Ski Holiday Planning

Easter Skiing 2027: School Holiday Dates and Resorts That Hold Their Snow

Easter 2027 is early, but UK school Easter holidays stretch from late March to mid-April. Here is how to match the week to the right altitude, what spring snow is really like, and what to check before booking a late chalet.

By ChaletAway Editorial Team•Published •5 min read
Skier in an orange helmet carving through sunlit fresh snow on an open slope

Easter is the ski holiday for people who like sunshine. Long days, warm lunches on the terrace, softer snow, and children who are not frozen by three o'clock. The risk is that the snow on the lower slopes has gone. For families who can travel around the Easter weekend itself, that risk is smaller in 2027, because Easter falls early.

Easter 2027 dates

Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027. Good Friday is 26 March and Easter Monday is 29 March. Late March is still well within the main season in most of the Alps.

UK school Easter holidays are another matter. They are set locally and spread over almost four weeks.

NationTypical 2027 Easter school holidayNotes
WalesMonday 22 March to Friday 2 AprilWelsh Government term dates; check your council
EnglandVaries by council, between about 26 March and 12 AprilMost councils give two weeks around Easter
ScotlandMostly early to mid-AprilEdinburgh lists 5 to 19 April; many councils are similar
Northern IrelandSet by schools around EasterCheck the school calendar

Examples from council calendars: Dorset lists Tuesday 30 March to Friday 9 April 2027, while Doncaster breaks up on 26 March and returns on 12 April. Welsh councils such as Gwynedd follow the Welsh Government's dates, with Easter holidays starting on 22 March. The City of Edinburgh Council lists its spring holiday from 5 to 19 April 2027.

Academies and independent schools set their own dates. Use the GOV.UK term dates finder to reach your council, then check the school.

Why the week matters more than the word "Easter"

A family travelling on 20 March and a family travelling on 10 April are both on an "Easter ski holiday", but the snow can be very different.

  • Late March: usually still midwinter cover at altitude, and often in mid-altitude resorts too. Most of the Alps is open.
  • Early April: lower slopes in many resorts start to thin, especially sunny ones. Skiing on the upper mountain is usually still good.
  • Mid-April and later: some resorts are closing or have closed. Choose high resorts with a confirmed closing date after your departure.

So Welsh families and English families with an early break can choose from almost anywhere. Scottish families, and English families on a later break, should put altitude first.

What spring snow is like

Spring skiing follows the sun. Overnight the snow refreezes, so early runs can be firm and icy. As the day warms, it softens into forgiving "spring snow", which is great for learning and fun for everyone. By mid-afternoon on sunny slopes it can turn heavy and slushy.

How to make the most of it:

  • Ski north-facing or shaded slopes in the morning and sunnier slopes from late morning.
  • Have lunch early or late and avoid the slushy afternoon runs back to the village.
  • Wear high-factor sun cream and good sunglasses or goggles. Spring sun at altitude is strong.
  • Pack layers. A cold morning can turn into a warm afternoon.

Resorts for Easter 2027

Late-March weeks: most of the Alps

If you travel in the week before or after 28 March, many resorts are good options.

April weeks: altitude first

For the later school holidays, go for resorts where the main skiing is high and the season runs long:

For more on what makes a resort snow-sure, read our guide to snow-sure, high-altitude ski resorts.

Who Easter suits

First-timers and young children

Easter can be a very good first ski holiday. Children are warmer, lessons are more enjoyable, and soft snow is gentler on falls. Book a chalet near a nursery slope that keeps its snow. In April that usually means one up the mountain or in a high village, not a valley field. See a first ski holiday in France or in Austria.

Mixed groups and non-skiers

Spring is the best time of year for non-skiers. They can walk to mountain restaurants, sit on sunny terraces and meet the skiers for lunch. Choose a resort with pedestrian lift passes and good winter walking paths.

Strong skiers

Late season can bring excellent conditions on high, north-facing slopes, and sometimes fresh snow. Off-piste in spring needs care, because snow conditions change through the day. Go with a qualified guide.

Booking tips for an Easter chalet

  1. Check the closing date. Find the resort's planned end of season and make sure your last day is before it. Some resorts close sectors early.
  2. Check ski school. Ski schools may run reduced programmes in the last weeks of the season.
  3. Check the chalet's walk to the snow. A "ski-in" chalet in January can be a walk on grass in April. Ask how guests reach the lifts late in the season.
  4. Avoid the Easter weekend rush if you can. European school holidays also cluster around Easter, so the days either side of the long weekend can be busy.
  5. Book flexible terms. If a poor spring leaves the lower runs bare, a booking you can change gives you options.

Search Easter chalets

Frequently asked questions

When is Easter 2027?

Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027. Good Friday is 26 March and Easter Monday is 29 March. School Easter holidays are set locally and range from late March to mid-April across the UK.

Is there still good snow at Easter 2027?

Late March is usually still a good time to ski in the Alps, especially at altitude. By mid-April the lower slopes in many resorts are thin or closed, so later school holidays should aim higher. No resort can guarantee snow.

Which resorts are best for Easter skiing?

High resorts and those with glaciers, such as Tignes, Val d'Isère, Cervinia, Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Sölden and Obertauern. Ischgl's 2026/27 season is scheduled to run until 2 May 2027. For a late-March week many mid-altitude resorts still work well.

What should I check before booking a mid-April ski chalet?

Check the resort's planned closing date, whether the lifts you need stay open to the end, and whether ski school is still running. Some resorts close certain sectors before the official end of the season.

Is Easter a good time for a first ski holiday?

Often, yes. Days are longer and warmer, and spring snow is usually soft and forgiving in the late morning. Beginners should still stay near a nursery slope that keeps its snow, which usually means a higher resort.

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