If you’re a beginner looking for the best places for snowboarding in the French Alps, then look no further! We asked our team to round up their favourite resorts to learn the sport. These are their top picks…
- Morzine/Avoriaz
- Le Grand-Bornand
- Méribel
- Tignes
It’s important to consider several points when choosing which resort is right for your snowboarding holiday. Some offer more options for beginners than others.
Examples of what you might consider are the types of lifts, ease of slopes, and access to private tuition to help you learn faster!
Curious to try out snowboarding over your next holidays? Read on to find out more!
Best Snowboarding Destinations for Beginners in the French Alps
Morzine/Avoriaz
If you plan on staying in Morzine or Avoriaz over winter, then get ready for plenty of fun in the snow! The area is filled with a good number of easier slopes for beginners; but if you’re up for more challenging runs, you will still find a good selection depending on your group’s abilities.
What’s more, is that Avoriaz is sponsored by Burton – arguably the most famous snowboarding brand of all time!
Resort Specifications
- Morzine pistes: 5 green, 23 blue, 27 red, 9 black
- Avoriaz pistes: 4 green, 25 blue, 14 red, 6 black
- Snowboarding schools: great selection in both resorts, including Burton, Mint, Gypsy, Real Snowboarding and Onyx
Book accommodation in Morzine
Le Grand-Bornand
If you’re learning to snowboard, you might want to avoid crowded pistes, as stopping and starting can make things challenging! Le Grand-Bornand is, therefore, a great destination to learn, as its slopes are generally not too busy.
With smooth pistes that link up with each other over 84 km in total, this resort is a great place for both skiing and boarding. Especially if you’re a beginner and want to avoid button lifts, which are a lot more difficult to use when snowboarding!
Resort Specifications
- 16 green pistes
- 13 blue pistes
- 14 red pistes
- 3 black pistes
With a good balance of easy and more challenging slopes, Le Grand Bornand’s pistes are perfect for families of fairly experienced skiers, who may want to try out snowboarding for a day or two. Head over there to get the best of both worlds!
Book a self-catered property in Le Grand Bornand
Méribel
With its long, wide pistes and tree runs, Méribel is one of the best places for beginners to try out snowboarding in the French Alps.
The resort has more bubble lifts and chair lifts as opposed to buttons, so this is ideal for boarders. Also, the tree runs mean that the snow keeps better and there is less ice, making the pistes easier (especially for beginners!) and there’s less risk of injury.
Discover properties in Méribel
Tignes
Last but not least is Tignes! With the highest altitude out of all of these resorts, snow coverage tends to be pretty good. This, added to the relaxed atmosphere in general, makes it the perfect place for beginners to learn snowboarding!
If you’re looking for independent tuition to help you learn, be sure to check out Tignes’ best private ski lessons and instructors here.
For more help and inspiration for your next winter retreat, be sure to check out our beginner’s guide to skiing holidays as well as our other snowboarding blogs:
- Skiing vs Snowboarding: which is easier to learn?
- What Size Snowboard Do I Need? The Ultimate Sizing Guide
If you’re yet to book your winter holiday in the French Alps, visit our website to find the right accommodation for you…
