Longing to learn to ski, but think you’ve left it too late this season? Spring may be in the air, but there’s still snow on the slopes – if you choose wisely. March and early April are a great time to take to the mountains as blue skies and warmer temperatures make it more appealing for beginners. Bath Business News travel editor Anne Gorringe looks at the latest deals for novices, with some even offering free – or low-price – lift passes for beginners.
La Plagne, France
The ski resort of La Plagne, pictured below, is a good option for beginners, with several ski schools, special learn-to-ski areas and 18 free lifts for novices. The ‘Cool Ski’ areas are protected beginner zones where you can pick up a tabard and a lift pass for limited access to lifts for €35 (£29.90) per adult per day. This means you can pick and choose the days you feel ready to use it.
Learners start with lessons in either Belle Plagne, Aime 2000 or in Plagne Centre and can then explore further on the network of easy blue runs across the whole mountain. As an added bonus, there are multiple runs back to each village, so beginners can try different routes down.
La Plagne’s brilliant ‘Yuge’ app also allows you to easily navigate around the area to find green and blue runs once you have your ski legs.
Iglu Ski has a tempting offer – a week at the three-star Chalet Arpette – with prices from £700 per person, based on two sharing, departing on 13 April from London Gatwick. The price includes transfers. Extras such as ski school and equipment hire can be arranged with Iglu Ski.
Crystal Ski Holidays has seven nights at the three-star MMV Hotel Plagne 2000 from £717 per person, departing from Bristol Airport on 6 April. The price is based on two adults sharing a twin room half board and includes flights to Chambery, 20kg hold luggage and transfers.
Kaprun, Austria
Kaprun, pictured below, is a great pick for late-season skiing as the slopes of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier are some of the most snow-sure in the country.
A wonderful resort for beginners, it offers dedicated and gentle nursery slopes beside the village centre.
Newbies can then progress on to the numerous easy runs of the Maiskogel and the Kitzsteinhorn as they gain in confidence. You can also book tuition from the Kaprun Ski School.
If you’re with more experienced skiers, they can cruise wide-open blues on the glacier or get their muscles working on steeper blacks lower down. Crystal Ski Holidays is offering seven nights, flying direct from Bristol on 23 March from £558 per person bed and breakfast (a reduction of 31%).
Accommodation is at the three-star Pension Bergheil, based on two adults sharing a twin room with balcony. The price includes flights to Innsbruck, 20kg hold luggage and transfers.
Meribel, France
Méribel has a new enclosed beginners’ area just above the village of Méribel Mottaret, where the snow is generally better. Graduate from here to an almost flat green run along the valley to the main Méribel lifts.
Iglu Ski is offering seven nights self-catering from Bristol departing 29 March from £782 per person (down from £1,131), based on two sharing at the two-star Le Hameau du Mottaret Apartments, including transfers.
Les Arcs, France
Join other novices in the three-star Chalet Chamois for a week from only £675 with Iglu Ski. The ski school, available at extra cost, is just 150m away. All food and drink is provided – chalet hosts will prepare a cooked or continental breakfast, afternoon tea and three-course evening meals with unlimited wine.
After a day on the slopes, you can relax in the on-site sauna with gorgeous views. The price is based on two sharing, flying from Gatwick on 13 April to Lyon, and includes transfers within France.
Courchevel, France
Courchevel has excellent slopes for beginners with great snow right now, plus opportunities to progress. There are lots of ski school options, from British-owned school First Tracks https://www.first-tracks.fr/en/ to Oxygene https://www.oxygene.ski.
SkiWeekends has a three-night catered stay in Chalet Monique, pictured above, which has lovely valley views, an outdoor jacuzzi to ease aching muscles and boot warmers. The price of £515 per person from 23 March is based on two people sharing a room, with meals, including afternoon tea and cake. Flights to Geneva are not included but minibus transfers to and from the airport are.
La Rosière, France
Head to La Rosière, pictured right, for an idyllic, sunny place to learn to ski. With no through road, there are few cars. La Rosière has been called the ‘best kept secret of the French Alps’ as visitors rush to the bigger resorts. It offers a friendly feel, awe-inspiring views and sunny vistas, together with excellent ski schools and plenty to do off-slope.
And you can take a lift over to La Thuile in Italy where there is an extreme luge run, the chance to sleep overnight in an igloo and an ice rink. Iglu Ski has seven nights from £1,150 per person based on two sharing at the three-star Chalet Papillon, departing 6 April from Gatwick and including transfers.
Val Thorens, France
Although it’s a big name, popular resort, there’s plenty of space here for beginners, who’ll find it the perfect place to learn. There are four free ‘magic carpet’ travelators in the centre of the village to help skiers get around easily.
Iglu Ski has seven nights from £1,024 per person self-catering, based on two sharing, at the four-star Le Montana Apartments, departing 13 April from Gatwick with free transfers.
