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Many of us donned our first skis in France - and while it may not have turned us all into the next Jean Claude Killys, it’s often the first place we think of when we want to share the mountains with chums or children. Pick a French resort at random and chances are you’ll have a cracking first time on skis - they’re pretty good across the board for beginners. Still, we’ve narrowed down the list to a top 10 that’ll have all ages falling head over heels for the sport (metaphorically rather than literally, of course).
This country recognises that the skiing flame doesn’t just burst out of thin air – it needs good quality nursery slopes, miles of glorious greens, the option of a few fun features and just the right amount of slope-side chocolat chaud. Euros have been invested in the millions to make learners safe, comfortable and happy, and with award-winning ski schools (many of them run by Brits) to take newbies under their wing, that first week on the snow looks set to be an amazing one.
France: Top 10 Ski Resorts for Beginners
If you like the prospect of fast-tracking your learning experience, La Plagne can see you skiing with (or at least alongside) the best of them in just a week. Friendly blues outnumber green runs 7:1 here, so you’re gently encouraged to graduate the nursery slopes early. You’ll… + more
Our favourite thing about L2A for beginners is that it’s an upside down resort: While in other resorts the beginner terrain’s near the base, here some of the easiest runs are right at the top – letting learners enjoy the most snow sure slopes and some gloriously scenic skiing. To… + more
A softly softly approach prevails in Meribel. While seasoned skiers are out in the 3 Valleys, the Sittelle run (accessed from the Platieres gondola), Le Rossignol (get the Chatelet chair) and Le Doron (down in Mottaret) here are complete beginner territory, where you can build… + more
With one Europe’s biggest nursery areas, beginners are in good hands in this super-sized resort. 39 runs here are classified ‘easy’ – with speed-restricted areas like Les Bergers where you can master the basics undisturbed. You’ll find plenty of excellent ski schools to nurse you… + more
While Courchevel may be better known as the crystal and caviar capital of the Alps, don’t let all that glitz blind you to its spectacular beginner friendliness. A host of independent ski schools like the geniuses at New Gen, will see you out of the four specific ZEN areas (Zones… + more
Morzine may be part of the hulking great 650km Portes du Soleil, but beginners usually find the local pass opens up more than enough for your first weeks of skiing. The area’s rolling in beautifully smooth blues, practically all lined with coniferous trees and dotted with hot… + more
Don’t be put off by the lack of greens on the Les Arcs piste map. It’s widely known that the blues here are total softies, and much more like the greens in other resorts (the tourist office doesn’t adhere to the standard rating system). The easy skiing back to each of the Arc… + more
Les Gets is a lovely ski resort to start off in – a typical pastoral settlement in the French Savoy, if the village alone doesn’t spark a love for the mountains, we don’t know what will. Good guidance helps too, and here you have a number of ski schools to let you find a set-up… + more
Over 200,000 Euros have recently been poured into making this even more of a family hotspot, kitting the place out especially well for young beginners and bagging this the “Most improved Family Ski resort” gong at the World Snow Awards 2014. Even better news if you’re bringing… + more
Quiet, easy-going and snow sure – the runs in La Ros meet a new skier’s criteria swimmingly and they’re served by top notch British school Elite ski, and the English-speaking Evolution. Specialised ski clinics will have you over the border snaffling pizza in La Thuile before the… + more
There's no denying that France is one of the best countries in the world when it comes to learning to ski - the British ski schools, dedicated slow slopes and presence of free learner lifts make progressing on the piste a fun and easy experience.
If you'd like to expand your search to other skiing nations, our list of the Best Beginner Resorts Worldwide will show you our favourite places to learn on the planet - including a handful of French resorts, besides ones from Austria, North America and even Finland.
France - best beginner ski resorts
| Resort | Best features |
|---|---|
| La Plagne | Snow sure, ski in/out accommodation, wide & gentle slopes, ski schools in every village |
| Les 2 Alpes | Scenic & snowy beginner terrain, free beginner lifts, slow zone for practicing |
| Meribel | Brit-run ski schools, slow runs, free beginner lifts |
| Alpe d'Huez | Huge nursery area, oodles of gentle pistes, numerous ski schools |
| Courchevel | British ski schools, gentle runs including slow-skiing slopes, excellent kids facilities |
| Morzine | Plenty of easy runs, numerous ski schools, great nursery area |
| Les Arcs | Excellent snow, wide pistes, numerous ski schools, slow-ski pistes |
| Les Gets | Great beginner zone, free nursery lifts, themed trail for kids |
| Valmorel | Fun slopes for kids, plenty of wide, quiet & gentle runs |
| La Rosiere | British ski school, quiet & sunny slopes, great snow record |
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