A ski holiday isn’t the easiest to plan – but it’s among the most rewarding. The admin of booking ski lessons, passes, equipment and hotels (or chalets) is rewarded almost instantly by the exhilaration and adrenaline of completing your first run of the season. But for those who haven’t been snow ploughing and parallel turning since they could walk, learning to ski can be a very daunting task – one which not even the most breathtaking of mountain views can soothe. 

Newbies, then, should find themselves a snow-capped destination that ticks several boxes before they book, including good ski schools, spacious nursery slopes and more green and blue runs than you can shake a stick at. Luckily for you, we’re here to help. Discover Europe’s best ski resorts for beginners – and the best hotels to soothe your ski legs afterwards. 

Saas-Fee, Switzerland

Promising some of the most reliable ski conditions in the Alps, Saas-Fee is perched 4,000m above sea level and, therefore, benefits from one of the region’s largest glacier ski areas. It acts as a gateway to more than 100km of pistes for skiing and snowboarding, while the village itself is home to a large nursery area where novices can master their snow plough in spacious snowy surroundings. The area is serviced by a number of ski schools, all working with easy drag lifts and gentle gradients to help you nail the basics. Once you’re feeling more confident, head to the blue slopes in the Morenia area before experiencing the thrill of black and red runs in the harder Plattjen and Spielboden by the end of your tuition. 

Where to stay: The Capra

Nestled in the idyllic, car-free village of Saas-Fee, The Capra is surrounded by 18 peaks, including Switzerland’s tallest mountain, the Dom. Its snow-sure season spans from July to late April, boasting glacier adventures, and an authentic alpine atmosphere that’s all powered entirely by renewable energy. Having retained its two Michelin Keys this year, the five-star alpine lodge is home to 38 suites and rooms, blending chalet-style elegance with modern comforts. 

It would be remiss not to spend an afternoon indulging in personalised treatments at the Peak Health Spa, from facials to care for your skin after long days in the sun (Saas-Fee has 300 sunshine days per year), to therapeutic massages for tired muscles after back-to-back days on the slopes. Finally, dine on locally-sourced produce at Brasserie 1809 featuring Swiss wagyu tongue with horseradish and sauerkraut, homemade pappardelle with duck ragu and venison terrine with potatoes and carrot.

From £395 per night. 

Lech, Austria

Located in the Austrian Arlberg region, Lech is one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the Alps. Its first ski school was founded in 1925, and modern investment in ski infrastructure has expanded access to the entirety of the Arlberg ski area via a series of fast gondolas, meaning skiers will never stop finding interesting runs to entertain themselves. Tough terrain is actually quite hard to come by here, meaning most of the slopes are rated as smooth green runs or easy blues. With its very own micro-climate, Lech receives more snow than anywhere else in Austria and can boast one of the best snow records in the Alps. Plus, discerning skiers will be relieved to hear that après takes the form of ice bars and chilled champagne rather than beer-soaked raves.  

Where to stay: Severin’s The Alpine Retreat

Offering a prime position at the crossroads of three skiing villages – Zürs, St Christoph and St Anton – Severin’s The Alpine Retreat is one of the most luxurious boutique hotels in Lech. Inside, the hotel’s nine elegant suites are complete with log fires, balconies overlooking the snow-capped mountains of Lech am Arlberg, and high-tech furnishings, including iPad lighting controls, hidden sound systems and Amazon Prime and Maxdome movies for cosy nights in. After you’ve blown away the cobwebs on the slopes, return to Severin’s Wellness Spa, featuring a 12.5m indoor pool with counter-current, waterfall and several whirlpool settings to ensure muscles receive active relaxation. Later, warm your cockles in the two saunas, steam bath or infrared cabin – the best way to end a day of mountain exploring.

From £650 per night.

Alpe D’Huez, France

Possibly France’s most popular ski resort, which has been up and running since the 1930s, Alpe D’Huez offers some of the most well-skied slopes in Europe – but don’t let that put you off. Thanks to its south-facing position, it often benefits from sun-lit, clear weather which makes it easier for beginners to grasp the technique in good visibility. It's also home to the Chez Roger beginner zone, featuring two magic carpets and access to a plethora of huge green and blue pistes to practise your skills. Plus, for those with little ones in tow, there’s a range of ski schools that cater for youngsters aged from just two and half, and the town centre is uber family-friendly with an array of restaurants and bars that don’t cater solely to lively après crowds. 

Where to stay: Grandes Rousses Hotel & Spa

A stalwart on Alpe d'Huez’s hospitality scene, Grandes Rousses Hotel & Spa has stood proudly in this snow-laden town since 1956 and was renovated by the founder’s daughter, Patricia Grelot-Collomb, in 2016 to restore the hotel to its former glory. Each of the 77 rooms, 18 suites, three lofts and two chalets offer an enchanting alpine atmosphere, while three in-house restaurants offer menus to suit all tastes. Alpine specialities can be found at family-friendly L'Espérance, which even offers al fresco bubbles for those looking to dine comfortably under the stars, while Les Mas'Hauts is situated just a stone’s throw from the slopes and serves warming traditional raclette, creamy fondues and Savoyard cuisine. Finally, don’t miss the indoor-outdoor pool and sensory treatment menu by the high-altitude Alpinothérapie spa. 

