Top 3 French Ski Resorts For Beginners

Whether you’re leading a class of first-time skiers on their first school ski trip or looking for a destination for your students to progress their slope skills, France is the perfect place to start out.  

With the shortest transfer time from the UK, easy access by coach or flight and a diverse regional culture with indulgent local cuisine, France offers a ski experience that will provide unforgettable memories for your students.  

A varied range of resorts, access to high mileage and interconnected areas including the Three Valleys, Portes du Soleil and Grand Massif means you can find the ideal location for those still learning the slopes and those looking for more of a challenge.  

Although you can learn to ski in any resort, some provide more beginner orientated slopes - so here’s our top three that we think are perfect for anyone taking their first ski trip. 

1. Alpe D’Huez 

Home to two of our exclusive Clubhotels, a fantastic selection of apres-ski options and great snow conditions all season long, this is one resort you won’t want to miss out on.  

Offering an impressive 79 trails aimed at first-time skiers, Alpe D’huez provides an exceptional playground for learners to master the basics right next to the ski village. Wide open green runs and one of Europe’s biggest nursery areas means beginners will be in good hands and with speed-restricted zones your students will be able to find their feet and develop confidence on the slopes at their own pace.  

Once your students have grasped the basics, they’ll be able to hop onto the chairlift and explore the numerous blue runs on offer across the mountain.  

For those looking for a challenge, Alpe D’Huez won’t disappoint; the longest black run in Europe (standing at 16km!) and fantastic snowparks await. 

2. Les Menuires

Forming part of the impressive Three Valleys ski area, Les Menuires boasts 160km of piste, doorstep skiing options (check out our Clubhotels) and a massive variety of indoor and outdoor apres-ski options, including an epic speed mountain luge!  

Les menuires hosts some of the best nursery slopes in Europe, thanks to a designated area right next to the SkiBound Clubhotels. This learner friendly area provides the perfect platform for first time skiers and operates a modern carpet conveyor lift that offers a simple way up the slopes.   

After picking up basic ski skills, there’s plenty of scope for progression thanks to Les Menuires’ wealth of interlinked red, blue and green runs allowing your students to develop at a level and speed to suit their ability.  

The more advanced skiers in your group won’t be left disappointed either, with several testing trails and the BK snow park providing plenty of variety and adrenaline pumping opportunities. 

3. La Plagne

Thanks to its position as part of the extensive Paradiski resort area, La Plagne offers over 225km of skiable piste, exciting apres ski options, including the exhilarating 1500m ‘Colorado Park’ toboggan run, and provides the perfect base for skiers of all abilities.  

Well-known as a learner-friendly resort due to its excellent ski schools and gentle nursery slopes, your students will be able to conquer any initial fears and build their confidence before heading onto the wide and well-groomed trails to start developing their skills.   

La Plagne provides a more than perfect platform for new and improving skiers, with over 110km of beginner and intermediate runs you’ll be able to watch your students progress over the ski week. 

Advanced skiers in your group are well-catered for too, with some challenging black runs and the option to upgrade to the Paradiski pass - offering an impressive 425km of skiable piste.