Last Updated on November 13, 2023 by Suzy McCullough
France is a popular destination with British people for a family-friendly skiing holiday. If you are looking for somewhere for your kids to learn to ski or you are starting out on your skiing journey France has a great number of ski resorts that are perfect for beginners.
There are so many different places you can learn to ski in France so we have narrowed down the best places for beginners to learn to ski. Your safety, happiness and comfort are paramount and these resorts take all of this into consideration. If you click on a link in this piece, we may earn affiliate revenue.
Chamonix For Beginners
For first-time skiers and snowboarders plus those looking to improve their technique, Chamonix is a great place to learn. There are six different nursery ski areas plus six green pistes and 30 blue pistes.
The Teleski de Savoy is a great learning area for children especially due to its great location in Chamonix. Other great areas for learners are Les Panards, Le Tour, Les Grands Montests, Vallorcine and Les Houches. Many of these areas offer special lift pass rates to save you from splashing out on a full area pass until you’re ready for it.
Great Hotels For Families in Chamonix
Hotel Folie Douce – Chamonix, France
The Hotel Folie Douce is located in the famous Palace of Chamonix and has a great position overlooking the town. It’s a ski-in, ski-out hotel and the Savoy lift mentioned above is just metres away. The hotel shuttle can take beginners to your lessons and it is just a short walk into the resort centre.
Guests can enjoy singers, dancers and DJs in the evenings and there is a spa for relaxing after a day on the slopes. Their outdoor pool has stunning views of Mont Blanc. Plus they run a kid’s club with a range of indoor and outdoor activities.
In the hotel, there are four a la carte restaurants with a buffet breakfast served for guests in the morning. Skiers will appreciate the boot room with lockers and the heated boot rack. There is also an in-house ski shop.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Folie Douce
Hotel Le Refuge Des Aiglons – Chamonix, France
With a ski bus stop right outside the Hotel Le Refuge Des Aiglons getting to the ski lifts is nice and simple. It is also not far from the local shops, bars and restaurants plus it’s a 1-minute walk to the ski school meeting point.
The hotel enjoys stunning mountain views of Mont Blanc and Brévent. There is an impressive wellness area with a sauna, hot tub, heated outdoor swimming pool plus a treatment area.
Their rooms are cosy and can sleep up to 3 people. After a long day on the slopes, you can chill out in their lounge with a drink by their open fireplace.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Le Refuge Des Aiglons
Heliopic Hotel and Spa – Chamonix, France
Located next to the Aiguille du Midi cable car is the Heliopic Hotel and Spa. It is just a 5-minute walk to the ski school meeting point. The free ski shuttle to the slopes is right outside the front door.
The hotel is modern and luxurious in design and guests can take advantage of the 500m2 spa area with a large indoor swimming pool, sauna, hammam, hot tub and ice grotto.
Other on-site facilities include a restaurant and bar. Plus a ski hire shop, boot room and a children’s play area. Rooms are spacious and can sleep up to 3 people.
BOOK / Check Availability – Heliopic Hotel and Spa
Les Gets For Beginners
In the area of Les Gets you will find lots of beginners areas with the largest being Mappy. Mappy’s is mid-mountain and it has two magic carpet lifts as well as two cable-tow lifts. The Chavannes side is certainly best for beginners.
Also on the Chavannes’ side is a children’s area called Grand Cry with a fun Indian theme. The highlight is a mauve ski run with signs identifying different plants and animals.
Hotel La Marmotte and Spa – Les Gets, France
At the Hotel La Marmotte and Spa, you are right next to the nearest ski lift and just a 2-minute walk to the ski school meeting point. It is well located in the centre of the resort and skiers can ski to the door (across the road).
It is a typically Savoyard-style hotel with two on-site restaurants that serve speciality meals throughout the week. There is a traditionally styled bar and lounge to relax at night-time.
There is a lovely spa area and an indoor swimming pool. This hotel is praised for its family-friendly facilities and amenities including special activities during school holidays. A children-only dinner is served every evening at 7 pm. Plus an activity area, a games room and a babysitting service which is available on request.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel La Marmotte and Spa
Flaine For Beginners
Flaine is an excellent resort for beginners and is considered by many as the best. There is a network of gentle runs, great nursery slopes and two professional ski schools.
