Les Menuires Has Highest Percentage of Beginner Runs
2nd December 2024
The ski holiday operator, Erna Low, has been crunching the numbers. In second place is La Plagne. NEW
After noticing searches for ‘beginner ski resorts’ rising 23% year-on-year, Erna Low commissioned some research and found that Les Menuires has most runs for beginners against the total of other runs – reds and blacks.
The research analysed 228 ski resorts comparing the amount of skiable terrain suitable for novice skiers against the terrain for intermediates and advanced skiers.
- In Les Menuires around two thirds (62%) of its 160km runs are beginner friendly.
- La Plagne, with its 10 villages and 100km+ of beginner runs, came second (59%).
- Sixteen of the top twenty resorts for new skiers are in France.
- According to the survey, potential cost was a deterrent to beginners, a third (33%) were put off by having lessons.
- Val Cenis in France is the most budget friendly beginner resort, costing under £400/week.
Les Menuires, France. Image © PlanetSKI
Les Menuires has 160km of runs, with around two thirds of these (62%) being beginner friendly.
It also has two dedicated beginner areas – Bruyères and La Croisette.
228 European resorts were given a beginner-friendly score (out of 100) based on the total slope distance (in km) and overall percentage of ‘beginner slopes’ there are at each one – green and blue pistes that first timers use.
It should be pointed out that having the largest percentage amount of beginner terrain does not make any resort ‘the best’ as there are many other factors to take into account.
Les Menuires remains a favourite & recommended resort by PlanetSKI, both for beginners and families, plus it is in an excellent position in the vast 3Vallees ski area for those of higher ability.
The resort is a past winner of ‘Best Ski Resort for Families’ in the World Snow Awards.
Erna Low recommends that beginners take lessons.
“While we appreciate it can be nerve-wracking to start lessons, skiing can be enormously satisfying,” said the Erna Low product director, Jane Bolton.
“Not only is it great for general fitness, being outdoors and away from screens and of course very social, the scenery really is stunning.
“If you’re considering taking the plunge and starting lessons, our advice is to head to a beginner-friendly resort to do this.
“Our instructors are very experienced, patient and reassuring, and you can immerse yourself in the environment.
“There is lots to do in the resorts too when you are off the mountain, including spas, great bars and restaurants and lots of opportunity to soak up the après ski ambiance.”
See here for the full report from Erna Low.
16 of the top twenty resorts for new skiers judged by the percentage terrain on offer are located in France.
Two were in Austria (SkiCircus Saalbach and Obertauern).
With one in Italy (Alta Badia), and one in Switzerland (Champery).
Beginner Ski / Snowboarding Resorts in Europe
| Beginner Resort Rankings | Resort | Country | Beginner Slope Percentage | Beginner slopes Distance (KM) |
| 1 | Les Menuires | France | 62% | 99 |
| 2 | La Plagne | France | 59% | 139 |
| 3 | La Tania | France | 60% | 90 |
| 4 | Flaine | France | 60% | 88 |
| 5 | Les Deux Alpes | France | 55% | 110 |
| 6 | Alta Badia | Italy | 68% | 74 |
| 7 | Val d’Isere | France | 57% | 87 |
| 8 | Valmorel | France | 66% | 63 |
| 9 | Courchevel | France | 57% | 86 |
| 10 | Le Corbier | France | 60% | 71 |
| 11 | SkiCircus Saalbach | Austria | 50% | 140 |
| 12 | Avoriaz | France | 59% | 76 |
| 13 | Tignes | France | 57% | 86 |
| 14 | Obertauern | Austria | 61% | 61 |
| 15 | Les Arcs | France | 51% | 104 |
| 16 | Champery | Switzerland | 53% | 87 |
| 17 | Val Thorens | France | 54% | 81 |
| 18 | Val Cenis | France | 55% | 73 |
| 19 | Meribel | France | 52% | 78 |
| 20 | La Rosiere | France | 60% | 57 |
La Plagne took second place and is another resort recommended by PlanetSKI for beginners and families.
The resort consists of ten villages, each offering beginner areas, and a total of over 100km of beginner runs.
Google trends suggest La Plagne is growing in popularity amongst those learning to ski with searches for ‘Ski Lessons La Plagne’ up 50% since this time last year too.
Nursery slopes with a free magic carpet and gentle gradient are also situated in Plagne Bellecote and Belle Plagne – perfect for a beginner to build confidence before they make their way further up the mountain.
La Plagne, France. Image c/o PlanetSKI
When focusing on the bigger ski areas rather than specific, individual resorts, Portes du Soleil in France was named the best for learners, with 310km of slopes, and 53% of these being beginner friendly.
The cheapest resort for beginners is Val Cenis in France, where it costs less than £400 for ski hire, ski pass and ski lessons for a week, on average.
Valmorel, Le Corbier and Avoriaz also all cost less than £450 on average too, making them good, low-cost options for learners too.
Related Articles:
- New in La Plagne for next winter
- Dates confirmed for Les Menuires yogaski
- Seven days in Les Menuires
- Moon biking in La Plagne
Sources:
- The Survey was conducted with 2,000 UK adult respondents, split by Age, Gender and City, in Oct 2024.
- Ski lesson prices for the top ranked beginner resorts with some data from the ESF
- Ski Pass Prices data from individual ski resorts websites
- Google Search Trends from Google Keyword Planner 18/10
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