To get the best out of a ski holiday, it is important to choose the right destination to suit the level of your group. This is especially true for beginners.

Nothing can put a beginner off skiing quicker than a week spent trying to ski down unsuitable steep terrain, or have to travel for miles to get to the beginner ski slopes.

We have therefore compiled our “Top Ten Ski Resorts For Beginners” list:

1. Les Arcs, France – Why is it good?

• Excellent nursery slopes directly above each of the resort’s main villages.
• Free beginner’s lift.
• Good range of early intermediate slopes as you progress.

2. Bansko, Bulgaria – Why is it good?

• Beautiful World Heritage Site.
• Modern lift system.
• Good range of nursery slopes.
• Great value – skiing here won’t break the bank.
• As you progress there is an excellent 16km intermediate run from the top to the bottom of the mountain (2560 m to 935 m).

3. Cortina, Italy – Why is it good?

• Breathtaking views over the Dolomites.
• Widely regarded as being one of the world’s most beautiful ski resorts.
• Extensive nursery slopes in the Socrapes area.
• Instructors who are especially good with kids.

4. Killington, US – Why is it good?

• No language barriers.
• Ski schools are excellent.
• Large nursery slope areas.
• “Discovery Centre” for complete beginners showing how your equipment works before you start to ski.

5. Lech, Austria – Why is it good?

• A classic alpine resort.
• Picturesque village with fine hotels.
• Very well regarded ski schools with good English speaking instructors.
• Plenty of runs for intermediate and advanced as well, so a good option for mixed ability groups.

6. Poiana Brasov, Romania – Why is it good?

• An great place to try skiing without breaking the bank.
• Two nursery areas.
• Helpful and enthusiastic instructors.
• Excellent nearby excursions (such as Dracula’s castle).
• Cheap and cheerful food, wine and entertainment.

7. Soldeu, Andorra – Why is it good?

• Often named as being one of Europe’s best beginner resorts.
• Two extensive nursery areas.
• Excellent ski instructors who are native English speakers.
• Good number of intermediate runs to progress to.
• Usually good weather (Sldeu means “Sun God”).
• Excellent nightlife.
• Duty-free zone, so can be cheap.

8. Tignes, France – Why is it good?

• High and very “snowsure”.
• Good range of easy to access nursery slopes.
• Good range of intermediate/expert slopes so a good destination for mixed ability groups.
• Lots of accommodation to choose from.
• Lots of non-skiing activities and great après-ski.

9 Wengen, Switzerland – Why is it good?

• Spectacular location under the north face of the Eiger.
• A great destination for families, with a well renowned ski school.
• Lots of non-skiing activities.

10. Chatel, France – Why is it good?

• Easy resort to reach either by flying into Geneva, or driving from Calais.
• Great range of beginners slopes, and good English speaking instructors.
• Part of the world’s biggest ski area (the Portes du Soleil) so plenty of runs for all abilities.
• Regularly receives on average the most snowfall in the alps, so one of the most snowsure non glacier resorts.
• Beautiful village with bags of charm and plenty to do off the slopes.

We also have some tips for beginner skiers, which should help make your first time all the more enjoyable:

1. Try and get some lessons in the UK before you leave, preferably in one of the real snow domes. This means that once you get to your resort, you already have an idea of the basics (how to put your skis on etc.).
2. When booking ask if there are any ‘Learn to Ski or Snowboard Packages’. This may include lessons, gear rental and a lift pass if needed.
3. Check to see if beginners can get away with buying a cheaper “local area” of “beginner” lift pass. There is no need to buy a pass for a huge area if you are only going to ski on beginner and early intermediate slopes.
4. If you want to learn snowboarding, check if the schools in your resort offer beginner courses for boarders.
5. Check that the accommodation is convenient for the pistes, the lifts and general amenities.
6. Rent gear to start with – it’s a lot cheaper.

Above all, remember that skiing is meant to be fun!

