Planning the end-of-season party in Chamonix is never easy. Unlike most resorts that set a date for closing, the lift company at Les Grands Montets (Chamonix's best-known ski mountain in Argentière) has learned from experience to stay flexible.

Too often, a date for the first week in May has been set and the heavens have responded by unleashing great dumps of snow.

To avoid the wrath of hot-headed skiers, Chamonix will close when the snow stops. Late-season skiing is often some of the best of the year: snowfalls can be plentiful, the days are long and the sun is strong. Spring skiing also means corn snow when the conditions are crisp and smooth before getting too much exposure from the sun.

In a normal year, many tour operators continue until Easter, but with Easter being so late this year - April 21-24 - most of the big ones will shut up shop by the middle of the month. There are, however, still many bargains available from smaller ski companies and, if you are prepared to opt for self-drive, the possibilities are endless.

Late season means lower prices in the resorts and on the mountain. If you are prepared to do a bit of leg work on the internet, there is plenty of low-priced accommodation. Airlines such as Go and easyJet also have some great bargains but not at peak times such as weekends. Most important is that you choose a resort where the skiing is high and the bars are still open. These are some of the best:

Chamonix
Serious skiers head to Argentière and the Grands Montets, but the Chamonix valley caters to all levels. Les Houches and Le Tour are the easiest areas and quite low. Le Brevent and La Flégère, which are higher, have recently been linked and provide variety for beginners and intermediates as well as some excellent off-piste skiing. On a sunny day, the Vallée Blanche glacier in the shadow of Mont Blanc is a magical run. It's not difficult and the scenery is breathtaking.

For April (except Easter), Collineige Ski (01276 24262) offers seven nights in luxury catered-chalet accommodation for £595pp, including scheduled flights, transfer and minibus. Four nights: £550, Easter Weekend: £635, Easter week: £715.Self-drive High Mountain Holidays (01993 775540), May 5-8, £240, accommodation only.

Verbier
An unlimited repertoire of exciting skiing - glaciers and couloirs, moguls and powder - and legendary nightlife.

This is not a beginners' area, but intermediates will find more than enough to keep them busy at Savoleyres and Lac des Vaux. The Four Valley lift pass covers 400km of piste.

For advanced and expert levels, the skiing is unlimited from Tortin, a steep and wide slope pounded into knee-high moguls, to the front face of Mont Gelé. From the top of the Mont Fort cable car, you can pick your route from red to black or some good off-piste off the back. If you are lucky enough to get fresh snowfalls, you will need to catch the first cablecar, otherwise you will find that famous runs such as Stairway to Heaven and the Hidden Valley are skied out.

FlexiSki (0870 9090754), now owned by First Choice, will tailor-make any ski holiday. Its four-night weekends include three four-star hotels, one three-star and one B&B. Prices, based on scheduled flights, transfer and half-board accommodation start at £510pp. Four nights, departing April 27, £395. Ski World (020-7602 4826) has seven nights' chalet accommodation from £299, including flights and transfer, departing April 22.

Val d'Isère/Tignes
Guaranteed snow on the Grand Motte glacier in Tignes makes this one of the most reliable for late skiing. It's large, well-linked, has extensive off piste and offers something for everyone.

There are six separate ski areas in the L'Espace Killy, covering 300km of mostly intermediate skiing with 96 lifts. In late season, the efficient lift system means you'll never have to queue, so you'll need to be fit to make the most of the unlimited nooks and crannies. The Face de Bellevarde, reached by a funicular, is one of the most challenging downhill courses.

Val's exuberant nightlife continues late in the season attracting good skiers and even better après-skiers who like to play and party hard.

YSE (020-8871 5117) offers seven nights, departing April 30, for £395, including flights, transfer and chalet accommodation. Bank Holiday weekend, April 27-May 1, from £375. Ski Olympic (01709 579999) has seven nights at Tignes, leaving April 22, from £365, including flight, transfer and catered-chalet.Mark Warner (020-7761 7002) has seven nights in Val d'Isère, leaving April 23, including flight, transfer and catered-chalet.

Méribel
If you want to enjoy the favourite British haunt for access to the Trois Vallées with no crowds, then go to Méribel (above) in April. The vast Trois Vallées ski area gives you flexibility, variety and reliable snow late into the season.

If the snow gets patchy, head to Val Thorens, which at 2,300m is the highest resort in Europe. The sheer size of the Trois Vallées means you must pay attention to the times of the last lifts. It may take a few runs to get from Méribel to the furthest corners of the Trois Vallées, but if you miss the last lift it will be way past nightfall before you get home. Méribel closes on April 24 but several small operators offer reduced rates for the month.

The luxury chalet company Meriski (01451 843100) still has spaces for seven-night holidays, departing April 9 and 16, for £449, including scheduled flights, transfer and meals. The even-more-upmarket Ski Company (01451 843123) offers champagne and canapés before dinner and has availability on April 2 and April 16 for seven nights in a deluxe chalet for £749pp, including scheduled flights, transfer and meals.

St Anton
Austria's top resort for wrapping up the season. Start the morning at Rendl, the sun-soaked mountain known as "the Beach". By mid-morning on a hot day, you'll need to change to transfer to St Anton's more challenging skiing on the northern slopes on the other side of the valley. Dominated by the 2,811m Valluga, the skiing will take you to several nearby or linked resorts such as St Christoph and Stuben.

To get to neighbouring Lech and Zurs, you can either go off the back of the Valluga reached by tiny cable, or take the free bus.

Lotus Supertravel (020-7962 9933) has seven nights departing April 16 for £505 per person, including flights, transfers, super-chalet accommodation, four-course dinners and lots of extras, including a massage and tea in bed in the morning. FlexiSki (0870 9090754) offers four nights in a catered-chalet, departing April 6, 13 and 20, for £375pp, including scheduled flights and transfer, April 27: £530-£555.

• Ski consultants with late-season skiing holidays:
Alpine Answers: 020-8871 4656.
Ski Solutions: 020-7471 7700.
The Switzerland Travel Centre (freephone 00800 10020030) has April packages.
Crystal Holidays: 020-8399 5144.
Mark Warner: 020-7761 7002.
Ski Beat: 01243 780405.
Le Ski: 01484 548996
Ski Scott Dunn 020-8767 0202.