The Best Mixed Ability Ski & Snowboard Resorts
When in a big group there is nothing worse than when beginners are forced onto difficult slopes as there are a lack of easy pistes for them to progress on to.
Likewise it’s not much fun for advanced skiers to be held back as the resort has little or no expert terrain for them to try. When travelling with a group that contains skiers of mixed ability the choice of resort is vital and simply should not be overlooked. Very few resorts, (especially the small ones) cater well for all abilities, however you can be sure that the resorts we have highlighted below have something for everyone.
Top 5 Mixed Ability Ski & Snowboard Resorts
Alpe d'Huez
Alpe d’Huez is a big league resort rivalling the best the Alps has to offer,...
Alpe d'Huez Info
Flaine
Flaine is one of France’s premier resorts because of its excellent skiing facilities rather than...
Flaine Info
Tignes
High, snow sure, and forming the Espace Killy ski region (300 kms of slopes) with...
Tignes Info
Courchevel
Courchevel is one of the most glamorous alpine skiing resorts with stunning hotels, restaurants and...
Courchevel Info
Selva Val Gardena
Part of the huge world famous Sella Ronda circuit (offering 1200 kms of slopes) and...
Selva Val Gardena Info
Alpe d'Huez
(Resort height - 1860m - 3330m)
Alpe d’Huez in France is a great ski and snowboard resort for a mixed ability group. It offers a bit of everything from challenging off piste, fantastic black runs, and a range of superb cruisey blue and red runs. The beginners area is about as good as it gets too.
Great for...
Beginners| ★★★★★ | Beginner |
| ★★★★★ | Intermediate |
| ★★★★ | Advanced |
| ★★★★ | Off-Piste |
Extensive area| ★★★★★ | Snowboarding |
| ★★★★ | Snow Reliability |
| ★★★★ | Apres-Ski |
| ★★★★ | Extent |
Intermediates| ★★★★ | Mountain Restaurants |
| ★★★ | Scenery |
| ★★ | Village Charm |
| ★★★★ | Non-Skiers |
WHY IT’S GREAT FOR MIXED ABILITY
There’s a fantastic nursery area and range of green runs directly above the village ideal for beginners and first timers. Tuition is readily available at the local ESF of the British aimed schools of British Masterclass and Stance. All offer group and private lessons.
Intermediates have a vast expanse of terrain to cover. The Signal sector is particularly good especially if you are trying to find your feet, Signal de L’Homme has more challenging red runs and L’Apette has some wonderful runs too.
Experts will want to head over to Clocher de Macle for the steep black runs, also worth a visit is Pic Blanc with several huge black runs including the Sarenne run which is the longest run in the Alps. Off piste is also on offer but do make sure you take a guide.
Flaine
(Resort height - 700 - 2561m)
Flaine in France is one of France’s premier resorts due to its excellent skiing and boarding facilities. It is ideal for a group of mixed abilities as it has something to offer everyone. You can also access the nearby resorts of Morillon, Les Carroz and Samoens making this an even larger area to explore.
Great for...
Snow sure| ★★★★★ | Beginner |
| ★★★★★ | Intermediate |
| ★★★★ | Advanced |
| ★★ | Off-Piste |
Beginners| ★★★★ | Snowboarding |
| ★★★★ | Snow Reliability |
| ★★ | Apres-Ski |
| ★★★ | Extent |
Intermediates| ★★ | Mountain Restaurants |
| ★★★ | Scenery |
| ★★ | Village Charm |
| ★★ | Non-Skiers |
WHY IT’S GREAT FOR MIXED ABILITY
For beginners the nursery slopes are accessible and located close to the village, there are also green and blue runs nearby to progress on to. The local French ski and snowboard schools of the ESF and ESI offer both private and group tuition to get you started.
Intermediates will enjoy the bowl at the top of the Grandes Plattieres gondola, also the runs down to the village from the Desert Blanc chairlift and the 14km blue run, Les Cascades, which takes you down in to a small village called Sixt.
More challenging terrain can be found if you take the red Mephisto Superieure run, there are a large number of more demanding runs in this area that will take you all the way back down to the village. Don’t forget there are also the nearby slopes of Samoens, Morillon, and Les Carroz to explore.
Tignes
(Resort height - 1550m - 3550m)
Tignes in France is a favourite amongst British skiers and snowboarders and has a variety of slopes suited to all abilities. Made up of several smaller satellite villages, Tignes is high and snow sure, it is also connected to Val d’Isere forming the Espace Killy ski region which opens up 300 kms of slopes.
