When to travel to the French Alps

Every season in the Alps can offer a great holiday, whether it’s skiing, walking or family activities and adventure. Here are deVere Group’s tips on how to make the most of every season in the Alps.

Spring

Around April time the snow starts to melt and will gradually disappear by June, although you can still expect the odd downfall even at lower altitudes. A spectacular time of year to visit the Alps when the first flowers come out, the hibernating animals wake up and the rivers are flowing with white water rapids. This makes the perfect holiday for walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers, countryside enthusiasts and kayakers, rafters and other white water sport lovers. The best time of year for these activities is usually around June, especially because most cycle paths open at this time as well as refuges that close over the winter months.

Summer

When summer fully arrives, the weather is more reliable, particularly in the Southern Alps, where there is pretty much guaranteed sunshine. Be careful of the occasional thunderstorm though! In the southern alps you can expect 300 days of sunshine each year, making the sunny days brilliant for activities such as rock climbing, abseiling, mountaineering, tree climbing, walking, paragliding, kayaking, swimming in lakes, biking and much much more!

Autumn

Thunderstorms are not so frequent towards the end of summer, with the days still warm but evenings much cooler – you will need a jacket if you are visiting in autumn. September and October are perfect for walking, climbing, mountain and cycling. The end of October sees the arrival of much cooler weather with the first snowfall in November. You know that the season of winter sports are just around the corner! If you are a keen photographer, the landscapes with deep blue skies and autumn sunset makes for a fascinating picture postcard.

Winter

Throughout November and December, snows starts to make its presence known, especially in the higher altitudes where most ski-resorts will open by mid-December. The best powder is in January when temperatures drop considerably and the days are shorter. Snow cover is usually very good at all altitudes so lower level sports like cross country skiing are also good. However, if you’re planning a skiing trip around this time of year, be aware of the school holidays which are usually between 7th February and 7th March - the busiest time of year in resorts, on the pistes, on the roads. Generally avoid the slopes at this time if at all possible.

If you’re looking for stable snow pack and long sunny days to ski, March is usually a good choice. However towards the end of March, snow becomes slush as the snow melts ready for spring and most ski resorts close by the end of April.

If you are moving to France, contact deVere France now to speak to one of our expert consultants from one of the world’s leading financial advisories.