All the gear, no idea
For the beginner skier or snowboarder it might seem expensive to lay out for the right apparel before you arrive, and there aren't many places that rent clothing in resort, so borrow what you can, check out the sales and online discounts. At the bare minimum make sure in addition to your trousers and jacket, that you've got a helmet, some goggles, gloves, and technical ski socks. Plus a lightweight back pack is always handy for carrying water, sunscreen and an extra layer.
Get on the bus
Plan your route from your accommodation to the beginner slopes, and use the resort's excellent public transport system to get around until you get the knack of carrying skis and poles like the pros.
The beginner slopes
For the beginner, there really is no better terrain than the slopes that gently surround the DMC and Les Bergers lift systems. From the DMC you can easily hop on the super quick six-man Les Jeux chairlift, which will whisk you up the mid-station of the DMC gondola lift at 2,100m. From here, you have a whole plethora of gently sloping green runs which take you back down to resort level at 1,850m. Jeux, Sagnes and Chardons are all lovely green runs that take you back down the DMC lift centre, whilst the green piste Les Bergers takes you down to the Les Bergers lift station. Any of these runs are ideal for even the most tentative of beginners. Unlike some upside down resorts where all the easy slopes are situated way up in the clouds, virtually all of the green and easy blues are located at the lower altitudes in resort. Whether it be the mid-station of the DMC down or the green runs from Romains and Marmottes1 from Les Bergers, there really is no need to go looking for great beginner trails. This is particularly good for families as little ones can get cold up at higher altitudes.
The fun zones
Marcel's Farm should definitely be on your list of places to ski. From the DMC, all you do is jump on the “chondola” Signal lift (a mix of gondolas and six-man chairs) which takes you up to the top of the Signal slope (2,115m). From here, it’s a gentle slide of around 100m to the entrance to the smile-athon that is Marcel's Farm. A wonderfully shaped green piste that features tunnels including the Tina Turn (I kid you not!), a pink cow slalom course, a gentle half pipe called Ralf!, some easy rails, some smooth rollers and a couple of beginner level kickers. Marcel's Farm really is a smile from start to finish.
Explore
It’s easy to stick with the tried and tested slopes around Les Bergers and the DMC but, with a little bit of clever thinking, you can easily find some barely used green and blue runs that really are away from the madding crowd. At the far end of the “bowl” is the green run Piste Bob, a cracking little slope that is often deserted. Meanwhile, the blue piste Village runs around the back of the resort and takes you all the way down to the stunning old-fashioned mountain village of Huez. Over in Auris, the runs through the forest down to Maronne offer great skiing through the trees (which can be great in snowy conditions as the trees give some definition) and across in Mont Frais there are loads of easy blues and greens that are often empty.
The Grand Domaine is a truly magnificent ski area that should not daunt the beginner. As a beginner, it’s easy to stick to the few slopes on which you have become comfortable, but here in Alpe d’Huez there’s a whole world to explore. Jump on the Auris “scare chair” across the Sarenne gorge over the Auris sector, always much quieter and abundant in easy green and blue pistes. The gentle blue run Les Farcis through the forest down to the tiny village of Maronne is a real locals favourite.