Great for...
Snow sure| ★★★ | Beginner |
| ★★★★★ | Intermediate |
| ★★★★★ | Advanced |
| ★★★★★ | Off-Piste |
Extensive area| ★★★★★ | Snowboarding |
| ★★★★★ | Snow Reliability |
| ★★★ | Apres-Ski |
| ★★★★★ | Extent |
Intermediates| ★★★ | Mountain Restaurants |
| ★★★ | Scenery |
| ★★ | Village Charm |
| ★★★ | Non-Skiers |
WHY IT’S GREAT FOR MIXED ABILITY
Beginners are well catered for in Tignes. Both Val Claret and Tignes le Lac have great nursery slopes. Those looking to progress or fresh off the nursery slopes should definitely head for the ski tranquille area on the Col du Palet sector where speed is restricted. Tuition is offered through the local ESF, but also through New Generation and Evolution 2.
Intermediates have a range of slopes to explore. In particular the Grand Motte glacier area – this needs to be visited with its range of wonderful red runs and long cruisey runs back to Val Claret. The link to Val d’Isere also opens up even more terrain ideal for the intermediate skier or boarder.
Experts can play in the snowpark or visit the Grand Motte glacier for its black runs. From Tignes le Lac you can access the Aiguille Percee sector and try out the long black runs Silene and Sache which lead down to the villages of Tignes les Boisses and Tignes les Brevieres. There are more challenging runs too on the Val d’Isere side for those who are looking for more of an adventure.
Courchevel
(Resort height - 1224m - 3248m)
Courchevel in France caters for all abilities and is a glamourous resort offering stunning hotels and swanky shops. It is also part of the Three Valleys network so has access to 600 kms of slopes, keeping the mile hungry skiers and boarders happy.
Great for...
Extensive area| ★★★★ | Beginner |
| ★★★★★ | Intermediate |
| ★★★★ | Advanced |
| ★★★★ | Off-Piste |
Intermediates| ★★★★ | Snowboarding |
| ★★★★ | Snow Reliability |
| ★★★ | Apres-Ski |
| ★★★★★ | Extent |
Scenic| ★★★ | Mountain Restaurants |
| ★★★★ | Scenery |
| ★★★ | Village Charm |
| ★★★★ | Non-Skiers |
WHY IT’S GREAT FOR MIXED ABILITY
Courchevel is made up of four smaller resorts and there are beginner areas situated at Courchevel 1300, 1650 and 1850. There are also plenty of confidence building blue runs available throughout the entire area to progress on to. Tuition is readily available through the ESF but also New Generation and Supremer Ski and Boarding School.
Intermediates are catered for throughout but 1300, 1650 and 1850 are better suited. A wooded area with runs through trees is well worth a visit at Courchevel 1300 and you can also access the neighbouring resort of La Tania and of course the link to Meribel. Courchevel 1650 and 85 are also ideal for intermediates to explore.
More challenging options for experts can be found at Courchevel 1850. In particular by taking the Saulire cable car or Vizelle gondola, you can find some steep, tough black runs that experts will relish. At the top of Saulire is another link to the rest of the Three Valleys.
Selva Val Gardena
(Resort height - 934m - 3342m)
Selva Val Gardena in Italy is part of the huge Sella Ronda circuit allowing access to a vast 1200 kms of slopes. Selva is set amongst breathtaking scenery in the Dolomites and is ideal for parties with mixed ability skiers or boarders.
Great for...
Extensive area| ★★★★ | Beginner |
| ★★★★★ | Intermediate |
| ★★★★ | Advanced |
| ★★★ | Off-Piste |
Intermediates| ★★★ | Snowboarding |
| ★★★★ | Snow Reliability |
| ★★★ | Apres-Ski |
| ★★★★★ | Extent |
Scenic| ★★★ | Mountain Restaurants |
| ★★★★ | Scenery |
| ★★★ | Village Charm |
| ★★★ | Non-Skiers |
WHY IT’S GREAT FOR MIXED ABILITY
Beginners will enjoy the excellent nursery slopes at the bottom of the Dantercepies area. There is also the Plan de Gralba area with blue runs perfect for those fresh from the nursery slopes. Tuition can be found via The Ski School of Selva, Ski and Snowboard School 2000 or Top Ski School.
