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The French Alps vs. the Pyrenees: Comparing Europe's Premier Winter Sports Territories
France is home to two of Europe's most formidable mountain ranges, each offering a distinctly different winter sports experience. The French Alps and the Pyrenees together account for over 350 ski resorts, more than 14,000 kilometers of marked pistes, and some of the most varied terrain on the continent. Choosing between them isn't simply a matter of preference — it's a strategic decision that depends on your skill level, budget, travel logistics, and the specific disciplines you want to pursue.
The French Alps: Scale, Prestige, and World-Class Infrastructure
The French Alps represent the gold standard for high-altitude winter sports in Europe. The Trois Vallées ski area — linking Courchevel, Méribel, and Val Thorens — is the world's largest interconnected ski domain, covering 600 kilometers of groomed runs and topping out at 3,230 meters. Val Thorens itself holds the distinction of being the highest ski resort in Europe, guaranteeing snow coverage from November through early May. These figures aren't just marketing — they translate directly into a reliable season and an almost unlimited variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders at every level.
Beyond sheer scale, the Alps deliver exceptional off-piste and freeride opportunities. Chamonix's Vallée Blanche, a 20-kilometer glacial descent with over 2,700 meters of vertical drop, draws experienced alpinists and freeriders from across the globe. The resort infrastructure here is equally impressive: high-speed gondolas, world-class ski schools with multilingual instructors, and a dense network of mountain restaurants. If you're looking to explore the full spectrum of snow-based activities, the Alpine resorts offer the most complete ecosystem — from competitive racing circuits to snowshoe trails and ice climbing parks.
The Pyrenees: Accessibility, Authenticity, and Underrated Terrain
The Pyrenees rarely receive the same international attention as the Alps, but for experienced winter sports travelers, that's precisely part of their appeal. Resorts like Grandvalira (straddling the French-Andorran border), Font Romeu, and Grand Tourmalet — the largest ski area in the French Pyrenees with 100 kilometers of runs — offer solid technical terrain without the overcrowding that increasingly plagues major Alpine destinations in peak season. Lift ticket prices typically run 20–30% lower than comparable Alpine resorts, and accommodation costs follow a similar pattern.
The Pyrenean snowpack is generally lower and less predictable than the Alps, with most resorts sitting between 1,400 and 2,800 meters. This makes early-season and late-season skiing riskier, particularly in mild winters. However, the range compensates with unique cross-border experiences and a strong culture of Nordic skiing, ski touring, and backcountry exploration that pairs naturally with the region's less commercialized character. For those drawn to the more adventurous side of French winter sports, the Pyrenees offer genuine wilderness access with fewer crowds on the skin tracks.
The practical recommendation: if you're visiting France specifically for skiing and want guaranteed conditions, extensive terrain, and resort amenities, the Alps are the default choice. If you're combining winter sports with cultural exploration, traveling on a tighter budget, or seeking quieter backcountry routes, the Pyrenees consistently punch above their weight.
Ski Resort Infrastructure and Lift Technology Across France's Mountain Regions
France operates one of the most sophisticated ski resort networks in the world, with over 350 resorts spread across the Alps, Pyrenees, Vosges, Jura, and Massif Central. The country invests approximately €500 million annually in lift infrastructure upgrades alone, making it a benchmark for resort engineering globally. Understanding how this infrastructure is organized — and how it differs between mountain ranges — gives you a serious operational advantage when planning your time on the slopes.The Alpine Backbone: Mega-Resorts and High-Speed Connectivity
The French Alps dominate the conversation when it comes to sheer scale and technical ambition. The Trois Vallées domain — linking Courchevel, Méribel, and Val Thorens — covers 600 km of marked runs connected by 170 lifts, making it the world's largest ski area by skiable terrain. Val Thorens, sitting at 2,300 m altitude, runs its lifts well into April due to high-altitude snowpack, and its Funitel de Péclet gondola, with a carrying capacity of 3,000 skiers per hour, exemplifies the engineering scale at play here. Detachable chairlifts (télésièges débrayables) have largely replaced older fixed-grip systems at the primary access points of major resorts. These lifts operate at 5–6 m/s and reduce waiting times to under 4 minutes during peak periods. In contrast, smaller resorts in the Massif Central or lower-altitude Vosges stations still rely on drag lifts (téléskis) and slower gondolas — perfectly functional for beginner terrain and family skiing, but something to factor in if you're targeting high-mileage days.Mountain Range Variations and Infrastructure Tiers
