The best ski resorts for beginners 

Learning to ski is all about having the right instructor and the right gear — but the choice of ski resort matters just as much. Especially for beginners trying alpine skiing for the first time. So why choose one resort over another? Because some ski resorts go the extra mile to welcome beginners of all ages, with dedicated learning zones just for them. Safety, fun and comfort are guaranteed! Some even offer free ski lifts for first-timers. To make your decision easier, we’ve selected the top 10 mountain resorts that make learning to ski as easy as it is enjoyable.

Best ski resorts for beginners: our top 10 picks

La Plagne

With its Coolski programme, La Plagne offers a great-value flat rate of €30 per day for anyone aged 5 to 74. Special beginner zones with rest areas and learning equipment are available to help you take your first steps on skis with confidence. The ski lifts are easy to access and lead to clearly marked “Coolski” trails, designed for beginners. Out of the resort’s 225 kilometres of slopes, you’ll find 74 blue runs and 9 green runs – perfect for mixing fun with steady progress.

Les Arcs

The Les Arcs ski area offers a great selection of wide, gentle runs – ideal for learning. There are 66 beginner-friendly pistes (63 blue and 3 green), all with a smooth gradient and dedicated training zones. Most are easily accessible thanks to modern chairlifts. If you're new to skiing, Arc 2000 is the best choice: the layout of the slopes is perfect for beginners, and the resort provides free magic carpets for first-time skiers. No need to worry – the runs down to the valley are easy to navigate, and you can also practise safely at the bottom of the resort. A special €20 pass is available for those who just want to try out the feeling of sliding on snow.

Les Menuires

At Les Menuires, beginner areas are cheerfully named “Easy Rider” zones! The resort offers a mini-pass for just €24.50 per day, giving access to clearly marked “discovery skiing” areas, easily spotted thanks to bright pink signs. Between Saint-Martin and Les Menuires, 16 ski lifts are included with the mini-pass, giving access to a great variety of gentle slopes – 44 blue runs and 12 green runs – perfect for gaining confidence without ever getting bored.

Les Orres

Les Orres is a great place to learn how to ski in a safe and welcoming environment. The resort offers an affordable “Premières Traces” pass at just €29.50 per day. This beginner pass gives access to specific chairlifts and drag lifts, marked with a green triangle bordered in red – like the Pic Vert chairlift or the Riou Sec drag lift. With 9 green runs and 5 blue runs included, it's an ideal setup for making your first turns on the snow with confidence.

Risoul

At Risoul, the mountain peaks aren’t just for expert skiers! Thanks to the six-seater chairlift, beginners can reach the Peyrefolle summit at 2,457 metres – and ski back down via gentle green slopes leading to the resort’s snow front. For those just starting out, there’s also a beginner-friendly area at the bottom of the slopes, with a cable lift available for just €2. With 30 blue runs and 18 green runs, Risoul offers plenty of terrain for learning at your own pace.

Pralognan La Vanoise

This resort offers a special beginner pass covering the Petit Poucet and Barioz areas. Petit Poucet is a sunny, calm, and safe zone located at the village entrance, accessible by a drag lift. Barioz sits at the foot of the slopes, also served by a drag lift. Prices start at €10.30 for a half-day (morning or afternoon) and €14.30 for a full day. Once confident, you can explore more with 9 green and 4 blue runs to widen your skiing options.

Val Cenis

Val Cenis caters especially to beginner skiers with two separate passes for two different zones. At Val Cenis 1,300, the pass gives access to the Tannes and Marmottes drag lifts and the Girarde chairlift. At Val Cenis 1,400, it covers the St Pierre, Pont Noir, Sablons, and Madeleine drag lifts, as well as the Colomba, Pré Novel, and Pont des Chèvres chairlifts, plus the Val Cenis Le Haut gondola. Pass prices vary depending on the area.

Whether you’re a child, a senior, or an adult, expect to pay between €16.50 and €21.50 for a day pass. The resort’s 12 green runs offer plenty of gentle slopes for progressing with confidence and ease.

Alpe d’Huez

Alpe d’Huez: guiding beginners every step of the way

At Alpe d’Huez, beginner skiers get all the support they need to progress. Novices start learning at the bottom of the slopes in safe, dedicated zones — near the Bregers shopping arcade and the Rond-Point des Pistes. To encourage new skiers, four lifts are free to use:

Once confident, progressing skiers can buy the beginner pass for €22.50 per day. This gives access to the Rif Nel télémixte, Grand Rif Nel drag lift, Grand École drag lift, and Sagnes drag lift. With 43 green runs and 34 blue runs, more adventurous beginners can upgrade to the “1re Glisse” pass at €41.50, which covers all lifts and chairlifts from Alpe d’Huez — except Marmotte 1 and Alpauris.

Les Deux Alpes

At Les 2 Alpes, everything is designed to welcome beginner skiers. The ski lifts located on the snow front are free of charge, and a dedicated learning area runs along the edge of the resort. There's also a large beginner zone in the Crêtes sector, served by a covered conveyor lift for extra comfort.

Many slopes in the area are marked and labelled as “ski tranquille” (easy skiing), offering a calm and safe environment for learners. Young skiers can enjoy the full beauty of the ski area — and its incredible mountain views — with ease. With 45 blue runs and 17 green runs, including 5 free pistes at the base of the resort, skiing from the top to the valley is both accessible and enjoyable for all levels.

Val d’Isère

You don’t need a lift pass to try skiing in Val d’Isère. On the snow front, the Savonnette drag lift and the Village chairlift are free to use, and further towards La Daille, the Lanches drag lift is also accessible at no cost. All these pistes lead smoothly back down to the base of the resort.

With 23 green runs and 62 blue runs, there’s plenty of wide, gentle terrain to explore safely — perfect for discovering the joy of skiing while enjoying ever-changing mountain scenery.

If this list has helped you find your ideal beginner-friendly ski resort, don’t forget: learning to ski can be a challenge at first. Taking a few lessons with a qualified instructor is a great way to get started. You’ll learn how to turn, how to stop safely, and how to adopt the right posture on the slopes.

Skiing? You’ll be hooked in no time!