Whether you’re making your way to the mountains for the first time or just fancy stripping it back to basics, we’ve scoured the slopes in search of the top, novice-friendly runs. Each piste is colour-coded according to difficulty, and greens or blues are best if you want to practice your technique and build your confidence. Ready to ski what all the fuss is about? Let’s go…

Les Cascades, Flaine, France

Fly to: Geneva

Say hello to the longest blue in France (we’re talking 14km), Les Cascades. You can ride this run all the way from Flaine down to the village of Sixt. ‘Cascades’ means ‘waterfalls’ in French, so look out for these frozen marvels as you work on your turns. Once you’ve made it to the bottom, reward yourself with a piping hot chocolat chaud.

Blue 5, Cervinia, Italy

Fly to: Turin

With its wide runs and snow-sure conditions, Cervinia ticks all the right boxes for beginners. Start your morning on the mellow side with a trip down Blue 5 back into town. The Matterhorn views on the ski lift are the cherry on top! Another loop, anyone?

Le Tunnel, La Plagne, France

Fly to: Chambery

The fact that you can cross the entire ski area on blues puts La Plagne in pole position for laidback getaways. For a unique experience, opt for Le Tunnel, which will guide you through the mountain as well as down it. Disco lights and music add to the adventure, and when you pop out the other side, you can carry on along the Arpette to Plagne Bellecôte.

Blanchot-Tetras, Val Thorens, France

Fly to: Chambery

Europe’s highest resort is on to a winner with its EasyRider four-hour and one-day beginner ski passes. For a discounted price, you’ll get access to four ski lifts and numerous green and blue slopes – ideal if you’re just starting out! When you’re ready for more of a challenge, Blanchot and Tetras are two long and leisurely runs that cross over each other under the Boismint chairlift.

Blue 2, Zell am See, Austria

Fly to: Salzburg

Spacious slopes? Fantastic ski schools? An array of après activities? Zell am See’s the perfect playground for beginners. Day one calls for a steady start, so make your way to the nursery area at the bottom of the AreitXpress gondola. Looking to put those new skills to the test? Venture to the top of the Hirschkogel-Express and whizz down Blue 2.

Corniche, Tignes, France

Fly to: Chambery

The Tignes-Val d’Isère ski area boasts 300km of winter real estate, which means there’s no shortage of places to practice. Each of the villages in Tignes has its own nursery slope but head up the Aiguille Percée chairlift for pinch-me panoramas. From here, you’ll have 5km of cruisy blues to explore, starting with the must-do Corniche.