Traveling to Europe in winter is like visiting a completely different planet compared to summer and spring visits. Winter in Europe is filled with charm and beauty. Imagine sipping your coffee in one of the cafes in St. Moritz in Graubünden, Switzerland, watching through the window as the snow gently falls, covering everything in a blanket of pure white. Or having breakfast in one of the Meribel restaurants in France while the fog envelops the snowy city, and you feel warmth and tranquility inside.
During your winter visit to Europe, you will be exposed to the culture, art, and lifestyle of Europe in this season, experiencing the breathtaking beauty in many details. Certainly, one of the highlights of life during the winter and snowfall is engaging in the enjoyable sport of skiing. Many European mountain cities offer excellent facilities for this sport. However, what we will mention in this article are the prominent ski destinations suitable for beginners, considering that most visitors from the Middle East or the Arab region may not have prior experience in this field. It is therefore important for them to be in places suitable for beginners to progress in skiing without exposing themselves to any risks.
So, what are the prominent sites suitable for beginners? Let’s list them first before discussing each one in some detail:
- St. Moritz, Switzerland
- Tignes, France
- Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
- Saas Fee, Switzerland
- Myrkdalen, Norway
- Lech, Austria
- Borovets, Bulgaria
- Sestriere, Italy
1- St. Moritz, Switzerland
The city of St. Moritz in the Swiss canton of Graubünden is a hub for winter tourism and various snow sports, boasting a rich history in winter sports that spans over a century and a half. St. Moritz offers approximately 87 slopes and trails suitable for skiing and snow sports, making it one of the largest winter sports areas in the European Alps. The city provides numerous resorts and hotels for accommodation, ensuring an enjoyable skiing experience. Some of these resorts feature private lifts for beginners and slopes suitable for gradual skill development. Exploring St. Moritz’s long walks and snow-covered roads on both sides is a tranquil experience, with panoramic views of the Alps creating a picturesque landscape.
2- Tignes, France
Located in the high altitudes of the French Alps, Tignes is a collection of villages equipped to welcome tourists seeking winter weather and activities. The region boasts a network of lifts that facilitate skiing, especially for beginners. Tignes also includes a variety of restaurants, shops, and parks. With elevations surpassing 3400 meters above sea level, the area receives abundant snowfall, providing ideal conditions for skiing over an extended period of time. Tignes offers designated areas for families and beginners, featuring gentle slopes and appropriate lifts, making it a suitable choice for those new to the sport.
3- Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
Considered a fantastic destination for skiing, especially for beginners and those with limited experience, Cortina d’Ampezzo features an extensive network of suitable slopes. The area also hosts skiing schools and a wide range of activities related to the sport. The gentle downhill slopes are perfect for beginners, equipped with dedicated lifts. Notably, Cortina d’Ampezzo will be among the venues hosting the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in 2026, signaling ongoing and future improvements for this exciting winter celebration.
4- Saas Fee, Switzerland
Saas Fee, a Swiss resort, stands out as one of the most beautiful skiing resorts in Switzerland, if not the best. With breathtaking scenery and an excellent skiing school, Saas Fee is ideal for beginners in this sport. The resort reaches elevations of around 4000 meters and offers a selection of prestigious and beautiful hotels, along with walking and hiking trails covering approximately 100 km. With 22 lifts, most of which are perfect for beginners, Saas Fee provides a memorable skiing experience.
5- Myrkdalen, Norway
Opened in 2003, Myrkdalen Ski Resort, though small, has become a sought-after destination for tourists and locals alike due to its excellent facilities. Myrkdalen offers multiple slopes suitable for beginners and intermediates, ensuring a prolonged skiing season with consistent snowfall. Surrounding the resort are numerous restaurants and shops, allowing visitors to easily access skiing equipment from nearby stores. This resort is an ideal choice for families, featuring dedicated activity areas for children.
6- Lech, Austria
In the Lech region of Austria, you can receive skiing lessons before engaging in this exciting sport. The area hosts one of the most important skiing resorts suitable for beginners, with schools and instructors available for learning. The snow-covered slopes in this region are stunning and captivating, making it one of the most picturesque winter destinations in Europe.
7- Borovets, Bulgaria
Considered one of the most famous skiing resorts in Bulgaria, Borovets is also one of the oldest. It provides a suitable option for skiing beginners compared to other skiing areas in Bulgaria. Easily accessible, located only 70 km from the Bulgarian capital, Borovets offers mountain elevations reaching up to 2500 meters. The lower altitudes are ideal for beginner skiers.
8- Sestriere, Italy
In just an hour and a half from Turin Airport, you can reach the Sestriere Ski Resort in Italy. The resort is entirely covered in snow due to its significant elevation on the steep slopes of a mountain. Sestriere is also suitable for beginners, offering easy slopes leading to ideal skiing spots. The surrounding area includes numerous restaurants and shops where you can obtain skiing equipment from specialized stores.