The Best Ski Resorts for Beginners 2024 - 25
So, you want to take up skiing or snowboarding?
Whether you're jetting off with friends or family who already have on-piste experience, or whether you're heading up a group of complete novices, it can be a daunting prospect.
Since winter sports are rather costly - even at the cheaper end of the market - you'll want to acquire the basic skills as quickly as possible.
This is best achieved by hiring an experienced instructor. Tales abound of folks who tried to learn by themselves - and often wasted days on the nursery slopes that could have been spent on more challenging runs with their friends.
Aside from a good instructor, you'll need to choose a resort that's super beginner-friendly (not all of them are).
The best ski resorts for beginners have a good number of novice slopes, and a host of straightforward-but-fun blue runs for when you want to progress.
And of course, no ski trip is complete without a decent apres ski scene - so you can discuss your successes and failures with fellow adrenaline-seekers!
Here's our pick of the best ski resorts for beginners - most of which are just a few hours from the UK.
Les 2 Alpes, France
In most ski resorts, the beginner slopes are located at the foot of the mountains, with the reds and blacks higher up.
But with Les 2 Alpes, newbies head for higher ground, because that's where the gentlest slopes are.
What's more, you’ll have the kind of views that adrenaline-junkie pros normally get to enjoy.
When it comes to skiing for beginners, this kind of set-up is rare indeed.
There's even a beginner run near a glacier!
What's more, there are several free-to-access nursery lifts, so you won’t need to fork out for a proper ski pass until you're good and ready.
Les 2 Alpes après scene
The après ski scene kicks off about 3pm and is a cut above most other resorts.
Expect everything from sax players to balloon sculptures to dancers.
Those seeking a more chilled out scene won’t be disappointed either: there are terrace bars with low-key DJs, plus classic indoor bars with pool and live music.
Add the legendary nightlife to extremely reliable snowfall and superbly maintained pistes, and you have one of the best French ski resorts for beginners (and one of the best places to ski in Europe!).
Bansko, Bulgaria
Skiers come here for the low prices, but they return for the superb instructors and beautiful forested runs (AND the cheap prices!).
ULEN and Pirin 2000 ski schools come highly recommended; they teach their magic on a gentle patch of ground in the forest.
Skills acquired, it'll be time to explore the network of blue runs that cover most of the mountains.
Navigation is a cinch because all runs point in the same direction.
The 10km home run is also a breathtaking way to end the day.
Après ski at Bansko
And if this is your first time skiing or snowboarding, Bansko will be a great introduction to the world of après ski.
You'll find all the choices you get in France or Austria - including wine tasting, karaoke, plus regular bars and nightclubs - but for a fraction of the price.
A draught beer costs around 2GBP, while a bottle of house wine will set you back a mere 3GBP. The same drinks in a French Alpine bar could cost four times as much!
It's a similar story with meals - which are half or a third of the cost of a French ski resort meal.
In short, Bansko is comparable to the best places to ski in Europe - but won’t break your bank.
Ellmau, Austria
One of the best resorts for beginners in Austria, Ellmau’s nursery slopes offer fabulous views over picturesque Ellmau village and are a short stroll from most accommodation.
Hop on the Kirchbichl lift to access the Kinderland area.
Once the requisite skills have been picked up, it's time to board the Hartkaiserbahn - complete with heated seats - to enjoy some not-too-taxing blue runs.
Ellmau restaurants
Ellmau also has a good selection of restaurants - both lively and sedate - including mountain-top dining options with spectacular views.
This can be reached after a 2.5 hour trek - or by cable car!
Great resort for beginner skiers
Overall Ellmau is a great place to kick-start your skiing or snowboarding career - especially if you want to avoid bigger crowds and a rowdier nightlife.
Soldeu & El Tarter, Grandvalira, Andorra
Andorra has long been a top pick for UK skiers. It's affordable and it has some of the best instructors in Europe - many of whom are Britons.
Soldeu and El Tarter rank among Andorra's very best resorts for the above reasons, but also because they've enjoyed more than billion euros of investment in recent times, resulting in facilities that match the best in France.
Ski runs
The area boasts many fun, rolling blue runs (including the forested Bosc Fosc route) to enjoy after you've progressed from the nursery slopes.
Kids will love the somewhat eccentric features of the revamped nursery slopes - making learning to ski or snowboard even more of an experience.
Where is Andorra?
Andorra, in the heart of the Pyrénées, is a fantastic alternative to the classic Alpine ski break.
For beginners looking to pick up basic skills without breaking the bank, Soldeu and El Tarter could be great options - although it's more 'burgers and hotdogs' than ‘fondue and rosti’.
Lech, Austria
Lech is where Wills and Harry first took to the slopes, so it's got good form.
In fact, it was - and still is - the ideal place to ensure young royals (and anyone else) avoid getting hurt while learning the art of skiing.
Beginners pick up the essentials on the T-bars near the church, which with their extremely gentle inclines form part of the golf course in warmer months.
When the time comes, it's over to the Schlegelkopf lift, to rise up over Oberlech before cruising down its wide, easy blue runs.
Lech is also blessed with superb snow; slush and ice rarely darken the doors of this beginner's paradise.
Getting around Lech
The new Flexenbahn gondola link connects Stuben and Zürs, so you can reach the likes of St Anton from Lech entirely on skis - meaning no more buses.