The Pyrenees present a structurally different model. Resorts like Grand Tourmalet and Font Romeu tend to be more compact, with fewer interconnections between domains. The snowfall pattern here is also more variable, which is why artificial snow coverage reaches up to 90% of pisted terrain at leading Pyrenean stations — a significant infrastructure investment that keeps operations viable from December through March. If you're exploring the full spectrum of snow-based activities beyond piste skiing, the Pyrenees offer excellent snowshoe itineraries precisely because the terrain remains accessible even outside groomed zones. Key infrastructure differentiators to evaluate when selecting a resort:- Lift throughput capacity — expressed in persons per hour (PPH); look for primary gondolas exceeding 2,000 PPH to avoid bottlenecks
- Top-station altitude — anything above 2,500 m provides reliable natural snow cover from late November
- Snow-making coverage — critical for early-season and late-season reliability, especially in the Pyrenees and mid-altitude Alps
- Inter-resort connectivity — linked domains like the Portes du Soleil (spanning France and Switzerland with 196 lifts) dramatically increase daily run potential
Pros and Cons of Winter Sports in France
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Diverse range of ski resorts across various mountain ranges (Alps, Pyrenees) | High costs in premium resorts like Trois Vallées |
| World-class infrastructure, including high-speed gondolas | Congestion during French school holidays |
| Varied terrain suitable for all skill levels | Variable snow conditions in lower-altitude resorts |
| Extensive options for off-piste, Nordic skiing, and other winter sports | Environmental challenges due to climate change affecting snow reliability |
| Cultural and culinary experiences in traditional Savoyard villages | Need for advance planning to secure lift passes and accommodations during peak times |
Beyond Downhill: The Full Spectrum of Snow and Ice Sports Available in France
France's winter sports ecosystem extends far beyond groomed pistes and ski lifts. With over 350 ski resorts ranging from the Pyrenees to the Alps and Vosges, the country has developed one of the most diverse winter sports infrastructures in the world — one that caters equally to adrenaline seekers, endurance athletes, and those simply looking to move through a snow-covered landscape. Understanding this full spectrum is essential for anyone serious about planning a winter season in France.
Nordic and Non-Alpine Disciplines
Cross-country skiing (ski de fond) has a deeply rooted tradition in France, particularly in the Jura and Vercors massifs. The Jura region alone boasts over 1,000 km of groomed Nordic trails, with the legendary La Transjurassienne — a 76 km race held annually in February — drawing more than 4,000 participants from across Europe. Unlike alpine resorts, Nordic centers such as Métabief or Les Rousses offer day passes starting around €8–12, making them significantly more accessible. Snowshoeing (raquettes à neige) is another discipline that has exploded in popularity over the last decade, now available at virtually every major resort with dedicated marked circuits — a natural entry point for those who want to explore French mountain terrain without committing to alpine technique.
Biathlon — the combination of cross-country skiing and rifle shooting — is practiced competitively and recreationally throughout the Savoie and Haute-Savoie departments. Les Saisies, which hosted biathlon events during the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics, still operates a fully equipped biathlon stadium open to the public for introductory sessions. These experiences typically run 1.5 to 2 hours and cost between €20–35 per person — well worth the investment for a genuinely unique activity.
Ice-Based and Freestyle Disciplines
Speed skating, curling, and ice climbing each occupy a legitimate niche in France's winter sports offer. Chamonix's Mer de Glace glacier remains one of the premier ice climbing destinations in the Alps, with fixed routes accessible to beginners under guide supervision. Ski touring (ski de randonnée) is perhaps the fastest-growing discipline in the country right now — sales of touring equipment in France increased by over 30% between 2019 and 2023, reflecting a broader shift toward self-powered mountain experiences. For those willing to earn their descents, the Écrins and Belledonne ranges offer exceptional terrain without lift queues.
Freestyle disciplines — including moguls, aerials, ski cross, and halfpipe — have dedicated parks at major resorts like Tignes and Les 2 Alpes, where world-class facilities are open to the public alongside elite training programs. Tignes alone runs over 12 hectares of freestyle terrain. If you're researching the less conventional sides of French winter sport, the freestyle and freeride scenes offer surprisingly accessible entry points through resort-organized clinics.
