Skiing Holidays for Beginners | Single Ski Holidays for First-Timers
Skiers learning to ski on one of our Skiing Holidays for Beginners. Skiers learning to ski on one of our Skiing Holidays for Beginners.

Skiing Holidays for Beginners

Learn to ski and snowboard on our beginners ski holidays.

Learn to ski this winter on our beginners ski holiday

If you're a first-time skier travelling alone or in a small group, you have come to the right place. Welcome to The Ski Gathering — beginners ski holidays. Specifically designed for people people who want to learn to ski or snowboard. Our beginners ski and snowboard holidays are the best way to ease into the world of skiing.

Everyone is welcome on our skiing holidays for beginners, you don't have to be a beginner. But we're encouraging first- and second-timers to come this week and meet other inexperienced skiers and boarders. As a beginner, it can be great to learn and ski/snowboard with others of your own ability. You're all in the same boat, enjoying the same experiences and you can learn from each other.

First Time Skiing? Let us take care of everything!

We have decades of combined experience providing first-rate ski holidays for beginners. So we understand that a first ski trip can seem a little daunting, Well fear not! We're here to help. From lessons to ski hire, transfers to clothing advice we will take care of it all! At The Ski Gathering, you won't be on your own — you'll be sharing with other guests who are in the same boat as you.

Dates & Prices 2020-2021

The Ski Gathering prices for the 2020-2021 winter season will be online this summer. There will be a pre-release of dates for newsletter subscribers, you can subscribe here.

Which Level Am I?

Level 1 - Beginners

If you have never skied, or you’ve skied once but are not yet able to do a snowplough on a gentle nursery slope, this is the group for you. Basically this is for absolute beginners. No experience necessary.

Level 2 - Improvers

This group is best for you if you have skied at least once before and know the basics. You can make changes in direction and control your speed to a stop using a snowplough on gentle slopes. You’ve started linking snowplough turns and have tried skiing on gentle blue runs.

Learn Quicker With A Shared Experience

Share with other beginners

The perfect ski holidays for beginners. Meet other first-timers and share the experience together. You can have private one-to-one ski lessons, or join group lessons and share the banter with the other beginners. After your lessons, join the others for a debriefing over lunch, or take time out for yourself.

Get tips and advice

We'll be here to answer your questions and organise everything for you — your ski lessons, ski hire, lift pass for the ski lifts etc. Any questions? We're really friendly, just let us know. Also, don't forget: the rest of the group were beginners once, too. They will have loads of tips and advice on how to conquer the mountain.

Who are our beginners and improvers ski holidays for?

Beginner Skiers

Advanced Skiers

First-time Solos

Mixed-ability 2s & 3s

Adults Only

Friendly, sociable people :)

Confused? We're here to Help

We know just about everything there is to know about ski holidays for beginners. Here are just a few things we can help you with...

Ski Lessons

Ski lessons are a must on your first ski holiday. We'll chat to you and find out what sort of lessons will work best for you, then get everything booked for you. On your first morning, we'll show you where to meet your instructor.

Ski Hire

We'll explain what equipment you will need to hire, then arrange for delivery and fitting on your first morning at the chalet. For skiers, it's usually skis, poles and ski boots. For boarders it's a snowboard and boots only. Helmets are recommended for all and they can be hired, too.

Airport Transfers

For France, the main airport is Geneva — about an hour from Les Gets and Morzine. Let us know which flights you have booked and we will arrange an airport transfer to suit.

Ski Lift Pass

A lift pass gives you access to the chair lifts and cable cars which get you onto the mountain. We can advise on which lift pass will best suit your needs and arrange for it to be delivered to the chalet when you arrive. One less thing to think about.

Packing List

Packing for a ski holiday can seem like a bit of a logistical operation. Use our handy packing list to make sure you don't forget anything. Don't forget your lip balm!

Anything Else...

All sound a bit confusing? We're here to help! Just get in touch any time and we will do our best to answer all your queries. When it comes to ski holidays for beginners, there are no stupid questions, so just fire away :)

How can we help?

