Best Ski Resorts for Beginners in France

Where are the Best Ski Resorts in France for Beginners?

France is renowned for its vast ski areas, world-class resorts and snow-sure slopes, but where should beginners head for the best experience on the slopes? Choosing the right resort can make all the difference if you're a first-timer or looking to build confidence after a few lessons. From gentle nursery slopes and top-rated ski schools to welcoming family environments and accessible terrain, these are the best beginner ski resorts France has to offer

Les Gets - Best for Young Children

Why is Les Get Great for Beginners?

Les Gets, part of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, is a charming alpine village that feels tailor-made for families and beginner skiers. With gentle terrain and an excellent layout, it's easy to navigate and offers a friendly, low-key vibe.

Nursery Slopes & Beginner Areas in Les Gets

• Green Runs: 5
• Blue Runs: 29 (in Les Gets-Morzine ski area)
• Mappy’s Area: A protected space at the top of the Chavannes gondola, complete with magic carpets, gentle gradients, and fun installations to help young skiers feel at ease.
• Le Grand Cry Territory: An Indian-themed ski area with teepees, games, and gentle slopes that make skiing fun for little ones.
• Favourite Beginner Run: "Violette" – A long, easy blue run winding through forest with beautiful views, perfect for practising turns.

Advantages of Beginner Ski Holidays in Les Gets:

1. Excellent Beginner Terrain:

• The Chavannes area offers plenty of mellow green and blue runs, ideal for learning.
• Areas like the “Mappy’s Zone” are specially created for learners, with magic carpets and safety barriers.
• Easy transition from green to blue runs helps build confidence gradually.
• Once you're ready to progress, the full Portes du Soleil area offers vast terrain.

2. Top Ski Schools:

• Lots of British families visit, so many instructors speak fluent English.
• Variety of Schools: Options include ESF, New Generation, Snow Institute and many more
• Specialist Children’s Programmes: Many schools such as ESF Piou Piou Club combine play and skiing for children from age three offering a safe and gentle introduction to the slopes.

3. Charming Family-Friendly Resort:

• Les Gets retains a traditional Savoyard atmosphere with beautiful chalet-style architecture.
• Traffic-Free Centre
• Activities Off the Slopes: Ice skating, sledging areas, and the Mechanical Music Museum are perfect for non-skiers or down days.
• Just over an hour’s drive from Geneva means less travel time and fewer logistics to worry about.

Things to Consider for Beginners in Les Gets:

1. Low Altitude:

• Les Gets Sits at 1,172m, meaning snow reliability can be an issue, especially early or late on in the season.

2. Beginner Areas Can Get Crowded:

• The Mappy’s Zone, while excellent, is shared by multiple ski schools, so it can feel chaotic during peak times like February half term.

3. Ski School Meeting Points Can Be Spread Out:

• Les Gets has multiple ski schools, and meeting points vary – some are at the top of the Chavannes gondola, others at La Turche or Les Perrières.

4. Weather and Light Conditions Can Be Challenging:

• Les Gets is on the Mont Blanc-facing side of the Portes du Soleil, meaning it gets a fair share of cloud cover and flat light. Wooded slopes can feel dim and disorienting on low-visibility days, particularly for nervous beginners.

Best Places to Stay in Les Gets for Beginners:

• Apartment Artois - this stylish apartment is ideally located on the main high street, just a two-minute walk from Les Chavannes ski lift where many ski schools start their day. Everything you need is right on your doorstep.
• Chalet Valumbrun - ideal for families, this thoughtfully designed chalet comes with a dedicated driving service so getting to and from the slopes couldn’t be easier. There’s also plenty of entertainment on tap from the private spa complete with indoor pool, hammam and outdoor cedar hot tub, to the sumptuous 14-seater cinema room.

Courchevel - Best for Beginners Seeking Luxury

Why is Courchevel Great for Beginners?

