According to our Mountain Travel Experts
Planning a ski trip is a feat. Planning a ski or snowboard vacationwhen you’ve never strapped into boots or embarked on a lift can feel even more overwhelming. However, there is some good news if you’ve decided to gain a new skill and vacation in a new way.
Ski.com has more than 50 years of experience booking ski vacations, so our team of Mountain Travel Experts can make planning and booking your first ski vacation seamless. Book with us and you’ll likely wrap up your first ski vacation ready to book a second, and a third.
From bunny slopes with legendary views to award-winning ski schools, below are some of the best ski resorts for beginners.
Read: Your First Ski Trip
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Beaver Creek is the perfect winter wonderland for novice skiers and families, with about 20% of its mountain being beginner-friendly. There’s McCoy Park, a dedicated beginner area with 17 slopes, a magic carpet, a gondola with access to mellow terrain, and ski school with expert instructors. While many resorts limit learning to the mountain base, Beaver Creek has gentle slopes and a learning area at the top of the mountain, offering a true skier’s experience without any experience required.
Highlights: Top-of-the-mountain learning areas served by a gondola, not a lift, plenty of luxury ski-in ski-out accommodations, and free freshly baked cookies at the base every afternoon.
Closest airports: Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) - 28 miles (30 minutes) or Denver International Airport (DEN) - 128miles (2 hours, 10 minutes)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Copper Mountain is a top skiing destination featuring a year-round training facility and areas tailored for families and beginners. The mountain is divided into three distinct zones: West Village for novices, Center Village for intermediates, and East Village for experts, allowing beginners to progress at their own pace. The Woodward training facility offers year-round skill development in skiing, snowboarding, and other sports. With gentle slopes for beginners and a lively village atmosphere, Copper Mountain is the perfect spot for families and those looking to improve their skiing skills.
Highlights: Naturally divided terrain makes it great for all levels in the group, 20% of the Copper’s terrain is designated as beginner with plenty of high-alpine options, ski school and clinics available for all levels, and a laidback atmosphere on and off the slopes.
Closest airports: Eagle Airport (EGE) - 55 miles (1 hour) or Denver International Airport (DEN) - 102 miles (1 hour, 40 minutes)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Steamboat Springs, known for its fluffy powder and charming Western ambiance, is an ideal destination for a ski vacation. When it comes to beginner skiers and snowboarders, it’s a great place to learn thanks to Greenhorn Ranch, a dedicated learning center with world-class instructors. Outside of this ski area, an energetic downtown enhances the trip with plenty of dining and shopping options, making it a perfect blend of skiing and après-ski activities.
Highlights: Known for its “Champagne Powder,” which is great snow for novices, a mid-mountain learning area, 14% of the mountain fit for beginners, a world-class ski school, affordable ski-in ski-out condos and hotels.
Closest airport: Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) - 26 miles (35 minutes)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Mammoth Mountain in California’s Eastern Sierra range has been a place for families to connect with nature and one another for more than half a century. Not only is it the state’s premier winter mountain, but it’s a great learning mountain, too. With 3,500 skiable acres, there are dedicated learning areas for beginners along with magic carpets, ski schools, and plenty of green runs.
Highlights: Over 400 inches of annual snow, 25% of the mountain is marked as beginner terrain, entry-level terrain parks, and activities far beyond the slopes.
Closest airports: Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) - 12 miles (15 minutes) or Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (BIH) - 49 miles (1 hour)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Palisades Tahoe is famous for its legendary expert terrain, but it’s secretly a beginner’s paradise thanks to its layout. Unlike many mountains where beginners are stuck at the base, Palisades has high-alpine bowls for novices at the top of the Aerial Tram. This allows new skiers to experience the breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the High Sierra while practicing on gentle, wide-open slopes.
Highlights: High-altitude beginner terrain, a "Progression Plan" posted at lift exits to help beginners know which trails to tackle next, programs for adult beginners, and two base areas, Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows, connected by a gondola.
Closest airports: Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) – 42 miles (1 hour) or Sacramento International Airport (SMF) – 110 miles (2 hours)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Originally built as a community-run ski hill, Okemo has a welcoming, quaint vibe across the mountain. And while it’s far from the largest resort in North America, it’s an approachable mountain for beginners with a range of green runs and learning areas.
Highlights: Family-owned and operated, 32% of the mountain is skiable for beginners, a dedicated learning zone at the base of the mountain, and plenty of ski-in ski-out accommodations.
Closest airports: Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport (RUT) - 18 miles (25 minutes), Albany International Airport (ALB) - 91 miles (2 hours), Bradley Internation Airport (BDL) - 128 miles (2 hours, 10 minutes), Burlington International Airport (BTV) - 90 miles (2 hours, 10 minutes), or Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) - 95 miles (2 hours, 10 minutes)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Located in the heart of the White Mountains, Loon Mountain Resort is regarded as a great option for beginners in New England, especially after a recent expansion. South Peak was designed with beginners in mind, with wide and winding trails, and newbies will find other beginner-friendly areas across the mountain’s 403 skiable acres.