A typical day with The Ski Gathering

Morning

As is the norm with any shared chalet holiday, all guests enjoy breakfast around the same time. Usually, this is in time for the keenest group members to reach the first ski lifts when they open around 9 a.m. When you're ready, we'll show you the way to your morning ski lessons. Very exciting...

On the Slopes

In lessons, you'll be starting off gently on the nursery slopes. Ski pistes are graded by difficulty and you will be building gradually up to blue runs. Reds can wait until next year. You can share lessons with a group of other beginners, or get private one-to-one tuition. Whatever works best for you.

Evening & Dinner

Join the others for aprés ski drinks in the resort centre, or head back to the chalet to get the first slice of the afternoon cake. We'll all have dinner together (six nights). Check in with the rest of the group for extra tips after your first day's lessons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a dating holiday?

No. The Ski Gathering does not offer "dating ski holidays" or "ski holidays for singles", as such. Instead, we tend to think of our ski trips as shared chalet holidays for individual skiers and sociable solo travellers.

Who goes on our beginners holidays?

You will be sharing the chalet with other independent travellers just like you. Some will be beginners, others more experienced. There may also be some groups of two or three skiers who are of mixed abilities and so would like the chance to ski separately but with other people.

Do we have to 'join in'?

No. There are no formal or pre-arranged group activities. Nobody telling you how to have fun. It's totally casual. Meet other friendly people and do whatever makes a ski holiday awesome for you.

Which resorts can I choose from?

We currently offer ski holidays in Meribel, Morzine, Les Gets, Chamonix Les Houches and Zell Am See. All these resorts deserves to be near the top of any skier's bucket list, offering genuinely world-class skiing on- and off-piste. Read more...

Is there a single supplement?

No. Single skiers and snowboarders share a room so there is no single supplement to pay. A simple solution to an age-old problem. Read more...

Will I be sharing a bedroom?

In most cases, yes. That's how all of our guests can avoid the single supplement. There are some single bedrooms in certain chalets. Otherwise, you can opt to share a twin, triple, quad or five-bed room, depending on the chalet and its availability. See all chalets...

Are transfers included?

Airport transfers are typically not included in our chalet prices though this does vary from resort to resort, we are very happy to arrange your transfers for you.

When should I arrive?

The best time to arrive (when possible) is some time in the mid afternoon of the first day. If however you need to arrive in resort at another time we will do our best to accommodate you. The reason we recommend mid afternoon on the first day is because it give you an excellent chance to meet the other guests

Will there be children in my chalet?

Typically no, unless specified there are no children on our holidays. Our adult only ski holidays are run in Meribel, Morzine, Les Gets, Chamonix Les Houches and Zell Am See. Currently the only holidays that may have children on them are our "Just Ski" holidays and our single parents holidays.

What's included or not included?

The prices shown are per person, except where it is explicitly stated otherwise. Due ot the variety of holiday types we run individual dates may have slight variations in what's included. To find exactly what's included in your holiday please see the what's included section of your preferred date in the prices table. Please note: flights are not included in any of our holidays.

A comprehensive concierge service is included in the cost of your holiday so please do let us know what you need and we will take care of it for you. We do not charge for this service.

Please note: On our beginners holidays in Les Gets it is mandatory to purchase the "Beginners Package" which includes a special discounted beginners lift pass and group ski or snowboard lessons with ESF Ski School. This is payable in resort.

Useful information for Beginners

Handy Packing List

Getting Organised

  • Passport (check expiry)
  • Ski Insurance and EHIC
  • Tickets & Boarding Passes
  • Currency (Euros)
  • Sunblock and Lip Balm
  • Swim-wear (some chalets have hot tubs & saunas)
  • Phone Chargers & Travel Adaptors
  • Any Medication (e.g. travel sickness)

For the Mountain

  • Ski Jacket
  • Salopettes (ski trousers)
  • Ski Goggles
  • Waterproof Ski Gloves
  • Thermals & Mid-Layers
  • Balaclava and Woolly Hat
  • Thick Ski Socks
  • Ski Helmet (can be hired)

Useful Articles For Beginners

Ultimate pre-ski planning resources

The Definitive Guide

The ultimate guide to ski holiday preparation. The web's best resources for skiers and snowboarders gearing up for their winter fix.