Finally, luge, skeleton, and bobsled remain available on the historic La Plagne track — one of only a handful of natural ice tracks in the world — where public passenger runs on a bobsled cost around €40 and reach speeds of 100 km/h. For a complete picture of France's high-octane winter activities, this track alone justifies a detour to the Tarentaise valley. The breadth of what France offers on snow and ice is genuinely unmatched in Western Europe.
Skill Levels and Sport Selection: Matching French Resorts to Your Experience
Choosing the wrong resort for your ability level is one of the most common — and costly — mistakes winter sports visitors make in France. The French Alps alone span over 1,800 marked runs across hundreds of resorts, ranging from gentle beginner slopes at 1,200 meters to expert-only couloirs above 3,800 meters. Getting this match right transforms a frustrating week into an unforgettable one.
Beginners and Intermediate Riders: Where to Start
First-timers and early intermediates should prioritize purpose-built beginner zones with conveyor belt lifts, wide gentle gradients, and dedicated ski schools. Les Gets in the Portes du Soleil is a standout choice — roughly 45% of its 120km of marked runs are classified green or blue, and the village layout means beginners rarely have to navigate difficult terrain just to reach the lifts. Similarly, La Plagne offers 225km of runs with an exceptionally high proportion of blues, plus the infrastructure to support large school groups and first-time families.
Intermediate skiers — those comfortable on most blue and easier red runs — unlock the real breadth of French winter sports. At this level, the Trois Vallées (covering Courchevel, Méribel, and Val Thorens) becomes genuinely accessible. With 600km of interconnected terrain, intermediates can spend a full week without repeating a single run. The key metric to watch: resorts with 40–55% of terrain classified as red tend to suit advancing intermediates best, offering enough challenge without constant intimidation.
Advanced and Expert Terrain: Raising the Stakes
Expert skiers should look beyond simple piste counts and focus on off-piste accessibility, vertical drop, and snow reliability. Chamonix is the undisputed benchmark — its Vallée Blanche route alone offers 20km of glacier skiing with 2,800 meters of vertical descent. However, Chamonix's on-piste options are comparatively limited, which means it genuinely suits only those comfortable venturing off marked runs. Val d'Isère/Tignes strikes a better balance for strong intermediates pushing into advanced territory, combining 300km of marked runs with extensive off-piste zones and high-altitude snow guaranteed well into April.
Sport selection matters just as much as resort selection. France's winter offer extends far beyond alpine skiing, and matching activity to terrain opens up entirely different resort options. If you're exploring alternatives like snowshoeing or Nordic skiing, smaller resorts such as Métabief in the Jura or Font Romeu in the Pyrenees become highly competitive choices — often at a fraction of the cost of major Alpine destinations.
Adrenaline-focused visitors looking at freestyle terrain, speed disciplines, or ice sports should prioritize resorts with certified competition infrastructure. Les Deux Alpes has one of Europe's largest snow parks, while Megève hosts regular speed skating events on its outdoor rink. For those wanting to build a mixed-activity itinerary, the diverse winter activities available across French resorts mean a single base can support completely different sports on alternating days.
- Beginners: Les Gets, La Plagne, Vars — gentle terrain, strong ski school infrastructure
- Intermediates: Trois Vallées, Paradiski, Alpe d'Huez — maximum mileage, varied terrain
- Advanced/Expert: Chamonix, Val d'Isère/Tignes, La Grave — technical terrain, off-piste access
- Non-ski sports: Jura, Vercors, Pyrenean resorts — Nordic, snowshoe, biathlon circuits
Seasonal Timing, Snow Conditions and Weather Patterns in French Mountain Zones
France's mountain regions don't operate on a single seasonal calendar. The Alps, Pyrenees, Vosges, and Massif Central each follow distinct meteorological rhythms that determine not just snow depth, but snow quality — and that distinction separates a good trip from an exceptional one. Understanding these patterns is what separates seasoned mountain travelers from those who book purely on school holiday availability.
