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17 Best European Ski Resorts to Learn How to Ski

17 Best European Ski Resorts to Learn How to Ski

If you want to learn to ski in Europe, picking which European ski resorts are the best for a beginner can be daunting.

Key factors to be included when choosing where to learn to ski in Europe will be the time of year that the resorts for beginner skiers have perfect snow and how many learner ski slopes and ski schools are available at the ski destination.

Other vital points will be to find the easiest ski resorts to get to (can you drive or do you need to book a flight) and the price to stay there.

Suppose you are travelling independently and not on a package ski holiday. In that case, you will have to include the cost of accommodation, equipment hire, warm ski clothing, apres ski entertainment, and, of course, beginners’ ski lessons.

To help you find the best beginner ski resorts, I have put together this post with the help of fellow travel bloggers. Each blogger has skied in these European ski resorts and has given their opinion on what to expect as a beginner skier and why these are the best European ski resorts for beginners.

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How To Understand Which Slope Grade is Right For You

European Slope Grades are as follows:

Green Runs = Beginner Slope (excluding Austria and Switzerland)

Blue Runs = Beginner (Austria and Switzerland) / Intermediate

Red Runs = Intermediate/Advanced

Black Runs = Expert

Best Ski Resorts To Learn How to Ski in France

Flaine #1

Contributed by Zoe from Together In Transit

If you are looking for a beginner’s location to learn how to ski, Flaine in France is perfect. This postcard location covered in wintery snow is a welcoming location for all to visit.

The local area has many beginner slopes around the village, where you can practice going up and down by yourself. But like most sports, it is recommended to have some local beginner classes.

Ski schools will schedule most adult ski lessons in Flaine for half a day as the maximum. It is quite an intense sport and can get extremely tiring.

A good idea is to learn after breakfast and then stop just before lunch. That way you can practise by yourself all afternoon.

Après-ski and Accommodation in Flaine

The best tip is to stay at one of the hotels with skiing slopes right on their doorsteps, allowing you to ski directly to and from the hotel during your stay. This arrangement makes it more efficient than staying a bit further away and needing to use transportation daily.

One place recommended is the Aparthotel Résidence Pierre & Vacances La Forêt. It’s ideal for groups with large rooms, a sauna, and a spa to relax after a long day of skiing.

For some relaxation outside the hotel, delicious food and drinks with a view, head to La Pente à Jules. Here you can relax with your skis off and enjoy the winter sunshine, so don’t forget your sunglasses. Else find yourself in the village where there are often local restaurants with excellent music and entertainment.

To get to Flaine, the closest airport is Geneva, where you will need to continue by taking a local bus or car. Many tour buses also pass through the ski villages daily for tourists to get there and back.

Avoriaz #2

Contributed by Jessie from Pocket Wanderings

Avoriaz is part of the expansive Portes du Soleil ski area in the Alps and offers an impressive range of skiing for all abilities. These credentials make it a perfect holiday resort for beginner skiers learning to ski and those with varying abilities. With wide runs and gentle beginner slopes, Avoriaz is a great place for learning how to ski or snowboard.

Avoriaz – which also shares the Portes du Soleil region with Morzine and Les Gets – is located only 90 minutes from Geneva airport in Switzerland. This relatively short transfer time for a ski resort is one of its many appeals.

Pick up a group transfer as part of a package holiday, or book a private transfer with a local company. The town of Avoriaz itself is completely devoid of cars. The only way to get from A to B is on foot or by horse and carriage, which brings a truly magical feel to the resort.

For skiing and snowboarding tuition, beginner skiers can benefit from world-class ski schools. Try the Avoriaz Alpine Ski School if you’re after a British-run ski school with bags of experience. 

Après-ski and Accommodation in Avoriaz

You’ll love the choice of accommodation options. For a self-catering apartment, try Pierre & Vacances residences. Or, if you prefer a fully catered affair, stay at Chilly Powder’s Au Coin du Feu in Morzine; it sits at the foot of the Prodains cable car, which takes you right into the heart of Avoriaz.

