The world of skiing is incredibly exhilarating and challenging. Not only that, but you'll also create unforgettable memories involving spectacular views, heart-warming foods and luxury living spaces. Europe is a prime skiing destination with tailor-made ski holidays covering world-renowned spots. When choosing your first ski destination, it’s important to look for resorts with wide, gentle runs, ski schools and plenty of off-slope activities to enjoy between lessons.
Embarking on your first skiing holiday is always an exciting experience. It’s always worth investing in lessons from a reputable ski school. Most of the resorts listed above offer English-speaking instructors and lessons that are tailored to beginners. Beginner skiers usually rent all the gear they need on-site. You’ll likely use a variety of ski lifts on your holiday, including gondolas, chairlifts and magic carpets. Lift passes will grant you access to ski lifts and slopes. For beginners, consider passes that include just the area around your resort or multi-resort passes if you want to explore more terrain.
Going on your first ever ski holiday can seem like a daunting task. From accommodation and equipment to lift passes and tuition, there’s a lot more to book and plan compared to your usual holiday. It’s all worth it though. Aside from the unbeatable thrill of flying down a ski slope, I love the variety that skiing holidays offer. From breathtaking mountain views and fresh mountain air to indulging in delicious hearty food without the guilt because you’ll be burning off the calories all day. Arguably my favourite part of ski holidays is the mad fun of après ski - where it’s totally normal to dance on the table at 3pm wearing ski boots and goggles. Or for those seeking relaxation (and I’ll be in the spa right there with you), find a hot tub, pool or treatment to experience peace and calm in the mountains.
With years of experience skiing in a huge variety of ski resorts, I’ve been able to curate a comprehensive list of the best ski resorts for beginners. Here are the factors I’d recommend considering when choosing ski resorts for beginners:
- Wide-open, gentle slopes. Having the space to be able to practise those long turns is essential. Ensure there are a good proportion of green and blue slopes for beginners to learn in a safe and forgiving area.
- Top quality ski and snowboard tuition. If you are a beginner skier or snowboarder then you’ll need good quality ski tuition. Check the ski schools before booking and ensure they have friendly English-speaking ski instructors.
- Modern ski lifts. Ski lifts can be daunting to first-time skiers or snowboarders - especially the dreaded drag lift. Having a gondola into the ski area is a great option - or failing that then a modern chair lift which slows down to let you on (not the kind that fly round and whack you in the back of the legs!).
- Availability of non-skiing activities. It’s a good idea to make sure the resort caters for non-skiers, just in case you don’t find your skiing legs, or you just fancy a couple of days off. Personally, I’m a fair weather skier, so if it’s a white-out up the mountain then you’ll find me in the spa!
Most North American and European ski resorts offer a whole range of amazing winter activities, from snowshoeing to ice skating.Try to avoid going at the busiest times of year - mainly school holidays, if you can. Quieter slopes are a lot more welcoming for skiing beginners and there will be less groups of ski school kids to navigate round.
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For those new to skiing, it’s helpful to understand how slopes are rated for difficulty. It’s a coloured system and it varies slightly from continent to continent:
- Europe
- Green: Beginner
- Blue: Easy
- Red: Intermediate
- Black: Expert
- North America
- Green circle: Easy
- Blue square: Intermediate
- Black diamond: Advanced
- Double black diamond: Expert
- Triple black diamond: Extreme expert
Top Ski Resorts in Europe for Beginners
1. Alpe d’Huez, France
Alpe d’Huez is legendary and renowned for its extensive beginner terrain. It has numerous green and blue runs that let new skiers practice with confidence. Alpe d’Huez is a resort with plenty of pistes for beginner skiers - its 131 slopes include 41 green runs and 34 blue runs, which is why it’s so popular with first timers looking to test their ski legs on gentle nursery slopes before progressing to more challenging ones. But beginners can benefit from one of the largest nursery slope areas in the Alps. The resort also has an efficient lift system which can zip you to the top of the slopes in no time at all.
The resort has some of the French Alps' largest beginner areas, one of which you'll find at the Les Bergers end of the village, near to the DMC gondola. You'll also find one of France’s biggest ESF ski schools, where there are over 200 instructors on hand to offer ski lessons in everything from skiing to snow touring. Beginners who progress quickly during their ski holidays will find plenty of terrain to test themselves on; Alpe d’Huez is connected to the resorts of Oz, Vaujany and Auris. For some beautiful views, I’d recommend heading to Pic Blanc at 3300m where you can see Mont Blanc on a clear day. The village of Huez itself is an authentic, friendly ski town with an impressive range of shops, bars and cafes. There’s also a wide range of restaurants with some good affordable options.
