1. Tignes, France
It may not be the prettiest of ski resorts (stark apartment blocks and a treeless setting), but the appeal of Tignes lies in its high altitude (its slopes are between 1,550m-3,450m), which makes it one of the most snow-sure resorts in the Alps. You can expect good snow cover, even on runs down to the village, as late as May, and there's also year-round skiing on the Grande Motte glacier (excluding brief closures mid-May to mid-June, and from September to October). The ski area is vast, too; it is linked with Val d'Isère to create the vast Espace Killy ski circuit.
The deal: Erna Low (0845 863 0525; ernalow.co.uk) has seven nights' self-catering from 3 April at the Residence Hameau du Borsat from £223pp (based on four sharing), including return Eurotunnel crossings.
2. Saas Fee, Switzerland
This charming, car-free village, lined with chocolate-box chalets and surrounded by a ring of 4,000m-high peaks, is often hailed as "the prettiest ski village in Europe". But it has far more to offer than just good looks - it is also one of the most reliable resorts in Switzerland for late-season snow, with most of its runs above 2,500m and north-facing. It also has a glacier ski area, which is open most of the year.
The deal: Inghams (+44 (0)20 8780 4447; inghams.co.uk) has seven nights' half-board at the Du Glacia Hotel from £900pp (saving £161pp), including flights from Gatwick on 3 April and transfers.
3. Obergurgl, Austria
In general, Austria isn't the first place you would consider for late-season snow due to the lower altitudes of its ski resorts. However, Obergurgl is one of the exceptions; it is Austria's highest resort, with slopes between 1,795m-3,080m, and is arguably the most reliable of Europe's non-glacier resorts. Situated in the Ötz valley, it offers skiing late into spring along with its higher sister resort Hochgurgl, which is a mid-mountain gondola-ride away.
The deal: Thomson Ski (0871 971 0578; thomsonski.co.uk) has seven nights' half-board at Hotel Madeleine from £863pp (saving £106pp), including flights from Gatwick, Manchester or Cardiff on 3 April and transfers.
4. Mammoth, California, USA
Higher than other Californian resorts at 2,425m, Mammoth has an impressive snow record and its slopes retain a good base well into spring, topped up generously by an ever-expanding array of snow guns. You can expect to find this big, sprawling mountain in full operation in April, with about half its terrain open in May.
The deal: Ski Independence (+44 (0)131 243 8097; ski-i.com) has seven nights' room only at the Alpenhof from £1,009pp, including return flights from Heathrow on 7 April and car hire.
5. Cervinia, Italy
With slopes reaching as high as 3,480m, Cervinia is one of the highest resorts in Europe and despite a lot of afternoon sun you can expect superb snow conditions late in the season. Grooming is excellent, too, and it has miles of long, cruising pistes that are unbeatable for intermediates. It's linked with Zermatt in Switzerland, and it is possible to cruise between the two countries from November until the start of May.
The deal: Interhome (+44 (0)20 8780 6629; interhome.co.uk) has seven nights' self-catering in a two-bedroom apartment from 10 April from £161.50pp (based on four sharing). Ref IT3070.200.1. Flights extra.
6. Geilo, Norway
This picturesque, 100-year-old resort is tucked away in a valley with two piste areas (Vestlia and Slaatta) on either side, making up the Geilolia Skisenter. Go in April and you can expect good late-season conditions (the season generally runs from late November through to the beginning of May), as well as empty slopes.
The deal: Alpine Tracks (+44 (0)1248 717440; alpinetracks.com) has seven nights' half-board from 4 April at the Hotel Ustedalen from £595pp (saving £100pp), including airport transfers. Flights extra. Children under 12 pay 50% of adult price when sharing room with parents.
7. Whistler, Canada
Whister and Blackcomb together form the biggest ski area, with the longest runs, in North America. The resort gets an average of over 400 inches of snow a year - far more than any other Colorado resort - and, despite the unseasonable warm weather and lack of snow during the 2010 Winter Olympics last month, it is generally a sure-bet for late-season snow, especially on the two glacier areas. It offers the continent's longest season for a major resort, welcoming skiers until June.
The deal: Canadian Affair (+44 (0)20 7616 9933; canadianaffair.com) has seven nights' room-only at the Whistler Village Inn & Suites from £753pp (based on four sharing), including flights from Gatwick on 1 April (with ski/board carriage) and transfers. Free lift passes for children up to six years old (when purchased with an adult pass).
8. Val Thorens, France
At 2,300m, this car-free, purpose-built resort is the highest in Europe, with more than 140km of its pistes above 3,000m. With most of these north-facing, it is unrivalled for late season snow - you can expect excellent conditions right through to the end of April. The resort, which is part of the vast Trois Vallées ski area, is so confident about snow reliability that it offers a snow guarantee that at least 70% of its lifts will be open, with free skiing days on a future visit if this guarantee is not met.
The deal: Crystal Ski (0871 231 2256; crystalski.co.uk) has seven nights' half-board at Chalet Le Sequoia from £799pp (saving £146pp), including flights from Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds Bradford or Manchester on 3 April and transfers.
9. Zermatt, Switzerland
Like its Italian neighbour Cervina, conditions in Zermatt are usually excellent well into April. The car-free resort, which has some of the best gourmet mountain restaurants in the Alps, also boasts some of the highest slopes in Europe: 85% of the resort's ski area is above 2,000m. The predominantly north-facing slopes can be bitterly cold in December/January, but by April you can expect plenty of sunshine, with slopes in as good condition as they are midwinter.
The deal: W&O Travel Ski Dream (0845 277 3399; wandotravel.com) has seven nights' half-board at the Butterfly Hotel from £899pp (saving £100pp), including flights from Heathrow on 4 April and transfers. Book by 19 March.
10. Kaprun, Austria
Like Obergurgl, Kaprun is another snow-sure Austrian resort. Together with neighbouring Zell am See, it offers 130km of pistes, 50km of which are found on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier, where snow is guaranteed 365 days a year.
The deal: STA Travel (08712 308512; statravel.co.uk) has seven nights' B&B at Pension Bergblick from £389pp (saving £220pp), including flights from Gatwick on 3 April and transfers.
