Ski resorts are not all created equal. As a newbie skier or snowboarder, picking the right resort for you could lead to a lifetime passion for the sport. Picking the wrong resort on the other hand might leave you feeling wet, cold, and frustrated.
Excellent ski schools and plenty of gentle runs on which to build confidence are obligatory requirements for beginners. But it’s also important to consider what the resort has to offer in terms of apres-ski, restaurants, and other non-ski-related activities. OnTheSnow has selected five of the best ski resorts for beginners.
Best ski resorts for beginners
Pal-Arinsal, Andorra
Arinsal is compact, friendly and offers reliable snow cover and good value for money. Situated in the Vallnord area, Arinsal is a sound choice for those who are just starting to slide. Andorra has suffered in the past with something of a downmarket reputation but those that have skied Pal-Arinsal know differently. More than €100m of investment has gone into the area’s infrastructure. These efforts have seen the increase of developments resembling the architecture in Verbier and Meribel.
The slopes are wide and quiet which means that beginners have space in which to practice those first careful turns. The runs are best suited to beginner and intermediate skiers. Large beginner areas can be found in La Caubella 1950m (from La Massana) and in Comellemple 1950m (at the gondola lift from Arinsal). Once you progress, nearby Pal, linked by a gondola, has more challenging runs as well as scenic tree-lined runs.
We asked Steve Hull, the resort’s director, about what makes Arinsal one of the best ski resorts for beginners. He said: “Arinsal is a fantastic place for beginners as it’s such a friendly and welcoming village, ideally set up for those new to the mountains. On the slopes, the ski school was the first in Europe to be approved by BASI. It has an excellent reputation for the standard of instruction. Off the slopes, the village atmosphere is great, with lively bars and restaurants pretty much all family-friendly too.”
Obergurgl, Austria
Nestled in Austria’s Oztal valley and known as the diamond of the Alps, Obergurgl provides excellent snow cover. It has a long ski season running from November to May, stunning scenery, and a family-friendly vibe.
This resort is one of the highest ski villages in Europe. With slopes between 1,795m-3,080m, the skiing is all above the tree line. One of the main reasons Obergurgul is one of our “best ski resorts for beginners” is because it has a great choice of wide, flat runs. Its slopes are also extremely well looked after; those around Gaisber, Bruggenboden and Mahdstuhllift are particularly good.
After a few lessons, beginners should head towards Festkogl peak. From here you can cruise down blue run 6 all the way back to base. One of the advantages of Obergurgl is that there are a number of blues that start at the highest point of the mountain. This means beginner skiers don’t miss out on quality powder and they get great views too.
Obergurgl is connected to Hochgurgl which has an abundance of red runs making the resort a haven for intermediate skiers too. Once in Hochgurgl, head to the Top Mountain Star glass-walled café which is perched on the summit – the food is highly recommended.
The village itself is small and traditional and set around an early 18th Century church. Little traffic passes through, which is always a bonus. Obergurgl is a charming resort and is easily one of the top resorts in Europe.
Avoriaz, France
Snowboarding mecca Avoriaz is also rated by our team as one of the best ski resorts for beginners. The terrain is made up of about 140km of pistes and linked to the vast and varied Portes du Soleil area (650km altogether).
Avoriaz is well-deserving of its place on our “best ski resorts for beginners” list for many reasons. Its nursery slopes are next to the traffic-free centre and there are wide flat runs which are easily accessible via the lifts. Much of the accommodation is ski-in/ski-out and there are plenty of non-skiing activities. We love the Igloo village where you can eat traditional Savoyard fondue or enjoy a chilled drink in the Ice Bar. Highly recommended is the swimming pool heaven of Aquariaz. This is complete with vegetation from Cambodia, climbing walls, massage benches and an open-air spa heated to 34 degrees!
What’s really fantastic for children is The Village des Enfants. This is a ski and snowboard school, which offers lessons to little ones as young as three years old. The method of teaching is based on the use of games and the vibe is fun, relaxed and friendly. There are slides and bumps, mini tracks, small jumps as well as a moving carpet and a beginner’s teleski. The school is open from 9:00am to 5.30pm and lunch and tea is offered in the village restaurant. Ski lessons for adults are also planned according to the children’s timetables.
Kronplatz, Italy
Relatively unknown Kronplatz is somewhat of a hidden gem. Located in the Dolomites, the resort is large and modern. It also has what every beginner rider longs for – a sophisticated lift system with around 20 high-speed gondolas. This means no embarrassing falls off the drag lifts. The slopes are a dream for beginner and intermediate skiers, with plenty of impeccably groomed wide-open red and blue runs.
Beginners will enjoy the flat slopes at the top of the panettone-shaped mountain. Here you’ll find good quality snow and excellent views of the surrounding Dolomites. Head for the Plateau and Sonne slopes. St Vigilio, on the Miara mountainside, offers decent runs for more confident beginners. La Thuile in the Aosta Valley offers a vast array of gentle reds and blues. It is also linked to La Rosière in France, where skiers can progress onto more challenging reds.
Equipment hire is top-notch too. The ski schools and kindergarten facilities are very good. There are plenty of non-ski activities too: sledging, snow tubing and weekly ski shows.
Nightlife is highly rated but is a little bit more sophisticated and much less wild than its European counterparts. Head to the Bus Stop bar if you fancy a party. Restaurants are plentiful and much of the food is wholesome and excellent.
Courchevel, France
Perfect snow, perfect location, perfect pitched slopes – Courchevel has all of the ingredients for one of the best ski resorts for beginners. On the downside, it gets really crowded and it’s expensive too.
The resort is made up of five different resort villages, each with different selling points. The best two for beginners are Courchevel Moriond, which has a festive feel and is popular with families, and Courchevel (formerly Courchevel 1850) known as a haven for the rich and famous.
The runs in both of these villages consist mainly of gentle blues and greens. The confidence you’ll gain from skiing on miles of perfectly groomed pistes is one of the reasons why Courchevel made our “best ski resorts for beginners” list. We recommend Moriond which is quieter and more low-key than 1850. It’s true that it’s not just a beginner’s resort – experienced skiers will find plenty to keep themselves occupied. But it’s worth noting that a whopping 60% of the resort’s slopes are beginner-friendly.
All of the villages have an abundance of non-ski-related activities. Including ice-skating, hot air balloon flights, climbing, cinema, paragliding – it’s an adventurer’s heaven.
Our tip to get the most out of Courchevel? It’s such a good all-round resort that everyone wants to go. Therefore don’t go at the peak times of New Year and February half-term. If you escape the hoardes, you’ll likely have discovered one of your favourite skiing destinations.
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November 10, 2024
