Snowy capped mountains, glistening glaciers, shimmering Alpine lakes, and sumptuous chalet villages all beckon visitors to explore Europe's most stunning ski slopes and dreamy wintery wonderlands. Home to some of the world's best ski destinations (and some epic cuisine too), this diverse and vast continent is consistently rated highly by even the most discerning skiers. But what about beginners new to this incredible supersport? Where exactly are the best resorts for newbies to put their skis on for the very first time and learn the basics, whilst marveling at stupefying mountain vistas and mind-boggling Alpine backdrops?

8 Les Deux Alpes, France

Les Deux Alpes isn't just marvelous for fresh-faced skiers, it's also a top contender for families and those who love a colorful dose of nightlife. The resort is renowned for being super family-friendly and boasts a great social and party scene to enjoy a drink in hand with a full belly of hot food after an exuberant day on the slopes. As for learner skiers, what makes this resort stand out is its multiple levels that newbies can gradually ski through as they slowly (or quickly) gain skills and confidence at their own pace.

Here, visitors have numerous beginner slopes along the Snow front, which is near the town center right at the end of the pistes. There's also the Les Crêtes zone up the mountain, which is ideal for those who've mustered up some confidence and want to tackle the longer runs. And, last but not least, learners who feel like they're ready to graduate to the next level will enjoy the runs on the glacier - though this may require approval from the instructor!

7 Alpe d'Huez, France

Alpe d’Huez has been voted Europe's best ski resort, and aside from its unbelievable facilities and stunning snowy surroundings, it is outstanding for learners thanks to its beginner ski areas and slopes that are perfect for those donning their skis for the first time. Les Bergers and DMC area offer two large beginner's zones, with the latter having slopes lower down making them easily accessible from the center of the resort. Beginners will love the newbie areas' brilliant green runs, which allow them to gain confidence and practice as slowly or as quickly as they like before moving onto the more advanced ski areas.

Related: This Is The Best Town In France To Rent A Ski Chalet

6 Meribel, France

Meribel in The Three Valleys - the world's largest ski area - offers superb facilities and skiing opportunities for newbies to the sport with two dedicated beginner ski areas, along with eight green and 25 blue runs. The resort's slopes are notably wide too, which allows beginners plenty of space to practice zooming up and down and to master the art of turning without having to worry about bumping into other skiers.

Popular areas used by ski instructors and their students here are Altiport and the nursery slopes at Rond Point, where there are nice and easy green runs that lead back to the center of the resort. All in all, first-time skiers highly rate this resort for its large spaces for newbies, its well-planned layout that makes getting around convenient and hassle-free, and its professional ski instructors.

5 La Rosiere, France

Located in the Espace San Bernardo ski area, La Rosiere is another breathtaking French ski resort that is booming with beginners and families and boasts a warm, friendly, and relaxing atmosphere that's perfect for learners. Guests also have incredible slope-side accommodation offering not just quick and easy in and out ski access, but also jaw-dropping winter wonderland views.

La Rosiere's easy, gentle slopes ideal for learners are between the resort itself and the neighboring resort La Thuile, and in the main village and hamlet of Les Eucherts where there are multiple green slopes suitable for beginners to explore. For those that want to graduate from beginner to intermediate level, there's also the San Bernardo ski area to try, which lies right between La Rosiere and La Thuille.

4 Obergurgl, Austria

Obergurgl's above-the-treeline terrain and sweeping wide, flat slopes are ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers seeking to try the sport for the first time or to gain confidence and improve their skills further. As skiers muster up the confidence and feel ready to move on, the ski school's routes head further up the mountain above the resort for even better skiing (and views too!)

And because the resort's runs are higher than 2,000 meters, high-quality snow is almost guaranteed for longer than usual, which is exactly the kind of snow that beginners will find easier to learn on. Overall, the resort's two beginner areas are all newbies need, with one located in the village center near Rosska chairlift, and the other at the bottom of the village near the Festkogel chairlift. For learners that feel they've mastered their techniques and are ready for the next step up, nearby Hochgurgl also provides a number of great blue runs to explore.

3 Alpbach, Austria

Situated in the Ski Juwel domain, the ultra-beautiful resort of Alpbach is a favorite for both beginners and families - especially those who want to learn together as a family. Most of the resort's runs are for beginners and intermediate skiers, with Alpbach village home to the most that are great for complete newbies just starting out on the slopes.

What also makes this resort so superb for learners (and skiers in general) is the fact that it joins with others in the Kitzbühel Alps (Alpbachtal and Wildschönauto) to create an enormous ski area to explore and enjoy, so there's no chance of growing bored of the same runs over and over for there's so much variety on offer here.

Related: Family Friendly Skiing: These Winter Resorts Are Perfect For Anyone Traveling With Kids

2 Livigno, Italy

At Livigno, beginners will love the large and wide nursery slopes that are easily accessed from the village center. The beginner's areas here are near the 18 Doss and 17 San Rocco lifts, which provide convenient access for those wanting to get the hang of skiing for the first time. For more learner-friendly runs, the whole of Costaccia is equally as awesome to don skis and gain some confidence before progressing up the mountain.

But it's not just generously-sized beginner-friendly zones that make Livigno stand out, for, at this dreamy Italian winter paradise, skiers can soak up mind-blowing panoramas of the region's sensational snowy capped mountains whilst slipping and sliding down the wide, open, and scenic slopes.

1 Arinsal, Andorra

Arinsal is situated in the Vallnord ski area, which is a fantastic beginner's zone with excellent, highly-reputed ski schools that provide plenty of beginner's courses taught by experienced instructors. The resort itself is also highly-rated thanks to its outstanding good value for money - it's very affordable despite offering world-class skiing for all levels.

Here, learners have some great beginner slopes at La Caubella and Comellemple that are wide and often fairly quiet, which means newbies have more time and room to practice and may have sizeable portions of the slopes to themselves. As skill and confidence grow, beginners can venture onto Pal in the same Vallnord ski area, which is easily accessed by gondola. Combine all this excellence with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and great family-friendly facilities and accommodation, and it's no surprise Arinsal attracts skiing guests and families time and time again.

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