The perennial piste

Every resort has its day in the snow. Patrick Thorne helps you choose the place and time...

...April is meltdown month in the northern hemisphere. The list of available resorts drops dramatically. Look for high altitude skiing or northerly latitudes. Snowmaking won't save you now!

Many Austrian resorts are low, but not Ischgl in the beautiful Silvretta mountains where the lifts stretch up to 2,870m and there's a vast 220km of sunny slopes to explore. Ischgl was recently awarded by the thorough Where to Ski and Snowboard Guide for having the most high-speed uplift in the Alps. The season ends on 30 April with the legendary Top of the Mountain concert which always attracts a big star. Last year it was Peter Gabriel, before him Elton John, Diana Ross, Sting and many more.