Good beginners resort in Europe

Wanderer wrote:More generally, I find the Austrian resorts tend to be beautiful, authentic and usually great fun. On the other hand, it can be a bit of a trek to and from whatever genuine beginner skiing is available and, as a lot of the resorts are quite low, the snow quality can be a bit hit and miss.

If you fancy austria then obergurl/hochgurgl is perfect for beginners: highest resort in austria, short transfer, ski in and out, tons of blues, really convenient. not a huge amount of nightlife though and expect to pay slightly more as it's mostly hotels.

Wanderer wrote:I would definitely agree with Tony's recommendation for Alpe D'Heuz for beginners. There are extensive green slopes in the bowl around the village that will make any first time skier feel like a champion by the end of their first week in ski school :lol:.

agree. loads of greens but loads and loads of button lifts :thumbdown:

Alpe d'Huez is great for all levels of skier but particularly good for beginners with a vast central bowl of green slopes. Take a look at Folgarida in the Dolomites - stunning scenery and very friendly. There are two runs just for beginners so they can gain confidence without having to worry about other skiers hammering down behindpast them. Central area with cafes where you can meet up after lessons.

Andorra is very good for beginners, especially Soldeu and Arinsal. OK, so it's not the prettiest place in the world, but it's cheaper than the Alps, the skiing for beginners is good, and the apres ski is fab, more so in Arinsal than Soldeu.

Wanderer wrote:I am not familiar with Mayrhofen so I cannot comment either way on Tony's recommendation (other than to note that he consistently recommends it for beginners). More generally, I find the Austrian resorts tend to be beautiful, authentic and usually great fun. On the other hand, it can be a bit of a trek to and from whatever genuine beginner skiing is available and, as a lot of the resorts are quite low, the snow quality can be a bit hit and miss.

I recommend Mayrhofen to all and sundry as it has a lot to offer every level of skier IMO. It is not perfect by any means for beginners as the slopes are a 15 minute gondola ride up the mountain.

You are right about many Austrian resorts being low. However the important thins to consider is the piste map, not the village, and Mayrhofens slopes start at the Penken at 1800m. I have been there when there has been tons of snow and hardly any, and we have always been able to ski on every piste, with the odd exception.

Anyway, try Alpe d'Huez. I think its better for beginners.

Cervinia in Italy is good. Virtually snow sure. Mostly above tree line, so very open. Resort is dominated by wide blues and reds. However the Italians have been over zealous in their ratings, as most of the reds would be blue if you were in France. This means that a beginner ( and I've taken a beginner snowboarder there) can ski down from the top of the mountain on Blues/Italian (easy)reds. Additionally resort is not spread out, so main gondala and cable car come down from mid-station back to town so a nervous skiier need not ski to the bottom. If you require stiffer test you can nip over the top to Zermatt on your ski pass and get some more challenging skiing in.

Otherwise La plagne is good with plenty of blues (stay in Belle Plagne)

Went to Mayrhofen for fasching (or however you spell it) week a few years ago and had the most amazing time! I'd love to go back.

You could try ignoring Europe. For a real beginner Baileys beach in Squaw Valley is where I wish I had learnt to ski, and there and around the rest of Tahoe are more runs for any ability of skier than you will ever be able to fit into several holidays. :twisted:

have a look a flaine in france .Quick tranfer and doorstep sking.resort not a goodlooking resort and quite small but are several free lifts for beginners so you would not need pass for a few days.also the ski area is quite big for intermedites.