Sounds like a brilliant idea. How much guided tours more-less are going for? I might want to do it in the future in a larger group. This time we just planned quick get away for Easter and hopefully I can also sneak out for good skiing session

Unfortunately I'm going to Chamonix with my OH who won't be skiing (she is into spa and restaurants) therefore my best bet is 4-5 hours on the slopes a day max and there is no chance I can make it long tours. I reckon I'm advanced skier handling every slope and conditions (no acrobatics though) who wouldn't wanna hang around on beginner's slopes. I am looking for black runs and off-piste free-ride areas that will push me a bit harder than average blues and reds. My favourite hangout places are Andermatt (all runs down Gemstock) and Engelberg kind of skiing (narrow steep slopes).

I imagine that a private guide for the day would be somewhere between 3-400 Euros. Joining a group would put you in the 80-100 Euro range. The Vallee Blanche could be a good option to get out for 5ish hours or so. How about hire a private guide for the day then have the missus meet you up on the mountain for lunch? You could get some ideas as to where to hit up the next day when you are going solo from your guide as well.

Check out the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix for some ideas as to what is available.

Agree with the earlier suggestion of Les Grand Montets or getting a guide and doing Le Vallee Blanche. If you are fit, go for the latter. World renowned run and have heard great things about it.

But, also agree with what he said about getting a guide, in order to learn some terrain/areas that others may not ski often...but...that also means if you get hurt when alone, your S.O.L. With the weather like it is, take all avalanche gear, and if nothing else, pack, probe, shovel, transceiver. Lots of avalanches these days.

Doing Les GRand Montets and staying on the steeper black runs would be your safest bet. For just one day, I would go to Les Grand Montets and buy the Unlimited Pass, allowing you to go to the top.

Looking for a resort with a decent amount of well-connected easy runs that will still be open the next two weekends (6/7th and 13/14th April). I know it's late, but the recent snow has given me hope. Any suggestions?

We went to Verbier on Monday. The high runs should last another two weeks I think.

Thanks for the suggestion - Verbier sounds good. Somewhere a little closer would be nice though if anyone has any other suggestions

My bad - I should have checked your location before post. That said, definitely a ski area to put on your ski-bucket list. Take your credit card with you though.

Laax flims was in good shape last thursday

No problem - I am happy to get up early, it's just hard to get there before 11am from here. It might be worth saving up and getting accommodation for the Friday/Saturday night.

I'm planning on going to Engelberg next Sunday. Was there last weekend (not for skiing though) and there was plenty of snow and some very mild slopes which caught by beginner eye. You're welcome to join if you want

Don't be fooled - there's not really very much now for real beginners, just the Gerschnialp area, which admittedly was in great condition last week and will remain so, and then the run home from there, although that's one that might test the definition of 'beginner', as I'd normally take a group down there only after two or three lessons.

But that does raise the question - if you're going skiing on your own is it maybe fair to assume that your definition of beginner is not really a complete beginner? Drop me a PM anyway if you'd like to meet up - we'll definitely be skiing, and if you'd like a lesson we can work something out a the time, as neither of us currently has any bookings.

Went to Les Diablerets last weekend for the Freeride Days event (http://freeridedays.ch/). Luckily I registered for saturday so got the chance to find some untracked powder after rapelling for about 80m. Amazing event! Can only recommend it to everyone. Will surely look for more such events next season.
Here the pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/glacier...7633189989468/

La Grave in France is a very nice place if you are a freeride expert:

http://www.la-grave.com/winter/index.php

I want to go there again... no pists, just deep snow.

Laax is holding up well, higher up it's great lower down spring like as you would expect.

Only two weeks of the season left for me

With the heavy snowfall today, is either Engelberg or Laax going to be a good prospect tomorrow? I am seeing no lifts open on snow.myswitzerland.com, not sure that is a mistake or not...

Anyone got any good ideas for April skiing in this region?

Two weeks ago I was testing new Dynastar 87 & 97 in Grands Montets with blizzard on the top. Yet two days ago played in my local tennis club first doubles of the season in twenty plus degrees. Very unpredictable season. Seems like I should not put skies away too soon

We were disappointed to not ski today, but lots of blasting was done, and only a little more snow fell during the day, plus the temperature has remained constant (low) so avalanche risk should be lowered quite a lot, and they'll have been able to make the close-to-piste avalanche areas relatively safe.

I'm hoping, at least. Fairly confident that there will be near to full opening tomorrow. And the snow should still be good all the ay to the village. There's a good 10cm of packed wet snow still on the ground round the village, and they've been busy pisting the runs, so I'm hoping we'll still be able to ski home for another week or two yet