Good beginners resort in Europe

Hi

Hope someone can help out here.

My wife and I are thinking over going on a skiing holiday this year and were wondering if anyone could recommend a good resort for beginners in Europe?

We have a problem that I have skied before and need somewhere that is good for the intermediate skier also.

Its her first ski holiday so I dont want to put her off by taking her somewhere that isnt well suited for beginners

Any suggestions?

Have a look a Soldeu. The ski school is really good with english instuctors and the prices arn't daft. Only problem may be the lack of snow they have had for the last couple of years but if you can leave it till you know theirs snow then it is worth a look.

Personal opinion-Soldeu is a hole. Try the Gastein Valley in Austria so Bad Hofgastein for example. It is a postcard type place with some excellent intermediate.beginner skiing.

Thanks for the replies.

I skiied Austria when I was youger - kitzbuhel and Kirchberg and I seem to remember there not being much in the way of beginners runs. I could be wrong though it was 15 years ago.

Somewhere with some good restaurants and bars would be great too.

Austria is a big place..

As above.

I had this same issue, looking for an Austrian resort for mixed ability.Sallbach or Hinterglemm looked strong. Both have blues down the mountain, in addition to beginners slopes. I ackowledge Tony_H's comments that he thought the mountain blues were a bit reddish in places.

Couldn't get a New Year trip booked there.

So we're going to Niederau. :mrgreen:

I have said it before, and I will say it again:

Mayrhofen.

Its not perfect for beginners, but it has lots of mixed runs, and the reds are lovely and wide in the main. Theres a lovely area over the back of Rastkogel where its quiet, sunny and nice open cruising to build up confidence too.

I'd also suggest Alpe d'Huez and Serre Chevalier are worth a look.

I am not familiar with Mayrhofen so I cannot comment either way on Tony's recommendation (other than to note that he consistently recommends it for beginners). More generally, I find the Austrian resorts tend to be beautiful, authentic and usually great fun. On the other hand, it can be a bit of a trek to and from whatever genuine beginner skiing is available and, as a lot of the resorts are quite low, the snow quality can be a bit hit and miss.

I would definitely agree with Tony's recommendation for Alpe D'Heuz for beginners. There are extensive green slopes in the bowl around the village that will make any first time skier feel like a champion by the end of their first week in ski school :lol:.