For beginners, picking the right ski resort for you can be daunting. To help you make a more informed decision here are the most appropriate ski resorts for beginners.
When it comes to picking the best ski ski resort for beginners it comes down to a few things:
- The size of the resorts beginner areas: By this we mean green and blue slopes where you can practise your turns and the piste isn’t too steep.
- How popular is the resort: The less people on the slope the more you can concentrate on learning. Beginners are typically concerned with hitting other people, although this shouldn’t be a concern as they are more worried about you hitting them – it’s a concern nevertheless.
- Other amenities on offer: If you’re learning to ski you will naturally be more tired than someone who can already ski or snowboard. You’ll be falling over more and thus more physically tired, but also concentrating and thus more mentally tired. So having the afternoon off with activities to take your mind off learning is only a plus.
- Price: By price we mean there are a variety of things to consider. The overall price including lodging, food and drink for example. However, we do also recommend the lift pass. Lift passes for beginners mean you may be able to purchase a lift pass the provides access to part of the reason only – saving quite a bit. As you may not have the ability to explore areas far away, especially when you need to consider getting back to your main resort.
We assume that you will be learning with either an instructor, or extremely new to skiing or snowboarding and thus sticking to easier runs.
Now let’s take a look at what the best ski resorts for beginners are.
Alpe d’Huez
Alpe d’Huez in France is known for its wide and gentle slopes, making it an ideal destination for beginners. With some of the biggest beginner ski areas we’ve seen and plenty of blue and red runs to develop your skills on.
The resort has dedicated beginner areas, such as the Ecole du Ski Français (ESF) beginner zone, where new skiers can learn and practice in a safe environment.
Being such a large resort, beginners visiting Alpe d’Heuz with have plenty to do outside of skiing. There are plenty of wellness centres with swimming pools, a cinema, bars, restaurants, ice skating, snow mobiling and more.
Grandvalira
Beginners will be right at home in the Grandvalira ski area in Andorra. Although there are no green slopes which are directly aimed at beginners, the wide blue runs here make Grandvalira one of the best ski resorts for beginners around.
Historically Andorra was beginner friendly due to this, combined with the lower prices. Over time Andorra has slowly risen in price, but don’t let that put you off with wide slopes.
Pas de la Casa has plenty of other amenities to keep you entertained. Although, this resort is livelier than many of the others. For something slightly tamer in Andorra, beginners should head to Soldeu.
Beaver Creek
Colorado provides a beginner ski resort in the form of Beaver Creek. Over 150 km of ski runs in total and around 20% of those are easy runs, so plenty to explore and get learning on.
If you want the beginner runs at Beaver Creek then head to McCoy Park, almost entirely made up of easier green trails. This area is found at Bachelor Gulch, like many of the other beginner runs.
Borovets
Borovets in Bulgaria is not known as one of the largest ski resorts in Europe. However, the gentle slopes and affordable prices make it a popular choice.
The ski slopes in Borovets make it a suitable place for learning. The advanced slopes aren’t too difficult either if you want to test your nerve.
One downside is that slopes can become congested. But, advanced skiers and snowboarders will be looking out and avoid you respectfully.
Due to it’s prices, Borovets attracts the younger crowd. With aprés a firm favourite here with many drink offers, bars and clubs to keep you entertained. The main airport that services Borovets is the capital, Sofia. So you can even enjoy a day at the capital before you head home if you like.
Keystone
If you took a look at Keystone in Colorado, you’re eyes may be drawn to the significant black runs at the top of the mountain. However, avoid those.
What we’re looking at are the runs from Summit House and below. Copious amount of blue runs to explore and a dedicated family friendly section with the family ski trail. Here beginners have the opportunity to got at their very own pace and everyone else is encouraged to do so, respecting others on the slope.
The excellent ski schools really do help newcomers feel comfortable on the snow at Keystone.
Saalbach Hinterglemm
The Austrian offering of Saalbach Hinterglemm provides a beginner friendly ski resort, with a large number of easy and well-groomed slopes. With excellent ski schools and English-speaking instructors who specialise in teaching beginners this place is a sure winner.
140 km blue runs provide a great European ski resort for beginners. Not to mention the other activities on offer such as; Tandem paragliding; Snowtubing; Ice Skating; Indoor Tennis; Bars; Restaurants and of course the leisure centres.
Mount Snow
Vermont ski resort Mount Snow offers a welcoming atmosphere and beginner-friendly slopes. Although much smaller than some of these larger resorts, the vast majority of runs in Mount Snow are beginner friendly.
Just be sure to avoid the freestyle areas and black slopes, stick the blues and you’ll be fine.
Park City
Park City in Utah, being the size of resort it is – 250 km of slopes to explore. It no doubt has some easier runs and has to be on our list for beginner ski resorts.
Providing around twenty-seven trails to enjoy as beginner, there’s more than enough. Combined that with a ski instructor and you’ll no doubt improve your form and technique. A great beginner run is the Home Run run. At 3.5 miles, it’s one of the longest green trails in the state.
If you’re done for the day as beginner on the slopes, then you can take a look into Snow Biking, Tubing, Dog Sledding, Snowmobiling as well as plenty of bars, restaurants and wellness centres.
Sierra Nevada
If you’re left slightly confused the to confirm, we don’t mean the dessert in the USA. We mean in Southern Spain near Grenada. Sierra Nevada is a great option for beginners, with wide and gentle slopes suitable for learning.
The resort provides excellent ski schools and because of it’s location can often see warmer climates. Slushy slow may not be the best for skiing or snowboarding on. But, it does make for a good cushion if you’re falling over more often.
Niseko
We couldn’t not mention a resort in Japan. Niseko. Niseko is one of the most popular ski destinations in Asia, renowned for its consistent snowfall and excellent facilities – an ideal setting to make this one of the best ski resorts for beginners.
Niseko United offers a wide range of gentle slopes. There are more than enough beginner slops in Niseko to keep you happy. English-speaking ski schools are also available to cater to beginners of all ages.
Japan is also well known as having some of the best and softest snow. Perfect for if you’ve not got the balance just quite right yet as it will be as if you’re gliding on air.