Many resorts claim they are intermediate friendly but there’s a good range of levels on the intermediate scale, depending on your experience. Some may be building their confidence to ski red runs whilst others may be looking to advance into the black run territory. Whatever your level, these resorts all offer pistes that cater for all ranges looking to progress and master their technique.
Courchevel, France
Not only does Courchevel’s north facing slopes provide excellent snow conditions, but Courchevel has a number of intermediate friendly slopes. Its wide groomed pistes are perfect for skiers looking to build their confidence with the possibilities of venturing into the other resorts in The Three Valleys if you’re feeling confident. Courchevel 1850 has long cruisy blues and reds that go back into resort and lower down in the valley in Courchevel Moriond (1650), blues and red are the only featured runs.
Where to stay
Chalet Cascades is on the main square in Courchevel 1650 with the slopes and gondola just across the street. The Chalet Vieille Forge in Courchevel 1850 is right in the heart of the village and sleeps up to 8 guests.
Chalet La Vieille Forge
Tignes, France
Tignes is an intermediate skier’s paradise! It makes the perfect resort for mastering ski technique on its groomed pistes in a vast ski area. With 38 blues and 17 reds, the resort has pistes for all levels of intermediate skiers. Our recommended spots are the descent from the top of the Grande Motte glacier for nice long blues and reds or if you are feeling adventurous the black Sache run is great to practice technique
Where to stay
For a lakeside location in Tignes Le Lac, the Chalet Chardonnet offers beautiful views from its sun terrace. Or for a more traditional village stay, the Hotel Club MMV Les Brevieres is also great value for money on a full board basis.
La Plagne, France
La Plagne is great for a range of intermediate levels, providing easy local runs yet offering the scope of skiing over to Les Arcs via connecting blues. In fact, the Paradiski area itself (La Plagne and Les Arcs) is intermediate skier friendly so if you are more experienced or looking for mileage, then a whole area lift pass is recommended. Montchavin is a good intermediate area with gentle runs and from here you can ski across to Montalbert. For those wanting to ski something a bit more difficult, the red runs of Hari Kiri and Kamikaze are very rewarding.
Where to stay
One of the most popular chalets in France, the Chalet Sarsonnet combines convenience with relaxation – close to the lifts and complete with its own sauna. In Belle Plagne, the Hotel Des Balcons is ski in ski out and has great leisure facilities.
St Moritz, Switzerland
70% of St Moritz terrain is suitable for intermediates. The pistes of Corviglia are fantastically groomed and great for less confident intermediates. For those with more experience, the Marguns Bowl and Corvatsch-Furtschellas has more challenging terrain as well as beautiful alpine panoramas and top snow conditions.
Where to stay
The Hotel Monopol is centrally located, close to the resort’s amenities. Or for all inclusive holiday, the Club Med Saint Moritz is great value for money with delicious food, leisure facilities and childcare.
Sauze d’Oulx, Italy
Sauze d’Oulx provides mainly red runs which are likely to be classified as blues in other resorts. Its runs are wooded and open and if you are looking for serene and quiet runs then Genevis and Moncrons are the areas to go for which offer more challenging intermediate terrain. For less confident skiers, the slopes around P Rocca are best. These also link to the highest point in tesort at M Fraiteve where you can ski into the other resorts in the Milky Way including Sansicario, Sestriere, Claviere and Montgenevre.
Where to stay
Budget friendly Clotes Apartments are conveniently situated at the base of the resort. Or for a more cosy stay the Chalet Le Valentin is a great way to practice technique as it offers free ski guiding and coaching from qualified Mountain Expert ski and snowboard instructors. (For over 18s and over 12s during school holidays.)
Chalet Le Valentin
Corvara, Italy
If you love cruising down wide open slopes and have endless intermediate ski options all around you, then Corvara in the Dolomites is awesome. It has a whole network of intermediate pistes going into San Cassiano, Val Stella Alpina above Colfosco, Passo Gardena and of course the Sella Ronda ski circuit. For uncrowded bliss, the red run back to Covara village descending into Arabba under the Boè cable car is a must.
Where to stay
The slopeside hotel of the Sporthotel Panorama is a good choice if you are looking for a prime location. Or the four star Hotel Col Alto, further out from the lifts, provides excellent service, Italian specialities and some of the best spa treatments in resort.
Hotel Col Alto
Saalbach, Austria
Roughly 90% of the pistes in Saalbach are suited to intermediate skiers with the areas of the Schattberg Ost, Reiterkogl and Gr Asitz interlinked by red runs. Its black runs also aren’t the most difficult so are good for those wanting to gain confidence down steeper terrain. Much of them also have gentle starts to you can ease into the run gradually.
Where to stay
On the highstreet, the Hotel Sport Berger and the Hotel Panther are perfect for those wanting to stay in Saalbach’s vibrant centre with bars, shops and restaurantsb close by.
Lake Louise, Canada
Forming part of the ‘SkiBig3’ with Sunshine Village and Mt Norquay, Lake Louise has an abundance of pistes for intermediates – 45% of its 128 trails to be exact! For wide sweeping pistes, Larch it the Skyline trail are fantastic or for those wanting to explore the resort then heading up to the Top of the World chairlift is the way to access the whole area on skis. If you are more experienced, we recommend the Boomerang trail at the Back Bowls or the ladies and men’s downhill courses.
Where to stay
If you want to be in a prime location to see the magnificent views of the lake and its surrounding mountains, then the Fairmont Chateau is highly recommended. The Lake Louise Inn offers homely comfort and a whole host of features including leisure facilties, gift shop and restaurant and even its own nightclub.
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise