I’m trying to find a suitable resort in Europe for next easter thats got plenty of very easy gentle green runs for my girlfriend-she can ski snowplough/parralel sometimes but gets very scared of steepness of the slope and of drops on the edge of the pistes,the resort must also be very ski convenient(for my liking).
 
I’m thinking of trying Alpe d’huez as i know it has lots of green runs-i skied there a few years ago-but my idea of a gentle slope differs greatly from what my girlfriend regards as one.The 2 drawbacks for there that i can think of is a)its south facing and we are going in April b)i remember the awful bucket lift that took you to different levels of the resort that seemed to breakdown a lot and was slow anyway.
 
I’m looking for somewhere with the ski convenience(close to lifts,no long queues) of Tignes but easier slopes(she found even the greens on the plateau between Tignes and Val too steep).
 
I’m also looking for advice on maybe a cure for the problem to enable her to enjoy her skiing more-she won’t go in group lessons as they progress onto steeper slopes as the week goes on-i know its physcological as i know she can ski(she rarely falls over and has good balance-maybe thats part of the issue?)and she knows she can too.Any tips or reccommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Mick,
 
One resort I would recommend for what you are after is La Thuile in the Aosta valley.
 
If you stay at the Planibel (either in the hotel or the self catering apartments), then it is a two minute walk to the lifts.  From there it is a gondola up to mid-mountain, and for your girlfriend there is then a chair which takes you two a number of quite long greens which are very gentle, and also very wide runs, which should help her.  It does not get particularly crowded either, so that should help her confidence.
 
In the same area there are a number of gentle blue runs, which are also very wide, so that will give her something to progress to once she has hopefully mastered the easier runs.  The runs are north-facing as well, which will help in April.
 
I recommend a private lesson from one of the instructors there, that way they will only be push her as far as they are confident she can manage, and when I used one on my first skiing holiday it really helped me realise my potential.
 
There are quite a few reds and blacks to keep you happy as well, so it could be a good place for the pair of you.  Not the liveliest of villages, but a few decent restaurants, and the Bricole is quite an enjoyable bar which we have spent many a happy hour in on our trips there.
 
Good luck.

Hi Mick,
 
My first thoughts were for both of these resorts. The green runs in Alpe d’Huez are pretty much ideal and some of the best in Europe. They are extensive and very gentle. I took a very nervous snowboarder there a couple of years ago and his confidence increased greatly. He also managed to get a couple of good private lessons (try the British school ‘Masterclass’). But the resort can get very busy and progress to easy blue runs is limited. I also agree that it may not be the best for April - but it is high altitude, whereas some other suitable resorts eg in Austria, are not. 
 
It also sounds as if your girlfriend would prefer somewhere quieter to practise. La Thuile would be a good choice for this - much quieter slopes and some long easy runs to progress to.  The village is small and very quiet, so it depends on what other requirements you have as to whether this will suit, but I enjoyed a good stay at the Planibel. I’d also recommend Flims (Switzerland). It doesn’t have the convenience of the other resorts, but has marvellous wide, open areas of gentle terrain - and is generally very quiet.
 
Worth a look too are Soldeu in Andorra (extensive, easy slopes with some very good intructors - many of whom are Aussies or NZ natives, so English won’t be a problem.) and Cervinia in Italy - high resort, good for a late season visit; long and under-classified runs and faster access to the slopes for next season with a handful of new chair-lifts (and you could head over to Zermatt for more challenging stuff). But it might be worth looking at some smaller, quieter places until your girlfreind gains her confidence; there’s nothing worse than crowds on the pistes to put you off when you’re feeling nervous. Saas Fee has some great stuff and is high too.
 
Taking a couple of private lessons is highly recommended. I did this (and still do from time to time) and it really helped. If you can find a British-run school or similar, this would probably be a better solution too as your girlfriend could communicate her fears/ wishes a lot more easily. She won’t feel as if she has to match up to anyone else and will be able to learn at her own pace.
 
When you ski together, let her plan the route around the slopes on one day - that way she has to focus on navigating around rather than on other fears. Being "in charge" can sometimes help too and is very motivational.
 
If you have a copy of the book handy (new one out in September) check out the Resorts Shortlists and beginner ratings to help you gather a few ideas together.
 

If you are going as late as April, you definitely need some altitude. If money is no object, I would suggest Courchevel. If you are on a budget, Belle Plagne is a good bet.
 
JJ

Thanks for the recommendations-i’ll definitely look into La Thuile-it sounds ideal-plus we may have a few new recruits joining us too-a few of which are complete beginners or have only skied a few times(many years ago)which if they do come along will be good company for my girlfriend to practice with-and i could then have whizz around myself-hehe

Mick,
 
Another possible choice has sprung to mind: check out Passo Tonale (Italian resort in Trentino - Dolomites). It’s a high resort with glacier skiing - snow-sure for a late season visit. It has the convenience you seek, plus good beginner slopes (our reporters are unanimous in their praise for the easy slopes there)- uncrowded and with a high proportion of fast lifts. Although, one side of the valley is south facing, there is skiing on both sides (it is on a high pass) plus new slopes at Pontedilegno (linked by gondola this season).
 
Anyway, I reckon it’s worth a look. Sounds ideal for your girlfriend anyway!

Hi Mick….
It was a long time ago since you posted this thread. I am in the same boat as you where those many years ago. Did you manage to find a suitable resort. I plan to go skiing again 2012 and need a resort with wide Green/Blue runs for the wife. Can you advise
1) which resort
2) who you booked through
3) hotel name
4) ski school name
5) etc etc

I would appreciate your help and advice

John