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Apr, 16 - 2025 - 7 mins

How To Choose The Right Ski Resort For Your First Ski Trip

Your first ski trip is a magical experience. While most holidaymakers couldn't imagine swapping sparkling shorelines for snowy peaks, those who have experienced the mountains will know that there’s nothing quite like carving in weightless powder or sipping on a cold beer at the side of a sun-drenched ski slope. However, if you choose the wrong resort for your ability level, it likely won’t feel as if you’re on holiday at all! Many first-time skiers struggle to find the right resort, leading to frustration on the slopes.

Choosing the right resort for your first ski trip is based on a variety of factors including slope gradients, resort popularity and the availability of beginner areas. If you choose hastily or don’t do any research at all, it could make for an unpleasant and difficult experience that taints your perception of a ski holiday - and we don’t want that.

So, how do you find the right resort for you? Read on to discover what things you should look for in an ideal beginner ski resort, and how Snomad’s data-driven ski resort rankings - collated using data from thousands of unbiased votes and reviews - can help.

What to look for in a beginner ski resort: The Five Must-Haves

When choosing where to ski for the first time, there are five aspects of your experience you should consider. Make a note of each factor to get the most out of this first-time skiers guide.

1. What are the best ski resorts with beginner ski slopes?

As you’re probably already aware, the slopes in ski resorts have a different rating based on their gradient. In Europe, the least difficult slopes are Green, followed by Blue, Red and Black. In the US, the ratings are similar with Green Circle marking the easiest runs, followed by Blue Square, Black Diamond, Double Black Diamond and EX (Extreme.) Greens and Blues are the best for beginners, Reds for intermediates and Blacks for advanced riders. You should therefore be looking for resorts with a higher percentage of green and blue runs. Both Les Menuires and Alpe d’Huez in France are known for their large number of beginner runs.

Weigh up your options by using Snomad’s Top Resorts for Beginners - a user-voted ranked list of resorts that offer wide, forgiving pistes that make learning easier.

2. Which resorts have the best ski schools for beginners?

As well as beginner-friendly ski slopes and dedicated learner areas, it’s vitally important that your chosen resort has a highly rated ski school. For example, the Snomad community have voted Austria’s Serfaus Fiss Ladis in the top spot for ski schools worldwide. Reviewers left positive comments about the quieter slopes even during peak times, friendly instructors who speak a wide range of languages and great facilities for kids.

3. How easy is it to get around the ski area?

When you’re just starting out on your ski legs, an efficient lift system can help build your confidence, aid progression and minimise time spent walking around in your boots. Anyone who has clung onto a T-bar lift in poor visibility and cold winds will know that it’s enough to put even a seasoned pro off. A good lift system is also usually a marker of an easily navigable area, which is essential for those concerned about getting lost. Resorts that rank high for efficient ski lifts and easy slope access can be considered in our Best Resorts for Ski Lifts table.

4. What is the atmosphere like throughout the resort?

Some beginners prefer quiet, family-friendly resorts, while others want a mix of après-ski and relaxed skiing. If you’re travelling as a young group expecting to party after hours spent perfecting your snow plough, it would be a bit of a buzzkill to discover the hotel only has one ambient bar with no live music. On the other hand, that’s perhaps not the vibe you’re after if you're envisioning a wholesome winter wonderland with the kids.

Looking for a laidback time with the little ones? Browse resorts with high family ratings. Alternatively, if partying is your thing, take a look at the best resorts for après ski, as voted for by thousands of skiers and snowboarders worldwide.

5. What is my budget for the trip?

Another important factor to consider as a beginner is the cost of the lift pass. You’re unlikely to be racking up miles and miles during your first ski trip, so I’d recommend either heading to a smaller ski area or choosing a resort that offers a ‘local’ lift pass, which will be cheaper than the full area option. Affordable beginner ski resorts for first-time skiers include Les Gets, Arinsal, and Soldeu.

Check Snomad’s Value for Money rankings to see how they compare.

How to Pick The Best Ski Resort For Learning: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Along with what you should consider, here are some of the things you shouldn’t do when planning your first ski trip.

• Choosing a steep or advanced-focused resort will mean that your progress and confidence get knocked back. Trust us when we say it’s better to go at your own pace until sending it down that black run feels like a walk in the park.
• Not booking lessons, especially when travelling as a group will mean you’ll likely hold your friends back, or struggle to keep up with them and become a hazard on the mountain. Being coached by your friends isn’t always ideal, and their promises to teach you might be forgotten when that fresh-pow bluebird day dawns. Booking a lesson with a knowledgeable in-resort instructor will not only improve your skills and confidence but also introduce you to the geography of the resort and the best slopes to spend your week on.
• Going in peak season - unless you can’t avoid doing so - will mean crowded slopes, which can make learning trickier. Consider Snomad’s Ski Resorts with the Quietest Slopes ranking table. Also, don’t forget to check when the local school holidays are!
• Ignoring lift pass prices and promotional offers will mean you might pay more when you don’t need to. Some resorts offer discounted beginner passes with access to beginner lifts only, or reduced-price passes at the very beginning and late season.

The Best Beginner Ski Resorts

Want to skip straight to the league tables? Got it. Below we’ve listed the top four Best Beginner Ski Resorts in both Europe and North America, as of March 2025, based on genuine, unbiased and unsponsored Snomad community member votes. Be sure to check back regularly as the rankings change as more ratings are left by our community.

Best Beginner Ski Resorts in Europe

1st Place: Alpe d’Huez
2nd Place: La Plagne
3rd Place: Meribel
4th Place: Morzine

Best Beginner Ski Resorts in North America

1st Place: Keystone
2nd Place: Big White
3rd Place: Brighton Resort
4th Place: Heavenly

Want to take a deep dive into each of the resorts for yourself? Check out Snomad’s Best Resorts for Beginners.

First Ski Trip Tips: A Quickfire List

• Rent instead of buying gear.
• Check out our Packing Checklist to ensure you’ll have everything you need.
• Book ski lessons early (popular ski schools fill up fast).
• Use Snomad’s League Tables to compare resorts before booking.
• Consider beginner-friendly options like spa hotels, ski-in ski-out or scenic winter walks; be prepared by choosing a resort that has more activity options than just skiing.

The Mountains Are Calling: Book Your Trip Now!

Choosing the right ski resort is key to having a great first ski experience. By asking yourself the important questions like ‘Which resorts have the best slopes for beginners’ and ‘where can I find the best ski school,’ you’ll be ensuring you have a great time. You can also use Snomad to compare and contrast reviews from other riders and join in with Q&A discussions on each.

Browse the easiest resorts to learn skiing and find your dream destination in a matter of minutes. With the Snomad Resort Finder Quiz, you can even get personalised recommendations just by answering a few questions about your ability and preferences.