Where to Ski in March

Skiing in the springtime can be a dream, with bluebird days, sunnier slopes, and peaceful resort atmospheres. As the days grow longer and warmer, you’ll want to avoid the late-season slush by heading towards higher resorts, and skiing in March will guarantee you fantastic snow conditions in top ski areas. Additionally, by March you should be clear of chaotic half-term travelling. If you have younger children, this could be the perfect time for a stress-free family ski holiday.

Serious skiers who missed out on the earlier season will not be disappointed by March’s snow preservation and some of the best skiing conditions available all year. The snow, uncrowded pistes, and the extra perks that come with being the last tourists of the season make March a skiing month you can’t miss.

Below are our top picks of where to ski in March - across Europe, North America, and even Japan.

Skiing in March in Europe

March is a lovely time to go skiing in the Alps, with warmer weather and longer daylight. That, paired with the shorter queues, means you can spend more time out on slopes without getting too cold, whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, hiking, or enjoying après on a sunny outside terrace.

Across the alpine regions of Switzerland and France, there are many areas where skiing in March is at its prime. From charming mountain villages to slick ski resorts with stunning views, these are our favourite locations to ski in March in Europe.

Skiing in March in France

As winter turns to spring in France, you can truly appreciate the stunning outdoor activities available in March - from hiking in the sun to eating lunch alfresco. The resorts and ski areas will also be significantly less populated, with the congested February crowds a distant memory. The resorts may become a little busier towards the Easter holidays, but you should still find yourself queuing far less for ski lifts compared to peak times. 

Keep in mind that snow conditions will vary as the weather gets warmer. The snow is generally in pristine conditions through March to the end of April, but south-facing slopes may be more difficult and icy in the mornings. Depending on the location, you can expect high-range snow cannons to keep the top ski parks as snow-sure as possible. 

Our top picks for the best places to ski in March in France are Courchevel 1850 and Tignes, two resort areas that combine exquisite luxury, picturesque scenery, and well-planned resort and skiing areas.

Courchevel 1850, France 

Elevation: 1,850 m
Average monthly snowfall in March: 57 cm

With the half-term holidays set firmly behind, Courchevel 1850, an iconic luxury ski resort in the French Alps, adopts a relaxed party atmosphere. Expect long, lazy lunches in mountain-top restaurants and chic aprés ski spots with lively nightlife.

You can expect all of the runs in Courchevel 1850 to be impeccably maintained in March. The town centre is surrounded by a bowl of green and blue pistes, suitable for novice skiers. There are also more challenging runs available and plenty of off-piste adventures to keep experts excited and asking for more.

Oxford Ski Company recommends: Eating at Restaurant Le Cap Horn - one of the highest restaurants in the Three Valleys at 2100 metres. Perfect for March weather, ski in right off the slopes for a warm, sun-filled terrace.

Tignes, France

Elevation: 2,100m
Average monthly snowfall in March: 35 cm

Located in the Tarentaise Valley, Tignes is one of the best ski resorts to visit in March. This incredibly snow-sure resort is located at a stunning 2100 metres above sea level. Thanks to this height and the Grande Motte glacier, you can expect wonderfully snow-covered pistes when all other resorts begin to get sludgy.

Tignes is an ideal skiing destination for families and groups, with more than 300km of pistes to explore and with half of them marked as green and blue. It is also an exciting skiing spot due to its selection of advanced runs that are suitable only for the most experienced skiers.

Oxford Ski Company recommends: Purchasing a full Espace Killy ski area pass to have access to 300km of slopes! Remember to use the ski lifts that link to Val d’Isere and check out La Folie Douce for unforgettable après ski.

Skiing in March in Switzerland

The weather in Switzerland also becomes much warmer in March, meaning you will need to head to the highest resorts to avoid sludgy skiing. Luckily, Switzerland boasts a decent amount of high-altitude slopes. From Zermatt, with the famously snowsure Matterhorn peak, to smaller glacier villages - there are a number of charming ski resorts to visit, and a March trip to Switzerland would be incomplete without enjoying the superb skiing.

Our favourite March ski locations in Switzerland are the Swiss ski resorts of Saas Valley and Verbier. These luxurious and picturesque resorts each offer impressive skiing in March with reliable snow to novice, experienced, and intrepid skiers alike.

