Best resorts for beginner holiday
Here at Get Skiing we have put together a selection of resorts that we think are Best for Beginners.
Sauze d'Oulx, Italy
Sauze d'Oulx is a lively resort in Italy which borders France. You can get a Via Lattea pass which gives you access to Sestriere, Sansicario, Montgenevre and Claviere, a vast skiing area! These areas are perfect for intermediates as well as beginners. Expert skiers will also find some fantastic runs across this area.
The area of Sportinia has a great nursery area which is perfect for beginners who can then slowly progress to the slightly steeper slopes at the village level. Intermediates can enjoy the well groomed red runs whilst the expert skiers can head off piste.
Pas de la Casa, Andorra
Pas de la Casa is a lively town centre found at the northern end of Andorra. The extensive ski resort makes it a favourable option for all levels of skiers and groups. The resort is set at 2050 m and is the highest resort in the Pyrenees. It has an excellent snow report thanks to not only its high altitude but its snow making equipment.
Pas de la Casa is best suited to beginners as there are many nursery slopes and ski schools. Most of the accommodation is within easy reach of the slopes and nearby facilities. Snowboarders can enjoy the half pipe on the Grau Roig and the unpisted terrain. Pas de la Casa offers skiers excellent value for money ski holidays.
Arinsal, Andorra
Arinsal is an excellent resort, especially for beginners and intermediates. The runs are stunning and they will give you enough confidence to improve your skills and progress on to the bigger slopes. The ski instructors are of a high quality and many people speak English.
Arinsal is in the fantastic Vallnord ski area where you can also find the resorts of Ordino-Arcalis and Pal. The areas of Pal and Arinsal have a combined total of 90 km of skiing and snowboarding and are linked by a bus and cable car. There are plenty of activities to do during the evening including sledging, skidooing and helicopter trips.
Borovets, Bulgaria
Borovets is the leading ski resort in Bulgaria and attracts thousands of clients each year thanks to its range of beautiful slopes, amazing weather and fantastic facilities. Borovets is an ideal resort for beginners, those on a budget and families looking for a fun filled winter holiday.
Borovets stands at a height of 1350m with the highest ski run being at 2560m. Close to the Rila Hotel Complex are the nursery slopes, an ideal place for beginners to start. Sitnyakovo 1 is 5800m in length and has straightforward terrains, an ideal way to get to know the area.
For those with a little more experience there are some fantastic runs in the Yastrebets area, the Moussala basin and the Markujik 2 & 3. Yatrebets area also has some excellent off piste options.
Pamporovo, Bulgaria
Pamporovo is located in the Rhodopi mountains at the foot of Snejanka Peak which sits at 1926m. This Bulgarian resort is an ideal destination for beginners and intermediates alike. Beginners can learn to progress as there are long green and blue runs as well as some good nursery slopes which lead to the village.
Many of the ski instructors speak English and teach to the highest of standards. Individual tuition is available here in Pamporovo as skiing holidays are such a good price it makes individual tuition affordable.
The pistes are covered with snow throughout the whole of the ski season and it is also the sunniest Bulagarian mountain resort. Although Pamporovo is mainly geared towards beginners but the confident intermediate and advanced skiers will find a World Cup run and some off piste through the trees.
Les Arcs, France
For beginners the nursery slopes are located above the three villages of Les Arcs. The best village in the area for beginners is Arc1800 as it provides sunny and spacious runs. There are not many green runs but there are plenty of gentle blue runs.
Mont Blanc is a good blue run which is above Arc 1600. There are some good easy runs down from Col de la Chal to Arc 2000. External activities in Les Arcs include skidooing, sledging, swimming and ice skating.
Les Deux Alpes, France
Les Deux Alpes is amongst the top 10 family ski resorts and is fantastic for families, especially beginners. There are plenty of nursery slopes for beginners to learn on. If you are felling a little more daring, the glacier has some pistes you can try out. Down in the village there are free T-bars.
Les Deux Alpes has more than 200 km of runs for skiers and boarders of all abilities. You can descend from 3400m to 1300m in one if you are brave enough. To make it more exciting, Les Deux Alpes has an excellent snow record, hours and hours of sunshine, a glacier and you can even ski at high altitudes.
Soll, Austria
As a beginner here in Soll, you can take advantage of the nursery slopes which are conveniently located a short distance from the village. At these slopes you can gain confidence in yourself and your skis before progressing on to the bigger, faster slopes.
Soll is very popular with British tourists and has been for over 20 years. It is home from home, just with snow and mountains added in. The ski buses make it easy for skiers to get around and the recently improved lift system gives easy access to the slopes.
Mayrhofen, Austria
Mayrhofen has a fantastic reputation as one of the world's best areas for skiing and snowboarding. It has 2 plateaus, the Penken and the Ahorn. This is certainly a resort that has it all.
The instructors at the ski and snowboard school speak English, which helps with the understanding and guidance. As you are new to skiing, head to the top of Penken Mountain where you can enjoy the gentle slopes.
As you progress and gain confidence you can enjoy the longer runs down to Finkelberg and move to the advanced slopes. The Ahorn has a variety of wide and sunny gentle slopes with a 5km run to get those legs working.
Niederau, Austria
Niederau is a picturesque resort which lies in the Ski Juwel area with Alpbach and Oberau. This is a stunning unspoiled snowy corner of the Tyrol offering a relaxing ski holiday. Niederau is the first and largest resort in the valley and Oberau is a smaller village.
This resort is suited to beginners and intermediate skiers and has some fantastic places to learn. Wildschonau valley is a great place to start as it has broad nursery slopes and excellent instructors.
The 8 person gondola leaves from the centre of Niederau and takes you to the Markbachjoch plateau, at 1500m, which is perfect for novices. It does have some challenging runs back down to Niederau.
