Easter holidays in the Alps are always special — but this year? This year was something else entirely. The 2025/26 ski season in Morzine and Avoriaz delivered the kind of winter that reminds you exactly why you fell in love with skiing in the first place. Incredible snowfall, jaw-dropping conditions right through to Easter, and a late-season dump at the end of March that had even the most seasoned skiers grinning from ear to ear. If your family missed it, here's what went down — and more importantly, why you absolutely cannot afford to miss next year.
From the very start, the 2025/26 season was shaping up to be a special one. As early as November, Avoriaz received its first heavy snowfall — over 60cm in a couple of days — setting the pistes up perfectly for the season ahead. Things only got better from there. Early January brought waist-deep powder conditions, with up to 60cm falling at Avoriaz village level alone, delivering some truly all-time days on the mountain.
Season Snow Stats:
- Avoriaz annual average snowfall: 472cm across 36 snowfall days
- Morzine annual average snowfall: 402cm
- Peak mid-season snowfall rate: ~40cm/week at Avoriaz mid-station | ~30cm/week in Morzine
- Snowiest week (historically): Week 1 of March — average 47cm
For context on just how snow-sure this area is: Avoriaz averages an impressive 472cm of snowfall per year across 36 snowfall days, while Morzine averages around 402cm of snow annually. This season absolutely lived up to that billing — and then some.
Sunsets like you have never seen
The End-of-March Powder Dump That Nobody Saw Coming
Just when you thought spring was around the corner, the mountains had other ideas. A significant snowfall hit at the end of March, resetting conditions across the Portes du Soleil and gifting late-season skiers with a fresh, white canvas right before Easter. By late March, Avoriaz was sitting on snow depths of 80 to 100cm at resort level and between 180 and 240cm across the upper slopes above 2,400 metres, with the higher sectors towards Hauts Forts and the Swiss border holding the most reliable coverage. For families arriving in the Easter holidays, this was the absolute dream scenario — fresh snow on top of an already deep, well-established base.
Easter 2026: A Cracking Time to Be on the Mountain
Easter 2026 Snow Report (1st April 2026 — Avoriaz):
- Base depth: 194cm
- Lifts open: 35 of 35
- Upper slopes (2,400m+): 180–240cm
- Resort level (1,800m): 80–100cm
- Source: OnTheSnow / SeeAvoriaz
By 1st April, Avoriaz was reporting a remarkable 194cm base depth with 35 lifts open — exceptional figures for this point in the season. The higher runs around Hauts Forts and towards Switzerland were skiing particularly well, while the atmosphere across the resort buzzed with spring energy, live music, après ski sessions and family activities throughout.
For families with kids, it really doesn't get much better than this. Avoriaz is widely regarded as one of the best resorts in the Alps for families — fully ski-in/ski-out, car-free, with horse taxis gliding through the village, a fun pool, and lift passes that see kids ski free with adults at Easter. Combine that with the magical, snow-dusted architecture perched on clifftops above Morzine, and you've got a setting that makes little ones feel like they're skiing inside a fairy tale.
Down in Morzine itself, families are well accommodated with ski schools, childcare services, and gentle pistes close to the village, while the town has a warm, inviting atmosphere with traditional chalets, independent shops, and a lively local market. If the kids need a break from the slopes, there's an ice rink, snowmobiling from 17:30 into the evening, and snowshoeing to keep everyone entertained.
April is Becoming the New March
One of the most exciting trends in recent seasons is just how well the snow holds in April across the Portes du Soleil. Thanks to Avoriaz's altitude advantage at 1,800m — the highest resort in the area — historic April snow depths have averaged 223cm at the top and 142cm at the bottom of the ski area. The season genuinely extends into mid-April, with the Portes du Soleil running officially until 19th April 2026. The message is clear: Easter skiing in this part of the Alps is no longer a gamble. It's a season highlight.
Easter 2027 UK School Holiday dates - Friday 26th March 2027 – Friday 9th April 2027
Easter 2027 falls earlier than usual — right in the heart of peak ski season. Late March in Avoriaz means cold nights locking in the base, plenty of bluebird days, and historically the snowiest period of the entire season. This is the sweet spot. Availability will go fast.
Perfection
Don't Miss Easter 2027 — Dates Are Already Set
Here's the thing — Easter 2027 falls earlier in the year than you might expect, and that is very good news for UK families. The UK school Easter holidays run from Friday 26th March to Friday 9th April 2027, landing bang in the heart of peak ski season when snowfall is historically at its most reliable and the mountains are still very much in winter mode.