It is also a relatively cheap skiing destination with three free ski lifts on the beginner slopes so beginners can decide whether they like the sport before they invest in a ski pass.
Hotel Le Flaine – Flaine, France
Located in the centre of Flaine is the Hotel Le Flaine. It is a 5-minute walk to the ski slopes and the ski school meeting point. The hotel is modern in design and is famous for its Brutalist design.
Their bedrooms are spacious with big windows to enjoy the scenery and bunk beds in their own little nooks. You can unwind in the stylish spa with hot tubs and a sauna or relax in the evening with a drink by the fire.
Little ones can be booked onto their Crystal Childcare clubs that are based in the hotel. There is the Pepi Penguin Nursery for ages 6 months to 4 years and the Beanie Bear Club for ages 4-8.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Le Flaine
Les Terrasses D’Helios – Flaine, France
With a prime ski-in ski-out Les Terrasses D’Helios has luxury self-catering apartments for you to stay in. It is a 6-minute bus ride to the ski school meeting point and the hotel is located between Flaine Montsoleil and Hameau De Flaine.
Each apartment has separate bedrooms and living rooms. They also have a balcony so you can enjoy views over the peaks and the town. There is an on-site wellness area with a pool, sauna, a Hamman and outdoor hot tub.
Children have their own play area and there is a mini-market nearby. Plus you can make use of the free shuttle bus to the centre of Flaine.
BOOK / Check Availability – Les Terrasses D’Helios
Totem Friendly Hotel – Flaine, France
The Totem Friendly Hotel is well-situated for beginners. It is a 1-minute walk to the nearest lift and ski school meeting point. Plus just a 2-minute walk to the nursery slopes and ski bus stop. You are also just a 5-minute walk to the resort centre and it is a ski-in ski-out hotel.
There are some great views of the snowy mountain slopes from the hotel which has a modern interior. The bedrooms all have large windows so you can enjoy the views. Crystal Childcare is available to book at the nearby Le Flaine Hotel, mentioned above.
Other facilities include an outdoor hot tub plus a spa with treatments and two saunas. There are arcade games, a ski shop and a boot room with lockers and a heated boot rack.
BOOK / Check Availability – Totem Friendly Hotel
La Plagne For Beginners
La Plagne is well known for being a beginner-friendly resort. There terrain is perfect for those getting to grips with skiing or boarding. You have a number of open green and blue slopes with plenty of room for beginners.
There are separate areas just for beginners in almost all the La Plagne villages. Plus magic carpets that move you up the beginner slopes.
Hauts Bois Apartments Plagne Aime 2000 – La Plagne, France
With the convenience of self-catering and extra facilities such as an indoor pool, sauna and steam room the Hauts Bois Apartments Plagne Aime 2000 are a great choice for families. The apartments are located on a ski-in, ski-out blue run in Plage Aime 2000 and it is a 15-minute’ walk to or a short ski down to the ski school meeting point.
There are 1-2 bedroom apartments that have a traditional look including pine panelling and they all have a kitchenette. The 1 bedroom apartments sleep up to 6 people with a maximum of 4 adults and 2 children up to 11 years. Then the 2 bedroom apartments sleep up to 8 people.
Crystal Childcare is available to book at the Hotel Plagne 2000 nearby. On-site there are ski lockers and a ski hire shop.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hauts Bois Apartments Plagne Aime 2000
Araucaria Hotel and Spa – La Plagne, France
In the centre of La Plagne is the Araucaria Hotel and Spa. The lift and ski school are just a 1 minute walk away and the hotel has a cosy and friendly atmosphere.
Rooms have balconies that overlook the slalom stadium or Mont Blanc and are contemporary in style. You can book a twin or double room which can sleep up to 2-3 people. Facilities at this hotel include an indoor pool and a kid’s pool plus a Wellness area with a sauna, steam room, ice cave, hydromassage jets and a relaxation area.
Kids have a play area, a cinema showing cartoons, table football and there is also a games area. For skiers, there is an in-house ski shop and a boot room with lockers and a heated boot rack. In the hotel bar and lounge, you can enjoy live music after a busy day on the slopes.
