Best Beginner Ski Resorts
When looking for the Top 10 best beginner ski resorts, we may be able to help you decide. Most ski resorts have beginner slopes, but the ones we feature are more geared up for learners or absolute beginners, whether you're skiing or snowboarding so hope it helps. It is only a selection, there's lots more suitable resort out there!
The Best Ski Resorts for Beginners
You want to start skiing or snowboarding, where do you find the best beginners ski resorts online without wading through hundreds of pages looking for the number of slopes and types of ski schools. Our top 10 beginners resorts reflect the facilities and dedicated slopes that will help you to get a grip with skis or snowboards. With excellent ski schools and instructors and also some easy intermediate slopes to progress to, you will be spoilt for choice.
** These are not in any particular order
Lech, Austria
Chocolate box, Alpine village littered with plush hotels and restaurants. Immediately above the village, at Oberlech, the tree-lined runs are excellent for beginners and intermediates as they are wide and cruisy. There is an excellent 'boarderland' snowpark. Much of the accomodation in Lech gives easy access to the town itself and is ski in - ski out with fast access to the pistes.
Bansko, Bulgaria
Read our Full Review of Bankso
Bansko is a traditional Bulgarian town that has been developed into a good ski area. Particularly suited to beginners and intermediates with 65km of ski runs and an excellent ski school. During the last couple of years the resort has received massive investment with new hotels and resort facilities under construction. The old town itself offers traditional shops and restaurants.
Breuil Cervinia, Italy
Read our Full Review of Cervinia
One of the highest resorts in the Italian Alps, dominated by the mighty Matterhorn. Intermediate skiers can take advantage of skiing in nearby Zermatt whilst beginners will love Cervinia's wide, perfectly groomed slopes. Nightlife is lively, the centre of the resort is lined with bars, restaurants and italian boutiques.
Flaine, France
Read our Full Review of Flaine
A purpose-built resort that's part of the Grand Massif ski area (one of the largest interlinked skiing regions in France). Flaine lies in a vast open snow bowl and is renowned for excellent snow conditions and plently of sunny days. Beginners will love the wide gentle nursery slopes close to the villarge centre and there are some free beginners lifts.
Aspen, Colordao
One of the world's most prestigious and well-known ski resorts. There's something to offer all levels and experience. The ski terrain is spead over 4 separate areas, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. If you are a beginner head for Buttermilk and progress to snowmass. Snowboarders will love the worlds largest terrain park in Buttermilk. The resort offers great apres ski and fabulous accomodation.
La Plagne, France
Read our Full Review of la Plagne
One of the most famous resorts in the world. La Plagne is set high in the Savoie French alps and is dominated by Mont Blanc. It is part of the Paradiski, one of the biggest skiing and snowboarding areas in the world. The scenery and views are stunning. Beginners have good nursery slopes and a free surface lift in every village with novice runs between centres.
Courchevel 1650, France
Read our Full Review of Courchevel 1650
The 2nd highest of Courchevel's 5 villages, 1650 is set slightly apart from the rest of the 3 valleys ski area offering a more peaceful and less crowded area to ski in - so it's great for beginners! Courchevel 1650 is an attractive old village with quietly situated chalets.
Söll, Austria
Söll provides the gateway to an exceptional ski circuit in the heart of the Kitzbuhel alps. You can literally ski from one village to another providing beginners with the opprtunity to enjoy the thrill of different resorts. Söll claims that 40% of its runs are suitable for novices but beware, actually getting to them is not always so easy.
Saas-Fee, Switzerland
Read our Full Review of Saas-Fee
High and snowsure, Saas-Fee nestles at 1800m, 15km north east of Zermatt. The village is old, quaint and traffic free. Saas Fee offers lots of flat sunny slopes for beginners, the nursery slopes are easy to reach, well out of the way of fast ski traffic and unthreatening. Progressing novices also have some lovely wide blue runs.
Obergurgl, Austria
Read our Full Review of Obergurgl
Set in the spectacular Otz valley Obergurl is Austrias highest parish offering an excellent snow record and long season. The village remains unspoilt and charming with a selection of traditional apres ski and beer kellers. The skiing and lifts start directly from the village. For beginners Obergurl offers forgiving spacious blue runs with spectacular views and uncrowded pistes.