Highlights: Recent South Peak expansion designed for progression, powerful snowmaking system helps ensure consistent conditions, a Flying 50s program where older adults can build skills, and ski and snowboarding lessons targeted for ages, skills, and progression.
Closest airports: Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) – 90 miles (1 hour, 30 minutes) or Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) – 130 miles (2 hours)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: As Maine’s largest ski area, there’s something for everyone regardless of ability. When it comes to beginners, there are self-contained areas for those starting out so they can avoid high-speed ski traffic while enjoying the big-mountain atmosphere. The mountain is also home to one of the
Highlights: Isolated trails for beginners, Perfect Turn program, one of the most established ski schools in the country, and a compact and easy-to-navigate base village for families and groups.
Closest airports: Augusta State Airport (AUG) – 75 miles (1 hour, 30 minutes) or Portland International Jetport (PWM) – 115 miles (2 hours, 30 minutes)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Deer Valley Ski Resort is the pinnacle of luxury skiing, blending exceptional service with an array of deluxe ski-in ski-out accommodations, and it’s fit for skiers of all levels. About 27% of the resort’s 4,300 skiable acres are rated green, and there are several designated “slow skiing” zones.
Highlights: A skier’s-only mountain with a highly regarded ski school, limited lift tickets sold for a quieter, carefree ski experience, access to award-winning dining and world-class day spas, and proximity to the town of Park City.
Closest airport: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) - 38 miles (45 minutes)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Park City is a top destination for learning to ski and snowboard, featuring 7,300 acres of skiable terrain and over 330 trails. As the largest ski resort in the U.S., it offers gentle slopes perfect for beginners and excellent ski instruction. Its ski school provides a “Green Run Guarantee,” promising a free fourth lesson if you’re not skiing confidently after three lessons. The Canyons side of the resort has beginner-friendly terrain, with Canyons Village offering comfortable accommodations and various amenities for a seamless experience.
Highlights: Spans 7,300 acres with beginner slopes that ride into town, 17% of the mountain is beginner terrain, group lessons limited to five skiers or snowboarders with world-class ski and snowboard instructors, and two village options with both quieter and livelier apres options.
Closest airport: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) - 35 miles (45-minute drive)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Big Sky is massive at 5,850 skiable acres and nearly a quarter of it is suited for those who have never been on skis or a snowboard before. With a world-class school, wide open groomers, and a lack of crowds, beginners leave Big Sky confident and with a newfound skillset.
Highlights: The massive resort means few crowds on beginner slopes, "Mr. K" is often cited as one of the best groomed green runs in the country, consistent snow quality, impressive instructors, and a classic Western town feel.
Closest airport: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) – 51 miles (1 hour)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: As the largest ski resort in North America, Whistler Blackcomb should be on everyone’s bucket list, regardless of whether you’ve been skiing or not. At 8,171 acres, the resort offers a variety of terrain across two mountains, both with areas structured for beginners.
Highlights: Dedicated family and slow zones on both mountains, a gondola that allows beginners to explore both mountains, its mid-mountain beginner hub called the Olympic Station, and a pedestrian-only village for easy après-ski.
Closest airport: Vancouver International Airport (YVR) – 85 miles (2 hours, 30 minutes)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Tignes in the French Alps offers an exceptional skiing experience for both beginners and seasoned skiers. With dedicated, free beginner slopes in villages like Le Lac and Val Claret, it's a great way for newcomers to practice without pressure. The resort, situated at 11,300 feet, ensures excellent snow quality, perfect for well-groomed beginner runs. Tignes also provides free ski passes for children under eight and seniors over 75, making it a budget-friendly choice. It’s also home to breathtaking views, delicious cuisine, and gentle slopes.
Highlights: Access to five villages located at the base of France’s La Grande Motte, high-alpine skiing at one of the highest resorts in the European Alps, free lift services for beginners to explore gentle runs, and free skiing for children under eight years and seniors over 75 years old.
Closest airports: Chambéry Airport (CMF) – 88 miles (2 hours) or Geneva Airport (GVA) – 110 miles (2 hours, 45 minutes)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Set in the dramatic shadow of the Matterhorn, Cervinia is widely considered a beginner-friendly, high-altitude resort. It’s home to a massive network of blue runs where beginners can explore higher elevations of the mountain rather than being restricted to the base.
Highlights: A dedicated "Plan Maison" learning zone at 8,200 feet, stunning views across the entire resort, the option to ski into Switzerland as beginners progress, and a relaxed Italian atmosphere with a rich food scene on and off the mountain.
Closest airports: Turin Airport (TRN) – 75 miles (1 hour, 45 minutes) or Milan Malpensa (MXP) – 110 miles (2 hours, 15 minutes)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Set in the dramatic shadow of the Matterhorn, Cervinia is widely considered a beginner-friendly, high-altitude resort. It’s home to a massive network of blue runs where beginners can explore higher elevations of the mountain rather than being restricted to the base.