The Alpine Season Window: Early Powder vs. Spring Consolidation
In the Northern Alps — covering resorts like Val d'Isère, Chamonix, and Les Arcs — the reliable snow season typically runs from late November through late April at altitude, though the prime window for quality powder conditions falls between January and mid-March. December can be unpredictable at lower elevations, with rain rather than snow appearing below 1,800 metres. High-altitude resorts above 2,000 metres, sometimes called stations altitude, offer far more consistent coverage and are the safer bet for early-season bookings. Val Thorens at 2,300 metres, for instance, frequently opens in mid-November with natural snow while lower resorts are still waiting for their snowmaking infrastructure to compensate.
February brings the French school holidays — les vacances de février — which split across three zones and flood resorts with domestic tourists. Lift queues can stretch 40 minutes at peak times in popular destinations like Méribel or Les Deux Alpes. Experienced skiers deliberately target the quieter weeks of January or early March, when snow consolidation creates excellent piste conditions and crowds drop significantly. March specifically offers a compelling combination: reliable coverage, longer daylight hours reaching up to 11 hours, and a firming of the snowpack that makes off-piste touring considerably safer.
Pyrenean Patterns and the Atlantic Influence
The Pyrenees operate under fundamentally different weather dynamics. Atlantic depressions pushing in from the Bay of Biscay deliver heavy, wet snowfall — often arriving as continental maritime snow — which produces a denser, heavier snowpack than Alpine powder. Resorts like Font Romeu, Grand Tourmalet, and Saint-Lary Soulan typically see their best natural snow between January and February, though the season can extend into April at higher elevations. The trade-off is higher precipitation variability: a warm front can strip 30 centimetres from lower slopes within 48 hours.
The Vosges and Massif Central represent a different category entirely. With maximum elevations around 1,400 metres, these regions depend heavily on continental cold spells rather than consistent snowfall patterns. Their season window is genuinely narrow — roughly December through February — and conditions can be marginal. For those exploring alternatives to traditional downhill skiing like snowshoeing or cross-country trails, these lower massifs can still deliver rewarding experiences at a fraction of Alpine costs.
One practical indicator experienced mountain-goers use is the enneigement bulletin, issued by Météo-France. Checking the bulletin 72 hours before arrival, rather than relying on resort marketing figures, gives a far more accurate picture of actual snow depth at various elevations. Resorts report base depths at valley stations; the upper mountain often carries two to three times that volume. Anyone planning a more adventurous itinerary — covering the full spectrum of what French mountain winters offer beyond groomed runs — should cross-reference Météo-France data with local guide association bulletins for genuine snowpack stability assessments.
- Best powder window: January 10 – February 10 in the Northern Alps
- Best value timing: First two weeks of January, last two weeks of March
- Avoid: French school holiday zones — check the Ministry of Education calendar annually
- Pyrenees peak reliability: Late January through mid-February
- Altitude threshold for reliable early-season snow: Above 1,800 metres
Safety, Avalanche Risk Management and Mountain Rescue Systems in France
France records an average of 30 avalanche fatalities per season, with the majority occurring off-piste or in backcountry terrain. The Météo-France avalanche bulletin (Bulletin de Risque d'Avalanche, BRA) publishes daily risk assessments for all major French mountain massifs using the pan-European five-level danger scale — and checking it before any off-piste excursion is non-negotiable. Skiers who explore France's more demanding mountain terrain need to understand that even a Level 3 (Considerable) rating — the most common level during fatal accidents — demands expert judgment and full safety equipment.Avalanche Safety Equipment and the DVA Standard
French law does not mandate avalanche safety equipment on marked pistes, but off-piste skiing in France without the full trinity of DVA transceiver, probe, and shovel is reckless by any professional standard. The DVA (Détecteur de Victimes d'Avalanche) must be set to transmit mode at all times during descent. Modern digital transceivers from brands like Mammut, Ortovox, or Pieps can locate a buried victim in under 60 seconds during a systematic search — but only if the rescuer knows the search protocol cold. Carrying the gear without practicing the search drill every season is nearly as dangerous as carrying nothing at all. An airbag backpack significantly increases survival odds by counteracting the inverse segregation effect that pushes denser objects deeper during avalanche flow. Statistics from Alpine Club studies suggest airbag deployment reduces burial mortality by approximately 50% in dry slab avalanches. For anyone venturing into France's backcountry winter terrain, this is equipment worth the investment.The PGHM: France's Mountain Rescue Elite
