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If you’re planning your first ski trip, are relatively new to skiing, or are planning a trip for a larger group with some beginners, choosing the best ski resort can be tricky. Finding a ski resort with gentle terrain and the best facilities for beginners takes time, so we’ve done the hard work for you. We have 25 years of experience teaching people to ski in some of the world’s best ski resorts and know what makes a great ski resort for beginners.
THE 6 BEST BEGINNER SKI RESORTS
- Avoriaz, France
- Courchevel 1850, France
- La Plagne, France
- Lech, Austria
- Les Arcs, France
- Tignes, France
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT RESORT:
You can learn to ski on any mountain, indoors and on dry ski slopes, but some ski resorts are better suited to beginners and will help you get the most out of your holiday and fall in love with Snow Sports.
When learning to ski, you want gentle terrain to help you control your speed, a good network of green and blue runs to help you explore the mountain and a modern lift system. Away from the snow, look for resorts with easy access to the slopes from all accommodation options.
Choosing a resort with plenty of snow or beginner’s slopes at the top of the mountain would be best. Making the beginner’s area easy to access is essential, so historically, it was always located at the bottom of the mountain, where the terrain is flatter, and you didn’t have to be able to ski to reach it, which makes a lot of sense.
Altitude
As snowfall has become less predictable, though, this can cause problems, especially in lower resorts, with people learning to ski to small strips of snow, in poor conditions or, in the worst case scenario, learning to ski in the wrong place because it is the only place with snow.
The best thing about Snowsports is the sense of freedom and exploring incredible landscapes with your loved ones. If you can’t do this because the terrain makes it too hard to travel, makes you feel nervous, or those green and blue runs don’t link up well, you won’t enjoy yourself as much.
Beginners Areas
Most ski resorts have designated beginner areas, which can be great, making learning more accessible and less intimidating. These can be great, but they also need to be linked into the rest of the resort infrastructure but often aren’t, so don’t choose a resort on this basis alone. All ski resorts will have some excellent Ski Schools offering Ski Lessons. Professional advice and guidance while learning to ski will transform your trip.
Seven reasons we love skiing in Avoriaz
Avoriaz
The ski resort of Avoriaz is one of the most snow-sure resorts due to its high altitude in the expansive ski area of Portes du Soleil, France. You may recognise the other nearby resort of Morzine, which is very popular with Brits and families.
But it does sit at a slightly lower altitude, meaning the snow disappears quickly in the spring, making it more hassle to start skiing each day. Avoriaz sits at 1800m altitude, whereas Morzine sits at 1000m. We’d always recommend staying in Avoriaz if you’re skiing in the Portes du Soleil (known as PDS for short).
The ski area in Avoriaz caters well for beginners and has over 25 well-connected blue runs. Green and blue runs are the most leisurely ski runs you’ll want to look out for when you arrive at the resort. Make sure you pick up a map of the slopes (in France, ski runs are known as pistes) to get to grips with where you’re staying and where the beginner areas are.
It’s good to note that many of the easier blue-graded runs start from the top of the mountain and finish back down in the main town, meaning that even those new to skiing can take in the high alpine views at the top.
Another reason we love Avoriaz:
It’s only 2 hours from Geneva, one of the main airports you’ll want to look at flying into. Avoriaz is a relatively easy resort to access by air. Then you need to organise a ski transfer in a minibus or private transfer to the resort, which takes around 2 hours.
We’ve got plenty of information regarding airport transfers we recommend, childcare options in Avoriaz, a quick link to webcams and relevant information for those looking to ski in Avoriaz. Find out more about Avoriaz.
Learning to ski in Courchevel 1850
Courchevel 1850
The Courchevel ski area has loads of easy green and blue runs that give you access to the 3 Valleys. Over the years, it has worked hard to improve facilities for beginners of all ages, making it one of the best resorts for beginners in France. The ski resort sits at a high altitude, with north-facing slopes, so it always has reliable snow cover.
Beginners can start in the Evolution Zone, known as the ‘ZEN’ area and seen on a piste map as the green highlighted areas labelled ZEN. In this area, you can utilise several drag lifts and two magic carpet lifts to get you started.
