Starting from 20^th March 2017 and running until the end of the French ski season on 1^st May, the initiative’s primary objective is to attract new skiers to the mountains of France. The period, which generally boasts excellent snow cover, long sunny days, warmer temperatures, quieter slopes and excellent deals, lends itself particularly well to beginners, families and those that like an al-fresco après-ski boogie!

For 2017, France Montagnes has revamped and re-launched the website www.SkiingIntoSpring.com with a new look, new and engaging content and the latest Skiing Into Spring offers.

FIVE OF THE BEST SKIING INTO SPRING EVENTS

Rock The Pistes Festival, Les Portes du Soleil 19^th – 25^th March

Rock The Pistes is a free music festival with headliners playing on stages dotted about the vast Portes du Soleil ski area. The festival features an eclectic range of acts to reflect the breath-taking variety of locations. With headliners including 2017 BRIT Awards breakthrough winner Rag ‘n’ Bone Man and electro-swing party-starters Caravan Palace, Rock the Pistes 2017 looks set to be a big hit! en.rockthepistes.com

Val d’Isère Winter Golf, Val d’Isère 22^nd-26^th March

A fun golf tournament on snow in partnership with BMW and the Ryder Cup, featuring two days of free play (open to everyone) on the specially built course in the Manchet Valley, street golf in the village and the France vs UK challenge- a match play competition between captains of industry, celebrities and key golfing figures from both countries. A great event to tempt golf enthusiasts to the mountains! http://www.valdisere.com/en/agenda/val-disere-winter-golf-2/

The Great British Celebration, Les Arcs 27^th – 30^th March

A brand new event putting the spotlight on British culture! For 4 days of festivities, the whole resort from the station in Bourg-Saint-Maurice to the top of the Aiguille Rouge, will be decorated in the colours of the Union Jack. With fun team events from skiing to archery, as well as a raft of live music, there is but one motto: fun, partying and skiing! http://en.lesarcs.com/live/focus/the-great-british-celebration.html

Subli’Cimes, La Plagne 5^th-18^th April

One of the flagship Skiing Into Spring events, La Plagne decks out its 6 summits in a remarkable range of themes. Expect bungee jumping, reindeer, saunas, jacuzzis and beach bars at the top of the mountains across La Plagne’s vast ski area! http://winter.la-plagne.com/events-activities/events-entertainment/subli-cimes.html

Défi Foly, La Clusaz 23^rd April

One for lovers of chaos and late-season laughs, Défi Foly is a madcap day that’s been going for 25 years and is still going strong! Competitors ski down a slope that ends abruptly in a small lake, the objective being to skim across as far as they can. Typically in fancy dress, all types of sliding craft including skis, snowboards, monoskis and the “UFO” (Unidentified Floating Objects) category are encouraged. Without fail carnage, hilarity and occasional heroics ensue! http://en.laclusaz.com/winter/defi-foly.html

UNMISSABLE OFFERS

In a bid to attract new skiers to the mountains, some fabulous deals are to be found throughout the Skiing Into Spring period. The two major promotion trends offered by a variety of resorts are targeted at families and beginners.

Various free and buy-one-get-one-free kids’ ski pass deals are available in Châtel, Morzine, Les Gets, Le Grand Bornand, Val d’Arly, La Rosière, Les Arcs, Chamrousse, Alpe d’Huez, Le Devoluy, Orcières Merlette 1850 and  Grand Tourmalet (Pyrenees).

Families aren’t the only ones to benefit, with various free or half-price ski lesson deals offered by the ESF (French ski school) in Les Houches, La Clusaz, Les Menuires, Saint François Longchamp and Valmorel.

For full details of these and all Skiing Into Spring offers, see www.SkiingIntoSpring.com

The 2016 Edition of Skiing Into Spring saw 97,000 website visitors- a YOY increase of 156%- while 60% of French resorts reported an increase in visitors across the period.