In terms of apres ski, there are plenty of incredible bars and restaurants to enjoy, from the lively Folie Douce to the more civilised L’Amara.

For an adrenaline kick outside of skiing, fly down the Fantasticable zip wire over Morzine valley. Or try your hand at night tobogganing – neither is for the faint-hearted!

view of the ski slopes and chair lift in Avoriaz ski resort in France

Les Trois Vallées #3

Contributed by Emma from Emma’s Roadmap

Les Trois Vallées has been named the biggest ski resort in Europe and the largest ski area in the world, and there’s an excellent reason for this. With its 600 km piste, you can ski all day without getting off your skis or taking a bus to another ski area.

Les Trois Vallées, as the name says, consists of three valleys. Together they form a vast ski area allowing you to easily ski from one valley to another. This experience makes Les Trois Vallées the ideal ski resort for first-time skiers.

Beginner skiers can learn to ski on one of the beginner slopes and choose to follow classes at one of the many ski schools located in the different villages. 

Après-ski and Accommodation in Les Trois Vallées

You can buy ski lift passes catered to your ski level for one valley or the whole ski area. Furthermore, each ski village and each valley bring a different atmosphere.

If you want the cosy chalet experience, then booking accommodation in La Tania will not disappoint!

Are you here for parties and nightlife? Then look for a place in Val Thorens, one of the best apres ski resorts in Europe, and don’t forget to stop by the ski cabins of La Folie Douce for drinks and music! 

Val Thorens is officially the highest ski resort in Europe, so if you want to ski later in the year (spring), you’ll find most of the snow here.

Depending on where you’re staying, you can get your skiing essentials at one of the many ski stores and rental places all over the ski area. Make sure to reserve your skis beforehand to enjoy a discount!

View of the mountain slopes in the ski resort of Les Trois Vallees

La Tania #4

Contributed by Sylvie from Travels With Eden

La Tania is the perfect European ski resort for beginners. The village is in France’s Les 3 Vallées area – the most extensive ski area in the world. The most basic slopes are in the village itself – a green run with a button lift where a beginner will most likely spend the first few days of ski school. There’s also a kid’s area (for the ski schools) with a more accessible lift and less steep slope.

A gondola runs from the heart of La Tania, and a long blue/green run back down to the village. Also, at the top of the slope is a lovely eatery where you can warm up and have a delicious lunch.

La Tania is very near the famous ski resort of Courchevel. It’s a medium-distance ski to go all the way to Courchevel. You can also go on a short bus ride between the ski resorts. Courchevel has many more shops, a considerable amount of beginner runs and some very advanced runs for the pros.

The best way to get to La Tania is to fly into the nearby airport of Lyon and book a transfer to La Tania. It’s easier to book a package holiday where flights, transfers and accommodation are all included.

Hotel Le Montana is the perfect place to stay. Set right in the heart of La Tania; you can ski right to the door, use the indoor pool facilities and have breakfast and dinner provided.

Booking a chalet may be cheaper if you’re visiting La Tania in a large group.

Skiers on the slopes heading down to the village

Les Arcs #5

Contributed by Elisa from Travel France Bucketlist

Les Arcs is the world’s second-largest ski resort and is one of the best ski resorts in France, so it has good pistes and services for skiers of all levels, beginners included.

Located in the Tarentaise Valley in Eastern France, Les Arcs is part of the Paradiski – a ski area that offers uninterrupted skiing between Les Arcs, Peisey-Vallandry, and La Plagne, linked by the Vanoise Express lift.

Arc 1800 is one of the best ski locations for beginners, with a unique peaceful zone (‘ski tranquille’) ideal for first-time skiers.

For those needing a few ski classes to feel more confident, there are multiple ski schools spread through the different sites, with more than 280 ski instructors. The schools here are renowned for the ‘ski évolutif’ method. This is where you learn to ski on short skis and progress onto longer ones as your confidence increases.

