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This guide to The Five Best Pistes for Beginners in Val d’Isère will help you find routes that boost your confidence in one of the Alps’ most iconic resorts.
Whilst Val d’Isère has some challenging terrain, it also has brilliant beginner and green runs. Val d’Isere is also home to a range of blue pistes ideal for learning and progression. Here’s our list of the five best pistes for beginners in Val d’Isère.
How to Use This Guide
The pistes we’ve chosen are either green or gentle blue runs. They all have wide, forgiving terrain and consistent grooming.
This makes them perfect for first-time skiers or those getting back into skiing.
We’ve included simple directions to each piste, lift information, helpful first-lap tips, and safe download routes back to the village.
We recommend downloading the Val d’Isère piste map for easy navigation. This will help you find the best areas for new skiers.
Safety First – Getting Back Down Without Stress
A challenge for beginners in Val d’Isère is getting back to the village without trying anything too challenging.
Thankfully, you don’t have to ski down if you don’t want to.
You can take both the Solaise gondola and the Olympique cable car options back down to the resort centre.
It’s not only beginners who do this. You’ll see many people taking it when their legs burn late in the day. Don’t feel pressured to ski all the way down just because others are doing it.
The Best Beginner Pistes in Val d’Isère
1. Pimpam and poum – Green
Why it’s great: Dedicated beginner zones with gentle, forgiving slopes and panoramic views — ideal for first-ever ski days.
How to get there: Take the Solaise gondola from the village; both runs are right at the top station, clearly signposted.
First lap tip: Start on the outer lane of the covered magic carpet for more space; the snow is usually softest in the morning.
Bail-out: Simply ride the Solaise gondola back down when you’re ready.
Good times to ski it: Early to mid-morning for quiet carpets and perfect corduroy.
2. Grand Pré – Green
Why it’s great: Grand Pré is one of Val d’Isère’s most accessible greens. It’s perfect for progressing beyond the magic carpet zones. It offers gentle, rolling terrain that helps you build confidence linking turns at a comfortable gradient. Wide, open, and usually quiet, it’s a natural next step after Madeleine.
How to get there: Take the Solaise gondola from the village, then ride the Grand Pré chairlift located just beyond the top station. The green run starts right from the lift’s summit and loops back toward Solaise.
First lap tip: Stick to the skier’s left at the top for the smoothest gradient and softest snow. Take your time on the flatter midsection. It’s a great place to focus on balance and rhythm without any crowds.
Bail-out: Return easily via the Grand Pré chairlift or Solaise gondola if you’d prefer not to ski back down.
Good times to ski it: Mid-to-late morning, when the sun hits the slope and visibility is best.
3. Borsat – Green
Why it’s great: A long, scenic green run with gentle pitches and big mountain views, Borsat is ideal once you’re ready to explore beyond Solaise. It’s a rewarding confidence builder for early intermediates, letting you experience Val’s wider ski area at your own pace.
How to get there: From Val d’Isère village, take the Olympique gondola to the top of Bellevarde. From there, follow the signs toward the Borsat Express chairlift. If you’re staying near La Daille, you can also take the Funival funicular to reach the same area.
First lap tip: Keep skier’s right for the easiest gradient and best snow quality; pause near the top for stunning views of the valley before you start your descent.
Bail-out: If you’re feeling tired or conditions change, you can download using the La Daille gondola or Olympique cable car instead of skiing all the way to the base.
Good times to ski: Late morning through early afternoon when the snow has softened slightly and the sun lights up the valley.
4. Madeleine – Green
Why it’s great: A long, gentle green with panoramic views and consistent snow, it’s ideal for linking smooth turns.
How to get there: Take the Solaise gondola, then head left at the top to the Madeleine Express lift area.
First lap tip: Stay skier’s right to avoid faster traffic. Stop halfway for a break at the Solaise Lounge.
Bail-out: Download via the Solaise gondola to return to the village.
Good times to ski it: Late morning for sunshine and smooth snow.
5. Verte – Green
Why it’s great: A long, confidence-building run winding gently from Bellevarde to La Daille — perfect for endurance and flow.
How to get there: Ride the Olympique cable car to the top of Bellevarde.
First lap tip: Stop near the Etroits chairlift mid-run to rest; skip the final steeper section if you’re tired.
Bail-out: Download on the Olympique cable car or the La Daille gondola.
Good times to ski it: Mid-morning for ideal snow and lighter traffic.
Suggested Progression Loop
Start on Pimpam and Poum at the top of Solaise.
Move over to Grand Pre and lap Grand Pre and Borsat.
Ride the Village lift for slightly longer runs and chairlift experience.
Take the Solaise gondola back up and enjoy several laps on Madeleine – perfect for finding your rhythm.
When ready, progress to Verte on Bellevarde for your longest and most scenic beginner run.You can stop for a mid-morning coffee at the Solaise Lounge, or if energy dips, simply download back to town.
Common Beginner Pitfalls in Val d’Isère (and How to Avoid Them)
It’s easy to make a few classic mistakes on your first ski trip, but even easier to avoid. The biggest one is trying to ski home when you’re not ready.
Many of Val d’Isère’s home runs are deceptively steep and busy, especially at the end of the day. There’s no shame in taking the lift down. It’s often the safer, smarter choice.
Don’t let anyone pressure you into doing runs you don’t want to. It won’t improve your skiing, and you probably won’t enjoy it either. Trust your own pace and stick to your plan. Learning to ski is all about building confidence. Don’t worry about keeping up or skiing too fast for now.