Intermediates will love the Dantercepies area with its long red runs and access to the clockwise direction of the Sella Ronda. The Ciampinoi area is also great to explore with a mixture of varied red runs, it also accesses St Cristina and Ortisei.
More advanced skiers and boarders will again enjoy the Dantercepies and Ciampinoi areas with their challenging black runs. The Sello Ronda can also be explored in an anti-clockwise direction from Plan de Gralba.
Mixed Ability Ski & Snowboard Resorts
Alpe d’Huez
Alpe d’Huez is a big league resort rivalling the best the Alps has to offer,...
Alpe d’Huez Info
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Set amongst some of the most stunning scenery you will ever see, Cortina d’Ampezzo has...
Cortina d’Ampezzo Info
Courchevel
Courchevel is one of the most glamorous alpine skiing resorts with stunning hotels, restaurants and...
Courchevel Info
Davos
Davos’ slopes (which it shares with Klosters) not only provide extensive skiing but also a...
Davos Info
Flaine
Flaine is one of France’s premier resorts because of its excellent skiing facilities rather than...
Flaine Info
Grindelwald
With beautiful scenery, 3 decent sized ski areas, (2 of which are shared with Wengen)...
Grindelwald Info
Kitzbuhel
Think of Kitzbuhel and the one thing that often comes to mind is the annual...
Kitzbuhel Info
Klosters
Klosters shares its slopes with Davos and provides a huge and expansive ski area to...
Klosters Info
La Thuile
La Thuile is a small village with a decent sized skiing area with the added...
La Thuile Info
Les Arcs
One of the most popular alpine resorts, Les Arcs scores highly in all areas and...
Les Arcs Info
Les Deux Alpes
Les Deux Alpes is one of France’s best and most well known resorts. It has...
Les Deux Alpes Info
Livigno
Set in an isolated bleak valley Livigno may not be everyone’s first choice on their...
Livigno Info
Madonna di Campiglio
With reasonably snow sure slopes, some lovely long intermediate terrain, and new lifts linking the...
Madonna di Campiglio Info
Mayrhofen
Mayrhofen is a popular favourite with the British mainly due to its reasonable accommodation prices...
Mayrhofen Info
Morzine
Morzine is a picturesque village that shares its slopes with Les Gets and is linked...
Morzine Info
Saalbach Hinterglemm
Saalbach-Hinterglemm is a ski area in a valley that is comprised of 2 villages (Saalbach...
Saalbach Hinterglemm Info
Saas Fee
With spectacular scenery, a charming traffic free village, snow sure skiing, an impressive vertical, and...
Saas Fee Info
Schladming
Set over 4 mountains, Schladming is one of Austria’s most well known resorts which has...
Schladming Info
Selva Val Gardena
Part of the huge world famous Sella Ronda circuit (offering 1200 kms of slopes) and...
Selva Val Gardena Info
Serre Chevalier
Serre Chevalier’s slopes are located above villages from which the 4 main areas can be...
Serre Chevalier Info
Sestriere
Part of the huge Milky Way circuit (offering 400 kms of slopes), Sestriere is a...
Sestriere Info
Solden
Solden with its 2 glaciers, close proximity to Obergurgl, guaranteed snow from November and jolly...
Solden Info
Tignes
High, snow sure, and forming the Espace Killy ski region (300 kms of slopes) with...
Tignes Info
Val d’Isere
Great skiing, great snow, great atmosphere and great nightlife – what more could you want...
Val d’Isere Info
Val Thorens
Val Thorens is a major league resort and part of the famous linked Three Valleys...
Val Thorens Info
Wengen
Set in the Junfrau region of Switzerland, Wengen is situated in an absolutely wonderful area...
Wengen Info
Other Skiing Resorts by Ability
Best Beginner Resorts
Whether you have never been on a set of skis before or you are just progressing from the nursery slopes the last thing a beginner wants is to be dumped onto a slope that is too difficult for them. Not...
Best Intermediate Resorts
Not all intermediate skiers are the same – fact! Some intermediates are just off the beginner slopes and understandably nervous or timid of any blue runs. Other intermediates may be totally confident on all blue and red runs and have...
Best Advanced Resorts
There are some very tidy skiers out there who quite rightly and understandably want to be challenged by the best the mountain has to offer. For some, off piste is the only way forward and they delight in getting off...