Courchevel 1850 is ideal for those seeking a luxury introduction to skiing. The slopes here are beautifully groomed, wide and uncrowded — perfect for building confidence. Courchevel 1650 offers gentler runs and a more relaxed pace.

Nursery Slopes & Beginner Areas in Courchevel

• Green Runs: 19 (Courchevel Valley)
• Blue Runs: 35
• Courchevel 1850 Zen Zone: Separate, dedicated beginner area served by the Verdons and Bellecôte lifts with gentle runs and dedicated ski patrol.
• Courchevel 1650: Known as the “sunny side” of Courchevel, this area has rolling green and blue pistes ideal for beginners and intermediate progression.
• Favourite Beginner Run: “Verdons” – One of the most accessible green runs in Courchevel 1850, wide and gentle with access from the main lift.

Advantages of Beginner Ski Holidays in Courchevel:

1. Dedicated Beginner Zones

• Courchevel 1850 and 1650 feature specially designed ‘ZEN’ areas with gentle gradients, slow-speed zone and safety netting - ideal for first timers.
• Areas like Altiport and Belvedere are wide, protected and stress-free, perfect for learning without pressure from faster skiers.

2. High-Quality Ski Schools:

• Courchevel is home to some of the best ski schools in the Alps including ESF, Oxygene, New Generation, Snow D’Light and Supreme Ski.
• Many offer English-speaking instructors, private tuition and small group sizes - ideal for personalised learning.
• Excellent children’s programmes and kindergartens for young beginners.

3. Free Ski Lifts for Beginners:

• Courchevel offers free beginner lifts in all villages, giving you access to learner zones without a full area pass.

4. Excellent Progression Routes:

• Once confident, beginners can seamlessly move from green to blue runs, with lots of gentle blues in 1650 and around Verdons and Biollay in 1850.
• Long, confidence-building runs like Indiens and Verdons help skiers progress without feeling overwhelmed.

5. High Snow Reliability:

• With altitudes up to 3230m (in the Three Valleys ski area), Courchevel benefits from consistent snow quality throughout the season

6. Excellent Resort Facilities:

• From state-of-the-art ski lifts and luxury chalets in Courchevel to ski rental shops, boutique shops and gourmet restaurants, you’ll find everything you could possibly need for a luxury ski holiday here.
• Non-skiers and families can enjoy a wide range of activities in Courchevel, from tobogganing and snowshoeing to spa days and ice skating.

-> Find out more in our dedicated Guide to Skiing in Courchevel.

Things to Consider for Beginners in Courchevel:

1. On the Expensive Side:

• As part of Les 3 Vallées, lift passes can be costly.
• Dining, lessons and chalet rentals, particularly in 1850, tend to be much higher than in many other French ski resorts.

2. Beginner Zones Can Get Crowded:

• During peak weeks, popular areas like Verdons (1850) and Ariondaz (1650) can become very busy with ski schools, which may be overwhelming for nervous skiers.
• These can form even in beginner areas during holidays.

3. Glamorous Reputation:

• Courchevel is known for its glamorous clientele, which may feel intimidating for laid-back beginners
• Beginners might feel discouraged by more advanced skiers and the ultra-chic environment of 1850.

Best Places to Stay in Courchevel for Beginners:

• Apartment Makalu, Courchevel 1650 - Part of Manali Lodge, this contemporary four-bedroom apartment is perfectly positioned with ski-in/ski-out access close to the bottom of the green Belvedere piste and ski school meeting point.
• Apartment Ruby, Courchevel 1850 - Located on the second floor of the prestigious Grandes Alpes Hotel, this stylish apartment enjoys an unbeatable ski-in/ski-out location right on the snow front where the main pistes meet. Green, blue and red runs lead directly to the hotel with several ski lifts and key ski school meeting points just steps away.

Meribel - Best For Families

Why is Meribel Great for Beginners?