Skiers are spoilt for choice, with five ski areas ranging from 1,600 to 2,000 meters and 262 runs! Another great thing about Les Arcs is its late closing: here, skiers can have fun until April!

Accommodation and Après-ski in Les Arcs

Les Arcs is accessible from Geneva (Switzerland) and Lyon Airports. It is also an accessible ski resort to reach via Eurostar to Bourg St Maurice.

An excellent place to stay is Hotel Arcadien, a 3-star hotel ideally located in Arc 1600. Or, for a little bit more of a luxury ski experience, the 5-star Résidence Prestige Odalys Edenarc is located in Arc 1800.

After your ski day – or for one day away from the pistes – there’s good shopping, various spas, and plenty of winter activities, like helicopter rides, husky rides, yoga sessions, and plenty of bars and restaurants offering delicious local French cuisine and comfort food.

If you are visiting the ski slopes of Eastern France by car, don’t forget to leave time in your itinerary to visit some of the other beautiful French towns in the region. 

Châtel #6

Contributed by Sophie from Solo Sophie

One of the best resorts for beginner skiers learning to ski in Europe is on the slopes above the French town of Châtel, which can be found high up in the Alps, above Evian-Les-Bains (yes, just like the bottled water!)

Situated in the Haute-Savoie and close to the France-Switzerland border, Châtel is in the heart of the Portes de Soleil ski area. This means a wide variety of slopes will suit many different abilities.

This, coupled with the fact that many slopes close to Châtel are quieter than others in the area, makes the ski resort an excellent place for beginners to learn. There is a nursery slope and several slopes of increasing difficulty in the nearby Super Châtel and Pre-la-Joux complexes.

Accommodation and Après-ski in Châtel

Of course, a ski holiday isn’t just about learning how to ski; Châtel also offers a selection of après-ski activities.

Traditional wooden chalet-style bars and restaurants serve local French fare, and there are also cinema screenings (normally in English), ice skating, and bowling.

The easiest way to get to Châtel is by car as the nearest train station to Châtel is in Thonon-Les-Bains, around a forty-minute drive away.

There are many places to stay in Châtel that suit all different budgets.

Private cabins like the Chalet du saix offer a luxurious stay in the mountains, and hotels such as Les Gentianes Chatel offer accommodation close to the ski school.

Best Ski Resorts for Beginner Skiers in Austria

Filtzmoos #7

Contributed by Suzanne from The Travel Bunny

If you’re looking for one of the best ski resorts for beginners and learners, then Filzmoos in Austria is a great place to start. 

Filzmoos (pronounced Filtz Moose) is part of the Ski Amadé region in Salzburgerland, Austria, consisting of 28 ski areas.

Filzmoos ski resort sits at the base of the imposing Bischofsmütze (Bishop’s Mitre) mountain at an altitude of 1057 metres offering superb panoramic views across the mountainscape. It has a charming Austrian mountain village feel with plenty of family-friendly activities and 14 scenic runs. 

The area has an excellent snow record, and its wide, quiet ski slopes with few lift queues mean that Filzmoos is one of the best ski resorts for beginners and families.

Intermediates and expert skiers will find plenty to keep them entertained too. Downhill runs end directly in the village near cafes, bars and restaurants. You’ll find ski hire shops here for all your ski equipment needs. 

The learner ski lifts and nursery slopes are in the village centre, too, along with three ski schools.

Everyone is catered for with children’s classes and Kinderclub for young children, ski classes for complete novices and intermediate skiers, and ski guiding for the more proficient. 

Accommodation and Après-ski in Filzmoos

The mountain huts dish up tasty, warming food, and you’ll find good traditional Austrian mountain food in the village.

There are a few bars and cafes in the town for après-ski. For non-skiers horse-drawn sleigh rides can be enjoyed through the enchanting forests, and there’s snow-shoeing, curling and tobogganing. 

