It can be daunting to click on your ski boots and try to wrangle with your first pair of hired skis, not to mention navigating your way down an actual mountain on them. But help is at hand. Here’s my guide to European skiing holidays for beginners, to enable you to get over those initial bumps in the snow.
Three Valleys, France: The best skiing holiday for beginners
Les Trois Vallées, or The Three Valleys, was a gem of an idea – first established in the 1970s, neighbouring areas in France came together to create a communal ski experience. The Three Valleys is made up of seven different ski resorts, which all have excellent slopes for learners. You can also ski the entire area on one lift pass, which means that many of the runs are interconnected.
Comfort and safety are key. Skiing conditions here are mostly gentle and the instructors understand what it takes to really conquer your fears. There are also lots of dedicated runs and ‘easy ski zones’, as well as ‘fun zones’. These are great spots to try new snow skills and to enjoy your first skiing holiday.
Accessibility and transportation options
Planes, trains or automobiles? That’s the question. All of the resorts are easy to access, depending on how you like to travel.
- By plane: This would be the speediest way to get there. The four nearest airports are: Geneva (GVA), Lyon (LYS), Chambéry (CMF) and Grenoble (GNB). A quick direct bus from all four airports will then take you to Moûtiers station, where a second bus (which takes less than an hour) will deliver you to your resort of choice. Book your train tickets (or taxi) in advance.
- By train: Who doesn’t love to travel by train? There’s lots of snowy scenery to admire and there’s a direct Eurostar from London to Moûtiers. This means you only have to hop on the bus or in a taxi (both are bookable in advance) once you get to the station, to be whisked to your resort.
- By bus: For those on a budget, a lower-cost option is the Blablacar Bus, which runs between France’s major cities. You can get to Moûtiers directly from Paris, Lille and Lyon, and these coaches can even take your ski equipment for a supplementary fee. Be sure to check the timetables and book your tickets online.
- By car: It’s a one-stop journey by car. The best route is the motorway to Albertville, then the RN90 (dual carriageway) to Moûtiers. It’s then only a few kilometres from Moûtiers to the Three Valleys.
Ski school options and quality
The best choice for serious beginners is the excellent Ecole du Ski Français (ESF). With world-class quality instructors on hand, there’s no shortage of talent to suit your individual needs, whether private, group or children’s lessons. I recommend starting with private sessions if you’re a beginner, so you can get dedicated one-on-one time. Instructors can also familiarise you with all the best learner runs. To explore the entire Three Valleys seek out the on-site mountain guides.
Terrain suitability for beginners
Half of the ski runs are green and blue. Green runs have the most gentle gradients. This means that you can make your way down at your own speed, safe in the knowledge that there are no sudden drops. Blue runs are more suitable once you’ve mastered the greens. Avoid the red and black runs until you’re a fully confident skier.
The Three Valley resorts with the best beginner areas
With 600 km of pistes to play with and eight different resorts where should learners point their skis?
Courchevel
This is the largest ski resort, with five distinct areas home to 150km of slopes – including 18 green slopes and 40 blue ones, with stunning views of forests. All the villages are linked by an efficient bus service, and there are lots of gondolas (not Venetian boats, but a type of cable ski lift) and chairlifts on the actual slopes, so it’s easy to get around. There’s also a dedicated area adapted for skiers with disabilities.
The off-slope activities are plentiful, perfect for skiing holidays for beginners who need a break. The Aquamotion centre (free with various ski passes) below Moriond is brilliant for families: there’s indoor and outdoor swimming pools, diving areas and even a surfing area with waves that will transport you to the Pacific Ocean.
Meanwhile, in Courchevel 1850 you can practise your figure-skating skills at the ice rink, plus there’s a gym, sauna and steam room. Snowboarding, ski touring and cross-country skiing are all in the resort mix. And culture is well covered, from art exhibitions to heritage talks.
The resorts to head for as a learner are 1850 and Moriond, as they have the best access to nursery slopes. The Bellecote green run and drag lift in 1850 is an ideal one to progress to, as is the Belvedere green. Also, look out for the beginner ski areas listed on the piste maps, such as Roys, Le Praz and La Tania.
