The best ski areas for beginners

Are you planning your first ski trip? Your first time skiing can feel intimidating, but there’s no need to worry. In a ski area for beginners, you can ski or snowboard with confidence. We’ve compiled the 6 best ski areas for beginners, so you can choose a destination that suits you perfectly. Are you ready to discover your dream ski holiday? 

1. Saalbach-Hinterglemm

For your first experience of skiing, the popular Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm ski area is a great place to start. Once you see its endless blanket of pure-white snow and its 270 kilometres of slopes, you will be immediately sold. The majority of its runs are blue: perfect for novice skiers and snowboarders. Saalbach-Hinterglemm has long been a popular skiing destination and that is reflected in how well organised it is. You will find fantastic facilities, several ski lifts, child-friendly ski schools, and excellent accommodations at your disposal there. And even on the beginner slopes, the views are stunning. One slope you definitely shouldn’t miss is blue run 52. Halfway down its decent, there is a cosy mountain refuge where you can take a break or enjoy some après-ski drinks. The charming villages of Saalbach (which has a car-free centre!) and Hinterglemm are great spots to rest your muscles and refuel at one of their amazing restaurants.

2. Les Portes Du Soleil

Would you like to experience a romantic ski trip surrounded by mountains? Then we highly recommended the French-Swiss ski area Les Portes Du Soleil. Each of the 13 ski resorts in this beginner ski area feature great ski schools for beginners and safe practice areas. It includes no less than 600 kilometres of slopes to enjoy, so you will have many options for day trips, with or without a ski instructor. There are many easy blue and red slopes to choose from there, which are wider than intermediate slopes. This means that you can take your time and soak up the snowy landscape as you learn to ski and explore the area. There is also a lot of tree cover on these slopes, which will help to keep you out of the wind. Within the ski resorts, you will find plenty of places to warm up with a glass of mulled wine, a steaming hot chocolate, or a delicious cheese fondue. Since this ski area crosses the Swiss border, you can also easily enjoy a fun day of skiing in Switzerland. 

Photo: Beautiful Les Portes du Soleil in France

3. Le Grand Domaine

The French ski area of Le Grand Domaine has options for all skill levels and plenty of wide blue slopes for beginners. Everything is well maintained, and the many ski lifts make it easy to get around. As a novice ski enthusiast, there are so many stunning beginner slopes to discover in this area. Le Soleil is the perfect green slope for your first time skiing. It can be found just outside the village of Saint François Longchamp and will be sure to leave you wanting more. Another unmissable blue piste for beginners is Le Frêne. It is so popular that some ski enthusiasts will descend it several times a day! Its surroundings are also beautiful. In the valley, you will see many charming farms where you can buy delicious local cheese and honey. 

Photo: Saint François Longchamp in Le Grand Domaine

4. La Plagne

One of the best ski areas for beginners, La Plagne, stretches from a beautiful valley to the snow-capped mountains of the French Alps. With 11 ski resorts ranging from quiet family destinations to historic villages and vibrant après-ski hotspots, it has something for everyone. It also features no less than six ski stations and several modern ski lifts, so it will be easy for you to explore. Putting on skis for the first time (again) can be scary, but at one of the great ski schools in La Plagne you will quickly get the hang of it again. You can learn to ski in safe area with gentle slopes, and it is easy to reach any part of the area via blue slopes. If your muscles are achy after your first foray into skiing, head to one of the lovely spas in La Plagne to unwind in a spacious sauna or hammam. Want a break from skiing for a day? Then seize the chance to go on a thrilling ride down a bobsleigh track! 

Photo: La Plagne, the ideal ski resort for beginners

5. Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis

The Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area is also ideal for beginners. With no less than 220 kilometres of slopes to choose from, located between 3,000-meter-high peaks, you will be assured of stunning views of the snowy landscape. You will find particularly wide practice slopes in Fiss and Ladis, and in Serfaus there are also several blue runs with a gentle slope. One especially popular run for beginners is slope 148: Arrez-Non-Stop. On this quiet slope, you will have plenty of room to practice your turns and increase your speed. This slope can be found by the 2770m high Pezid ski lift. The Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area is also recommended for beginner ski enthusiasts because of its great facilities, including modern ski lifts, excellent restaurants, sunny terraces, and authentic alpine refuges that serve the tastiest Tyrolean specialties. Wondering where the best place to go for après-ski drinks is? If you still have energy left after your day in the snow, you can party until the early hours in the centre of Serfaus. 

Photo: Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis in Austria

6. Les Orres

Not sure if skiing is for you? Then you may not want to spend too much on your first ski trip. In that case, choose an affordable ski area such as Les Orres, in France. This area is located in the south of the French Alps. Due to its southern location, the sun shines there almost all year round. There’s no better feeling than gliding down a slope with the sun warming your face! Les Orres is also a wonderful area for families, and it accommodates both skiers and snowboarders. Travelling with someone less interested in skiing? Then why not go tobogganing, dog sledding, or zooming across the snow with a snowmobile? Whatever you choose to do together, you’re bound to create some unforgettable memories.

Ready to discover your favourite ski area as you embark on your skiing journey? Believe us: your first ski trip will definitely lead to another one! With Sunweb, you can book your accommodation in one of the best ski areas for beginners. Are you unsure about what to take with you? Then take a look at our handy packing list for your first ski holiday and head into the snow well prepared.