Highlights: A dedicated "Plan Maison" learning zone at 8,200 feet, stunning views across the entire resort, the option to ski into Switzerland as beginners progress, and a relaxed Italian atmosphere with a rich food scene on and off the mountain.
Closest airports: Turin Airport (TRN) – 75 miles (1 hour, 45 minutes) or Milan Malpensa (MXP) – 110 miles (2 hours, 15 minutes)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Lech offers an unmatched blend of Austrian tradition and high-end luxury, and with a reputation as being a quieter mountain, it’s a great place to build skills and confidence away from the crowds. After a ski vacation to Lech, it’s easy to see why the resort is known as the birthplace of Alpine skiing.
Highlights: Home to wide-open, tree-free bowls for skiers of all levels, limited lift ticket sales mean uncrowded, stress-free slopes, heated chairlifts, more affordable lift tickets for skiers looking to only explore beginner terrain, and a car-free village with luxury ski-in ski-out accommodations.
Closest airports: Innsbruck Airport (INN) – 75 miles (1 hour, 20 minutes) or Zurich Airport (ZRH) – 120 miles (2 hours, 15 minutes)
Why our Mountain Travel Experts love it: Plenty of Saas-Fee appeals to all types of skiers and snowboarders. It’s one of the country’s best resorts for snow cover, has 10,048 acres of skiable terrain, and it is home to absolutely stunning views. For beginners, it’s a great mountain for learning since it has a separate area where beginners can learn while avoiding crowds of speedy skiers. Once you arrive, you’ll quickly learn why the resort is called the Pearl of the Alps.
Highlights: A large, dedicated beginner park separated from fast terrain, stunning scenery even from the bunny slopes, and a fairy-tale-like, and a car-free village with traditional wooden chalets, fondue restaurants, and cozy après options.
Closest airports: Sion Airport (SIR) – 45 miles (1 hour, 15 minutes) or Geneva Airport (GVA) – 140 miles (2 hours, 45 minutes)
Mountains feature well-marked trails indicating difficulty levels, making it easier to choose paths. As a beginner, stick to green runs. Once you’ve gained some confidence, try hitting a blue.
Weather significantly influences the learning experience on the mountain. Ideal conditions, like a sunny day with freshly groomed slopes, benefit beginners, while challenging weather—such as heavy snowfall or icy patches—can hinder speed control and safety. To ensure a positive experience, it's important to check forecasts, dress in layers, and seek guidance from ski instructors.
On green and blue slopes, the snow is generally more predictable and ideal for beginners, thanks to meticulous grooming. Snowcats compress the snow, eliminate moguls and break down ice patches. This simplifies slope navigation, guarantees improved snow coverage, and enhances safety, making the skiing experience more enjoyable.
Ski resorts are lively during holidays, which can add another challenge to learning. Consider booking your beginner ski vacation during non-peak times, or if you’re heading around a holiday, stick to mid-week learning, when it’s typically less crowded.
Consider taking lessons before hitting the slopes. The ski resorts below offer expert instruction, which is the quickest way to feeling confident on the slopes.
For beginners, having the right gear is essential for a positive mountain experience. Renting gear allows you to learn what fits your body best, while waterproof attire and layers are crucial for staying warm and dry. Additionally, helmets and goggles provide safety and help keep you warm. Your Mountain Travel Expert can help you arrange clothing and gear rentals, making your beginner ski vacation simple and stress-free.
Skiing is not only exhilarating, but also a demanding workout, often surprising beginners with its physical intensity, and higher altitudes pose the risk of altitude sickness. So stay hydrated and fueled both on and off the mountain during your vacation.
Starting on the slopes can be daunting, and it can be nice to balance a ski vacation with other activities like snowshoeing, spa days, and hot springs. Our Mountain Travel Experts can personalize an itinerary that includes off-slope activities, ensuring your first mountain experience is both seamless and delightful.
If you're new to skiing, our Mountain Travel Experts recommend a minimum of three to four days to get a good feel for the sport. This gives you enough time to take lessons, build confidence, and establish a solid foundation before exploring the mountain on your own. You can also consider adding some rest days in your vacation where you can embark on off-mountain activities. Then, when you return for your next vacation, you'll be even more prepared to tackle the slopes.
If you're just starting your skiing journey, the lingo and options can feel overwhelming. You might be researching skis for your first trip and feel bombarded with countless options. As a beginner, an all-mountain ski is a great choice, as it will perform well in a variety of snow conditions. Our Mountain Travel Experts can help you set up ski rentals, and the ski tech at the resort will guide you to the right equipment.
For someone completely new to skiing, it's recommended to take at least three lessons before skiing independently, though progress varies by person. These lessons cover the basics, and with each lesson, beginners build confidence, preparing them to navigate the mountain on their own. Contact our Mountain Travel Experts to help arrange your ski lessons and get you one step closer to mastering the slopes.
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