The best places to learn to ski

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:27:26 +0000

To get the best out of a ski holiday, it is important to choose the right destination to suit the level of your group. This is especially true for beginners.

Nothing can put a beginner off skiing quicker than a week spent trying to ski down unsuitable steep terrain, or have to travel for miles to get to the beginner ski slopes.

We have therefore compiled our “Top Ten Ski Resorts For Beginners” list:

1. Les Arcs, France – Why is it good?

* Excellent nursery slopes directly above each of the resort’s main villages.

* Free beginner’s lift.

* Good range of early intermediate slopes as you progress.

2. Bansko, Bulgaria – Why is it good?

* Beautiful World Heritage Site.

* Modern lift system.

* Good range of nursery slopes.

* Great value – skiing here won’t break the bank.

* As you progress there is an excellent 16km intermediate run from the top to the bottom of the mountain (2560 m to 935 m).

3. Cortina, Italy – Why is it good?

* Breathtaking views over the Dolomites.

* Often cited as being one of the world’s most beautiful ski resorts.

* Superbly groomed beginner slopes in the Socrapes area.

* Instructors who are especially good with kids.

4. Killington, US – Why is it good?

* No language barriers.

* Ski schools are excellent.

* Large nursery slope areas.

* “Discovery Centre” for complete beginners showing how your equipment works before you start to ski.

5. Lech, Austria – Why is it good?

* A classic alpine resort.

* Picturesque village with fine hotels.

* Very well regarded ski schools with good English speaking instructors.

* Plenty of runs for intermediate and advanced as well, so a good option for mixed ability groups.

6. Poiana Brasov, Romania – Why is it good?

* An great place to try skiing without breaking the bank.

* Two nursery areas.

* Helpful and enthusiastic instructors.

* Excellent nearby excursions (such as Dracula’s castle).

* Cheap and cheerful food, wine and entertainment.

7. Soldeu, Andorra – Why is it good?

* Often named as being one of Europe’s best beginner resorts.

* Two extensive nursery areas.

* A large number of English speaking ski instructors.

* Good number of intermediate runs to progress to.

* Usually good weather (Sldeu means “Sun God”).

* Excellent nightlife.

* Duty-free zone, so can be cheap.

8. Tignes, France – Why is it good?

* High and very “snowsure”.

* Good range of easy to access nursery slopes.

* Good range of intermediate/expert slopes so a good destination for mixed ability groups.

* Lots of accommodation to choose from.

* Lots of non-skiing activities and great après-ski.

9 Wengen, Switzerland – Why is it good?

* Spectacular location under the north face of the Eiger.

* A great destination for families, with a well renowned ski school.

* Lots of non-skiing activities.

10. Chatel, France – Why is it good?

* Easy resort to reach either by flying into Geneva, or driving from Calais.

* Great range of beginners slopes, and good English speaking instructors.

* Part of the world’s biggest ski area (the Portes du Soleil) so plenty of runs for all abilities.

* Regularly receives on average the most snowfall in the alps, so one of the most snowsure non glacier resorts.

* Picturesque village with bags of charm and plenty of off-slope activities.

We also have some tips for beginner skiers, which should help make your first time all the more enjoyable:

1. Try and get some lessons in the UK before you leave, preferably in one of the real snow domes. This means that once you get to your resort, you already have an idea of the basics (how to put your skis on etc.).

2. When booking ask if there are any ‘Learn to Ski or Snowboard Packages’. This may include lessons, gear rental and a lift pass if needed.

3. Check to see if beginners can get away with buying a cheaper “local area” of “beginner” lift pass. There is no need to buy a pass for a huge area if you are only going to ski on beginner and early intermediate slopes.

4. If you want to learn snowboarding, check if the schools in your resort offer beginner courses for boarders.

5. Check that the accommodation is convenient for the pistes, the lifts and general amenities.

6. Rent gear to start with – it’s a lot cheaper.

Above all, remember that skiing is meant to be fun!

Top 10 Best Places in Europe to Learn Skiing?

