Learning to ski is as easy as deciding you want to. It doesn’t have to be a pain although you will have to accept that you will most likely spend a few moments on the snow rather than gliding gracefully over it. All you have to do is find a well-groomed slope, a well-groomed ski instructor and you’ll be sliding down a slippery slope before you know it.
What more glamorous or beautiful place to learn to ski than in the French Alps? The French know how to do everything with style and skiing is no exception. They are not going to question that you want to end every day sipping champagne. Brigitte Bardot said, “Champagne is the one thing that gives me zest when I feel tired” and it is normal to feel a little tired after a day skiing.
And learning to ski gives you every excuse to do a little shopping to make sure have nice warm clothes that look good and fit well. And French resorts are the perfect place to do that shopping. If you are going to be seen falling over make sure you look good doing it. You don’t many reasons to enjoy a luxury skiing holiday.
So let’s have a look at a few French resorts that won’t fail to charm you.
Courchevel 1850
Courchevel is second to none when it comes to glamour and glitz with Michelin-starred restaurants for the best of après ski, complete with a celebrity or two. There are luxurious chalets and hotels to suit the deepest pocket.
However since you are also there to learn ski, Courchevel 1850 also has some of the best groomed slopes in Europe, maybe the world. There are multitudes of super efficient lifts to cover one of the world’s largest ski areas known as Les Trois Valleés. The facilities for beginners are second to none with easy lifts. (You will learn as improve, that all lifts are not created equal. When you are learning – the easier the better.)
In Courchevel you will also find highly qualified ski instructors from all over the world who can tell you to “Benz zee knees” in a multitude of languages. They still may speak English with a charming foreign accent though. Ski instructors are always great role models to make skiing look so easy, while you snow plough with difficulty. They usually have a good skiing story to share from their experiences around the world. Who knows? You might feature as a character in their next one.
Megève
Another gorgeous resort Megève began as the vision of Baroness Noémie de Rothschild who early last century transformed the Savoyard farming village into the chic holiday resort it is now. Rivaling Switzerland’s St Moritz, it now boasts multiples of Michelin starred eateries and five-star hotels and some of the world’s best mountain spas. Relaxation après ski is not be a problem in Megève.
The slopes and well-groomed tree lined pistes make learning fun as well as picturesque. The town itself has retained its natural charm but is filled with quality shops and restaurants serving delicious treats. You will find great ski schools just waiting to kit you out for the slopes and get you curving down the slopes.
Tignes
Tignes is one of the highest ski areas in the French Alps so consider riding the highest lift to the top of La Grande Motte glacier at 3,455m for the view alone. If you haven’t got the skills you can take in the sights and rid the lift back down again. It will give you goals to aim far as you snow plough down the learner’s slopes.
Tignes village is at 2,100m so this area is also one of the most consistent for snow cover, almost all year round. If you have to make holiday plans months ahead, you can be sure of good snow regardless of the season snow fall.
So there you have some of the best resorts in the French Alps where you can have a great holiday and learn to ski in style. The facilities, the snow piste, the ski schools are second to none in the world. What’s more you get to enjoy the luxury of French cuisine and Gallic charm every day après ski. Start planning some snow time now.
Note: This is a guest post by Tim Baker
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Tamara
February 5, 2017 at 6:23 pmThis would be amazing! I was supposed to visit Chamonix last year but there wasn’t quite enough snow yet at the beginning of the season, so we went to Switzerland instead.
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Carmen Edelson
February 6, 2017 at 3:13 pmAw, too bad! But Switzerland is a great alternative 🙂
Nancy
February 5, 2017 at 8:51 pmI visit the Alps often, but only during the summer. I would love to visit during ski season.
Carmen Edelson
February 6, 2017 at 3:55 pmIf you love it in the summer, I’m sure you’ll love it in the winter! Totally different, obviously, but so many fun activities.
Clare
February 5, 2017 at 10:27 pmThese places look amazing. I unfortunately broke my leg skiing when I was a child, so not sure I would want to try it again. Seeing these places though, realy makes me want to try 🙂
Clare recently posted…Rainbow Mountain Hike in Cusco, Peru
Carmen Edelson
February 6, 2017 at 3:56 pmWhat a shame! I’m sorry about that. It’s still a lovely place to explore during this time too 🙂
Sandy N Vyjay
February 6, 2017 at 7:08 pmThe Alps are really amazing. Have been only to the Swiss side and bowled over by their sheer magnificence. Skiing is a great way to get really close to these mountains. Hope to get to the French Alps some day too. In the meanwhile enjoyed your post and the stunning pictures. Could almost feel the snow laden winds.
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Carmen Edelson
February 7, 2017 at 1:45 pmSo glad you enjoyed reading! Hope you make it to the French Alps soon 🙂
carla abanes
February 7, 2017 at 12:28 amI really love your photo blowing the snow off your hands. Sure is winning shot! You should have that on your wall or something. Thanks for sharing your awesome ski experience.
Carmen Edelson
February 7, 2017 at 1:45 pmThank you, Carla!
Elaine J Masters
February 7, 2017 at 8:36 pmHow lovely to stop in the French Alps and take a few ski lessons! First I’d need the wardrobe….
Carmen Edelson
February 9, 2017 at 6:50 pmHa, yes! A shopping trip is in order 😉
Caitlin | Escape Reno
February 9, 2017 at 10:31 amSkiing in the French Alps would be so incredible!! I grew up skiing in California and Nevada. The coolest place I’ve been to is Whistler in Canada. It was such a beautiful resort!
Carmen Edelson
February 9, 2017 at 6:51 pmThose are great states to grow up skiing in! I’d love to visit Whistler.
Revati
February 11, 2017 at 5:08 amI’ve never been skiing, and I’ve always been fascinated by it! (We don’t have any snow where we live, and I just need to bite the bullet and get down to signing up for a vacation that I spend learning skiing! )
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Carmen Edelson
February 12, 2017 at 2:07 amYes, it’s time to bite the bullet! 🙂
french online
December 14, 2020 at 10:18 amGreat Article for new people.
Carmen Edelson
January 4, 2021 at 4:33 pmThanks!