If you’re planning your first ski holiday and you’re wondering where to start out, or are feeling a little apprehensive then fret not! Taking your first tentative steps needn’t be nerve wracking and to help you get started we’ve put together some insider tip’s for those learning to ski in Courchevel. So read on….
And if you’ve got any questions or want some advice then add your comments below and we’ll be happy to help. Whether it’s the best runs first thing? Or the sunny spots for lunch. We’ve been there, bought the t shirt and sipped the vin chaud. And if you have any pearls of wisdom to share then we’d love that too. Then stay tuned for more blogs on learning to ski in some of your other favourite resorts. We’re busy tapping away but getting a little side tracked with the white stuff falling heavily outside :)
Courchevel Moriond, 1650
Linked to the Trois Valleys, Courchevel Moriond (or Courchevel 1650) has a separate beginners’ area with a drag lift, Mickey’s. It’s not the most of forgiving places to first learn to ski, as the run is shaded in the morning so is often cold, with icy snow. That said, after the first few days when you’ve found your feet, you can head up the Ariondaz bubble, and head down Praline (green) or the plethora of wide, gentle blue slopes back to resort. We’d suggest stopping off at the Fire and Ice bar for a wee tipple in glass made of ice – oh, and the free pizza.
Our top tip – if you are of a particularly nervous disposition, get the free bus between Moriond and Courchevel 1850 where you can get the bubble up to the purpose built beginners area, complete with magic carpet.
Courchevel 1850
The best thing about a purpose built ski resort, like 1850, is that it caters for all levels of skiers, and all the runs back to resort are gentle greens. Add to this the brilliant beginner area (with not 2 but THREE magic carpets, and plenty of wide, flat space), and you have one of the best resorts for learning to ski or board.
In the middle of the resort you’ve a choice of gentle blue runs, Biollay and Anemones to name a few, and can even explore further afield to Courchevel 1650 via Pralong.
Our top tip – Creux is the only blue run from the top of Courchevel – and until last year it was a red. Only take this on when you’re ready, and go in the mornings before it gets busy and cut up.
La Tania
In 2012 La Tania completed its beginner area with a magic carpet. This made a big difference to the experience of newbie boarders and skiers as previously the only option was the Troika drag lift.
Tucked away from Courchevel, La Tania is a fully fledged ski resort in its own right, and with plenty of meandering, forest-edged green runs, La Tania is one of the prettiest resorts in which to learn to ski. Once you’ve mastered the Ski Sunday favourite Folyeres run (blue), we’d suggest you enjoy the view of skiers coming down the steeper runs from the comfort of a sunlounger at the Bouc Blanc restaurant.