Ed Ockelton lives in the French Alps and runs White-Peak Ski Holidays France and All Mountain Ski Holidays.

You’ve made up your mind. You’ve resolved (maybe again) to get more exercise. All that’s left is deciding what to choose. What if you wanted something you can do either indoors or outdoors, in any season, at nearly any time, and provides an all-over "workout" without feeling like you’ve done any work?

Think a minute: This easily describes several of the different types of the surprisingly varied world of snow skiing. The image most people think of is standard: You get on a chairlift, drop off easily, and ski down the slopes. You’re wearing heavy, cold-weather gear and usually topple over once or twice on the way down, skis askew in the air, the biting chill of the wind hitting your face.

Thankfully, the world of snow skiing has broadened widely and has become a year-round enjoyment for millions – while also providing an excellent source of cardiovascular exercise.

Downhill, or classical, skiing, is the picture-postcard most of us think of when we hear the word "skiing." It usually involves places like The Alps, Aspen, Telluride, or just about anywhere most jet-setters and celebrities frequent.

This is the one that involves a chairlift, and skiing down often-steep slopes. There is either real snow or manufactured snow, and you will get cold, but you’ll warm up once you get going.

The sport is not too difficult once you get the hang of it, but it definitely will not be easy the first day you try. Actually, you can expect to fall down many times. Lessons are usually a good idea, and this type is skiing is going to be expensive. Lift ticket prices, travel to and from ski sites, ski rentals or purchase, and appropriate wear, including sunglasses, are going to cost you more financially, but the results can be exhilarating and quite fun – again, once you catch on.

Next, there’s cross-country skiing. Admittedly, this is going to be physically challenging to most people. Here’s where you do all the work yourself. There are no chairlifts to bring you up the hills, and you must ski up on your own. But, on the flip side, you won’t careen down mountains near as steep as the ones in downhill skiing, and it’s much more affordable than downhill skiing. Trail passes and ski rentals are relatively inexpensive, and you probably can teach yourself – hence, no lessons!

"Skate" cross-country skiing is another form of cross-country skiing that requires slightly different skis. You can actually "skate" with regular, classical skates, but skis do make it easier. You can pick up speed by simulating the physical motions of ice skating. It’s not too difficult to pick up skate cross-country, but it is harder than classical cross country skiing, and requires more physical endurance. It is also helpful to have clear and wider trails for this to be truly enjoyable.

If you’re really the adventurous type, the ski jump, in which you leap from specially prepared jump slopes, will definitely test your stamina and maneuverability. Note that this will also test your checkbook balance, as well as alpine skiing, which has fewer twisted courses that permit much faster speeds, but again, it will have a more pronounced affect on your bank balance than the other types of snow skiing.

Snowboarding involves a single wide ski, or snowboard, no poles, and is similar to surfing. Ski experts have also now come up with ski boarding, which employs shorter and wider skis that are generally used without poles. Ski boarding also offers the skier some of the sensations of ice skating or in-line roller skating. It is usually easier to learn than classical skiing, largely because ski boards are simply more "handle-friendly."

With the comprehensive, attractive array of skiing methods out there today, there’s something in it for everyone. Can’t stand the cold? Try cross-country. Love the idea of bounding from a slope onto hard, impacted snow and hitting the ground hard and fast? Simple. Take up ski jumping. But please – take lessons first!

Sandy Knoll is the webmaster for http://www.fxsnow.com which is a great resource for all things related to snow and snow activities. Please be sure to visit the site at http://www.fxsnow.com

Article Source: The Great, Wide Wonderland Of Snow And Skiing

If you know a bit about the world of skiing, you might well think that the largest ski area in the world is the Three Valleys. You might also think that only glacier resorts such as Tignes are able to offer "snow sure" skiing. In both cases you would be wrong!

