If you are thinking of giving skiing a try for the first time then choosing the right resort is important. Make the wrong choice and you could be put off the sport for good. The best destinations for beginners offer a good proportion of green runs (easy), a great ski school, relatively quiet slopes and excellent value for money. Before you book your trip take a look at the following resorts.
Ruka, Finland
Finland is probably not the first country that springs to mind when planning your first ski trip but this resort offers everything you will need and more. It is also an appealing idea to use your skiing trip as a reason to visit somewhere completely new. Ruka boasts a fine selection of green slopes and a highly regarded ski school with many English instructors. There are three magic carpet lifts which are simple for beginners to negotiate and the pistes are incredibly well groomed making them straightforward to ski. Should you decide that skiing is not the sport for you the area offers several alternative attractions including dog sledding, reindeer safaris, ice karting and even a visit to Santa!
Pamporovo, Bulgaria
If budget is a major concern then Bulgaria is a great choice. The country is certainly great value for money and Pamporovo is a beginners’ paradise with the majority of the slopes being green including a wonderful 6km run to take on once you have found your feet. The ski school is excellent and specialises in beginners and the resort has two nursery areas one at the foot of the slopes and one at the top. The night life is lively which should coma as no real surprise as this is a resort where a pint costs just £1.
Bohinj, Slovenia
Yet another resort which may not have been on your list of potential destinations but is well worthy of your consideration . Like Pamporovo, Bohinj offers great value for money and a good selection of green slopes to get you started. The big selling point here is the setting on the edge of the Triglav National Park. The resort is surrounded by stunning scenery including Lake Bohinj and you can admire the vista of the Julian Alps which include Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak. Bohinj has the advantage of being accessible from three airports (Ljubljana, Trieste and Klagenfurt) all of which are served by the no frills airlines.
Poiana Brasov, Romania
This is a resort which focuses on beginners and is ideal for those who wish to give skiing a go without a big investment. The slopes are perfect for those just starting out, the ski school offers enthusiastic English speaking instructors and the prices for lift passes, equipment hire and instruction are very modest. If you fancy an interesting diversion from your sporting endeavours then you can take a day trip to Dracula’s Castle which is nearby!
Cortina, Italy
This resort regularly wins accolades for its all-round experience and particularly for the excellent value for money to be had here in comparison to many other major European destinations. Cortina has well groomed beginners’ slopes in the Socrapes area and one of the most beautiful settings of any ski resort with amazing views across the dolomites. The locals and instructors are friendly and have a great reputation for being good with children. When your skiing is done for the day Cortina is a magnificent place to people watch whilst you enjoy the local cuisine.
Avoid the Obvious
In choosing a resort for your first forays onto the piste it can be best to avoid the obvious choices and select a resort that will offer all of the facilities you need at reasonable prices and without the crowds. You can learn at your leisure and if skiing proves not to be your thing you will not have broken the bank to find out, especially given that you may have already spent money on ski suits, skis, boots and any other equipment you need.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’][/author_image] [author_info]Sally Stacey is a blogger, content writer and business owner who will be going skiing for the very first time in 2013.[/author_info] [/author]