France operates one of the world's most professional mountain rescue systems through the Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne (PGHM), stationed in Chamonix, Briançon, Grenoble, and other alpine centers. These units are staffed by military gendarmes who are simultaneously elite alpinists and paramedics. Response times via helicopter can be under 15 minutes in favorable conditions, which is clinically significant given that avalanche burial survival rates drop sharply after 15 minutes due to asphyxiation. Mountain rescue in France is state-funded, meaning helicopter rescue on-piste costs nothing to the victim. However, rescue in foreign territory, complex multi-day operations, or situations involving private mountain guides can generate costs that are not covered. Carte Neige insurance, offered by the French Ski Federation for around €3 per day or €30 per season, covers rescue operations and is available directly at resort ticket offices — an absurdly low cost for the coverage it provides. Key practical protocols every advanced winter sports participant should internalize:- Always register your planned off-piste route with your accommodation or a local guide bureau before departure
- Call 112 (European emergency number) or 15 (SAMU) in case of mountain emergency — specify GPS coordinates if possible
- Conduct a DVA check with your group at the trailhead, not at the car park
- Assess snowpack instability signs: shooting cracks, whumpfing sounds, and recent loading from new snow or wind are red flags regardless of official BRA rating
- Hire a Bureau des Guides-registered guide for any serious off-piste itinerary — their local snowpack knowledge is irreplaceable
Costs, Passes and Budget Strategies for a French Winter Sports Trip
France's ski resorts span an enormous price spectrum — from the ultra-premium Trois Vallées to genuinely affordable alternatives in the Vosges or Massif Central. A week-long ski holiday in Val d'Isère or Courchevel for a family of four can easily exceed €5,000 once you factor in lift passes, equipment rental, accommodation and food. The same family skiing in Les Angles in the Pyrenees or La Bresse in the Vosges might spend under €2,000. Knowing where to allocate your budget makes the difference between a stressful trip and an exceptional one.
Understanding Lift Pass Pricing and Structures
Lift passes represent the single largest variable cost in any French ski trip. In the Trois Vallées — covering Méribel, Courchevel and Val Thorens — a six-day adult pass costs roughly €290–€340 depending on the booking window. Book online at least three weeks in advance and you typically save 10–15%. Many resorts also offer off-peak pricing for early December and late March, when snow conditions can still be excellent but crowds are thin. A six-day pass in Val Thorens in early December runs approximately €220 compared to €310 during peak February half-term.
For those who want to explore activities beyond the classic groomed pistes — snowshoeing, ski touring or Nordic skiing — many resorts bundle these into their passes or offer dedicated Nordic passes at a fraction of alpine lift pass prices. Chamonix's Nordic area, for instance, charges around €12–€15 per day, which represents exceptional value. Always check whether your chosen resort offers a multi-activity pass before buying a standard alpine option.
Smart Accommodation and Equipment Strategies
Ski-in/ski-out accommodation commands a 30–50% premium over equivalent lodging in the resort village. Unless you're travelling with young children or have mobility constraints, staying 10 minutes from the lifts and using free shuttle services cuts costs significantly without sacrificing convenience. Self-catered apartments — particularly through operators like Pierre & Vacances or Lagrange — typically cost 40% less than hotel stays and allow you to control food spending, which in French mountain restaurants averages €25–€40 per person for lunch alone.
Equipment rental is an area where savvy travellers consistently save money. Online pre-booking through platforms like Ski Set or Ekosport can cut rental costs by 20–30% compared to in-resort walk-in prices. For a full week of ski hire including boots and poles, expect to pay €80–€130 online versus €150–€200 at the resort counter. If you're drawn to the more adrenaline-driven side of French winter sports, such as freestyle parks or off-piste guiding, factor in additional instruction costs — a certified ESF guide for a half-day off-piste session costs around €250–€350 split between a group of four.
One overlooked budget lever is timing your trip around French school holiday calendars. The Zone A, B and C holiday weeks in February create dramatic price spikes of 25–40% across all resort categories. Travelling the week before or after these windows delivers identical snow without the crowds or the cost. For those considering less conventional winter mountain pursuits like ice climbing, snowmobiling or luge, mid-January through early February offers the best combination of conditions and pricing across most French resorts.
- Book lift passes online at least 3 weeks out to access early-bird discounts of 10–15%
- Target shoulder weeks — early December or late March — for pass savings of up to 30%
- Pre-book equipment rental online to save €50–€70 per person versus resort counters
- Self-catered apartments reduce total trip cost by 25–35% compared to catered hotel stays
- Avoid Zone B and C school holiday weeks in February unless you book at least six months ahead
Climate Change Impacts and the Future of Snow Reliability in French Ski Destinations
The numbers are unambiguous: French Alpine resorts have lost an average of 30 to 40 days of natural snow cover per season compared to the 1980s, according to Météo-France data. At elevations below 1,500 meters, several villages that once hosted viable ski operations have effectively exited the downhill market entirely. Stations like Villard-de-Lans and parts of the Vercors massif now market themselves primarily as Nordic and snowshoeing destinations, a strategic pivot that reflects the broader diversification of French winter sports rather than a retreat from the mountains altogether.
The warming trajectory projects a further rise of 1.5°C to 2°C in Alpine regions by 2050 under moderate emissions scenarios. What this translates to practically: the reliable snow line is climbing roughly 150 meters per degree of warming. Resorts anchored above 1,800 meters — think Les Deux Alpes, Val Thorens at 2,300 meters, or Tignes sitting at 2,100 meters — retain strong natural snow windows into the foreseeable future. Below that threshold, financial viability increasingly depends on artificial snowmaking infrastructure, which itself carries significant water and energy costs that regulators are beginning to scrutinize.
Snowmaking: A Bridge Technology, Not a Permanent Solution
France currently operates approximately 23,000 snow guns across its major resorts, covering roughly 30% of skiable terrain. The investment is staggering — a single high-capacity snow gun costs between €80,000 and €120,000, and operating costs average €3,000 to €5,000 per hectare per season. Critically, snowmaking requires temperatures consistently below -2°C, meaning that during warm early-season windows it provides no benefit whatsoever. The winters of 2015–16 and 2023–24 demonstrated precisely this limitation, when even well-equipped resorts like Megève and Morzine struggled to open before late January.
Water availability is becoming a parallel constraint. The Compagnie du Mont-Blanc has invested in high-altitude retention reservoirs — the Lac de la Rocheuse above Chamonix holds 290,000 cubic meters — but environmental regulations under the EU Water Framework Directive are tightening. Future snowmaking expansion will face increasing permitting hurdles, particularly in ecologically sensitive zones.
Strategic Adaptation: What Resorts Are Actually Doing
The most forward-thinking operators are diversifying their revenue streams beyond the January-to-March core window. This means developing year-round adventure offerings that make mountain infrastructure economically viable across all seasons, from via ferrata and mountain biking to summer luge and paragliding. The Compagnie des Alpes, which manages 11 French resorts, has explicitly committed to reducing snow-sport revenue dependency to under 60% of total turnover by 2030.
For visitors planning trips in the near term, the practical guidance is altitude-driven: book high-altitude resorts (above 2,000 meters) for guaranteed snow conditions between December and March, treat mid-altitude destinations as variable and check 14-day forecasts before committing, and reconsider low-altitude resorts for skiing unless opening dates are confirmed. Those seeking a fuller picture of France's winter sports landscape beyond traditional piste skiing will find that the sector's evolution is producing genuinely compelling alternatives. The mountains are not disappearing — they are changing, and the experience they offer is changing with them.
FAQ About Winter Sports in France
What are the top mountain ranges for winter sports in France?
France is home to three major mountain ranges for winter sports: the Alps, the Pyrenees, and the Massif Central, each offering unique experiences and diverse terrains.
Which ski resort is the largest in France?
The Trois Vallées is the world's largest ski area, linking multiple resorts such as Courchevel, Méribel, and Val Thorens, and offering around 600 kilometers of interconnected pistes.
What ski resorts are best for beginners?
Beginners will find excellent learning zones at resorts like Les Gets and La Plagne, which feature gentle slopes and dedicated ski schools.
How does France's ski resort infrastructure compare to other countries?
France boasts one of the most sophisticated ski resort infrastructures globally, with significant investment in lift technology and extensive snowmaking capabilities, offering a seamless winter sports experience.
What are the best times to ski in France?
The prime skiing season in the French Alps typically runs from late November to late April, with the best powder conditions usually between January and mid-March.
