TOP 3 Beginner-Friendly Ski Resorts in the Alps

New to the slopes, but want to discover the joy of skiing? There are plenty of Alpine ski resorts that are ideal for less experienced skiers and snowboarders. Take a look at our selection of beginner ski resorts that will help you to feel comfortable and have the best possible experience on the snow.

Les 3 Vallées (France)

In fact, The Three Valleys (Les 3 Vallées) is a huge ski terrain giving home to eight world-known Alpine ski resorts. When planning your first ski holiday, check what’s on offer for beginners to ensure there are gentle and easy valley runs and slopes to suit your ability. Les Menuires, Courchevel and Val Thorens resorts are the most popular in the French Alps and are ready to help first-timers on their way to owning the slopes. All of these resorts provide areas specially developed for children, so you can be sure your kids are safe and supervised by professional and authorized skiing instructors. The area offers 312 km of blue slopes suitable for beginners and slower skiers. Apart from skiing, resorts provide tons of entertaining activities for all ages. Coming to Courchevel you can enjoy art exhibitions, various festivals and other amazing events. The resort hosts the international festival of pyrotechnic art, a great firework show, gathering almost 8000 spectators to enjoy the event and taste the traditional mulled wine. If you wish to experience the altitude, Val Thorens, situated at 2300 m, will welcome you with open arms, offering 600 kilometres of equipped slopes, 320 signposted runs, and some 174 ski lifts.  A diverse range of lifestyles, accommodation and leisure activities complements the wide choice of skiing.

Beginner area in Les Menuires 

Ischgl (Austria)

Ischgl is the famous Tyrolean winter sport destinations in Austria, popular among local and international skiers and snowboarders. The enormous ski area, Silvretta Arena, offers a great combination of pistes that suit all types of skiers. A variety of blue pistes makes the area accessible for those trying out their first moves on skis. You can also take advantage of ski courses at The Snow Sports Academy, one of the best-known ski schools in Austria. The slopes in Ischgl rise to 2870 m with the village lying at 1400 m, so the resort is snow-sure and good for early and late season. There are also pipes, parks and night skiing that make Ischgl a perfect location for a holiday. Ischgl is also well-known for its apres-ski activities and nightlife. The resort is famous for hosting pop concerts celebrating the end of the annual ski season.

Ischgl

Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy)

Cortina d’Ampezzo is the most beautiful and picturesque upmarket ski resort in the Italian Alps. Cortina provides fantastic, easy and long perfectly groomed slopes and runs, ideal for beginners and first-timers. In fact, most slopes and runs (55 km) at Cortina are easy and are accessible by chairlifts. On the edge of Cortina d’Ampezzo on Col Tondo there is an area specifically designed for those who are new to skiing. There are plenty of non-ski activities as well – snowmobiling, ice climbing, tobogganing, ice-skating and many more. If you are not a skier, you can still enjoy Cortina – exclusive shopping, galleries, fabulous restaurants and many other different choices for relaxation. Cortina hosts many sporting events during winter – the Women’s FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup is held every January, the cross-country competition Cortina-Dobbiaco is held every 1st Sunday in February every year. Another good reason to ski in Cortina d’Ampezzo is that the season starts in November and ends up in April, making the resort attractive for early and late skiing fans.