Many hotels and apartments are ski-in-ski-out or a ten-minute ride on the complimentary shuttle bus.  I enjoyed my stay at the traditional wooden chalet-style four-star Hotel Alpenkrone, which although a 15-minute walk from the town centre, had beautiful views of the fairytale town. 

The nearest airport to Filzmoos is Salzburg, followed by a minibus transfer of just under an hour.  

Seefeld #8

Contributed by Steve from Austria Direct

Seefeld in Tirol is a village in the Karwendel mountains of the Austrian Tyrol. Its facilities, location and altitude make it a perfect choice for those looking to take their first ski on the downhill slopes. It also happens to be one of the world’s top destinations for cross-country skiing.

Seefeld is on the main rail link between Innsbruck, the capital of the Tyrol, and the Bavarian capital of Munich. With its busy schedule of winter charter flights and the regular rail service, Innsbruck airport makes Seefeld a winter resort easily accessible from all directions. By car, it is a 30-minute drive to the north of Innsbruck.

Discover fabulous skiing in Seefeld, split into three areas. Geigenbühel has the best skiing for beginners wanting to learn how to ski and sits at the heart of the village.

The other two areas, the Gschwandtkopf and the Rosshütte, are both on the edge of the village and have beginner-friendly slopes in their base areas. They can be reached by a short ski bus service, which does a figure-8 route between all three ski areas.

Accommodation in Seefeld

Ski equipment can be hired, and ski school lessons can be booked at any of the areas.

Those looking for convenient hotels near the beginner slopes could try the Hotel Eden, near the base of the Geigenbühel, or the Hotel Residenz Hochland, which looks out over the beginner slopes and the surrounding countryside from an elevated position on the Geigenbühel hill.

The skiing in Seefeld starts from an altitude of 1260 metres above sea level, so lack of snow is hardly ever a problem, which is why the ski resort is so popular for other winter activities like cross-country skiing, winter hikes and snowshoeing.

View of the ski slopes in Seefeld, Austria

The Best Ski Resort for Beginners in Switzerland 

Zermatt #9

Contributed by Trijit from Budget Travel Buff

Zermatt is located in the southern part of Switzerland, at the foot of the famous Matterhorn Mountain, and is one of the best ski resorts in Switzerland

You can reach Zermatt by train or car from the nearby airports of Geneva, Sion, and Zurich. After that, you must take the ski resort’s transport service as Zermatt is a car-free town.

Zermatt has some of the best ski schools in Europe. Based on your skill level and budget, you will find the right instructor and ski school to accommodate your requirements.

Switzerland is perfect all year round, especially for skiing and the resort of Täsch offers some of the best ski holidays for beginners. The beginners’ lift in the heart of the village is easily accessible, and the slope is not too steep. The resort of Sunnegga is also perfect for beginner-level skiers with lessons at Wolli’s Park. Recently, they have focused more on novice-friendly slopes and facilities with reasonably priced ski lessons. 

There are three surface lifts and two rope tows in the Leisee area. When you feel comfortable, you will find long green slope skiing options.

The panoramic 360-degree view of Zermatt’s Mt. Matterhorn, with its beautiful ski slopes, is incredible.

There you will find four skiing areas – Rothorn, Gornergrat, Matterhorn Ski Paradise, and Schwarzsee.

All these areas are accessible by interlinking cable cars and ski lifts. The snow is excellent from January to mid-March, and is the best time to visit the Zermatt ski resort. 

A view of two skiers on the mountains in the ski resort of Zermatt

The Best Ski Resort for Beginners in Germany

Zugspitze #10

Contributed by Diana from The Globetrotting Detective

The Zugspitze Ski Resort is perfect for beginner skiers and is situated on the highest mountain in Germany, 2,962 meters above sea level. It is a glacier ski area next to the Garmish-Partenkirchen Ski Resort.

