes during breaks too. Spring trips often mean sunshine, terraces and longer breaks outdoors. At times like these good sunglasses with a UV filter are very useful. It is also worth having a light hat, a cap or some other headwear. It is a small thing, but it makes you much more comfortable.

In higher temperatures the body tires and dehydrates faster, especially when skiing in heavy, wet snow. So I make sure to drink water regularly and take breaks. This helps me keep my energy and concentration all day.

Safety matters too. In spring the risk of wet-snow avalanches rises, especially in the afternoon, when the temperature is highest. Anyone planning to ski off-piste should be fully aware of this and properly prepared.

In short: in spring, good visibility, sun protection and managing fatigue have a huge impact not only on your comfort but also on your safety on the slopes.

Summary

Spring skiing can be the best trip of the season. Not only because of the better weather and longer days, but also thanks to more stable conditions in the morning, smaller crowds and a completely different, more relaxed atmosphere on the slopes. It is a time when you can combine good skiing with the pleasure of being in the mountains, without the pressure and rush typical of mid-season.

The key is:

• adapting to the weather and conditions
• planning your day deliberately
• studying the resort map and choosing pistes according to sunshine, altitude and conditions
• skiing with the sun
• getting out on the slopes early
• adapting your technique
• looking after your equipment and comfort

Finally, something that for many is the biggest plus. Spring skiing is not just about the skiing, but also the atmosphere. Fewer people on the slopes, often lower prices and a much more relaxed feel. Sunshine, terraces, a gentler pace. All this makes a trip like this a completely different experience from mid-season.

Put all of this together and a spring trip can give you something special: great conditions, a relaxed mood and real enjoyment of your skiing.