Another great place to learn to ski in Courchevel is between the Biollay and Jardin Alpin lifts. These runs provide access to a good network of green runs. They lead back to the centre of Courchevel 1850 and are long and wide with a slight gradient – perfect for beginners to learn to ski and practice.
And once you’ve built your skills and are feeling more confident, it’s easy to graduate to blues nearby and maybe even a red or two! Courchevel is one of the best ski resorts with plenty of gentle nursery slopes, ski ski-out accommodations, excellent ski schools and facilities for first-timers.
Courchevel 1850 is also a family-friendly resort with snow tubing, ice skating, sledging, cross-country skiing and more. If some of your group are more accomplished skiers, then there are plenty of intermediate slopes and off-piste areas for experienced skiers.
Check availability or book your ski lessons now.
Ready to book your next ski holiday to Courchevel?
Find any practical information you need for your next trip to Courchevel, including our recommendations for airport transfers, the nearest airport, where to stay, childcare options and more.
Nearby Resorts
Courchevel 1650 is also fantastic for beginners and has made vast improvements in the past five years to create a Western Ski Park with two magic carpets, a tipi with hot chocolates for a break and gentle slopes for those learning to ski. It’s not just for kids, and with a swift gondola ride up the Ariondaz bubble from the main ski resort, it couldn’t be easier to learn to ski.
There are also plenty of long blue beginner slopes and green runs so you can ski back into town – if you feel confident enough. With themed areas for kids, such as the Indian run, plenty of interactive activities and an excellent choice of ski schools, Courchevel is one of the best French resorts for a family-friendly ski holiday.
This guide to Courchevel for beginners has more information to plan your trip.
La Plagne
The La Plagne ski area is a beginner paradise and is well known for being one of the best beginner ski resorts. Many green and blue slopes (83 out of 132 pistes) are on a rolling plateau high above the tree line. The wide, well-groomed pistes across the ski resort leave plenty of space for beginners to practice their turns.
La Plagne has also been doing much work in the past few years to make it even better for beginners with less congestion and new beginner-designated areas with nursery slopes where you could spend your first ski holiday.
La Plagne is split up into many little villages at different altitudes, all with stunning scenery. For the quickest access to easy blue runs, it’s best to stay further up the hill, in Belle Plagne and Plagne Centre. Although La Plagne is one of the most popular ski resorts, the pistes never feel busy due to their sheer size, as there is so much terrain to explore.
And the fun doesn’t have to stop once you’re all skied out for the day. There are dedicated sledging zones in almost every village, an indoor swimming pool, and several school holiday events to entertain the kids. Oh, and some brilliant après ski for the parents too!
Read more about La Plagne here.
Lech
Have you ever heard of Lech? If not, you’re missing out on one of the best skiing destinations. This hidden gem is renowned for its incredible slopes and luxurious accommodations. As part of Austria’s largest ski area and one of the most expansive ski resorts in the world, it’s a top choice for families, thrill-seekers, and ski enthusiasts alike.
At Lech Zürs am Arlberg, they prioritise quality over quantity in everything they offer. Every aspect is delivered to the highest standards, from top-notch facilities to exceptional service. Families love this place, with many guests returning year after year since their childhood. Don’t miss out on the unforgettable skiing experience that awaits you in Lech.
You might envision Lech as a playground for the rich and famous. But it’s not just a destination for the elite. This charming town offers family-run hotels that won’t break the bank.
Despite its popularity, Lech has managed to keep its allure intact. Its secluded location only adds to its charm. However, it’s worth noting that reaching the resort can be challenging during bad weather and heavy snowfall.
Now, let’s talk about the real star of the show: the ski area. Known for its fantastic snow record and diverse terrain, there’s something for everyone in Lech. While Lech and Zürs may not be the highest ski resorts in the Alps, they certainly have some of the best snowfall. With an average of around 7m in Lech and closer to 10m in Zürs, this place is a winter wonderland.
And don’t worry about the snow coverage. Thanks to impressive snow-making technology, about 60% of all pistes are covered. You can rest easy knowing you’ll have excellent skiing conditions throughout the season.
Just a small note, however. Most of Lech’s terrain faces south, so the best snow conditions are usually early to mid-winter before the sun gets too intense.
Beginners and intermediates can explore most of the mountain with plenty of choices for gentle descents. Lech and Oberlech offer fantastic slopes for beginners and various easy runs to help you build confidence on the hill. However, the central blue run between Oberlech and Lech might be too challenging for most beginners.
Zürs also provides suitable slopes for beginners, although fewer obvious options exist for progressing to more advanced runs. With approximately 131 kilometres (81 miles) of blue-marked slopes, Lech is a great destination for beginners. Beginner-friendly runs are spread throughout the area, allowing new skiers to explore the entire resort on relatively easy slopes.
Look at the Lech Piste map and get to know the ski resort. More information can be found here.
Les Arcs
Les Arcs is a great ski resort for beginners, offering a variety of gentle slopes and dedicated areas for learning. The resort comprises four villages, each with a beginner’s pass that gives access to the beginner areas and lifts.
Each village of Les Arcs ski area has many gentle blue runs and nursery areas explicitly designed for beginners. Here are some details about the beginner-friendly regions of each village:
- Arc 1600: No green pistes, 15 blue pistes. With lots of nice rolling blue pistes in the trees, Arc 1600 is an excellent place to learn to ski or snowboard and progress from skiing blues to reds.
- Arc 1800: 2 green pistes, 11 blue pistes. The two green pistes can be found at the Mille 8 complex. You’ll find wide tree-lined runs here that lead back to the resort, a great learning environment for beginner skiers, with plenty of room to practice those turns and a gentle gradient to build confidence.
- Arc 2000: No green pistes, 20 blue pistes. Arc 2000 is generally considered more suitable for intermediate to expert skiers, but some fantastic rolling blues are shallow enough for beginners, too.
- Peisey-Vallandry: 1 green piste, 14 blue pistes. Peisey-Vallandry also has a range of gentle, cruisy blue runs perfect for beginners and in tree-lined serenity for that ideal first ski holiday experience.
About ten beginner lifts can be used for free, and a beginner’s lift pass option exists to buy 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 trips on the lifts. You don’t have to commit to a lift pass for the whole week.
If you need a helping hand getting to grips with the basics on your first ski holiday, remember to book ski lessons with New Generation Ski School. It’s easy, and you can fully book online.
Tignes: An excellent resort for beginners
Tignes
This incredible resort offers beginner-friendly areas called “Ski Start” zones. These zones provide a stress-free and low-cost environment for learning, with free ski lifts to get you started.
The learning process in these zones is divided into three phases: discover, learn, and practice. In Ski Start 1, you can find skiing in designated areas with easy-to-use ski lifts – and it’s entirely free of charge.
Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to move on to Ski Start 2. Here, you’ll continue to learn and progress while experiencing the thrill of skiing further and higher than before. And yes, it’s still free of charge.
Finally, in Ski Start 3, you’ll be ready to take on the blue runs of the ski area. With longer lifts, you’ll have the chance to perfect your technique and style. Please note that you must purchase a ski pass for this stage.
Instead, they’re there to complement the learning process. If you want to succeed, there’s no better way than learning from a professional instructor.
The Ski Start area in Le Lac is the best, with a magic carpet and a small chair lift as you build your confidence. The local bus is free for those not staying in Le Lac and will take you to the top of the Magic Carpet.
Even more conveniently, this is right next to our meeting point for those learning to ski with one of our enthusiastic, knowledgeable and encouraging team members, making pick-up and drop-off easy for families with kids and adults in different groups.
With many easy green and blue runs linking Tignes and Val d’Isere, you’ll always have places to discover. With Tignes sitting at a lofty 2100m above sea level, you can count on consistent snow coverage throughout the season, even on the lower slopes. So, why wait?
Click here for more practical information about visiting Tignes and why we love it.
SKI SCHOOL SUGGESTIONS
Now that you’ve got a better idea of the best ski resorts for beginners, you can plan your holiday and find ski schools to match your needs. We’ve been teaching ski and snowboard lessons for over 25 years in the Alps and know a thing or two about ski holidays.
We’re based in 20 of the most prestigious resorts and offer adult group lessons in all the above resorts. We also run private and kids’ group lessons to cater to your needs. Discover our ski lessons and get in touch today if you want to chat with one of our friendly, knowledgeable teams.
