The 10 Best Ski Resorts For Beginners

If you're a first-time skier, someone trying to advance their ski skills, or looking for a family-friendly ski holiday with learning kids, finding the right resort can make all the difference. The best ski resorts for beginners offer smooth green and blue runs to practice skills, excellent ski schools, and family-focused amenities to ensure everyone enjoys their time on the slopes. Whether you're looking for gentle terrain, ski-in/ski-out accommodation, or extra activities to keep the kids entertained, these 10 ski resorts have it all.

Here’s our guide to the 10 best ski resorts for beginners, where you’ll find ideal slopes, fantastic instructors, and plenty of après-ski fun. We've also given our recommendations for excellent value accommodation to accompany each beginner friendly resort.

1. Avoriaz, France

Part of the expansive Portes du Soleil ski area, Avoriaz is perfect for beginners thanks to its gentle, wide slopes, car-free centre and dedicated beginner zones. The Esserts Area is a great place to start, with wide, flat runs that give you plenty of space to practice without feeling crowded. This area has easy access from the village, so you can spend more time skiing and less time walking in your boots.

The Zore Nursery Slopes are also ideal for first-timers, offering gentle, consistent terrain perfect for learning the basics. Once you're feeling more confident, the resort’s numerous blue runs offer a seamless transition for improving your skills.

We've partnered with and would highly recommend local Avoriaz ski lesson provider, the Avoriaz Alpine Ski School, located less than a 3-minute walk from our chalets! Additionally, Oxygène Ski School and New Generation Ski School both offer private and group lessons in English, providing a variety of options for those looking to improve their skiing.

Where to stay:

Chalet Perce Neige

With its ski-in, ski-out location, Chalet Perce Neige is close to the resort centre, with easy access to all bars, restaurants and shops.

See more Avoriaz Accommodation >>

2. Les Arcs, France

Les Arcs is part of the Paradiski area and offers a variety of slopes suitable for beginners. One of the best beginner zones in the resort is the Arc 1800 area, where you’ll find the Varet and Charmettoger runs. These wide, blue slopes are perfect for building confidence and practicing your turns, with minimal steep sections to worry about.

For absolute beginners, the Lacs ski area at Arc 2000 has some of the gentlest green runs, including those around Pré St. Esprit and the Edelweiss run, ideal for those who are looking for a quiet and open run without any steep sections.

For ski schools, ESF Les Arcs is a popular choice, offering lessons in English for all levels of skiers. SkiBro also provides a selection of English-speaking instructors, including those from Evolution 2 and Oxygène, ensuring you'll find a suitable option to meet your needs. We have worked with New Generation Ski and Snowboard School for many, many years and are confident that our guests will enjoy the wide range of coaching courses they offer across the beautiful Les Arcs ski area. 

Where to stay:

Hotel La Cachette

Found in Les Arcs 1600, Hotel La Cachette offers a ski-in/ski-out location in the centre of the village, just one minute from the nearest lift.

See more Les Arcs Accommodation >>

3. La Plagne, France

A huge favourite with families and beginners, La Plagne offers an extensive selection of gentle, easy runs. Plagne Centre is perfect for first-timers, with easy access to the lifts and central resort runs. The Arpette chairlift in Plagne Bellecote gives access to great beginner runs as well as Blanchets. You'll find a variety of blue runs to choose from all across La Plagne and the further Paradiski area. Rhodos and Laines come closest to being true green level runs for beginners and learners to progress on.

For those who are ready to take their skiing further, the Belle Plagne area offers more gentle blue runs, like Belle Plagne and Les Arolles, where you can refine your skills at a comfortable pace and away from the traffic of Plagne Centre.

When it comes to ski schools, ESF La Plagne offers a variety of group and private lessons in English. Additionally, Oxygène Ski School and New Generation Ski School are great options for English-speaking instructors, offering a range of beginner-focused programs. La Plagne is Oxygène's original resort and they specialise in group ski lessons taught in English as well as private tuition for both adults and children. 

Where to stay:

Araucaria Hotel & Spa

Found in La Plagne Centre, The 4* Araucaria Hotel offers a ski-in/ski-out location in the centre of the village, the Becoin and Lovatiere lifts are one minutes walk away.

See more La Plagne Accommodation >> 

4. Les Gets, France

Les Gets is a small but charming resort in the Portes du Soleil region with a variety of beginner-friendly slopes. The Les Chavannes area is a great starting point, with wide, gentle runs such as Chavannes Express and The Nursery Slope, perfect for those taking their first steps on skis. The area is equipped with several drag lifts and a magic carpet lift for ease of access.

For beginners ready to move up, the Belvédère area offers a selection of wide blue runs like Les Mappys and L’Ancolie, allowing you to gain confidence while taking in the spectacular mountain views.

ESF Les Gets and Oxygène Ski School both offer a variety of English-speaking lessons, from group sessions to private lessons, so you can find the perfect teaching style for your learning needs. New Generation Ski School also operates here, with instructors available in English. We have worked with New Generation Ski and Snowboard School for many, many years and would highly reccommend them.

Where to stay:

Chalet Marjorie

One of our guest's favourites, Chalet Marjorie offers a location 5 minute saway from the slopes and amazing ameneties like a hammam and jacuzzi.

See more Les Gets Accommodation >> 

5. Myrkdalen, Norway

Myrkdalen is one of Norway’s best resorts for beginners, with wide slopes and a relaxed atmosphere. The Voss Resort area has a fantastic beginner zone, where the Baby Lifts and Blue Run 3 offer perfect terrain for those learning to ski. These gentle slopes are ideal for building confidence and progressing at your own pace.