Where to stay in Alpe D’Huez:
- Grandes Rousses Hotel & Spa
- Hôtel Daria-I Nor by Les Etincelles
- Le Pic Blanc
2. Méribel, France (Three Valleys)
The French Alps is also home to Méribel, one of the best ski resorts for beginners in Europe. It's home to incredibly gentle slopes, luxurious ski accommodation and excellent snow conditions. For a comprehensive introduction to skiing at this breathtaking European resort, the green runs near Yéti Park trail and Mottaret feature two separate nursery slopes and eight gentle pistes. Nestled in the heart of Les Trois Vallées, Meribel boasts plenty of gentle slopes that are ideal for those just starting out.
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Three Valleys, France Ski area: 600km Runs: 16% green, 40% blue, 34% red, 10% black Lifts: 183 Nearest airport: Chambery Transfer time: 1 hour 45 minutes Highlights: Largest ski area in the world, Fantastic apres and lively nightlife, Snowsure conditions - Val Thorens is the highest resort in Europe. Perhaps my all-time favourite place to ski in the world is The Three Valleys. It actually encompasses three ski resorts: Courchevel, Meribel and Val Thorens. All three are fantastic options for beginners due to the sheer expanse and variety of skiing on offer. This is what makes the Three Valleys a great choice for groups with a range of skiing abilities. The three resorts are interlinked - so whichever resort you stay in, you can still access all three ski areas.
I’d recommend Val Thorens for young adults looking for more of a party scene. Meribel is a popular destination for families and also quite a lively resort - I spent last Christmas in Meribel with my family and we had the most wonderful time. While I’d suggest Courchevel for the ultimate in luxury ski resorts. It’s widely regarded as the playground of the rich and famous, plus it has more Michelin stars than any other resort in the world. We also recommend the dedicated beginners’ area in Meribel Mottaret, accessed via the Plattières gondola. The majority of the slopes in Meribel itself are blue, although there are plenty of enjoyable reds for beginners who progress quickly. Skiing aside, if you visit in summer, consider checking out Meribel’s high altitude, 18-hole golf course - it’s one of the most beautiful golf courses in the Alps and is famous for both its undulating terrain and uninterrupted views down to the valley floor as well as of the surrounding mountains.
Where to stay
- Le Saint Joseph
- Hotel Le Coucou Méribel
- Altapura
3. Les Gets, France
Part of the Portes du Soleil ski area, Les Gets offers a friendly village atmosphere with plenty of gentle slopes that are perfect for beginners. Les Gets is also the perfect ski resort for tired learners who fancy slipping off the ski boots for a few hours. In recent years, Les Gets, which currently has 68 slopes serviced by 50 lifts as well as a brilliant ESF ski school (it's particularly well known for its wide range of courses), has morphed into one of Europe’s best beginner ski resorts.
For tots taking to the slopes for the very first time, there’s the colourful Le Jardin des Neiges, designed for children aged three to five. We recommend a session on one of the resort’s electric snowmobiles, although we’re equally excited about the resort’s five fantastic toboggan runs. Despite its smaller size, Les Gets has a brilliantly diverse selection of hotels, self-catering apartments and catered chalets. In recent years, a number of Airbnb properties have popped up in this lively resort, too.
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4. La Rosiere, France
Known for its sunny slopes and relaxed vibes, La Rosiere has wide, gentle runs that are great for beginners. Located just above La Rosiere village, this gorgeous property, which offers easy access to La Rosiere’s most gentle slopes as well as its tougher ones, is an all-inclusive affair - everything from food and drink to ski school lessons is included. If you’re travelling with kids, consider checking out the Club Med La Rosiere, a ski in, ski out hotel which opened in 2020.
5. Les Menuires, France
With a high proportion of beginner-friendly terrain, Les Menuires is one of the most accessible large resorts for new skiers. Located in the same valley as Val Thorens, one of the most snow sure ski resorts in the world, Les Menuires is a great place to sniff out a bargain ski holiday package for early or late season travel. Accommodation tends to cost less down here than up in VT, and while you'll have to take lifts to get up to the most snow sure slopes, if it's your first ski holiday, that may provide a welcome break.
There are plenty of green and blue runs in Les Menuires itself, and things like equipment hire, individual ski and snowboard lessons, or group lessons for kids are more reasonably priced than in some of the Trois Vallées more expensive enclaves. The village of Les Menuires itself is more practical than pretty-access to the slopes is excellent with tons of ski in, ski out accommodation options, but the 1970s buildings aren't about to win any design awards. There are plenty of excellent restaurants and bars, however, and the Discotheque Le Leeberty is a classic of the genre. If the beginners in your group are children, fear not-Les Menuires also ticks many of the boxes that make ski resorts great for families, with lots of off snow entertainment, including a swimming pool with water jets and a current to play in. If you're on your first ever ski holiday, Les Menuires is an option you shouldn't ignore.