Currently, the largest linked ski area in the world is the Portes du Soleil area in the Northern French and Swiss Alps. The area has a string of impressive north facing slopes which when combined with the highest average snowfall in the Alps means that Avoriaz and Chatel tend to get some of the best snow conditions in Europe from the start to the end of the season. In fact, the Avoriaz ski domain keeps its lifts open well into May. Not bad for a resort with no glacier who’s lifts only go up to 2500 m!

Built on an impressive cliff top at 1800 m, Avoriaz is a striking purpose built resort. Its architecture evokes a mixed response. It is extremely convenient for skiing and is right at the centre of the Portes du Soleil.

Of course, purpose built resorts are not for everyone, and if you would prefer a more traditional chalet style resort, then Chatel might be for you.

Chatel is built on the side of a sunny south/west facing slope so visitors staying in the village get beautiful views up and down the picturesque Vallee d’Abondance. However, the strength of Chatel lies in its spectacular North facing ski slopes of Linga & Pre La Joux. These areas have some of the most exciting and interesting terrain in the whole of the Portes du Soleil, and two chairlifts will take you up to Avoriaz in about 10 minutes or so.

The area gets a phenomenal amount of snow on an annual basis, and because of its aspect, it keeps it well. The domain often gets slated for its low altitude (1200 – 2500 m) but those in the know have long since realised that a high altitude resort is no good if the area doesn’t generally get much snow!

Chatel itself is a beautiful place to stay. All the buildings are chalet style and there are a number of original old farms still full of cows to be found in and around the village centre. There is plenty other than skiing to keep holiday makers entertained – the village has two cinemas, an ice rink, a lake where you can go ice diving, lots of fantastic bars & restaurants, spa facilities in a number of hotels and a whole list of non-ski related activities such as dog sledding, snow shoeing and paragliding.

One of Chatel’s greatest attractions is that it is relatively undiscovered. It attracts "people in the know" who want to avoid the crowds and find the most extensive skiing in the best areas.

For more information on this beautiful resort, you can visit the Chatel tourist office site (http://www.chatel.com).

The village also makes a spectacular destination in summer, but that needs a separate article dedicating to summer in Chatel.

Ed Ockelton writes as a ski journalist for a number of ski related websites and runs ski chalets in Chatel

Telemark skiing definitely a physically demanding sport as its best described as doing squats as you ski, downhill. As K2 is quoted saying "if it were easy, it would be called snowboarding".

Telemark skiing remains a minority sport, despite the improvement in equipment and ultimately in where the telemark ski can take you. The telemark ski turn originated in a region in Sweden, called the Telemark region, in the late 1800's. In the early 1900's north Americans adapted the sport modifying Nordic skiing on slopes.

In the 1980's telemark skis looked similar to alpine skis, yet used a soft leather boot, similar to a Nordic ski. Boots were originally made with three pin holes at the bottom of the front of the boot which would secure into pin bindings. This is why telemark skiers are often referred to as "pinheads". Now, cable bindings allow the boot to slide in (without the pins) while restraining the boot with a cable suspension system. This allows for more control with the telemark ski turns.

The early 1990's marked the beginning of the firmer, stiffer boot still offering flexibility demanded by the telemark turn. Some telemarkers are still using the soft leather boot, but the most commonly sought after boot is made of polymer, creating a stiff boot with flexibility built in the forefoot of the boot.

Telemark skis are lighter and more flexible than alpine skis, yet similar in their width. Most ski manufacturers are creating their own selection of Telemark skis since the physical demands of Telemark skiing differs greatly from alpine skiing.

Access is not limited to the ski slopes with telemark skis. Telemark skiing is also your passport to the backcountry. With skins on your telemark skis, you can climb into the alpine, remove your skins and ski down on untouched powder. Be sure to gear up in insulated thermal underwear, proper outerwear and carry survival gear.

With great form and telemark skis there are no limits in snow country. Free your heal. Free your mind

Gear Up 4 Nature – http://www.gearup4nature.com/telemarkski.php