Top 3 French Ski Resorts For Beginners
Whether you’re leading a class of first-time skiers on their first school ski trip or looking for a destination for your students to progress their slope skills, France is the perfect place to start out.
With the shortest transfer time from the UK and easy access by coach or flight France is a great destination choice. Full of diverse regional culture and indulgent local cuisine, France offers a ski experience that will provide unforgettable memories for your students.
A varied range of resorts and access to high mileage means you can find the ideal location for those still learning the slopes and those looking for more of a challenge.
Although you can learn to ski in any resort, some provide more beginner orientated slopes. Here’s our top three french resorts for beginners.
1. Alpe d’Huez
Home to our one of our exclusive Clubhotels, Alpe d'Huez has a fantastic selection of apres-ski options. With great snow conditions all season long, this is one resort you won’t want to miss out on.
Offering an impressive 79 trails aimed at first-time skiers, Alpe d’huez provides an exceptional playground for learners to master the basics. Wide open green runs and one of Europe’s biggest nursery areas means beginners will be in good hands. Alpe d'Huez also has speed-restricted zones so your students will be able to find their feet on the slopes at their own pace.
Once your students have grasped the basics, they’ll be able to hop onto the chairlift and explore the numerous blue runs on offer across the mountain. Alpe d'Huez also offers some fun zones tailored towards younger kids and beginners. Marcel's Farm (pictured above) and Chez Roger are just a few of the themed courses provided at this resort.
However, for those looking for a challenge, Alpe d’Huez won’t disappoint. The longest black run in Europe La Sarenne (standing at 16km!) and several fantastic snow parks await.
2. Les Menuires
Forming part of the impressive Three Valleys ski area, Les Menuires boasts 160km of piste. As well as doorstep skiing at Le Skilt there's also a massive variety of indoor and outdoor apres-ski options, including an epic speed mountain luge!
Les menuires hosts some of the best nursery slopes in Europe. This learner friendly area provides the perfect platform for first time skiers and operates a modern carpet conveyor lift that offers a simple way up the slopes.
After picking up basic ski skills, there’s plenty of scope for progression. Thanks to Les Menuires’ wealth of interlinked red, blue and green runs, students can develop at a level and speed to suit their ability. The resort is known for its welcoming and family-oriented atmosphere, which makes it easy for beginners to practice the basics.
The more advanced skiers in your group won’t be left disappointed either. There are several testing runs such as La Masse, which challenges skiers due to its steep descent. Don't forget the Pixel Area snow park providing plenty of variety and adrenaline pumping opportunities. Park jumps range from extra small to large, meaning there's space to practice and progress.
3. Serre Chevalier
Offering over 250kms of skiable piste, the French ski resort Serre Chevalier provides endless mountainous possibilities. For those starting off on the slopes, Serre Chevalier is perfect. With wide and gentle nursery slopes, the resort is the perfect introduction to the wonders of the mountain.
The Clubhotel Frejus is a welcoming hotel and a perfect location. The Chazely / Mickey beginner areas are right in front of the hotel, meaning easy access for those first-time skiers. What is particularly great about the Villeneuve area of Serre Chevalier, is the easy access to long blue and green runs. This will allow beginners to progress due to more space and duration down the slopes. Throughout the resort there are dedicated ‘Discovery’ areas for first timers, allowing students to progress stress-free.
Don’t worry if you’re an experienced skier, half of the runs are intermediate level. Note, the Pylones run is a black run which is 1310 metres long.