Beginners

Everyone has to start somewhere and Vallorcine has its very own beginners area - La Poya. Situated away from any other pistes, behind the Hotel de Buet, La Poya is the perfect area to get going. It is run by Vallorcine people with dedicated ESF instructors for children and adults, individuals and groups. An area for infants, a snack bar and picnic area. Learning on gentle green and blue runs ensures that you have fun from the moment you first put on your skis. Other beginners ski areas to try out are:

Les Planards

Located right in Chamonix town, the Les Planards area offers green, blue and red runs, which makes it an ideal area for groups of mixed ability learners who are progressing fast. With two drag lifts and also a chair lift it's a good place for beginner snowboarders learning to carve their first turns and a great restaurant with sun terrace for when you need a well earned break.

For more information on Les Planards please see the ski areas page.

Savoy Meadows

Another of Chamonix towns nursery slopes, Savoy Meadows sits at the foot of the vast Brévent/Flégère ski area and offers two drag lifts and a magic carpet. This is a great area for complete beginners and is good for mixed ability groups who can head up the Plan Praz gondola to Brévent. There is the option of a good snack bar at the nursery slopes, head up to Brévent for a meal on the mountain, or simply walk into town!

For more information on Savoy Meadows please see the ski areas page.

Les Chosalets

Les Chosalets is situated at the lower end of Argentière and is just up from the turning of the Grands Montets ski area car park. With two nursery slopes and two drag lifts, this north facing area usually has good snow and is great for beginners who may later head up the Grand Montets! This is also the location of a snow playground for younger kids and has a small snack bar and easy access to restaurants at the base of the Grand Montets.

For more information on Les Chosalets please see the ski areas page.

La Vormaine

La Vormaine lies at the base of the Le Tour ski area and is a great area for beginners. A sunny spot with three drag lifts over a large, very lovely, open area and with some of the best views in the valley. This is a great area for mixed ability groups and for easy progression up to Le Tour for some great blue runs for improving beginners. La Vormaine offers access to a great snack bar or the opportunity to head up to Le Tour for lunch.

For more information on La Vormaine please see the ski areas page.

Le Tourchet

Les Houches is a great place for beginners with great options to progress on its wide gentle slopes, but there is also a dedicated nursery area at Les Tourchet which is located in the centre of the Les Houches village next to the outdoor ice skating rink. This area has two drag lifts, is also an ideal sledging area for kids and for the Christmas and February holidays offers free nocturnal skiing every Thursday with a torchlight descent by the ESF ski school at 6.00pm followed by hot drinks and snacks.

For more information on Le Tourchet please see the ski areas page.