Best ski resorts for beginners Top European ski resorts for learning to ski or snowboard
Here are some of our suggestions for the best ski resorts for beginners. Whether your an adult or taking the kids skiing for the first time, learning to ski or snowboard can be challenging but also great fun and exhilarating.
Choosing the right ski resort can make the difference between loving and hating it. There is no point aiming for a resort with 70+ degree gradients or so high that the wind chill freezes your bones on the first day. The best ski resorts for beginners all tend to have one thing in common which is wide open nursery slopes near the village and well connected blue pistes for easy progression.
Some other key ingredients are...
- Try to book later on in the season when the weather conditions tend to be more favourable plus it is far warmer
- Choose ski resorts with as many south facing slopes as possible
- Choose a ski school (more importantly the instructor) who can speak your language
- Ski in / ski-out accommodation makes all the difference at the end of your first few days
Avoriaz, France
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At a glance
- Resort height 1800m
- 25 beginners areas
- 127 blue pistes
- Slope direction N,S,E,W
- Kindergarten / creche
- Ski-in/ski-out
Overview
Avoriaz was designed to be skier friendly - the streets are pistes so you can ski to and from all the accommodation, bars and restaurants making it a fantastic ski resort for families. There is even a short chair lift that takes you from the beginners area up to the main pedestranised zone.
Part of the massive Portes du Soleil system linking 12 resorts across France and Switzerland, Avoriaz provides direct access to 650km of pistes and is one of our favourite beginner resorts.
Grindelwald, Switzerland
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At a glance
- Resort height 1034m
- 6 beginners areas
- 23 blue pistes
- Slope direction N,S,E,W
- Kindergarten / creche
Overview
An international ski resort and busy throughout the year with skiers, hikers, mountain climbers and people who just want to enjoy the scenery.
There are excellent nursery areas spread across the 3 sectors - the best being Grindelwald-First. It is the sunniest of the 3 areas and is particularly suited to families and children as there is also a fun park called the White Elements.
On the Kleine Scheidegg-Männlichen area, you will find gentle blues plus creche facilities.
Flaine, France
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At a glance
- Resort height 1600m
- 17 beginners areas
- 67 blue pistes
- Slope direction N,S,E,W
- Kindergarten / creche
- Ski-in/ski-out
Overview
Flaine is high snowsure ski resort sitting in a sunny bowl. Most of the apartments in the resort centre lets you ski out of your front door and back again making it very convenient especially with young children.
Flaine has excellent nursery slopes close to the resort centre making it a firm favouriate for beginners. The wide gentle blues are well connected to the beginner areas and provide easy cruising across the connected resorts of the Grand Massif.
Tignes, France
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At a glance
- Resort height 2100m
- 22 beginners areas
- 68 blue pistes
- Slope direction N,S,E,W
- Kindergarten / creche
- Ski-in/ski-out
Overview
Tignes is a high altitude snowsure ski resort connected to Val d'Isere in the Tarentaise Valley, France.
Known more for its intermediate and expert skiing, Tignes surprises most people with its excellent facilities for beginners.
There is a dedicated nursery area at Le Lac close to the centre with 5 free lifts avoiding the costs of buying a full lift pass. Plus, the wide gentle blues allows easy cruising across the vast ski area with mostly modern chairlifts connecting the pistes.
