The best ski resorts in Europe for beginners

gENTLE SKIING IN mEGèVE 

In the heart of the French Alps, Megève is the ideal station for getting to grips with skiing in peace on your family ski holidays. Its breathtaking skiing area has around one hundred green and blue runs with wide, gentle slopes, a true paradise for novices! 

For your stay in Megève, stay in one of our chalets on the slopes, with the sublime views of Mont-Blanc Massif as your backdrop. And, to get the ball rolling with planning your stay, consult our selection of the best Michelin-starred restaurants in the French Alps. 

The advantages of Megève for beginners

If Megève promises plenty of thrills for seasoned skiers, it's also the ultimate ski station for beginners on the slopes. 

The station has two nursery ski schools and entire areas dedicated to discovery so that children can get used to skiing without worrying about falling. 

Adults who want to take their time and soak up the snow-kissed panoramas can embark down the resort's large green and blue runs, marked and secured, like the Père Noël or Bel Ava runs. 

For your little ones, head towards the École du Ski Français in Megève, which offers many packages designed for beginners. For a gentle start, opt for the Portes du Mont-Blanc option which groups together Combloux, La Giettaz, Le Jaillet and Cordon. Can't wait to hit the slopes? Let our luxury concierge arrange for lessons with one of our private ski instructors. 

After a day of hard day's work, warm up in one of our luxury family chalets in Megève. Swimming pool, home cinema, private chef, everything is in place for your tailor-made après-ski, from laughter around the fireplace, an apéritif looking out on the immaculate summits and well-earned rest! 

Megève will delight non-skiers just as much as winter-sport enthusiasts, for the centre of the resort has been able to maintain all its Savoyard authentic charm, with its narrow cobbled streets and its delightful little squares. Let its Alpine atmosphere transport you with its wooden façades and take your pick from the glowing restaurants, cherry-picked boutiques and cosy bars. Megève is one of our favourite stations to celebrate your New Year family skiing holiday.

Wondering where to spend your Christmas skiing holiday? Consult our dedicated article. 

And to learn everything about the chicest resort in the French Alps, dive into our exclusive guide to Megève.  

skiing as a family in mÉRIBEL 

In the heart of the French Alps, Méribel is one of the best luxury ski resorts for appreciating the slopes as a family. Almost the majority of 70 runs in Les 3 Vallées are green or blue runs, so skiing in Méribel is perfect for beginners and children, without forgetting the adults who can ski in complete peace. 

Stay in a chalet on the slopes to make the most of Méribel's authentic and sophisticated atmosphere with a breathtaking view of blankets of immaculate white snow covering the Alpine peaks and wooden chalets. 

The advantages of Méribel for beginners

In Méribel, the panorama evolves with every turn you take in the largest skiing resort in Europe, Les 3 Vallées. Beginners can perfect their technique gliding along the green or blue runs, such as Le Sentier des Crêtes which runs along the Tougnète ski lift at high altitudes...

Ask our luxury concierge to enroll your children in the excellent École du ski français in Méribel, so that they can practice their snowploughs with the best instructors in the station.

Once you have perfected your slalom with your private instructor, pick up your little ones and set off down the Piste des Animaux, where delightful animal sculptures punctuate your descent. After getting your fix of adrenaline exploring the off-piste trails, regain your composure on the Pic Bleu run, where deckchairs await in the Altai dragon zone. End your day on a high note with your playing with your kids in the Tougnète area and tobogganing down the green run, Little Himalaya. 

Once you've had your fill of the great outdoors, gather your tribe in the comfort of one of our family chalets in Méribel to replenish your strength over a fabulous dinner prepared by the private chef or relax in your private spa until you reach a state of complete bliss. 

Come the evening, the more adventurous could have a taste of the nightlife in Méribel, to the soundtrack of live music at Rond Point, or alternatively gather as a family on the balcony of your luxury chalet with toasted marshmallows, watching the village twinkle against the star-studded sky. 

To learn everything about the most welcoming resort in the French Alps, consult our exclusive guide to Méribel. 

Skiing for all levels in Verbier

Located in the heart of the vast Quatre Vallées resort in the Swiss Alps, Verbier promises a limitless playground for winter-sport lovers, with its skiing area of 106 km. Ideal for experienced skiiers, the resort also offers several zones specially for beginners. 

On your skiing holidays in Verbier, put your bags down with your tribue in one of our luxury chalets on the slopes, surrounded by the breathtaking mountainous landscape. Start your day admiring the spectacular view of the Swiss mountains, before setting off to tackle the immacule slopes. Fancy trying off-piste skiing with a private instructor in the heights of the Swiss Alps? Our luxury concierge service will be delighted to orchestrate your adventure down to the last detail. 

The advantages of Méribel for beginners

The vast skiing area in Verbier is divided into two main lists: Médran and Savoleyres. The most family-friendly slopes are found on the Savoleyres side, with notably the Funpark for kids, as well as the toboggan slope where you can slide down over 700 meters!  

While the little ones work on their snowplough, the pros will be able to test their limits on the Médran side. Whichever side you choose, everyone can agree the high-altitude landscapes are extraordinary.

If this is your first time on skis, try one of the resort's conveyor belts for a gentle start. When you start to feel more confidence, head towards 'Verbier Station' which includes lifts like Les Esserts, Les Moulins and Le Rouge, or take the blue run which runs along the ridge to the summit of Savoleyres. 

To perfect your technique or introduce your little ones to the joys of skiing, ask our luxury concierge to book one of the many lessons offered by the École Suisse de Ski in Verbier or, to make rapid progress, put your trust in one of our private instructors.

After skiing, take the whole family to the open-air trampoline park in the centre of Verbier, where your little ones can tire themselves out, bouncing in a secured harness. Then stroll around until sunset to discover the resort's many bars, restaurants and boutiques, soothed by the picturesque atmosphere. 

In a partying mood? For an unforgettable evening, Le Rouge is the place to be for après-ski. Head to the top floor of the restaurant to dance to the beats of the region's best DJs and warm up with a glass of mulled wine. For a cosier atmosphere with your family, get comfy with your tribe in the living room of your luxury chalet in Verbier, telling each other stories from the day in front of a roaring fire.