Ski resorts for beginners in Europe
If you’re looking for a place to learn how to ski or a resort where you can take it easy try one of these resorts. I originally saw these recommendations in a piece in the Daily Telegraph .
Les Arcs, France
Les Arcs has nursery slopes directly above each of the resort’s main villages, of which Arc 1800 has the most variety. It also has a free beginner’s lift, plus a good range of more advanced slopes as you progress. The best ski school is the award winning Brit-run New Generation in Vallandry — their friendly instructors will instil confidence in the most timid of beginners.
Cortina, ItalyIt won’t be the skiing but the views over the Dolomites that take your breath away in Cortina, one of the world’s loveliest ski resorts. It also has some superbly groomed beginner slopes in the Socrapes area, with instructors who are especially good with kids. And, when you need to give your legs a break, there’s no better place to sit in the sun and people watch.
Lech, AustriaLech is the classic alpine resort – picturesque village, fine hotels and well-regarded ski schools with good, English-speaking instructors. There’s also plenty of decent runs for better skiers so it’s a fine option for mixed-ability groups.
Tignes, FranceFor female skiers, there are several advantages to taking a women-only course — no braying machos, and the fact that female physiognomy means that women ski slightly differently to men. Ski and boot manufacturers now recognise this in their gear design, so why not take a course that allows you to make the most of it? Tignes is high and snowsure and has a very good range of nursery,
intermediate and expert slopes, accommodation, non-skiing activities and après-ski. It also has a well-established women’s-only course run by Skiworld.
Wengen, Switzerland
Tucked beneath the mighty north face of the Eiger, Wengen boasts stupendous mountain scenery and is particularly good for families, with the ski school regularly receiving rave reports. There are plenty of options if skiing turns out not to appeal, from tobogganing to taking the Europe’s highest funicular railway up the lower slopes of the Eiger.
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