The snowiest week in Avoriaz is historically the first week of March, with an average of 47cm falling across around 3.8 snowy days — and with Easter 2027 falling in late March, you're looking at conditions that could rival the very best weeks of this season. Late March in Avoriaz means cold nights locking in the base, plenty of bluebird days, and a mountain that still feels very much alive.
For families, this is the sweet spot. The kids are off, the mountain is full of snow, and the Portes du Soleil is firing on all cylinders across all 12 resorts and 650km of linked terrain spanning France and Switzerland. Add in the legendary Village des Enfants ski school in Avoriaz, the green and blue cruisers above Les Gets for beginners, and the steeper reds and blacks on Le Pleney in Morzine for the more adventurous — and you've genuinely got a week that works for every single member of the family.
Start Planning Easter 2027 Now
The 2025/26 season has set the bar sky high. Easter 2027 has all the ingredients to be even better — and with school holiday availability filling up fast, now is exactly the time to lock in your week.
Easter Skiing in Morzine & Avoriaz — Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Easter a good time to ski in Morzine and Avoriaz? A: Yes. Avoriaz's high altitude (1,800m base, 2,400m+ peaks) keeps snow reliable well into spring. At Easter 2026, Avoriaz had a 194cm base depth with 35 lifts open. Historically, April averages 223cm at the top and 142cm at the base — one of the most snow-sure Easter destinations in the Alps.
Q: What were snow conditions in Morzine and Avoriaz at Easter 2026? A: Excellent. Avoriaz recorded 194cm base depth on 1st April with 35 lifts open. Upper slopes above 2,400m held 180–240cm. A late-March powder dump refreshed the mountain just before Easter. Morzine village sat at 30–50cm at resort level, with 120–180cm on upper slopes towards Avoriaz.
Q: How much snow does Avoriaz get per year? A: Avoriaz averages 472cm of snowfall annually across around 36 snow days — more than almost any other French resort. At peak season, mid-station snowfall averages 40cm per week. The snowiest week historically is the first week of March, averaging 47cm.
Q: Is Avoriaz good for families with young children at Easter? A: Avoriaz is one of Europe's top family ski resorts. It's fully car-free and ski-in/ski-out, with horse-drawn sleighs around the village. The Village des Enfants takes children from age 3. Kids often ski free with adults at Easter. Off-slope options include Aquariaz pool, ice rink, bowling, and snowshoeing.
Q: When are the UK Easter school holidays in 2027? A: Friday 26th March to Friday 9th April 2027. This is earlier than Easter 2026, putting families in the heart of peak snow season. Late March in Avoriaz is historically one of the snowiest periods of the entire winter — ideal timing for a ski holiday.
Q: How far is Morzine from Geneva Airport? A: Around 100km — approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by road. Geneva is served by year-round flights from most UK airports including Manchester, London, Bristol, Liverpool, and Edinburgh. Door-to-door from the UK can take as little as five hours. Private and shared transfers run directly to Morzine and Avoriaz.
Q: What ski ability level do you need for Morzine and Avoriaz? A: All levels are catered for. Beginners and children have gentle green and blue runs above Les Gets and Super Morzine. Intermediates have hundreds of kilometres of blues and reds across the 650km Portes du Soleil. Advanced skiers can tackle blacks, off-piste, the Swiss Wall, and back-country terrain.
Q: What is the Portes du Soleil and how big is it? A: One of the largest linked ski areas in the world — 650km of pistes across 12 resorts in France and Switzerland, including Morzine, Avoriaz, Les Gets, Châtel, and Champéry. It has 164 lifts and 55+ official downhill trails, all accessible on one lift pass. Avoriaz is the highest and snowiest resort in the system.
Q: Should I book a catered chalet or self-catered in Morzine for Easter? A: For families, catered is almost always better. You get breakfast, afternoon cake, and dinner included — no cooking after a big ski day. Atlas Ride Co delivers lift passes to your chalet on arrival, no queues needed. In-resort staff provide daily route advice and local support throughout your stay.
Q: Is the Morzine and Avoriaz ski season extending later into April? A: Yes. The Portes du Soleil season ran until 19th April 2026. April snow depths in Avoriaz historically average 223cm at the top and 142cm at the base. Overnight freeze-thaw preserves the snowpack, keeping north-facing and high-altitude runs in excellent condition well into spring.