Located in the heart of the 3 Vallées, Méribel offers stunning scenery and well-designed beginner zones with access to an enormous ski area as confidence builds.

Nursery Slopes & Beginner Areas in Meribel

• Green Runs: 8
• Blue Runs: 25
• Nursery Slopes: Altiport beginner area is ideal for learning
• Favourite Beginner Run: "Blanchot" - A beautiful green run in the Altiport area, wide and flat with tree-lined scenery.

Advantages of Beginner Ski Holidays in Meribel:

1. Excellent Beginner Areas

• Les Chalets Zone at the top of the Rhodos gondola (Meribel Centre)
• Altiport Zone with wide tree-lined slow-speed zone, ideal for first turns.
• La Chaudanne base area has some easy magic carpet lifts for absolute beginners and children.
• Marked ZEN zones where beginners can ski without traffic.

2. High Quality Ski Schools

• Excellent options for beginners, including ESF, Oxygene & Parallel Lines.
• Super children's ski programmes and small group adult classes for nervous beginners.
• Private lessons are widely available.

3. Easy Progression from Green to Blue

• Once you're ready to leave the nursery slopes, there are several mellow green and easy blue runs, especially:
  • Blanchot (Altiport) – wide and cruisy green in the forest.
  • Forêt and Piste des Animaux – gentle blues with fun features.
• The Altiport and Tougnète sectors are perfect for early progression and developing confidence.

5. Free Lifts for Beginners

• Méribel offers several free lifts around the beginner areas (such as Rhodos 1, Altiport magic carpets, and village lifts).
• Great for saving money while practising on nursery slopes before purchasing a full pass.

4. Central Location in the Three Valleys

• Being based in Méribel gives you the option to explore neighbouring beginner zones in Courchevel or Les Menuires once you've gained confidence.
• You’ll never outgrow the resort, even if you return as an intermediate or advanced skier.

Things to Consider for Beginners in Meribel:

1. Resort Layout Isn’t the Most Beginner-Friendly

• Méribel is spread across different elevations: Méribel Centre, Mottaret, Village, and Altiport.
• Getting from your chalet to beginner slopes may require buses, walking, or lift changes, especially if you're not staying slope-side.
• Mottaret, in particular, is steeper and better suited to confident skiers.

2. Some “Blue” Runs Are Tricky

• Many blue runs in Méribel are steeper and narrower than expected, especially:
  • Dorons and Truite are often icy and busy, making them difficult for early-stage skiers.
• Runs can become heavily trafficked, especially during holiday weeks, adding stress for beginners.

3. Snow Conditions Can Vary at Lower Levels

• The village altitude is around 1,450m, and lower beginner slopes may become icy or slushy depending on weather, especially late season.
• In poor visibility, the open nature of some slopes (like near Tougnète) can feel disorienting to nervous skiers.

Best Places to Stay in Meribel for Beginners:

• Chalet La Loze: This spacious chalet is just 50m from the Golf Chairlift in Meribel Village and just a minute's walk from the village centre. The dedicated in-resort driving service (when booked fully serviced) will take you to the main lift hub in 5 minutes.
• Chalet Cheval Blanc: This recently renovated chalet is conveniently located directly opposite the Olympic gondola, taking you to La Chaudanne and the main ski school meeting points and ski lifts in a matter of minutes.

Summary

France offers some outstanding options for beginner skiers, with Les Gets, Courchevel and Méribel standing out as top choices. Les Gets is a charming and accessible resort that’s ideal for families and first-timers, offering gentle slopes, excellent beginner zones, and a welcoming village atmosphere. Courchevel combines luxury with practicality, featuring well-designed beginner areas, free lifts, and excellent ski schools—particularly in Courchevel 1650 and 1850. Méribel, located in the heart of the Three Valleys, provides scenic nursery slopes, quality instruction and good progression terrain, although its layout can be less intuitive for newcomers. Together, these resorts offer a varied and high-quality introduction to skiing in the French Alps.