Do you know that feeling where you should have been born a penguin or a polar bear? No? Alright, must just be us then! We absolutely adore the ice and snow and being a self-confessed ice-skating fanatic and skiing fan. There’s nothing better than a week off piste and we don’t just mean the few glasses of champagne after a hard day on the slopes.
Firstly, if you’ve never been skiing before and you’re wondering where’s best for beginners we’ve picked our top 10 ski resorts for beginners. Think Chalet Girl, our favourite film featuring the handsome Ed Westwick (swoon girls, it’s Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl).
Think stepping out looking your finest in co-ordinating salopettes and think the cutest ski instructor that you’re desperate not to fall over in front of.
They say Skiing is like riding a bike and certainly once you get the hang of it, your skills return. That is to say unless you’re rubbish at riding a bike. Then we have issues. So here it is, our Top 10 Ski Resorts for Beginners.
10 Of The Best Ski Destinations For Beginners
Bankso, Bulgaria
Perhaps when you think of Skiing, Bulgaria isn’t the first place that springs to mind, but let us tell you it’s certainly surprisingly good for Skiing. With sheltered lower runs amongst the trees, it is ideal for beginners of all ages and abilities.
Boasting an extremely well-respected Ski School, the resort is situated at the foot of the Pirin Mountain. With great snow at a fraction of the price of a trip to Val d’sere. In short, this 16 run resort boasts 30% of their runs suitable for first-timers and beginners.
La Rosière, France
Firstly with 39 lifts and pistes of up to 160k these pleasant pistes and easy accessibility is an excellent choice for beginners. Secondly, La Rosière is made up of two centres the first and oldest La Rosière and the newer centre Les Eucherts. Which is linked by a path through the trees.
With beginner tuition packages on offer this glorious resort is not only aesthetically pleasing but a great location with fantastic facilities to learn how to Ski.
Pralognan-la-Vanoise, France
If you’re looking for traditional then the Alpine Village at Pralognan-la-Vanoise is perfect not only for the relaxed atmosphere but offers a small network of slopes. Offering simply the greatest introduction to gentle Skiing.
Telluride, Colorado
From the UK this is the furthest location on our guide. It is, however, worth the long-haul trip, effort and expense. This Ski resort is wedged deep in a breathtaking canyon. This old mining town is home to where Butch Cassidy robbed his first bank. And as far as Skiing goes, it’s spectacular. With multiple beginner slopes, which vary in length the Ski school has the most fantastic staff who are great instructors.
The tuition is reasonably priced too and lift passes and equipment hire is included. If you’re looking to kick off your Ski career in style, let it be in Telluride.
Looking for more skiing articles?
- Top 3 Ski destinations in British Columbia
- Preparing for your first Ski holiday
- 7 Reasons to Ski in Morzine
Soldeu, Andorra
For many years Skiing wasn’t accessible for the masses and often was seen as pretentious, and in some resorts, in short, this stigma for the rich and famous remains, not in Soldeu. With large ski areas with mostly gentle slopes.
The Ski School is run by Brit, Gordon Standeven, which is undoubtedly the jewel in Soldeu’s crown. Gordon is fantastic at guiding newbies through their first turns and comes highly recommended.
Saas Fee, Switzerland
This picturesque stunning backdrop set beneath 4000m peaks and a large glacier is the perfect setting and introduction to the Alps for you to find your legs and learn to head down the slopes like a pro (maybe a semi-pro?). The little town which is charming and unhurried is car-free and, with the beginner slopes set to one side of the main skiing area the fear of intimidation from those seasoned veterans is eliminated.
Once you’ve got the hang of Skiing through group tuition in the beginner’s area you can head on down the intermediate pistes.
Cervinia, Italy
Just like Saas Fee, in places, Cervinia is also car-free and is extremely quiet at night. But don’t let this put you off as the easy slopes are fantastic for beginners and with a focus on personal tuition at an ultra-cheap price this resort. Your Ski tuition will cost a fraction of what it does in the A-list French Resorts.
Of course, there are group tuition lessons and we’d probably recommend you attend group tuition and meet other people just as confused as you as to how to even get their Skis on. Towards the end of the week, go it alone so you can put your new found skills to practice
La Plagne, France
If you have small children and are looking to get them into Skiing from an early age we suggest you look at La Plagne in France. Beginner Ski Week packages are available for all of the family and there’s a focus on the smaller members here.
With a ski-in/ski-out hotel situated next to nursery slopes and the Ski School, there’s classes and tuition for all ages.
Baqueira Beret, Spain
The Spanish slopes of Baqueria Beret are set in the Spanish Pyrenees and are relatively unknown. Additionally, they’re super beginner-friendly. Their reasonable pricing is a welcome change from nearby Andorra. This perfect setting for novices includes inexpensive tuition on their nursery slopes.
Which progress to green and blue slopes (they’re the easier routes). The ski school at Baqueria Beret is the only British-run school in the Pyrenees. With an Alps level of teaching standard you know you’re going to get the best tuition possible here in Spain without the price tag of Alps prices.
Winklmoosalm, Austria
If you’re the kind of novice where a steep slope scares you then a trip to Austria is on the cards for you! Firstly these flat and wide slopes make your introduction to Skiing not only seamless but less intimidating.
With multiple Ski lift options including tow rope, t-bar and chairlift the daunting pre-slope preparation is also taken care of for beginners!
Giveaway Time!
There you have our top ten places to learn to Ski for beginners. Now you’ve planned your trip you’ll need all of the gear. We’re offering you a chance as one of our readers to win a pair of Kamswan Ski Goggles worth £59.99. These are Adult sized, Anti-fog OTG UV400 Protection Detachable Double Lens for Winter Outdoor Sport.
Ultimately to be in with a chance of winning entry is simple. Just head over to our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages and like and comment the images, if you wish to share, repost or retweet we’d love you more so but it’s not compulsory – you must be following our social media profiles to be certified a valid winner.
T&Cs. Entry is open to residents in Mainland UK and the competition closes 14th March 2017. No cash alternative. Winner must redeem your prize within 48 hours of being announced.
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