Beginner ski holidays

Planning your first ski holiday can feel like tumbling down a mountain - trust us, we've been there.

Where to go, where to stay, what to book, what to wear, and what even is après-ski? Don’t worry, that’s exactly what we’re here for. Our friendly team of ski specialists are passionate skiers and snowboarders who love talking all things snow (you name it, we've skied it), and are on hand to see you off to a flying start.

The easiest way to get started with beginner ski holidays is with one of our complete packages which include regional flights to beginner-friendly French resorts, transfers and chalet accommodation with catering.

We can even help you add on all the extra essentials you might not be aware of. Save hassle, time and money with a first turns package and tick off everything you'll need to get started on the snow. Lift pass, ski and boot hire with helmet, six days of morning lessons? You're all set.

From picking the right resort to making sure you’ve got somewhere comfortable to rest tired legs, we’ll take care of the details so you can focus on all the firsts - first lifts, first mountain views and first turns. Before you know it, you’ll be carving like a pro!

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Beginner ski packages - unlock your first turns

Our First Turn packages are designed to give complete beginners the best possible start on the mountain. We work with carefully selected ski schools in La Plagne, Les Arcs, Tignes, Val Thorens and Alpe d'Huez known for their high standards of teaching, friendly approach and experience with beginners and families. All instructors are:

Fully qualified
English-speaking
Skilled at building confidence from day one (they'll often end children's lessons with medals at the end of the week!)

Your chalet team is also on hand to help with directions and getting to lesson meeting points, so everything runs smoothly from start to finish.

We've chosen resorts with excellent beginner terrain, giving you the ideal environment to learn at your own pace and make steady progress. Each package includes:

Local area lift pass
Beginner ski and boot hire with helmet
5 or 6 days of morning lessons

Call us to book your complete beginner ski package now, prices for adults from £439, and children from £370.

*Please note, packages may be cancelled if minimum numbers are not met, and peak dates such as Christmas, New Year and February half term are available on request and subject to availability.

Beginner ski holidays - top accommodation picks

Our beginner-friendly accommodation is carefully selected in resorts with plenty of gentle slopes, ideal for finding your ski legs, and with easy access to ski schools and local amenities. These resorts include Alpe d'Huez, La Plagne and Les Arcs but if you're still unsure our Ski Specialists can help guide you to the right resort for your skill level.

Our favourite resorts for a beginner ski holiday

La Plagne - Offers some lovely cruisy blues to perfect yours moves on. As well as ski-in/ski-out accommodation in Belle-Plagne, so you don't have too far to go to the nursery slopes or the ski school meeting point.
Les Arcs - Ideal for first-time skiers, Les Arcs offers easy access to the slopes and excellent nursery areas that are perfect for building confidence from day one. The ski schools here are known for their high standards and supportive teaching style,
Alpe d'Huez - This resort offers easy-to-reach nursery slopes and some outstanding green and blue runs to play on. This ski resort also holds the record for the highest number of sunny days per season so there's less chance of having to contend with adverse weather and white outs.

Still unsure? Excplore the best ski resorts for beginners and book with confidence.

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Top tips for beginner skiers

Protect Your Skin: Guard against the cold, wind, and sun with proper skincare – a good SPF is essential in the mountains.
Shield Your Eyes: Wear sunglasses or goggles to keep your eyes safe from glare and wind.
Dress in Layers: Layer your clothing to stay warm, and remove layers if you get too hot.
Get Travel Insurance: Ensure your policy covers skiing and winter sports.
Borrow Ski Gear First: If it’s your first trip, borrow ski clothes instead of buying – just in case skiing isn’t your thing (though we’re confident you’ll love it!).
Fuel Up: Start your day with a hearty breakfast to keep your energy levels up.
Get Ski-Fit: A little pre-ski fitness goes a long way – consider trying an indoor or dry ski slope before your trip.
Pack Smart: Take a rucksack for water, snacks, extra layers, and your valuables.
Wear a Helmet: Safety first! Treat it like cycling – a helmet is a must.
Do Your Research: Choose a resort that suits beginners and seek advice before booking.
Have Fun: Relax, enjoy the experience, and make the most of your time on the slopes!

FAQs for beginner skiers

What do I need to wear for skiing?

