• Embed Doc
  • Copy Link
  • Readcast
  • Collections
  • CommentGo Back
Download
 
Where are the best places in Europe to learn skiing?
Learning to ski is a great way to spend a winter holiday in Europe. With the right resort andgood instruction you’ll be flying down the slopes within days of arrival –and best of all you’lltake home a skill that will last a lifetime. (It’s a bit like learning to ride a bike, except thefalls are a lot softer.) Children make great pupils too, and will have great fun learning theropes – giving parents a solid morning or afternoon time out from the little ones!Make the right choice of destination for your first ski trip and it could be the start of alifetime’s addiction to this healthy and exhilarating sport! So if you’ve got the winter gearand are ready to roll, here are 10 ideal resorts in which to learn how to ski while still havinga great holiday.
Cortina, Italy
 Just because you’re learning to ski doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Europ e’s very best slopes.Case in point is Cortina, pride of Italy’s resort offerings. It offers astounding scenery andmajestic views over the Dolomites. There are very good beginner slopes and plenty of long,gentle gradient cruise runs, just what recent ski school graduates need. Another plus inCortina’s favour is that the instructors are skilled with kids and jittery adults.
Wengen,Switzerland 
Wengen takes pride in having one of Europe’s best known and most highly regarded skischools. That means you learn faster, have more fun in the process, and pick up the righttechnique from the start. Wenger is positioned under the awesome north face of the Eiger,which has long held magnetic fascination for Alpinists. The learner slopes are right in theheart of the village and there are lots of long, gentle runs to move onto when one’sconfidence allows. The only negatives are that with a relatively low altitude snowfall can beunreliable, and the après ski scene is a little subdued, so youngsters in a group will need tomake their own party.
Kranjska, Slovenia
For those wanting something a little different from their ski learning experience the prettytown of Kranjska Gora might be the answer. Slovenia’s top resort is close to the both theItaly and Austrian border, at the foot of the Julien Alps. The resort is small andunpretentious, and the runs long and undemanding making Kranjska an ideal destination forbeginners and those wanting to get off the beaten track. Slovenia is also more affordablethan its more affluent neighbours so ski costs are markedly cheaper.
Lech
 
, Austria
Lech is for those that want to learn in style, at one of Europe’s most chic and expensiveresorts. The price barrier has preserved Lech as a classic alpine resort with a small villageatmosphere despite plenty of lively nightlife. The ski schools are excellent with experienced,English-speaking instructors and plenty of suitable runs for the learner skier. The position of the slopes also maximizes chances of snow cover and sunshine – perfect conditions toseduce a rookie. The snow season is also one of the longest in Europe, and at either end of the ski season ‘Snow Crystal' weeks mean ski passes are halved in price.
 
Poiana Brasov,Romania
Looking for great value and uncluttered slopes? Go east! The former eastern Europerepublics have some excellent and underrated ski resorts that are rapidly catching on inpopularity. Good value means beginner skiers can try out the sports without breaking thebank. Poiana Brasov has two nursery areas, and the sport’s friendliest instructors. There isplenty to do in the area as well, such as a trip to Dracula’s castle.
Gurgl-Obergurgl,Austria
Despite its cumbersome name, the resort of Gurgl-Obergurgl is great for beginners andintermediates, with some of Europe’s most reliable snow, and a small village atmospherethat is undeniably charming. This resort gets a very high rate of returning skiers which isgenerally a good sign. The nightlife is quiet though, and the more experienced skiers in theparty will quickly run out of challenges.
Soldeu, Andorra
Andorra is one of the most popular places for learner skiers wanting to master the sports ina low-profile, good value environment before hitting the slopes in Europe’s more fashionabledestinations. Soldeu has sacrificed challenge and variety in favour of abundant beginner andintermediate slopes. The ski schools are decent and the weather and nightlife both reliableand cheerful. Andorra offers the additional draw of being a duty-free shopping destinationwith simply the cheapest shopping on the continent.
Chatel,France
Chatel is part of the Portes du Soleil in France, the world’s biggest ski area. That meansthere are plenty of runs for skiers of all abilities. Access is convenient and cheap given theresorts close proximity to Geneva airport, and can even be driven to via Calais. There areplenty of beginner’s slopes and well regarded ski instructors too. A big plus of this area isthe range of accommodation, including chalets for rent right on the slopes, close to the skilifts.
Bansko, Bulgaria
Beautiful Bankso attracts budget-conscious skiers who like a bargain and relaxing skiingconditions that are perfect for the first-time skier. The lift system is excellent and the greenslopes, to which beginners graduate after a few days, have gentle runs of up to 16km inlength. In total 65% of the ski runs are for beginners and intermediates. The town itself wasfounded in the 10th century so has plenty of history and interesting attractions to explore.Don’t expect sophisticated dining and entertainment options though, this is a more down-to-earth scene.
Glenshee,Scotland
Glenshee boasts the largest ski lift system in the UK, and its 36 runs are ideal for beginnersand intermediates. The top of the Cairnwell Chairlift offers the best panorama of theCairngorms to be seen from any Scottish ski area. The resort is conveniently situated, butsnow cover can be unreliable and the slopes congested with day–trippers.General Tips:
of 00

Leave a Comment

You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...
You must be to leave a comment.
Submit
Characters: ...