6. Cervinia, Italy
The assertion that a ski resort at the foot of one of the steepest mountains in Europe is a great spot for beginner skiing might seem strange, but hear us out. Cervinia, on the Italian side of the Matterhorn, has a ton of massive, wide, motorway pistes. The entire ski area is snow sure, because it's so high. It's relatively inexpensive (especially compared to Zermatt, over on the Swiss side of the mountain), and unlike many resorts in such elevated alpine locations, access is easy, with Turin airport just over an hour and a half away. All of these things make it a great place for beginner skiers to cut their teeth. When you add in the delights of Italian food, and the relatively inexpensive prices of Italian accommodation, ski schools, equipment hire and other extras, you have one of the best ski resorts for beginners anywhere in Europe.
Skiing in Cervinia dates back to the early days of the sport-because of its proximity to the Matterhorn, people were coming on mountain holidays before alpine skiing was even invented. The oldest part of the resort, down in Val Tournenche, is a warren of small streets and old wooden barns which date back to medieval times. At the very start or end of the season, skiing down here at 1,400m sometimes relies on artificial snow, but the connections up to the main base station, 2,050m up, is fast and straightforward. Cervinia itself is mostly more modern, but what it lacks in chocolate box prettiness, it makes up for in terms of practicality.
7. Söll, Austria
Söll is a quiet ski resort known for its scenic, easy slopes and its relaxed atmosphere. It’s the perfect ski resort for anyone keen to explore this legendary region, which has over 279 kilometres of pistes, most which of which are best suited to beginners and intermediates. The slopes are a kilometre away, but a free ski bus will whisk you there in seconds, and it’s certainly one of the most spectacular places to ski, thanks to a jagged backdrop of the Kitzbüheler and Zillertal Alps. For toddlers, there’s the Kinderland Kornkammer, designed for children aged one and over.
Finally, if you love to cram a night skiing session or two into your ski holidays, you're in luck - stay in Söll and you'll have easy access to Austria's largest night skiing area: SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixental. Head there to carve up 10 kilometres of slopes under Austria's star-spangled skies, before warming up in a slope-side mountain hut.
8. Lech, Austria
Part of the largest ski region in Austria, Lech is an excellent resort for beginners. There's an abundance of ski schools and instructors for you to choose from, and the progression from green slopes to longer blues is smooth. Beginners need around three two-hour lessons. As you glide down the green piste terrain, take in the beautifully sunlit mountains covered in a blanket of snow.
Lech holds a worldwide reputation and is known as an exclusive, high-end ski resort. I’d therefore recommend it for those looking for a little luxury. As a traditional village, Lech brings a lot of charm and a homely, welcoming atmosphere. The slopes are very easily accessible, with an abundance of ski-in ski-out accommodation. Lech has a good snow record and pistes are groomed regularly. Tough terrain is a little limited, so it’s not a popular place for advanced skiers - but this makes it great for beginners. Still, it’s undoubtedly one of the best ski resorts in Europe and offers great facilities and excellent restaurants. The après ski is a more sophisticated affair - think ice bars and champagne instead of beer-guzzling and table dancing. Sounds perfect to me!
Where to stay
- Kristiania Lech
- Hotel Sonnenburg
- Burg Vital Resort
9. Courchevel, France
Renowned for being Europe’s most exclusive ski resort, Courchevel is a beginner's paradise thanks to its excellent nursery slopes above Moriond 1650 and Courchevel 1850. The extensive nursery slopes and gentle runs at Courchevel make it a perfect destination for first-time skiers. With free access to modern lifts, progression to longer greens, and the option for advancing to gentle blue slopes at Biollay, beginner skiers can practice to their heart's desire. After becoming familiar with the gentle nursery slopes, explore the glitzy après ski scene from slopeside restaurants to sophisticated hotel lounges at this fabulous French beginner ski resort.
10. Saas-Fee, Switzerland
Offering panoramic views of the Alps and an excellent choice of non-ski activities, Saas-Fee is high up on the list of top ski resorts in Europe for beginners. Saas-Fee is a stunning ski resort, known as ‘The Pearl of the Alps. It benefits from one of the largest glacier ski areas in the Alps, making it a snowsure ski resort. It's snow sure, has fantastic beginner slopes, and is surrounded by a stunning snowy setting. Following a downhill descent, get the ski lift back to the top and gear up to go again. At the edge of the alpine village is a large nursery area where you can make good progress on a variety of slopes and gentle blues.
There is a large beginner’s ski area in the resort, which is covered by a cheap pass. The village itself is picturesque and quant, with an inviting swiss charm. It is full of character and the perfect place to relax in a cosy bar with a gluhwein. After a day on the slopes, consider braving the resort's 11-kilometre toboggan run, which streaks from from Kreuzboden to Saas-Grund. It's also worth noting the resort's great accessibility - choose to fly into Geneva, Zürich, Basel or Milan.
Where to stay
- The Capra Saas-Fee
- Dolce Vita
- Walliserhof Grand-Hotel & Spa Relais & Châteaux