If it’s your first time this can be confusing. Make sure you have a thermal under layer, a fleece on top and a waterproof outer layer. On top of this you’ll need cold weather gloves, ski socks, goggles, a helmet and probably a face covering like a Buff. Most of this can be picked up cheaply or even hired if you book far enough ahead.

What else do I need to bring for the slopes?

When you’re sitting out for lunch you might want to swap your goggles and helmet for sunglasses and a beanie. Don’t forgot lip balm and sun cream as the sun can be intense bouncing off the snow. Plus water and a little rucksack to chuck it all in. Make sure to grab a piste map in resort too. The rest is just adding your chill vibes to the mountain scene.

How do I stay safe on the mountain?

Aside from wearing a helmet and respecting the snow conditions, it’s good to brush up on skiing etiquette. The basics are –

Give right of way to the trailblazers below you
Leave plenty of space when overtaking, they can’t see you and can move anywhere
Look up for oncoming skiers when merging and starting, those folk are already speeding through
Always stop on the side of the piste and never below a lip, visibility is no. 1 in staying safe

Should l book ski or snowboard lessons on beginner ski holidays?

Absolutely! If you’re a beginner the need is obvious. But we recommend them to everyone, the more you improve the more the mountain opens up to you. The true joys of skiing only reveal themselves after quite a bit of development. If you are travelling on a school holiday date, we would strongly advise you book early as there are only a limited number of instructors out there!

We can help you organise lessons ahead of time so everything is prepared and protected – just look at the options on Manage My Booking.

How difficult is it to ski on the slopes?

Your piste map and the signs in the mountain will all be colour coded. In Europe this normally goes –

Green: Nursery slope for learning
Blue: Easy to ski for most everyone
Red: Intermediate and advanced skiers here
Black: The most difficult runs for confident skiers

Please note some of this can be ‘best guess’ by the resort. A blue may have a short steep bit in, or be steep overall but very wide giving you lots of space and time to turn.

How fit do I need to be for my beginner ski holiday?

You can cruise around blues for days if you take it slow. But skiing is still a whole body work out (not just legs!) and having good overall fitness will certainly help you enjoy it more. We’ve put together some ski fitness advice here.

Your First Ski Holiday

Planning a ski holiday comes with plenty of decisions – where to go, where to stay, what type of accommodation to choose, and even where to rent skis. And let’s not forget après-ski! What is it, and where are the best spots to enjoy it? But don’t worry – our friendly Ski Specialists are here to help. You name it, we've skied it. So let us tell you all about it...

If this is your first ski holiday, the simplest way to get started is by booking one of our all-inclusive ski packages. These include regional flights (or Eurostar for some French resorts), transfers, and accommodation. Choose from self-catered ski apartments, catered ski chalets or hotels in some of the world’s top snow-sure resorts. We can also organise lift passes, ski hire, and lessons, ensuring everything is sorted before you arrive in the resort. Relax and focus on the fun – we’ll handle the rest.

Beginner ski holidays

Our Favourite Resorts for First Timers

La Plagne - Offers some lovely cruisy blues to perfect yours moves on. As well as ski-in/ski-out accommodation in Belle-Plagne, so you don't have too far to go to the nursery slopes or the ski school meeting point.
La Rosiere - Offering easy access to the slopes and two great nursery ski areas for first-timers on a beginners ski holiday. The ESF ski school here is also particularly good for disabled skiers.
Alpe d'Huez - This resort offers easy-to-reach nursery slopes and some outstanding green and blue runs to play on. This ski resort also holds the record for the highest number of sunny days per season so there's less chance of having to contend with adverse weather and white outs.

With our help, all you'll have to worry about is mastering those turns and getting down the hill!

Read more about the best ski resorts for beginners.

Pre-book Your Ski Lessons

For your convenience you can now pre-book lift passes, ski hire and lessons on our website. Add them at the time of booking your holiday or at a later date via the 'Manage My Booking' online portal.

Take the hassle out of booking group lessons and let us do it for you. We work with only the best ski schools, tried and tested for their service, convenience and most of all their patience! We can pre-book group lessons on all dates so you get the choice you want - don't leave it to chance when you get there.

Call our knowledgeable Ski Specialists on 0330 102 8004 to book your ski extras, or book online!

ski equipement rental, beginner ski holidays