The ski slopes in the Zugspitze ski arena are always very well maintained, and the snow quality on the slopes is simply perfect. Thanks to this excellent snow quality, skiing is fun there and perfect for beginners to learn how to ski.

Zugspitze has three blue ski slopes 7 km long, sufficient for beginners to practice skiing, and Skischule Zugspitze-Grainau organizes ski lessons.

After skiing, you can go up to the peak of Zugspitze in the cable car. You can admire a magnificent vista over the mountain hills covered with pure white snow and fluffy white clouds.

Moreover, you can enjoy the snowy terrace of several alpine huts with delicious Bavarian beer and meals such as bratwurst with a pretzel.

How to Get to Zugspitze

Getting to Zugspitze is easily accessible from both Germany and Austria. You can even buy a special ski ticket and make a day trip to Zugspitze from Munich.

This Kombiticket for Zugspitze and the Garmisch-Classic ski area includes public transport from anywhere in Bavaria, ski lifts, cable cars, and a 1-day ski pass. You can buy it at any train station from a ticket machine.

Visitors can also book a full escorted day tour to Zugspitze from Munich online.

If you travel by car, park in Garmisch-Partenkirchen or at Eibsee Lake. Take a cogwheel train, the Zugspitzbahn from Garmisch-Partenkirchen or the Eibsee-Sailbahn from Eibsee, to reach the Zugspitze ski resort.

Best Ski Resorts in Italy for Learner Skiers

Alto Badia #11

Contributed by Clotilde from A Princess Travelling With Twins

The Dolomites in Italy have no shortage of incredible ski resorts with endless slopes and breathtaking landscapes. However, choosing a ski resort with multiple slopes suitable for all levels to practice confidently is essential when learning how to ski.

Alta Badia in Italy is one of the best ski resorts for beginners in Europe and offers perfect skiing for all levels.

First-time skiers who have just started will find the choice of slopes remarkably varied. Without exaggerating, a beginner can ski every day on different slopes without having to repeat them.

Various villages are part of the Alta Badia area, all connected by lifts and slopes. You could stay in Corvara or Colfosco to be more central and for good après-ski options.

In each village, there are one or two ski schools. You will have no problem booking individual or group lessons, but requests are always very high. Contact the school in advance to have more choices in the timetable.

Ski Schools for all Ages

Alta Badia is one of the best beginner ski trips to book if you have planned a skiing holiday with children.

The ski schools take children aged three and up, and if they are too young or you want to ski until the lifts close, then the nursery on the slope will take care of the children.

Alta Badia is also part of the vast Dolomiti super ski, and you can ski in different areas with just one ski pass. Once you have perfected your area, you will keep coming back because it offers so much.

The closest airports are Venice, Verona, and Innsbruck. Public connections from the airports are not great but possible; the best idea is to rent a car and experience driving the Italian way!

Alto Badia Ski Slopes

San Martino #12

Contributed by Ania from The Travelling Twins

San Martino di Castrozza is a charming alpine village and excellent ski resort for beginners in the northeastern part of Trentino (one of the independent regions in Italy). 

San Martino, located 1,427 meters above sea level, is set in a broad valley within the Paneveggio Nature Park and the main central ski area of the same name. The ski routes offer wonderful views of the Dolomites.

The beauty of learning to ski in San Martino is that you can find skiing routes of different difficulties in one place. Many ski schools offer lessons on the slopes, making this one of the best beginner family ski resorts for a family who is learning to ski or has various skiing and snowboarding skills. All the family can ski on the same slope and take the same gondola – perfect.

San Martino di Castrozza is one of the best ski resorts in Northern Italy and offers perfect snow conditions. Over 90% of the slopes are artificially snowed, served by 23 lifts – 3 cableways, 15 chairlifts and 5 T-bar lifts, so you won’t have to wait in line to ski. 

The single-pass ski area includes San Martino di Castrozza and Passo Rolle, approx 9 km away (1,984 m above sea level), offering slopes of varying difficulty for beginner skiers to expert snowboarders.

