February Half Term Skiing 2027: Where to Go
February half term 2027 runs from Monday 15 to Friday 19 February for most schools in England. It overlaps two of France's three school-holiday zones, so the French Alps will be at their busiest. These are high, well-known resorts in Austria, Switzerland and Italy, plus three high-altitude French options if France is a must.
Why the French holiday clash matters
France splits its winter school holidays into three zones. In 2027, zone C (including Paris) is off from 6 to 22 February and zone A (including Lyon and Grenoble) from 13 February to 1 March. Zone B starts on 20 February. That means the UK half-term week falls inside two French holiday periods, when French resorts see their biggest crowds and highest prices of the season.
How we chose these resorts
We listed well-known resorts in Austria, Switzerland and Italy whose top lifts reach at least 2,800 m, because altitude is the best protection against a warm spell in mid-February. The three French resorts all have a base of 1,500 m or higher. Each entry shows the lift elevations and the usual opening month.
Booking tips
- Flights and transfers on Saturday 13 and Saturday 20 February will be the most expensive of the season. Book early or travel midweek if your school allows.
- Book ski school and ski hire in advance: half term is the busiest week for children's lessons.
- Other European countries have their own February holidays, so no resort is empty that week. The French overlap is simply the biggest single factor in the Alps.
Featured Destinations
Zermatt - Breuil-Cervinia, Breuil-Cervinia Ski Paradise
Valais, Switzerland
Switzerland. Lifts from 1,560 m to 3,872 m. Usually opens in October.
4 Vallées – Verbier/La Tzoumaz/Nendaz/Veysonnaz/Thyon
Valais, Switzerland
Switzerland. Lifts from 905 m to 3,301 m. Usually opens in November.
Laax
Graubünden, Switzerland
Switzerland. Lifts from 1,082 m to 2,974 m. Usually opens in November.
Silvretta Arena Ischgl/Samnaun
Tyrol, Austria
Austria. Lifts from 1,351 m to 2,868 m. Usually opens in November.
Arosa Lenzerheide
Graubünden, Switzerland
Switzerland. Lifts from 1,240 m to 2,855 m. Usually opens in November.
Serfaus Fiss Ladis
Tyrol, Austria
Austria. Lifts from 1,222 m to 2,817 m. Usually opens in December.
Sölden
Tyrol, Austria
Austria. Lifts from 1,346 m to 3,245 m. Usually opens in October.
Stubai
Tyrol, Austria
Austria. Lifts from 959 m to 3,208 m. Usually opens in November.
Aletsch Arena
Valais, Switzerland
Switzerland. Lifts from 1,057 m to 2,869 m. Usually opens in December.
Crans-Montana
Valais, Switzerland
Switzerland. Lifts from 1,427 m to 2,872 m. Usually opens in December.
Monterosa Ski
Aosta Valley, Italy
Italy. Lifts from 1,206 m to 3,023 m. Usually opens in December.
Tignes - Val d'Isère
Espace Killy, France
France. Lifts from 1,559 m to 3,455 m. Usually opens in November. Expect it to be busy: French school holidays overlap half term.
Val Thorens - Orelle
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
France. Lifts from 1,822 m to 3,221 m. Usually opens in November. Expect it to be busy: French school holidays overlap half term.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is February half term 2027?
For most schools in England it is Monday 15 to Friday 19 February 2027. Dates can differ by school and local authority, and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own dates, so check with your school.
Do French school holidays clash with half term 2027?
Yes. French zone C (including Paris) is on holiday from 6 to 22 February 2027 and zone A (including Lyon and Grenoble) from 13 February to 1 March, so both overlap the UK half-term week. Zone B starts on 20 February.
Where is the snow most reliable in mid-February?
Altitude matters most. The resorts on this list all have top lifts above 2,800 m, and the French options all have a base of 1,500 m or more.
How were these resorts chosen?
We took well-known resorts in Austria, Switzerland and Italy with top lifts at 2,800 m or higher, ranked by how well known they are, then added the highest-base French resorts for families who want France. The descriptions only use lift elevations and the usual opening month.