The criteria and equipment of the perfect resort to start skiing

When you are a beginner in skiing, you often need to be reassured in the choice of ski resort and slopes to explore. Specific areas, appropriate ski lifts, securing reserved spaces, dedicated pricing… Many ski resorts are implementing various devices to make it easier for beginners to learn.

In this article, we will review some of these resorts and discuss the important criteria for choosing the best place to start the adventure of skiing.

When you start skiing and learn the pleasures of skiing, it is not necessary to have a multitude of equipment. What we want above all is to evolve in a safe space and, if possible, learn and progress while having fun. It is therefore not useful to choose your next ski destination based on the number of kilometers of trails or the capacity of its lifts.

In our opinion, four criteria are sufficient to determine if a resort is suitable for beginner skiers:

1: Beginner-only areas, equipped and secure

Look for resorts that offer beginner slopes located along the slopes, with easy access thanks to covered treadmills, snow wires, rope ropes or free ski initiation areas… If you want to start skiing, this criterion should be at the top of your list.

2: A wide choice of green and blue slopes

A ski area with many green and blue slopes guarantees the opportunity to learn to ski and progress by diversifying its routes.

3: Play spaces to learn to ski while having fun

The play areas have the advantage of allowing you to learn the joys of skiing on green or blue slopes, while having fun. It’s an ideal way to experience stress-free skiing, and it’s perfect for the whole family to learn!

4: A specific ski pass for beginners

Some beginner-only areas are free or offered at great rates. Some ski resorts also offer beginner packages to access different learning areas where gentle slope and tranquility are major assets for novice skiers.

Les Arcs and Peisey-Vallandry

The Les Arcs ski area offers a large number of wide slopes, with 66 slopes (63 blue and 3 green) with gentle slopes and specific training areas. Easily accessible by chairlift, these trails are perfect for beginners, especially Arc 2000. Treadmills are free for novices, and the trails allow you to reach the valley smoothly. The resort offers a package at 20 € for those who wish to discover the sensations of gliding.

La Plagne

La Plagne offers a Coolski formula at a single rate very advantageous for people aged 5 to 74, with a day pass at 30 €. Protected areas, rest areas and learning materials are available for beginners. The lifts are easy to use and recommended routes are marked with “Coolski” signs. Among the 225 kilometers of slopes, you will find 74 blue slopes and 9 green runs to vary the descents and learning.

Alpe d’Huez

Alpe d’Huez welcomes beginner skiers and provides them with everything they need to progress. Novices begin their apprenticeship in secure areas located at the bottom of the slopes, near the Bergers shopping mall and the Rond-Point des Pistes. Four ski lifts are free to encourage apprentice skiers:

• The Petit Rif Nel 1 ski lift
• The Petit Ecole ski lift
• The Frogs’ Carpet
• The telecentre

Once confidence and stability are gained, progressing skiers can opt for the beginner’s pass at €22.50 per day. The green (43) and blue (34) slopes then welcome the most lanky ones, who can choose the “1st Glide” package at €41.50.

Val d’Isère

In Val d’Isère, you don’t need a ski pass to start skiing! The Savonnette ski lift and the Village chairlift on the snow front are free, as is the Lanches ski lift towards the Daille. All the tracks allow you to reach the foot of the slopes without difficulty. The slopes are wide and numerous: 23 green and 62 blue, offering a safe setting to discover the pleasure of skiing and vary the landscapes.

If this list helped you choose the perfect ski resort for beginners, keep in mind that it can be difficult to take your first steps on skis. Taking a few lessons with an instructor allows you to receive good advice to master the basic techniques of skiing. You will soon not be able to do without skiing!

In order to prevent your first ski runs from becoming a real nightmare due to defective equipment or unsuitable equipment, take the time to prepare well.

Wearing a helmet is highly recommended, not only to protect your head in the event of a fall, but also to prevent the risk of collision, which is higher when you do not yet fully control your trajectories. If you prefer not to wear a helmet, at least make sure you put on a hat to protect yourself from the cold.