Ski the Three Valleys in the Late Season

If you're thinking of booking last minute ski deals, you may worry when it's late in the season about being able to get the best of the slopes - but don't. Visiting the Three Valleys region, in France, in the later part of the ski season has lots of benefits: it's usually quieter later in the year, the weather is almost guaranteed to be sunnier, and it's usually cheaper to boot. As long as you really don't leave it too late, there is also some great snow-filled fun to be had, too.

Val Thorens

One of the keys to a good experience when you book late season last minute ski deals is to head further north to get the best of the weather. Luckily, the Three Valley's Val Thorens is Europe's highest ski resort, with most slopes above the 2,000-metre mark. If you head to this resort in the early weeks of May, you are almost guaranteed to still have some decent slopes. Not only does Val Thorens offer good skiing later in the season, it is also great for those who want to do cross-country and off-piste skiing too - although it is less recommended in the much later part of the season.

Tignes

Located in France's Northern Alps, this is another great ski resort to book for last minute ski deals towards the end of the season. Here, you can plan for normal skiing to continue until early May, and after that you can ski on the large glacier. The Grande Motte glacier area (accessible by funicular) stays open from the end of June until early to mid August each year. The area around Tignes is unique, not only for its summer skiing on the glacier, but also because you can head down the mountain to enjoy some hiking. Where else can you go skiing in the morning and hiking in the afternoon?

Les Arcs

Just below the Aiguille Glacier is the ski resort of Les Arcs. Consisting of Arcs 2000, Arcs 1800, and Arcs 1600 (loosely according to their altitudes - Arcs 2000 is actually at 2,100 metres), the best one for last minute ski deals in the later part of the season is Arcs 2000. Since the main bowl of Arcs 2000 is sheltered from the sun, it is pretty much guaranteed to be a great choice for late season skiing. The top of Arcs 2000 is glaciated, offering a fantastic experience for those who want to test their limits. As a bonus for those skiing with beginners or young families, the there are several nursery slopes above the 2000 mark too.

Belinda Smythson works for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service offering bonded holidays in La Tania and other fantastic locations. If you're looking for last minute ski deals in catered or self catered chalets, we can help. For a luxury or good-value skiing holiday call Ski Amis.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.