Which resort is best for beginners?

Ski Resorts for Beginners

In my vast experience of operating and selling ski holidays, we are often asked which is the best ski resort for beginners?  

Beginners are the future of skiing holidays, our next generation of guests, without them, the ski holiday culture would surely fade. So ensuring our beginners have a fabulous experience on the slopes, there are many factors to take into consideration.

Did you know?

20% of all visitors to ski resorts don’t ski?

The weather:

Sunshine helps a lot, learning to ski and ski holidays are much more enjoyable in the sun!

Cold winds can create the toughest conditions, not an ideal ski holiday and learning to ski can be pretty tough when it’s too cold.

Fresh snow is tricky but loads of fun. You must have fresh snowfall whilst on a ski holiday, it’s part of the vibe. Even beginner skiers love it.

Nobody likes ice, the fear of getting injured kicks in.

Crowded slopes:

The most well-known ski resorts are likely to be the most crowded, lift queues are not so much of a problem as the rest in between ski runs are most welcome but the sound of skiers rushing up close behind can make the nervous skier twitch a little!

Slope width:

Nobody likes a narrow piste when they are leaning to ski.

Other skiers are too close in proximity.

Slope gradient:

Unfortunately, there is no legislation dictating how runs are marked. If a resort has 20% beginners, it is likely to have 20% green slopes. If it has 20% experts, it is likely to have 20% black graded slopes. In reality, 70% of skiers are intermediates, so lots of blue and red slopes will satisfy the majority of skiers. Sometimes green slopes can be too flat to ski on. So a resort with a selection of blue runs in close proximity to the resort station is a great recipe for our beginner skiers.

Tuition:

English speaking ski instructors are essential

Après ski:

Our beginners must get the full flavour of why we all love skiing:

Live music

Great restaurants

A Bowling alley

An ice rink

Sledging

Luge

Lots more!

Best resort for beginners: Our recommendations that take all the above into account

1. Reberty in the Three Valleys
2. Montchavin and Les Coches in the Paradiski
3. Peisey-Les Arcs
4. La Rosiere
5. Morzine