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Entry 13

Easter Days in the Alps

20th January 2026

Easter is our favourite time of year to ski in the Alps.
For some people, it’s the first ski trip of the winter; for others, a second escape once the mountain feels more relaxed.

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Whether it’s Verbier 4 Vallées or Méribel 3 Vallées, Easter arrives with a feeling that’s easy to settle into. The days are longer, the air feels warmer, and there’s less appetite for rushing. Mornings still belong to the mountain. We tend to start early because the skiing is genuinely good at this time of year. The snow has settled, the pistes ski cleanly, and everything feels a little more forgiving underfoot. Across both resorts, the skiing is easier to enjoy without chasing queues. Early April often brings the occasional overnight refresh, just enough new snow to keep the mornings crisp before the sun settles in for the day. Sunglasses come out early, jackets loosen, and while the pistes are quieter, the energy feels at its fullest.

As the morning rolls on, the sun starts making the decisions. Terraces fill quickly, skis come off and boots loosen. Menus land, orders overlap, bottles of rosé arrive on ice, and plates start appearing as conversations pick up. Lunch gathers pace, time blurs, and before anyone really clocks it, it’s drifted straight into après.


Our Favourite Terrace Restaurants

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There are a few places that always pull us back, thanks to their sunny terraces.

In Verbier: Le Dahu, Chez Dany, and La Marmotte.
In Méribel: Maya Altitude, La Folie Douce, and Beefbar Méribel.

Each has its own feel, but they all do the same thing at Easter - they keep you on the terrace longer than planned, ordering one more bottle, knowing there’s no rush anywhere else.

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Favourite Off-Ski Moments
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‍Away from the skis, we keep things simple.

In Verbier: a snowshoe walk up to Chez Dany is an easy way to stay out on the mountain without putting the skis back on.
In Méribel, tobogganing is the go-to, fast and exactly the right adrenaline hit once the skis come off.

For anyone planning a spring trip, Easter offers time in the Alps without the rush. You ski well, slow down sooner, and spend more of the day enjoying where you are, long lunches, warm terraces, and the simple pleasure of being in the mountains.

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Written by Emelia Risi, Creative Marketing at Armadillo Chalets.

Is Verbier or Méribel better for a spring ski holiday?

Both work well at Easter, and the choice comes down to what you want from the days off the slope. Verbier's higher altitude (up to 3,300 metres) holds snow slightly longer into spring and suits those who want serious off-piste terrain alongside the sunshine. Méribel, sitting inside the vast 3 Vallées, is the easier choice for mixed-ability groups and families, with gentler terrain and a wider spread of on-mountain lunch spots. Neither is the wrong answer; it's a question of terrain preference more than snow quality.

What should I pack for skiing in the Alps at Easter?

Spring skiing needs a different kit list than midwinter. Mornings are still genuinely cold, so base layers and a proper jacket matter for the first few runs, but by midday temperatures can climb well above freezing on sunny terraces, so lighter layers you can shed matter just as much. Sunglasses and a high-SPF sunscreen are essential, the spring sun at altitude is stronger than it looks. A lot of guests end up skiing in a t-shirt under a shell by early afternoon, having started the day in a full winter setup.

Is an Easter ski holiday cheaper than February half term?

Generally, yes. Easter falls outside the main school-holiday peak in most regions, so chalet and flight prices typically sit lower than the February half-term window, even though the skiing itself is just as good, if not better, given the settled spring snow. It's worth booking early regardless, since good-weather years mean Easter demand can catch up quickly once word gets around that conditions are strong.
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