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Skiing versus Snowboarding

Which is right for you?

The definitive guide to choosing your snowsport. Wondering whether you should you ski or snowboard? We ask an expert and close the book.

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Week One as a Snowboarder

Q&A with Phil Teare

What should you expect from your beginner's snowboarding holiday? Backflips and an Instagram following or just a sore bottom? Your questions answered.

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An individual snowboarder mastering her new skills

Guide to Solo Ski Holidays

The definitive guide in 2020

The definitive guide to Solo Ski Holidays in 2020. Who Goes? Where to go? How to Book? Everything you need to know about solo ski holidays.

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Skiers checking out the Guide to Solo Ski Holidays

The Solo Ski Experience

Solo veterans share their stories.

We emailed our past solo skiers & boarders and asked them to tell us about their solo ski holiday experiences and, being the amazing people that they are, they sent us back some gold.

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Skiers on a lift telling solo ski holidays stories and experiences

All Our Holidays

What we do best: Solos and singles ski and snowboarding holidays. Company when you want it, freedom when you don't. Oh, and, its not a dating holiday! Read more...

    Singles and Solos
    Not a Dating Holiday
    No Single Supplements
More Details

Join other over 50's skiers on a fabulous holiday in the mountains. Engage other like minded individuals in conversation and explore the pistes. Read more...

    All guests over 50
    Great social atmosphere
    Luxurious chalet
More Details

If you're a first-time skier travelling alone or in a small group, you have come to the right place. As a beginner, it can be great to learn and ski/snowboard with others of your own ability. Read more...

    All guests are beginners
    We organise everything
    Great social atmosphere
More Details

You, an instructor-guide and the largest ski area on the planet, yes! See as much of the ski area as possible while improving your technique along the way. Read more...

    Certified Instructor-guide
    Two countries :-)
    Not For Beginners!
More Details

What better way to improve your performance than with a full week of off piste skiing/boarding. Our off piste holiday is perfect for those looking to into the backcountry. Read more...

    Certified Instructors
    Video Feedback
    3 Hours Per Morning
More Details

A great way for capable skiers to really get a solid week of skiing in. If cruising blues / easy red pistes is where you want to be this is the week for you. Read more...

    Explore more ground
    Cruise blues and reds
    Improve skiing quickly
More Details

Join our short breaks this season and escape the hum-drum for the weekend! Perfect for those short on time with a longing for the slopes! Read more...

    Great for busy people
    Cheeky ski holiday?
    Short transfer times
More Details

Escape the hustle, bustle and madness at home on one of our amazing Christmas ski holidays. Enjoy the crisp air of the mountains with some delicious "vin chaud" this Xmas. Read more...

    Christmas in company
    Celebrate the holidays
    Luxurious chalets
More Details

We specialise in adults only ski holidays. Our child-free ski breaks are perfect for those and explore the pistes in good company. Read more...

    All guests over 18
    Great social atmosphere
    Luxurious chalet
More Details

A room in a chalet, food, the slopes and you! We take care of the rest. There is no big social side, this holiday is all about the slopes. Read more...

    Skiing or Snowboarding
    Not a standard week
    No big social side
More Details

Couple? small family group? freinds? All arew elsome! Small groups are welcome on our solo holidays too! A great way to meet new people while skiing with familiar company! Read more...

    Groups of friends
    Couples & family
    Meet new people
More Details

Ski by by day, meet other single parents by night and let us take care of everything else on our single parent ski trips. All guests are single parents with their children.Read more...

    Meet Single Parents
    Meet other children
    Explore the mountains
More Details

Check in throughout the season to catch the latest deals and discounts from The Ski Gathering. Snap up a last minute bargain and join the Gathering. Read more...

    Discounts
    Multiple Dates
    Multiple resorts
More Details
A group of solo beginners skiers A group of solo beginners skiers

A fantastic trip! We visited in March 2019 and it the hosts were absolutely lovely, the food fantastic and the village really fun. The skiing is perfect for intermediate skiers/boarders.

Katherine stayed with us in March 2019

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