| Learning to ski is a great way to spend a winter | | | | beginner skiers can try out the sports without |
| holiday in Europe. With the right resort and good | | | | breaking the bank. Poiana Brasov has two nursery |
| instruction you'll be flying down the slopes within days | | | | areas, and the sport's friendliest instructors. There is |
| of arrival -and best of all you'll take home a skill that | | | | plenty to do in the area as well, such as a trip to |
| will last a lifetime. (It's a bit like learning to ride a bike, | | | | Dracula's castle. |
| except the falls are a lot softer.) Children make great | | | | Gurgl-Obergurgl, Austria |
| pupils too, and will have great fun learning the ropes - | | | | Despite its cumbersome name, the resort of |
| giving parents a solid morning or afternoon time out | | | | Gurgl-Obergurgl is great for beginners and |
| from the little ones! | | | | intermediates, with some of Europe's most reliable |
| Make the right choice of destination for your first ski | | | | snow, and a small village atmosphere that is |
| trip and it could be the start of a lifetime's addiction | | | | undeniably charming. This resort gets a very high rate |
| to this healthy and exhilarating sport! So if you've got | | | | of returning skiers which is generally a good sign. The |
| the winter gear and are ready to roll, here are 10 | | | | nightlife is quiet though, and the more experienced |
| ideal resorts in which to learn how to ski while still | | | | skiers in the party will quickly run out of challenges. |
| having a great holiday. | | | | Soldeu, Andorra |
| Cortina, Italy | | | | Andorra is one of the most popular places for learner |
| Just because you're learning to ski doesn't mean you | | | | skiers wanting to master the sports in a low-profile, |
| can't enjoy Europe's very best slopes. Case in point is | | | | good value environment before hitting the slopes in |
| Cortina, pride of Italy's resort offerings. It offers | | | | Europe's more fashionable destinations. Soldeu has |
| astounding scenery and majestic views over the | | | | sacrificed challenge and variety in favour of abundant |
| Dolomites. There are very good beginner slopes and | | | | beginner and intermediate slopes. The ski schools are |
| plenty of long, gentle gradient cruise runs, just what | | | | decent and the weather and nightlife both reliable and |
| recent ski school graduates need. Another plus in | | | | cheerful. Andorra offers the additional draw of being |
| Cortina's favour is that the instructors are skilled with | | | | a duty-free shopping destination with simply the |
| kids and jittery adults. | | | | cheapest shopping on the continent. |
| Wengen, Switzerland | | | | Chatel, France |
| Wengen takes pride in having one of Europe's best | | | | Chatel is part of the Portes du Soleil in France, the |
| known and most highly regarded ski schools. That | | | | world's biggest ski area. That means there are plenty |
| means you learn faster, have more fun in the | | | | of runs for skiers of all abilities. Access is convenient |
| process, and pick up the right technique from the | | | | and cheap given the resorts close proximity to |
| start. Wenger is positioned under the awesome north | | | | Geneva airport, and can even be driven to via Calais. |
| face of the Eiger, which has long held magnetic | | | | There are plenty of beginner's slopes and well |
| fascination for Alpinists. The learner slopes are right in | | | | regarded ski instructors too. A big plus of this area is |
| the heart of the village and there are lots of long, | | | | the range of accommodation, including chalets for |
| gentle runs to move onto when one's confidence | | | | rent right on the slopes, close to the ski lifts. |
| allows. The only negatives are that with a relatively | | | | Bansko, Bulgaria |
| low altitude snowfall can be unreliable, and the | | | | Beautiful Bankso attracts budget-conscious skiers |
| après ski scene is a little subdued, so | | | | who like a bargain and relaxing skiing conditions that |
| youngsters in a group will need to make their own | | | | are perfect for the first-time skier. The lift system is |
| party. | | | | excellent and the green slopes, to which beginners |
| Kranjska, Slovenia | | | | graduate after a few days, have gentle runs of up |
| For those wanting something a little different from | | | | to 16km in length. In total 65% of the ski runs are |
| their ski learning experience the pretty town of | | | | for beginners and intermediates. The town itself was |
| Kranjska Gora might be the answer. Slovenia's top | | | | founded in the 10th century so has plenty of history |
| resort is close to the both the Italy and Austrian | | | | and interesting attractions to explore. Don't expect |
| border, at the foot of the Julien Alps. The resort is | | | | sophisticated dining and entertainment options |
| small and unpretentious, and the runs long and | | | | though, this is a more down-to-earth scene. |
| undemanding making Kranjska an ideal destination for | | | | Glenshee, Scotland |
| beginners and those wanting to get off the beaten | | | | Glenshee boasts the largest ski lift system in the UK, |
| track. Slovenia is also more affordable than its more | | | | and its 36 runs are ideal for beginners and |
| affluent neighbours so ski costs are markedly | | | | intermediates. The top of the Cairnwell Chairlift offers |
| cheaper. | | | | the best panorama of the Cairngorms to be seen |
| Lech, Austria | | | | from any Scottish ski area. The resort is conveniently |
| Lech is for those that want to learn in style, at one | | | | situated, but snow cover can be unreliable and the |
| of Europe's most chic and expensive resorts. The | | | | slopes congested with day-trippers. |
| price barrier has preserved Lech as a classic alpine | | | | General Tips: |
| resort with a small village atmosphere despite plenty | | | | - Get some lessons before you leave. Snow domes |
| of lively nightlife. The ski schools are excellent with | | | | such as the Chill Factore in Manchester provide a |
| experienced, English-speaking instructors and plenty | | | | realistic preview of the real thing. |
| of suitable runs for the learner skier. The position of | | | | - Try to get a beginner's package with your booking |
| the slopes also maximizes chances of snow cover | | | | which includes lessons, gear rental and a lift pass if |
| and sunshine - perfect conditions to seduce a rookie. | | | | needed. |
| The snow season is also one of the longest in | | | | - Rent gear to start with - find out how much you |
| Europe, and at either end of the ski season 'Snow | | | | like skiing before spending money on expensive |
| Crystal' weeks mean ski passes are halved in price. | | | | equipment. |
| Poiana Brasov, Romania | | | | - Get insurance that covers ski-specific injuries. |
| Looking for great value and uncluttered slopes? Go | | | | - Make sure your accommodation is conveniently |
| east! The former eastern Europe republics have | | | | located to the nursery slopes and ski school. |
| some excellent and underrated ski resorts that are | | | | - When someone goes skiing, you don't say 'break a |
| rapidly catching on in popularity. Good value means | | | | leg! |