Posted on Monday, 16 March 2015

While the green shoots of spring may be in evidence across the UK, it's still cold and snowy in many loftier parts of the world – which means there is still plenty of great skiing and snowboarding to be enjoyed.

You'll find ski holiday deals are significantly cheaper towards the end of the season, as well as being much quieter than in high season.

And to make a late-season ski getaway even more appealing, you're likely to be blessed with more sunshine, too. This could well mean longer lift opening times and the ability to enjoy food and drink on slope-side drinking holes and eateries whilst catching a few rays.

What makes for a good late-season venue?

The best late season venues are those located above 2000m, where the snow generally lasts longer. Resorts with reliable snow are also found in more northerly locations.

Here are ten of the best late-season spots to consider:

1. Riksgransen, Sweden

The Land of the Midnight Sun offers numerous lofty late-season resorts, but Riksgransen is among the very best. Located 200km inside the Arctic Circle, this venue is certainly cold enough to keep its snow. In fact, the late season is when Riksgransen comes into its own, ending in June!

2. Åre, Sweden

Billed as Europe's most expansive and forward-looking resorts, Åre is another diamond in the Swedish ski industry's crown. With the ski action lasting until May, this late-season favourite gives you 100 pistes to enjoy. A night ski in Åre is a must.

3. Val Thorens, France

With lifts that don't stop until early May, there's still plenty of time to enjoy this, one of France's premiere ski venues. Due to the resort lying at over 2000m good snow coverage is likely even in May.

4. Zermatt, Switzerland

They don't come much higher than the 3,899m Zermatt – so you can expect the snow to linger. Arguably Switzerland's finest late-season resort, Zermatt also offers summer-time glacial skiing, too.

5. Tignes, France

Tignes's main resort can be skied until early May, while summer skiing can be enjoyed on the venue's glacier from June onwards. The latter boasts over 20km of pistes and a scary 750m vertical drop.

6. Livigno, Italy

With pistes located 3000m above sea level, Livigno offers world class skiing even in late April (sometimes reaching into May). This large resort boasts tax-free status, which means you can enjoy après ski drinks for considerably less than in other resorts.

7. Saas Fee, Switzerland

Oozing real old-world charm, picturesque Saas Fee is a great late season venue with slopes located between 1800m and 3500m, as well as glacial access.

8. Gassan, Japan

Because it gets up to 8m of snow in winter, Gassan doesn't even open until April – because gaining access is impossible until then. The epitome of a late-season venue, Gassan, located on Honshu Island, offers ‘ski fun in the Land of the Rising Sun' – until July.

9. Mammoth, California

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, you might think that snow seldom survives long in Mammoth. But it is in fact one of the USA's most popular late-season resorts, where the on-piste action lasts until June. And if you fancy a beach holiday afterwards, you don't have far to go.

10. Whistler-Blackcomb, Canada

June is the rough end-date of skiing and snowboarding action at Whistler-Blackcomb, the snow's longevity boosted by the presence of a glacier. A former winner of the world's best ski resort accolade, the snow here is even more reliable in the late season period thanks to excellent snow making equipment.

Are You Snow Covered?

If one of these ski resorts tickles your fancy as a late season ski destination, don't forget to take out adequate winter sports insurance before you go. You can easily add ski cover to starttravel.co.uk's travel insurance for a small additional fee.

Learn more about our winter sports cover now.

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