Beginner Ski Holidays
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Learning to ski is about so much more than just technique. It’s about immersing yourself in the overall experience; from the laughter of your first face-plant to the absolute joy after your first successful turn. Its everything from the thrill (and chill!) of the crisp mountain air in the morning to the celebratory aprés drinks when the sun goes down. Its full of can’t-help-but-smile moments, bonding with new friends and the realisation that you’ve just found your new, best hobby!
So, if you’ve been hesitating to book that first ski trip, don’t! At Erna Low, we've been helping first-time skiers and snowboarders discover Europe's epic mountains for decades. Our beginner ski packages are super easy to tailor to your needs, covering everything from accommodation and flights to transfers and lessons—plus whatever else you need to keep it stress-free. We’re here to make sure your first trip to the slopes is so good, it’ll be the start of many more adventures in the snow.
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Beginner ski holiday deals
Hit the slopes as a first-time skier
Still not convinced you should be hitting the slopes as a first-time skier? Here are a few brilliant benefits to consider:
- First and foremost, skiing and snowboarding are fantastic fun ̶ in our book, few things are as enjoyable as powering down wide open blue runs, progressing to trickier reds and black routes, taking on tricky obstacles in freestyle terrain parks or exploring the backcountry with a mountain guide when you advance to freeriding. Your first ski holiday is the key that unlocks a lifetime of adventures and within a few days of lessons you’ll have found your balance and be well on your way to moving on from the nursery slopes.
- Secondly, skiing and snowboarding are social. Private lessons can be arranged, but most of our first-time ski travellers enjoy group lessons where they learn with their peers, enjoy the camaraderie and often develop friendships that last the duration of the holiday and beyond. But don’t forget the apres-ski ̶ for many snowsports fans, evening entertainment is almost as important as their daytime sessions on the piste and the pubs, bars and clubs at modern ski resorts provide entertainment from the afternoon all the way through to the wee small hours. Whether you like suave cocktails in a laid-back lounge or beer and shots in a bouncing club, you’ll find something that floats your boat.
- Skiing is brilliant exercise too. For starters, it can burn around 366 calories in half an hour, while you can burn even more by walking up to the top of the piste (if it’s manageable) rather than taking the lift. Furthermore, snowboarding and skiing are brilliant for building up your leg muscles too ̶ and taking on a thigh-burning downhill run is much more fun than squats at the gym. But that’s not all, because you’ll improve your flexibility and suppleness considerably, as well as tightening up your core muscles with those hours of staying upright as you navigate your way through the cool, crisp powder. Last but not least, catching some winter sunshine in European ski resorts boosts your Vitamin D and the workout turbocharges those feel-good endorphins ̶ meaning your mood will also be naturally, and blissfully, enhanced.
Essentials for your beginner ski holiday
There are a few essentials to consider on your first ski trip. To help you hit the slopes with confidence, we’ve put together a handy guide to all the essentials you’ll need. From sorting your lift passes to finding the right gear and booking slope-side accommodation, we’ve got you covered—so you can focus on making those first turns unforgettable.
- Beginner Ski Passes You’ll find a variety of ski passes for every ski resort, with different prices for children, youths, adults and seniors, various duration and options which include the lifts in the local resort or those in the wider ski area too. In certain resorts it’s free to ski on the nursery slopes and you’ll only need to pay once you know the basics and move up the mountain to the main slopes.
- Beginner Ski Lessons Skiers and snowboarders of all levels can take lessons, but they’re particularly vital when you’re a beginner. We’ll find you high-quality private or group lessons from the best instructors available and roll the cost into your beginner’s ski package.
- Ski Equipment: Skis and Boards for Beginners When you’re hitting the slopes for the first time, there are a few key skills to get the hang of—like controlling your edges, linking turns, and nailing those smooth, controlled stops. As a beginner, light-weight, slightly shorter skis with a soft flex are your best bet; they’re alot easier to control at your level. Beginner snowboarders should go for mid-sized boards with more flex. Boards with a ‘true twin’ profile are a good pick for newbies. They’re symmetrical and have the same shaped nose and tail allowing for a balanced stance. You’ll be carving the slopes in time. We’ve got you covered if you dont have any ski equipment, just include a ski hire option as part of your ski holiday package with Erna Low.
- Accommodation: Best Places to Stay for Beginners Think comfy accommodation right near the slopes and shops and amenities in resort so you’re not far from ski rental shops, ski schools, restaurants and all the attractions. Resorts that offer ski-in/ski-out accommodation shoul top your list. Check out our doorstep ski resorts recommendations. Our ski holiday packages include a wide range of accommodation perfect for first-timers.
- Clothing: What to wear on your first ski trip Some ski resorts have sunny, south-facing slopes, but you’ll still need to layer up with thin, thermal garments, waterproof snowboard trousers or salopettes, a good waterproof jacket, gloves, ski socks, goggles and sunglasses.