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:27:18 +0000

Learning to ski is a great way to spend a winter holiday in Europe. With the right resort and good instruction you’ll be flying down the slopes within days of arrival –and best of all you’ll take home a skill that will last a lifetime. (It’s a bit like learning to ride a bike, except the falls are a lot softer.) Children make great pupils too, and will have great fun learning the ropes – giving parents a solid morning or afternoon time out from the little ones! Make the right choice of destination for your first ski trip and it could be the start of a lifetime’s addiction to this healthy and exhilarating sport! So if you’ve got the winter gear and are ready to roll, here are 10 ideal resorts that Word Travels have researched in which to learn how to ski while still having a great holiday.Cortina, ItalyJust because you’re learning to ski doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Europ e’s very best slopes. Case in point is Cortina, pride of Italy’s resort offerings. It offers astounding scenery and majestic views over the Dolomites. There are very good beginner slopes and plenty of long, gentle gradient cruise runs, just what recent ski school graduates need. Another plus in Cortina’s favour is that the instructors are skilled with kids and jittery adults.Wengen, Switzerland Wengen takes pride in having one of Europe’s best known and most highly regarded ski schools. That means you learn faster, have more fun in the process, and pick up the right technique from the start. Wenger is positioned under the awesome north face of the Eiger, which has long held magnetic fascination for Alpinists. The learner slopes are right in the heart of the village and there are lots of long, gentle runs to move onto when one’s confidence allows. The only negatives are that with a relatively low altitude snowfall can be unreliable, and the après ski scene is a little subdued, so youngsters in a group will need to make their own party.

Kranjska, Slovenia For those wanting something a little different from their ski learning experience the pretty town of Kranjska Gora might be the answer. Slovenia’s top resort is close to the both the Italy and Austrian border, at the foot of the Julien Alps. The resort is small and unpretentious, and the runs long and undemanding making Kranjska an ideal destination for beginners and those wanting to get off the beaten track. Slovenia is also more affordable than its more affluent neighbours so ski costs are markedly cheaper.Lech, AustriaLech is for those that want to learn in style, at one of Europe’s most chic and expensive resorts. The price barrier has preserved Lech as a classic alpine resort with a small village atmosphere despite plenty of lively nightlife. The ski schools are excellent with experienced, English-speaking instructors and plenty of suitable runs for the learner skier. The position of the slopes also maximizes chances of snow cover and sunshine – perfect conditions to seduce a rookie. The snow season is also one of the longest in Europe, and at either end of the ski season ‘Snow Crystal’ weeks mean ski passes are halved in price. Poiana Brasov, Romania

Looking for great value and uncluttered slopes? Go east! The former eastern Europe republics have some excellent and underrated ski resorts that are rapidly catching on in popularity. Good value means beginner skiers can try out the sports without breaking the bank. Poiana Brasov has two nursery areas, and the sport’s friendliest instructors. There is plenty to do in the area as well, such as a trip to Dracula’s castle.

Gurgl-Obergurgl, Austria Despite its cumbersome name, the resort of Gurgl-Obergurgl is great for beginners and intermediates, with some of Europe’s most reliable snow, and a small village atmosphere that is undeniably charming. This resort gets a very high rate of returning skiers which is generally a good sign. The nightlife is quiet though, and the more experienced skiers in the party will quickly run out of challenges.Soldeu, Andorra Andorra is one of the most popular places for learner skiers wanting to master the sports in a low-profile, good value environment before hitting the slopes in Europe’s more fashionable destinations. Soldeu has sacrificed challenge and variety in favour of abundant beginner and intermediate slopes. The ski schools are decent and the weather and nightlife both reliable and cheerful. Andorra offers the additional draw of being a duty-free shopping destination with simply the cheapest shopping on the continent.Chatel, France Chatel is part of the Portes du Soleil in France, the world’s biggest ski area. That means there are plenty of runs for skiers of all abilities. Access is convenient and cheap given the resorts close proximity to Geneva airport, and can even be driven to via Calais. There are plenty of beginner’s slopes and well regarded ski instructors too. A big plus of this area is the range of accommodation, including chalets for rent right on the slopes, close to the ski lifts.Bansko, Bulgaria Beautiful Bankso attracts budget-conscious skiers who like a bargain and relaxing skiing conditions that are perfect for the first-time skier. The lift system is excellent and the green slopes, to which beginners graduate after a few days, have gentle runs of up to 16km in length. In total 65% of the ski runs are for beginners and intermediates. The town itself was founded in the 10th century so has plenty of history and interesting attractions to explore. Don’t expect sophisticated dining and entertainment options though, this is a more down-to-earth scene.Glenshee, Scotland Glenshee boasts the largest ski lift system in the UK, and its 36 runs are ideal for beginners and intermediates. The top of the Cairnwell Chairlift offers the best panorama of the Cairngorms to be seen from any Scottish ski area. The resort is conveniently situated, but snow cover can be unreliable and the slopes congested with day–trippers. General Tips:

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The best places to learn to ski

Top 10 Best Places in Europe to Learn Skiing?