The San Martino-Passo Rolle region is part of the Dolomiti Superski area.

San Martino is a small, pretty town with the normal après ski attractions. There are restaurants, wine bars, pubs and discos, and two snow parks on Passo Rolle and the slopes of Tognola. 

The Best Ski Resort in Finland to Learn How to Ski

Ruka #13

Contributed by Megan from Megan Starr

One of the best resorts for beginner skiers in Europe is Ruka, Finland. Ruka is situated quite close to the Arctic Circle and the Russian border. The resort is modern, has ski instructors, and some extremely cool events happening all winter long that add to the entire ski experience.

Ruka ski season begins around mid-October, and if the snow is not already in place, they use a machine to create it, allowing a long ski season at the Finnish resort! The best way to get to Ruka is via a regular Finnair flight from Helsinki. Alternatively, you can drive or take a bus from Oulu if you are already in the north of Finland. 

The resort has 35 slopes, 22 lifts, and over 200 skiing days annually, making it one of the best places to ski for beginners for most of the year. The most popular skiing area in Ruka is Saarua, which accommodates all skill levels. Beginners want to head to Rosa & Rudolf Family Park or Masto. Ruka also offers plenty of ski schools and instructors on-site.

There are several places to stay in the area, including the Ski-Inn Hotel at Ruka Village, right on-site. If you are keen to see the northern lights, opt for the Iisakki Glass Village nearby.

Close to Ruka, you will find several eateries and other places to visit, such as the city of Kuusamo. Ruka offers winter programs with several other activities, such as winter biking, river floating, northern lights safaris, and husky safaris.

The Best Ski Resort for Beginners in Norway

Venubu #14

Contributed by Catherine from Cultural Wednesdays

Venabu in Northern Norway is where Catherine from Cultural Wednesdays headed to learn cross-country skiing as an adult with her six-year-old twin boys. The children enjoyed it so much that they returned yearly for a decade!

Venabu is excellent for beginners because of the 140km of prepared trails that vary from flat into the valley to gently rolling hills. There are plenty of trails to find your snow legs, and the instructors at the Venabu Fjell hotel are both infinitely patient and skilled at imparting the gentle art of gliding along the tracks.

As you become more skilled, you can either head off on your own and explore the slopes or join a guided group.

Venabu is not a huge resort, more a hotel and some ski lodges.

The Venabu Fjell Hotel has saunas to soothe those aching muscles, and the buffet-style food is always good and filling.

Packages, including ski hire, guided tours and food are available from the hotel or if you want flights and transfers included from the UK, then book through Exodus or Headwater Holidays.

2 people skiing

The Best Ski Resort for Novice Skiers in Romania

Poiana Brasov #15

Contributed by Richard from RJonTour

A great European ski resort for beginners is Poiana Brasov in Transylvania. It is one of the most popular places to ski in Romania and is one of the cheapest ski resorts in Europe. 

Poiana Brasov is one of the best ski resorts for first-timers. It is on a mountain called Postavarul Massif, with ski slopes at altitudes between 941m and 1783m. The ski season in Poiana Brasov runs from December to April. Ski slopes are open daily from 9 am to 4 pm. 

There are many slopes for beginners in Poiana Brasov, with ski and snowboarding schools for beginners, including those offered by Interski, which provide reasonably priced tuition. Skiers can hire all the equipment they require from various vendors and participate in group or private ski lessons.

Poiana Brasov has over 8 miles of slopes to ski on, including three miles of slopes classed as difficult for the more experienced skiers in your party. It is also a great place to hike, with alluring views of the Carpathian mountains.

Après-ski in Poiana Brasov is relatively cheap, with plenty of delightful restaurants and bars offering local cuisine, wine and beer.

For places to stay in Poiana Brasov, Booking.com has a range of hotels and hostels to book.

Explore the City of Brasov

The city of Brasov is near the ski resort and is an interesting place for a day trip.