Popular ski area
Indeed, the Lech-Zürs area now ranks in the top five biggest ski domains on the planet - so it's an ideal place to explore once you've got your basic skills down.
How expensive is a skiing holiday in Lech?
Lech has an undeniably exclusive feel (after all, it's good enough for royalty), and so comes with a hefty price tag.
That said, it's also very family friendly, with a handful of sort-of-budget options available.
Meribel, France
Meribel is one of the world's largest ski areas - but that doesn't mean it's unfriendly for beginners. Quite the opposite: there are three ZEN Zones reserved for newbies - Platieres, Chatelet and Mottaret.
These areas ensure you won't get knocked down by an overzealous pro!
The wildlife-focussed Moon Wild is ideal for smaller learners, while modest bumps and jumps can be tried at the Acticross.
Ski schools in Meribel
There are a multitude of experienced English-speaking skis schools to help you develop your skills; it will take longer to learn if you get taught by friends - or teach yourself.
The resort is home to many British ski instructors, although these are outnumbered by many more French instructors - who speak excellent English!
Meribel ski runs
When you're ready, you'll have the vast winter wonderland of Meribel at your feet - encompassing eight green runs and 25 blues!
If you manage to up-rate your skills quickly enough, you'll be able to try the intermediate runs.
Meribel ski holiday money saving tips
Planning to explore all three valleys?
You'll save money by purchasing the three-valleys lift pass, as opposed to buying two extensions.
Another money-saving tip: Opt for the slow drag lift at Meribel Altiport - it's free and could be ideal for your first few days of practice.
Breckenridge, Colorado, USA
Arguably one of the finest resorts for learners in the world, Breckenridge boasts wide, motorway-style runs - and excellent instructors to help you enjoy them.
Breckenridge ski runs
The best beginner runs are found on Peak 9.
Make a beeline for the QuickSilver lift, affording access to fun-packed Riperton's Forest (with bridges and igloos to negotiate!) and the long, meandering Frontier.
More blue-run-fun is to be had on Peaks 6 and 7, while the Four O'Clock takes you straight back to town for that obligatory mug of hot chocolate.
Overall, Breckenridge is an extremely well-run, polished ski resort - yet one that maintains a laid-back attitude.
Snowboarding at Breckenridge
Breckenridge is especially snowboarder-friendly - being the first major ski resort in the world to permit boarding.
It also hosted the World Snowboard Championships in 1986.
As a beginner you won't be ready to enjoy the amazing terrain parks right off the bat - but they are a great reminder of what lays ahead after you get your snowboard wings.
Breckenridge town
And then there's the town of Breckenridge itself.
Rather than being a purpose-built ski resort, it's a proper Western town - having been established way back in the 1850s.
This makes it one of the more unique and beguiling ski towns in the USA - perhaps the world.
La Plagne, France
No matter what level you're at, La Plagne is sure to delight.
Indeed, it tends to feature in many top-10 lists for learners, intermediates and pros.
Skiing for beginners at La Plagne ski resort
For beginners, Plagne Bellecote is the ideal base, with four chairlifts and a gondola. Instructors are adept at progressing newbies from the nursery slopes to the blue runs at speed.
Given the altitude, it's no surprise that La Plagne's snow coverage is often excellent, while plenty of protected beginners' zones are found in each village.
If you plan to remain on the beginner slopes for the first few days, you won’t need to buy a ski pass, since these are free-to-access.
Whilst access to the easier runs has been simplified with the introduction of the 'Cool Ski Pass'. And no matter how well or poorly you do in your first few days in La Plagne, you'll get to enjoy the legendary apres-ski - just like everyone else!
Getting around La Plagne
Public transport is also free, so getting around the resort is easy.
Saas Fee, Switzerland
Mountain vistas don't get much more splendid than those of Saas Fee - fashioned by nature into a sort of snow bowl and surrounded by some of Switzerland's most famous peaks.
Saas Fee ski runs
The nursery runs offer shallow inclines perfect for beginners, while smaller learners can use the Kids Village to perfect their skills.
When the time comes, the blue runs that zig-zag through trees and across open snow plains are sure to enthral - though perhaps not as much as Saas Fee's legendary fondue!
How expensive is a ski holiday in Saas Fee?
The only real downside to staying in Saas Fee is that it's Switzerland - so it's far from an economy ski trip.
With that in mind, it might not suit beginners on tighter budgets (high prices could be especially galling if you don't take to your chosen winter sport!).
Not ideal for intermediate skiing
Another drawback is that Saas Fee may not be ideal for those transitioning from beginner to intermediate due to the minimal blue runs and larger number of red runs.
Levi, Finland
It may be Finland's biggest ski resort - but it has little in common with the super-resorts of France and Austria.
Perfect ski resort for beginners
Levi offers a much gentler skiing experience, with most runs being of the blue variety.
This makes it perfect for beginners.
What else is there to do when on holiday at the Levi ski resort?
On the off chance you end up not enjoying winter sports, or you simply fancy doing something else, there's plenty to enjoy here in Lapland.
Christmas time is especially magical, since many folks come in search of reindeer and Santa.
As an added benefit, with visitors chasing a festive experience, the pistes of Levi are often empty.
If you want even more space for you and your family, we recommend arriving just before peak season.
What's more, there's a decent chance of seeing the Northern Lights in this area.
Note: Winter days in Lapland can be on the short side, so you'll need your A-game to get the most out of your trip.
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