Saas Valley, Switzerland 

Elevation: 1,800 m
Average monthly snowfall in March: 43 cm

The delightful village of Saas Valley is smaller than its neighbour, Zermatt, but it offers breathtaking views of 13 mountain peaks and the highest average skiing in the Alps. With most slopes above 2,500m, you can rely on the quality and amount of snow until very late into the season. Most of the easier terrains are located on the glacier at the top of the mountain, making it the perfect location for beginner and intermediate March skiers.

The Saas Valley village offers a remarkably peaceful alpine atmosphere in March, with smaller crowds and its entirely car-free nature.

Oxford Ski Company recommends: Staying at the Chalet Annapurna - the perfect ski-in, ski-out luxury chalet with a sauna, hot tub, and an open fireplace among other impressive amenities. Explore all our luxury chalets and hotels in Saas Valley here.

Verbier, Switzerland

Elevation: 1,500 m
Average monthly snowfall in March: 33 cm

Verbier is known as the ‘Alpine Ibiza’ and one of the best off-piste ski resorts in the world, with sun-drenched slopes, legendary après-ski, and a breathtaking high altitude setting of 1500 metres. Around this time of the year, you can expect miles of pistes available for intermediates, and the powder is known to stay deep for the formidable off-piste and black runs.

With over 400km of skiing, Verbier offers skiing perfect for skiers of all levels - from intermediates to experienced skiers who will brave the more challenging runs. Novice skiers can also improve their skills and learn to ski for the first time in any of Verbier’s many outstanding ski schools.

Oxford Ski Company recommends: Checking out the run of après bars located off the Meridan lift and down to the Place Centrale. Here, these après bars are open from the afternoon till late in the evening.

March skiing in Japan

Skiers from all over the world travel to Japan during the winter season to experience ocean-effect snow, or as some call it - ‘Japow’. In March, you can still find this famous snow across the country, especially on Japan’s northernmost island Hokkaido. Our top pick for the best place to ski in Japan in March is Niseko, located on this island and around the ‘Fuji of Hokkaido’, Mount Yōtei.

Niseko, Japan

Elevation: 1,308 m
Average monthly snowfall in March: 81 cm

Niseko is known as Japan’s winter wonderland, with incredible skiing and an après ski scene that never disappoints - from booking a Michelin-rated restaurant famed for its sushi and sake to enjoying ramen and beer at a noodle joint. You can expect the snow at Niseko to be the stuff of legends, with over 16 metres of snow (more than four times the Val d’Isère average) expected to fall throughout the season and into March.

With perfect weather and smaller crowds, you can expect reduced rates on accommodation and lift passes, less competition for bookings in Niseko’s famous restaurants, and fewer skiers on the slopes to get in your way and carve up the fluffy March Japow.

Oxford Ski Company recommends: Taking a day trip to Kutchan and the larger port city, Otaru. Here, you can arrange to snowmobile, cross-country skiing, and even snowshoeing to fully take advantage of the iconic snow.

Skiing in March in North America

Despite March being marked as ‘spring’ on the calendar, this month can be one of the snowiest of the year, transforming many of the ski areas across North America into winter wonderlands. In fact, this month is referred to by many as ‘Miracle March’, with the largest powder downfalls all year.

If you’re planning a ski holiday across the pond, March is the perfect time to ensure you get the most out of your trip and ski the most terrain available. The deepest snowpack is guaranteed this season, and almost every trail and lift will be open, be it Revelstoke, British Columbia or Banff, Alberta.

Our top pick for the best place to go skiing in March in north America is Jackson Hole, Wyoming - the top of many skier’s bucket lists and home to the infamous Corbet’s Couloir.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Elevation: 1,901 m
Average monthly snowfall in March: 200 cm

Known as the ‘Big One’ to local skiers, Jackson Hole is located just south of wild elk country in Yellowstone National Park and near the Grand Teton National Parks. While some of the smaller North American mountain seasons begin to end, this powder-hound resort is still going strong with some of the best blower pow in the country.

Although Jackson Hole is well known for its challenging runs that make even the most experienced skiers sweat, there are plenty of trails available for intermediates and beginners in March. The town itself is reminiscent of something from an old Wild West film, complete with saloons and swinging bar doors.

Oxford Ski Company recommends: Enjoying live music at the 1937 Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, with its saddle bar stools and a taxidermied grizzly bear, or grab a bite to eat at the Many Moose steakhouse for an authentic saloon experience.

Start planning your early-season luxury ski holiday today! Explore our luxury chalets and discover our collection of luxury ski hotels here. If you have any questions, please reach out to a member of our expert team or explore our blog for more inspiration.