The area has many historical sights, including the famous Bran Castle linked to Count Dracula, Rasnov Citadel and Peles Castle.

Further away, the World Heritage Site of Sighisoara is a great place to explore.

Getting to Poiana Brasov requires a bus from Brasov on the number 20 route, which is frequent during the ski season.

Reaching Brasov requires a flight into Cluj-Napoca or Bucharest, then a train, bus or taxi to Brasov. Alternatively, you can catch a night train from Vienna in Central Europe.

A boy skiing past a chalet in Romania

The Best Ski Resort for Beginners in the Czech Republic

Janské Láznê #16

Contributed by Josefine and Dominik from Red White Adventures

Janské Láznê is a small ski town in the northern Czech Republic, perfect for beginners and experts looking to have some fun on and off the ski slopes.

Janské Láznê is an excellent place for skiers since there are many activities to enjoy, from skiing to apres-ski, saunas, and relaxing with friends at the hotel.  

For beginners in skiing, Janské Láznê has a ski school (SkiResort Live) that offers lessons to build up your confidence. Having a professional go with you onto the slopes and guide you for an afternoon is the best way to learn to ski for the first time.

While skiing in Janské Láznê, you can see that a few chairlifts are scattered around the mountain. For the most part, all the runs are pretty easy to moderate.

Janské Láznê and the “Cerna Hora” area are excellent places to get comfortable skiing or snowboarding.

The runs aren’t too long and not too steep or complex, so you will quickly gain confidence going down the mountain. 

Accommodation and Après-ski in Janské Láznê

Once you’ve finished your daily skiing lesson, the fun doesn’t end. There are a few tremendous apres-ski spots at the mountain’s base where most people hang out for a beer.

Janské Láznê is also a spa town, and quite a few hotels have spas, so definitely try one, as spending time in a spa after a day of skiing is magical! We recommend staying in the centre of town since you will be right in the middle of all the skiing and partying and can also walk straight to the ski hill every day.

One of the great things about Janské Láznê is that it’s easy to get there by car and public transport. You can take a bus from Prague to Janské Láznê, and it takes about 4 hours which isn’t too bad, but it’s a bit quicker by car. 

If you want to do a twin-centre holiday, why not include a few nights in the beautiful Czech city of Prague?

Ski slopes in Janské Láznê. Czech Republic

The Best Ski Resort for Beginners in Bulgaria

Bansko #17

Contributed by Larch from The Silver Nomad

Learning to ski at any age can be great fun, and Europe is the perfect place to start. Bansko, in the southwest of Bulgaria, is famous for its ski runs, is ideal for beginner skiers and offers excellent value for money.

The nearest airport to Bansko is Sofia, a 3-hour drive through the glorious Bulgarian landscape to the resort.

There is an excellent range of places to stay in Bansko, from hotels to private accommodations or join a group in one of the ski chalets like Snomads.

The advantage of going with a group is having everything sorted for you, from arranging your lessons, skis and transport. After your day on the slopes, join the rest of your group for dinner and to chat about your day. 

The Ski Centre is about 12 km away from the town. Take the gondola up from the town to the top and enjoy the fantastic views on the 20-minute journey up over the slopes.

When you get to The Ski Centre, you have the easy slopes in front of you, perfect for your first try at skiing or snowboarding. A drag lift takes you higher up as you gain confidence and skill.

You will not get bored with 75 km of slopes to try out during your time on the slopes.

Après-ski in Bansko

In the evenings or on days off, enjoy the town of Bansko. It is an interesting mix of old and new, with quaint restaurants – ‘mehanas‘ – in the old part and après ski bars and restaurants in the more modern area. As well as skiing, you can go snowboarding, snowshoeing or ice-skating. 

Outside of Bansko, treat your aching bones to a trip to the thermal springs or walk in the woods above the reservoir.

Bansko is great for families, couples and solo travellers, as there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Ski Slopes and forest in Bankso Bulgaria

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