Méribel
In the heart of the Three Valleys, this resort comprises several villages, each with a range of great accommodation, from simple apartments to luxury chalets. There are plenty of spots for those seeking the lively après-ski scene or a traditional experience rooted in peace and relaxation, taking in those stunning Alpine views.
If you’re on skiing holidays for beginners, look out for the dedicated learning zones, such as the green slopes in the Altiport sector and the Piste des Animaux (which also has some cool mountain wildlife). The nursery slopes at Rond Point are also great for beginners.
For an alternative scenic route, book yourself onto a horse-sleigh tour around Lake Tueda, which is cloaked by aromatic pine trees. Or maybe snowshoeing would appeal, which is basically hiking across crisp white terrain on specially designed snowshoes, led by a guide. It’s an invigorating way to appreciate the magnificent scenery without having to worry about ski skills and balance.
Swimming and ice skating can be found at Méribel’s Olympic Centre, originally built for the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics.
Les Menuires
You can recognise Les Menuires by its distinctive modernist architecture. It also has a wide range of ski in/ski out accommodation, ideal for skiing holidays for beginners. Les Menuires feels more like a traditional ski village, with less bling than other resorts. Of its five districts, the Croisette area is the main village, but the other areas are just a short stroll away. Pointe de la Masse has spectacular panoramic views.
Most accommodation in Les Menuires is ski in/ski out and there are lots of great budget apartments and studios, favoured by families. There is also a good range of cosy chalets, which have been transformed and updated, as well as tastefully designed Alpine hostels (such as Ho36). For something more luxurious, opt for one of the 4-star hotels.
The central Croissette area has lots of beginner slopes, including La Violette – a very flat, long green run, which is great for gaining confidence, as is the green run from the top of Roc de Marches. There are also plenty of interesting blue runs to graduate to, making this a perfect spot for skiing holidays for beginners.
Val Thorens
The first to open for the season and the last to close, Val Thorens is Europe’s highest resort, positioned at the top of the Belleville Valley. It also has some of the best runs in the whole area.
There are a lot of après ski activities here. Thrill seekers should make a beeline for the ice circuit, where you can test your ice driving skills, or just take a ride with an instructor at the wheel. Night rides in snowmobiles are also excellent fun.
Snow is pretty much guaranteed from November through to May in Val Thorens, and beginner skiers will be buoyed by the magic carpet lifts and the tame nursery slopes around the valley’s Rond Point des Pistes. It’s then easy to shimmy up to the green runs off the Deux Lacs.
The varied and excellent ski in/ski out accommodation options at Val Thorens are what to go for, as they are located right next to ski lifts or slopes, meaning that you can glide with ease to where you want to start skiing. It makes the whole experience almost seamless, especially for skiing holidays for beginners.
Other ski resorts in Europe that are ideal for beginners
As a beginner skier you don’t need vast ski areas with all the snazzy black slopes, and there are some great novice resorts in other parts of Europe that are perfect for skiing holidays for beginners. Alpbach in Austria, Villars in Switzerland, and Gressoney in Italy are my top picks.
Skiing holiday tips for beginners
What to take and what to wear for the slopes.
Packing essentials and ski gear
As a learner you will likely fall over a fair amount, so don’t cut costs around ski gear. Layer up and get some good thin but warm base layers, as well as a fleece and a waterproof jacket. Proper ski socks and gloves are also very important, and get some good quality goggles, so that the sun doesn’t dazzle you. Sun creams and chapped lip cream are also a must for any skiing holidays for beginners. You can hire a helmet with your skis, or borrow one from a skier friend.
Choosing the right ski pass
You can tailor lift passes to your personal needs – you won’t need an ‘access all areas’ pass if you’re on skiing holidays for beginners, for example – and many of the beginner lifts are free. You can often opt for a first-time learner pass, once you progress from the free lifts.
Once you’ve found your confidence on the slopes, you may want to put your new-found skills to the test. Plan your next ski holiday in France, Austria, Italy, and other fantastic European ski resorts and family-friendly ski resorts.