For a more scenic experience, the Myrkdalen Ski Resort has wide blue runs like Voss Ski Slope that lead you down beautiful, open terrain. The small resort feel also ensures less crowding, so you'll have plenty of space to practice.

Myrkdalen Ski School offers lessons in English, with friendly and supportive instructors who are experienced at working with beginners. The ski school at Myrkdalen Aktiv is for more than just those with little or no skiing experience. Classes are tailored to your level, and you can choose between private and group lessons.

Where to stay:

Myrkdalen Hotel

With a perfect ski in / ski out location, the Myrkdalen Hotel is the focal point of the ski resort. Ideal for beginners with runs meeting back at the hotel.

See more Myrkdalen Accommodation >>

6. Alpe d’Huez, France

Alpe d’Huez offers an expansive ski area with many options for beginner skiers. The Signal area, located near the resort's base, is a great place for first-timers. The Les Ecrins and Verte slopes are gentle green runs that provide a wide, smooth surface for beginners to practice on.

For those who want to move on to easy blue runs, head to the L’Eclose area where you'll find wide, long runs like Le Bournillon, perfect for improving technique as you take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the Alps.

For ski lessons, ESF Alpe d’Huez offers English-speaking instructors for group and private lessons, making it easy for English-speaking beginners to improve their skills. Oxygène Ski School and Ski School Evolution 2 are also excellent options for English-speaking lessons at this resort. If you're looking for ski lessons in Alpe d'Huez, we highly recommend Supreme Ski. 

Where to stay:

Daria-I Nor Hotel

The 5 * Hôtel Daria-I Nor sits in the heart of Alpe d'Huez with a ski-in, ski out location, and direct access to the lifts.

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7. Cervinia, Italy

Cervinia, situated in the Aosta Valley, is one of the best resorts for beginners in Italy. The Plan Maison area is a fantastic starting point, with wide, low-gradient runs like Cretaz, which is ideal for first-timers and beginners looking to get comfortable with the snow. The gentle terrain, paired with a great selection of ski schools, makes it easy to build confidence.

For those ready to try something a little more challenging, The Plateau Rosa offers wide, long blue runs, including Salati, which is perfect for improving your skiing as you progress.

Cervinia Ski School provides lessons in English, and Ski School Evolution 2 offers multilingual instructors for beginners. The resort also has several other options, including private and group lessons from New Generation Ski School, which provides English-speaking instruction.

8. Serfaus, Austria

Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, Serfaus is ideal for beginners, especially those with children. The Kaiserbahn area is home to gentle, wide slopes such as the Kaiserlift, which is perfect for first-time skiers. The resort also offers dedicated beginner zones, like Fisser Joch, where gentle green runs like Panoramalift and Fisser Stock allow skiers to gain confidence and enjoy the wide-open spaces.

Serfaus is renowned for its excellent ski schools and child-friendly facilities, including the Kids’ Snowpark, where young skiers can have fun while learning the basics. The beginner areas here are especially good for children.

Serfaus Ski School offers English-speaking lessons for all levels, including tailored lessons for children and families. Additionally, Ski School Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis provides a wide range of options for beginners, with English-speaking instructors available for group and private lessons.

9. Obergurgl, Austria

Obergurgl is a quieter resort, perfect for beginners who want to avoid crowded slopes. The Hohe Mut area offers excellent beginner-friendly terrain, with the Gurgler Bahn being a great green run for those just starting. The resort’s dedicated nursery slopes are easy to navigate, and with long, gentle runs like the Festkoglbahn, you can gradually increase your skill level.

Obergurgl also features excellent ski schools, and its small size ensures you won’t feel overwhelmed, making it perfect for a more relaxed learning experience.

For English-speaking lessons, Obergurgl Ski School offers group and private lessons for beginners. Ski School Alpin also provides multilingual instructors, including those who speak English, for a variety of ski levels, including beginner-specific programs.

10. Kaprun, Austria

Kaprun, located near the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, is a fantastic destination for beginners due to its snow reliability and wide, accessible runs. The Lechnerberg Area is a popular starting point, with its wide, smooth Magic Carpet slope and gentle Blue 1 run, which is perfect for newcomers. The easy slopes here provide a great space for first-time skiers to build confidence before heading onto longer runs.

For a more scenic option, the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier offers beginner-friendly blue runs like Asten and Langwied, where you can progress while enjoying the stunning glacier views.

Kaprun Ski School offers English-speaking lessons, making it easy for beginners to learn in their native language. Additionally, Ski School Kitzsteinhorn provides a variety of beginner programs with English-speaking instructors, ensuring you get the best guidance while learning. If you're looking for ski lessons in Kaprun, we highly recommend Supreme Ski. With a range of options, from group and private lessons and flexible ski school options for children.

Where to stay:

Votters Hotel

Family-run, attractive and extremely welcoming, the 4* Votters Hotel offers a peacuful location close to the lifts.

See more Kaprun Accommodation >> 

Final Thoughts

Each of these resorts offers fantastic facilities for beginner skiers, with wide, gentle slopes and dedicated beginner areas. Whether you're looking to take your first turns on a green slope, progress to longer blue runs, or explore family-friendly amenities, these resorts provide the perfect conditions for a successful and enjoyable ski holiday. From sunny French resorts to snow-sure Austrian destinations, these slopes are ready to welcome you to the world of skiing!