Ski resorts for beginners

People who are new to skiing or snowboarding should be looking for ski resorts with a large proportion of green runs and other novice areas.  This will allow them to increase their skills, control and confidence in a safe environment before advancing to more challenging sections of the mountain.  Another consideration will be the availability of a good ski school or private instructors so that they can get lessons if necessary.

flickr image by Nouhailler

An excellent ski resort for beginners is Copper Mountain, located in Colorado, USA.  Over 20% of the terrain at Copper Mountain is suitable for beginner skiing.  A great feature of this resort is the way in which its geographical layout naturally separates skiers of different abilities.  The beginner zone is situated in an isolated area that is separated from the intermediate zone which is also separate from the expert zone.  This segregation can be very comforting for people who are learning to ski as it means that they don’t have to worry about fast, experienced skiers zipping past them and breaking their concentration. 

Another factor that makes Copper Mountain a good choice for beginners is the quality and consistency of the snow.  As with many of the other ski resorts in Colorado, the snowfall is reliable and the quality of the snow is good.  This means that beginners won’t have to contend with the added challenges associated with ice or mushy snowmelt.  Copper Mountain also has an excellent variety of après ski options which can be nice when a beginner needs to rest their aching skiing muscles!  Copper Mountain is easily accessible, being located only 75 miles from Denver.

Beginners should also be aware that some resorts offer significant discounts on lift tickets for beginner skiers.  This includes the option of purchasing a restricted lift pass that only covers the beginner section of the resort.  This is a good initiative as it means that you won’t be wasting money on the lifts that you won’t be able to use. 

One resort that offers this option is Soll, located in the province of Tirol, in Austria.  Söll is another excellent ski resort for beginners as it has more than 25 beginner runs. Many of these runs are serviced by t-bars or drag ropes which can make it much easier for beginner skiers who uncomfortable using chair lifts.

flickr image by Nouhailler

 

Good ski resorts for beginners

		Bansko, Bulgaria Bansko has many runs designed for not only beginners but for scared beginners too. The instructors are first class. The charges for lessons are reasonable and there are also “Learning Packages” which are really sweet deals on lesson, lift and equipment rental combinations.
		Killington, Vermont, USA Killington is a great mountain for beginner skiers. The ski school is split up into age groups of 1-3, 4-7, 8-12, 13-18 and adult. This ensures that the student can fully understand what the instructor is teaching them. There are many packages to choose from so you can be sure that you will get an incredible deal.
		Poiana Brasov, Romania Poiana Brasov Ski Area is well-known for its “nursery” slopes. The beginner packages are quite affordable for almost any budget. The instructors are trained to ensure the safety of their students.
		Tignes, France Tignes has very experienced instructors for all students. The all-female classes set Tignes apart from other ski resorts. The instructors for the women’s class are females. The class sizes are small and there are even “Female Only” beginner runs.
		Chill Factore, Manchester, UK The Chill Factore is actually a snow dome. The manmade ski slope is a great way for beginners to get an idea of the sport without the huge expense. Lessons are available at a nominal charge.
		Wengen, Switzerland Wengen is one of the best beginner ski areas in all of Switzerland. The ski school is second to none in the area. Packages for beginners which include lessons, lift and rentals are inexpensive.
		Soldeu, Andorra Soldeu is a beginner skier’s paradise. Their expansive beginner trails will keep boredom at bay. The ski school is staffed with the highest quality instructors to ensure a safe learning atmosphere for the students.
		Lech, Austria The ski school at Lech is absolutely world class. The training that the instructors undergo is grueling but at Lech, the safety of their students is of the utmost importance. Although geared toward beginners, there are a variety of trails that will keep all levels of skier’s content.
		Cortina, Italy The beginner trails at Cortina are kept perfectly groomed for safer beginner skiing. The instructors are very thorough in the classes. This beautiful resort has breathtaking views.
		Les Arcs, France Les Arcs has an award winning ski instruction school. The teachers are well qualified and cater to those needing to learn the basics of the sport. The best part of skiing Les Arcs is the fact that the beginner lift is free!