BOOK / Check Availability – Araucaria Hotel and Spa
Courchevel For Beginners
Described as a haven for beginners to ski Courchevel has many slopes to explore and enjoy. Many beginner slopes don’t require a lift pass, and great ski schools allow you to learn your skills.
There are 5 different villages at various altitudes and each has its own beginner ski area with different grades of pistes. Beginner zones are gently sloping and are marked as ZEN areas on the piste map.
Ecrin Blanc, Courchevel 1650 – Courchevel, France
Located opposite the ski lift is the Ecrin Blanc Hotel. It is a ski-in ski-out resort and just a 5-minute walk and then an escalator to the resort centre, ski hire shop and the ski school meeting point. There is also a ski bus stop outside.
The hotel has a chic and modern mountain chalet feel to it with a wood-clad and stone exterior. There is a free hotel-run kid’s club which has a packed programme of sports, games and activities.
There are three bars and two lounges plus a sauna, steam room, hot tub and fitness room. Kids also have a play area and for skiers, there is a boot room with lockers and heated boot racks. The hotel is also connected to the Aquamotion water park and spa.
BOOK / Check Availability – Ecrin Blanc Hotel
Hotel Les Sherpas, Courchevel 1850 – Courchevel, France
Located in a quiet setting with just a 5-minute walk to the gondola is the Hotel Les Sherpas. It’s also just a 5-minute walk to the nursery slopes and there is a free hotel-run shuttle service to the piste.
The hotel was built in 1961 as a Savoie-style chalet and it has been developed over the years to be a traditional and characteristic hotel. Set in an alpine forest, large picture windows enjoy mountain landscapes.
Their rooms are comfortable and cosy and have a chalet-style theme with modern elements. You can relax in the hotel’s wellness facilities including a heated indoor pool, sauna and steam room. There is a games room and area for children to keep them occupied.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Les Sherpas
Alpe d’Huez For Beginners
The gentle slopes in Alpe d’Huez are perfect for beginners. There are two large and four smaller nursery ski areas plus 41 green pistes and 34 blue pistes. It is regarded as one of the world’s leading ski resorts.
Numerous base lifts connect easy slopes for the very first attempts at skiing and some of them are free. There are also ski tranquille zones for slower skiers on gentle sloping runs. With the exception of Vaujany, all of the villages have blue runs near the base.
Hotel Le Pic Blanc – Alpe d’Huez, France
Located just a 5-minute walk from the lifts and piste in Les Bergers is the Hotel Le Pic Blanc. It is centrally located and there is a bus stop to Alpe d’Huez right outside the hotel. Plus it’s just a 4-minute walk to the ski school meeting point.
There is a large indoor swimming pool and guests have access to Crystal Childcare at the nearby Hotel Les Bergers. The on-site restaurant enjoys beautiful panoramic views and superior bedrooms come with a balcony.
Other facilities include a sauna, hot tub and hammam. There is also a lounge and bar area with an open fire.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Le Pic Blanc
Prestige Apart’Hotel L’eclose – Alpe d’Huez, France
The Prestige Apart’Hotel L’eclose is located close to the slopes. It is just a 2-minute walk to the Alpe Express gondola and a 7-minute walk to the Marmottes 1 chairlift. You can hop on the local buses for free with your lift pass and it’s a 15-minute walk to the Crystal Childcare Clubs at the Hotel Les Bergers.
Inside the hotel has open fireplaces with comfy seating areas. Big floor-to-ceiling windows in the lobby give you a top view of the slopes. After a day on the slopes, you can enjoy the hotel’s indoor swimming pool with a pale blue bottom and mountainscape on the wall.
There is an extra charge for some of the facilities including the kids’ pool, sauna, hammam, steam room and massages. There is also a fitness room and a children’s play area.
BOOK / Check Availability – Prestige Apart’Hotel L’eclose
CRYSTAL SKI
Crystal Ski is an excellent company to book through. They offer packages with flights, transfers, accommodation and ski essentials included. You can book with low deposits and they are ABTA and ATOL protected. Plus when you book with them you get the Crystal Snow Promise – You can change your holiday fee-free if the show lets you down with the option to upgrade for even more flexibility. T&Cs apply.
All photos are credited to Crystal Ski
For more inspiration why not check out the following posts?
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Best Family Friendly Ski Resorts in Switzerland