Best ski resorts for beginners
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Every ski resort has a mix of pistes for different skill levels, but some lean more towards certain abilities. The great thing about lift-linked ski areas is that you can hop over to neighbouring resorts for even more variety. That said, some resorts really go the extra mile to welcome beginners. Here’s a rundown of the best spots in Europe for first-timers. Best ski resorts for beginners
Courchevel 1850 is a fantastic choice for beginner skiers. Nestled in France’s massive Three Valleys ski area, with 600km of slopes, it’s the perfect spot to kickstart your snowsports journey. Each of the resort’s four villages has free magic carpets for kids and beginners; ideal for avoiding the stress of lifts while you’re finding your feet (or skis!). Courchevel 1850, the main hub, is where you’ll want to stay, with easy access to amenities and loads of space on the pistes around here and in nearby Moriond to master your turns. You’ll find plenty of gentle greens and cruisy blues, especially in the Jardin Alpin area, which is great for building confidence. If you’re snowboarding, the Biollay area has a handy travellator, and the Plantrey snow park offers freestyle features for every skill level. Off the slopes, the fun continues with an adventure pool, top-notch après-ski, and a mix of chic dining and high-end shopping that’s hard to beat. Accommodation options range from cosy to luxurious, so there’s something for everyone. All in all, Courchevel 1850 delivers the ultimate Alpine experience for first-timers! Tucked away in Andorra’s snowy Pyrenees, El Tarter and its neighbouring resort, Soldeu, are perfect spots for first-time skiers and snowboarders. Unlike many resorts where beginner slopes are stuck at the base of the mountain, El Tarter’s learning area at Tosa dels Espiolets sits higher up, easily reachable thanks to its speedy lifts. The Telecabina El Tarter whisks you straight to the beginner zone above the village, where the English-speaking ski school meets. It’s also home to the Badaboom Circus; a fun, 500m kids’ piste packed with playful features and obstacles. Once you’ve got the basics down, you can graduate to the wide, gentle blue runs this area is known for. Favourites include the Esquirol, which glides you back to El Tarter, and the Bosc Fosc, a scenic trail weaving through the woods towards Soldeu. Lech in Austria’s amazing Ski Arlberg domain is another dynamic beginner’s resort with much to recommend it. For starters, a 1405m resort height, a snow range that stretches to almost 3000m, and a massive 11m dump of pow each winter means it’s one of Europe’s most snow-reliable resorts, so you’ll enjoy great conditions throughout the season. The nursery slopes are located on the opposite bank of the river from the main ski area and you’ll find accessible t-bars here taking you to perfectly-prepared nursery slopes with gentle gradients. After a few lessons you’ll be ready to tackle some of the lovely long blues at Oberlech and progress through the vast network of scenic intermediate runs in this beautiful part of the world. There’s a fun park here with cool obstacles for freestyle snowboarders to try after their first few lessons and this classy resort with quality apres-ski and a varied cuisine scene has long been a favourite of royals and celebs, so it’s a perfect place for people-watching!
Cervinia in Italy’s Cervino Ski Paradise is another brilliant ski resort for beginner’s which is definitely worth a second look. Located at a heady 2050m right underneath the famous Matterhorn, this Aosta Valley location is connected by the Plateau Rosa glacier to Zermatt in Switzerland and there’s a sizable 160km skiable area with a snow range that stretches way up to 3883m. Kids feel spoiled here with a plethora of playful features and magic carpets, as well as the wonderful Wild West Zone at Valtourneche. For adults, there are 18 beautiful beginner’s runs and the resort is known for its sweeping, easy blues and long reds (many of which would be graded blue in other resorts). Cervinia is also a decent destination for cross country skiing holidays for beginners, with a 3km natural circuit open all season long ̶ it’s suitable for all levels and affords fabulous views of the Grandes Murailles mountains as well as Matterhorn.
Family ski packages for beginners
Erna Low’s family ski packages cater to families with absolute beginners or for parents taking their kids to the slopes for the first time. There are several options to choose from including self-drive and self-catering holidays allowing you travel and enjoy the resort in your own bubble. You can also opt for various grades of apartments, hotels and chalets ̶ but whichever style of accommodation best suits your requirements, it’s usually best to choose a location with ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes, in reasonably close proximity to the resort centre. Look out for resorts with plenty of off-slope entertainment for kids too ̶ this means that if they need a break from the pistes for a day, there are attractions like 10-pin bowling alleys, pools and cinemas to come to the rescue.
Après-Ski for Beginners: What Happens Off the Slopes
For newbies, après-ski might sound like a fancy French term (it is), but it’s basically just a phrase that captures all the fun that happens “after skiing”. Think of après-ski as the perfect blend of chill time, socialising, and celebrating a day well spent on the slopes. You’ve just nailed (or survived) your first day on the slopes and now you’re wondering what the comes next. Well, it’s aprés o’clock so swap your ski boots for something comfier and make your way to the party.
Après-ski usually kicks off mid-afternoon and can range from laid-back cocktails by the fire to full-on dance parties with live music or DJs. The Alps, in particular, are famous for their après scene, with cosy mountain bars, lively pubs, and even outdoor après hotspots right on the slopes. If you’re wondering where to start from, just follow the music and laughter; it’s usually hard to miss. Most resorts have a handful of iconic après-ski spots where people gather after skiing. Places like La Folie Douce in Val d’Isère or MooserWirt in St. Anton are legendary. But if you’re after something quieter, many resorts also offer more chilled options like wine bars or restaurants serving hearty local dishes.
Not a fan of partying or the bar scene? Don’t worry, there are lots of alternatives, like evening sledging, spa visits, ice rinks and cinemas. The key is to find an activity that allows you to unwind —whether it’s soaking up the party atmosphere or enjoying a quieter kind of après.
Booking the best ski holidays for beginners
Whew ̶ we’ve gone through a lot of information on beginner’s ski holidays! Hopefully it has all been useful and you now feel like you can make an informed choice about taking the plunge with a snowsports holiday and choosing the right resort. However, if you’re still a bit bamboozled, please get in touch for a chat ̶ we’re always delighted to help! With Erna Low, your beginner’s ski holiday is the start of a lifelong romance with the mountains.
FAQs
What ski resorts are best for beginners?
For beginners, La Plagne is popular for its easy terrain and accessible ski areas, while Les Arcs provides beginner slopes with scenic alpine views. Resorts like Tignes are also great for newcomers due to their accessible lift systems and designated beginner zones. These resorts make it easy for beginners to gain confidence while enjoying the mountain atmosphere.
If you cannot find what you are looking for please contact us and we can help you build your package.