From £175 per night. 

Villars-sur-Ollon, Switzerland

Villars-sur-Ollon, a village in the western Swiss Vaud Alps, was once the reserve of gentlemen skiers in the know – but no longer. Having slowly reimagined itself as a destination for newbies and veterans alike, Villars offers picture-perfect views of Lake Geneva – and even those who don’t have their ski legs can make the most of the mountains via cable car to Les Diablerets Massif: home to the Glacier 3000 mountain station, Peak Walk suspension bridge and Matterhorn views. The ski area consists of 72 runs – 20 per cent green and 40 per cent blue – and boasts two main beginner areas: one in the centre of the village and one at the top of the Roc d’Orsay gondola. As always though, consider booking a ski instructor to advance your ability in a timely fashion. 

Where to stay: Villars Palace

A gem located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, which dates back to 1913, Villars Palace is the ultimate alpine destination for those who want to blend world-class snow activities with five-star sophistication. Each of the 130 rooms and suites offer breathtaking mountain views, while the Kaea Villars Alpine Spa is complete with an outdoor pool, state-of-the-art fitness centre, sauna, hammam, and a variety of beauty treatments should you be looking for a winter break that’s more rejuvenating than exhausting. However you spend your day here, refuel at the signature restaurant, Le 1913, where chef Christian Bertogna crafts authentic Alpine dishes with a Mediterranean twist, while the Bar du Palace is the perfect place for a nightcap, providing a lively atmosphere with creative cocktails and elevated classics. Espresso martini, anyone? 

From £450 per night. 

Cervinia, Italy

Where better to learn the ropes of the slopes than in the shadow of the majestic Matterhorn? Cervinia is one of Italy’s most famous ski resorts and for good reason, completing the Matterhorn Ski Paradise area alongside sister resorts Zermatt and Valtournenche. There’s a large nursery area adjacent to the village centre that’s serviced by a magic carpet to make re-runs a breeze, while those looking for a step up can quite literally go up to the wide and snow-filled Plan Maison via gondola. As beginners gain confidence, easy breezy blue runs like Plateau Rosa’s Ventina offer several kilometres of open slopes that seamlessly descend into Cervinia, offering gorgeous mountain views and a rewarding experience that doesn’t require any steep slopes. 

Where to stay: VRetreats Cervino

VRetreats Cervino, located at the base of Gran Becca in the Alps, offers an ideal setting for a winter escape. Constructed with eco-friendly materials like local stone and wood, the hotel blends elegantly into its natural surroundings while housing 70 stylish rooms and suites, equipped with modern amenities and private balconies which provide the perfect vantage point to take in spectacular views of the Matterhorn. If you can’t get enough of the latter, head to Ristorante Panorama, which serves elevated Italian cuisine, or dine at Abrì for traditional Valdostan dishes. Complimentary shuttles take keen skiers to and from the hotel doors, while the Adara Spa offers an enticing welcome after a day on the slopes, featuring a warm indoor pool and steam room.

From £280 per night. 

Megève, France

Established by the Rothschild family as a premium ski destination more than a century ago, Megève competes with Courchevel as the go-to for well-heeled Europeans looking to let off some steam in the snow. While it's stylish, it also has a reputation for being a brilliant place to learn the basics, with Mont d'Arbois offering spacious nursery slopes serviced by a magic carpet and two restaurants for those all-important hot chocolate breaks. 

Mont d’Arbois directly links to Mont Joux and Mont Joly, which offer tougher terrain and Megève’s highest run, topping out at 2355m, which will put intermediates through their paces. It’s not all about the skiing here; the picturesque village centre oozes old-world charm with cobbled streets, baroque clock towers and cosy wooden chalets. Book a horse-drawn carriage ride to step back in time (in the best way). 

Where to stay: Four Seasons Hotel Megève

There’s only one hotel choice for well-heeled travellers in Megève – Four Seasons’ only European mountain resort, which reopens for the ski season on 17 December 2025. This alpine chalet was once owned by Edmond de Rothschild, who put the resort on the map, and boasts ski-in, ski-out access, 55 rooms and suites (some adorned with key pieces from Ariane de Rothschild’s art collection), the region’s largest spa, and refined restaurants, from Japanese-style Kaito, where sushi meets alpine ingredients, to Idéal 1850: perched 1,850m above Megève with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and serving spit-roasted meats and fresh shellfish. 

From £1,900 per night.

Read more: The best luxury hotels in the UK for a magical Christmas break