Family ski holidays in the Alps

Find the perfect family ski holiday

Travelling on a ski holiday with the whole family is an experience that creates memories for life. But it takes a little extra planning to find the right resort when you have children with you. Not all ski resorts are equally well suited to families, and the differences in children's facilities, piste levels and prices can be considerable.

We have visited and assessed all our ski resorts with families' needs in focus. The best family resorts have in common that they offer dedicated children's areas with adapted lifts and practice slopes, professional ski schools experienced in teaching children to ski, wide and gentle pistes suited to beginners, and a range of activities beyond the skiing.

A good family ski holiday is not just about finding nice slopes. It is about the whole family thriving, from the smallest three year old in the children's ski school to the teenager wanting to explore longer runs. Here is our guide to the best family resorts in the Alps.

Best family resorts in the Alps

We have chosen seven resorts that stand out as especially family-friendly. All of them offer a combination of good children's facilities, reasonable prices and varied skiing suited to the whole family.

Flachau

Flachau is one of Austria's best-developed family resorts, with the award-winning children's area Snow Space. Here you will find magic carpet lifts, practice slopes with figures, and a ski school that accepts children from three years of age. The resort is part of the enormous Ski amadé system, giving parents access to over 760 km of pistes while the children are in safe hands.

Wagrain

Wagrain sits right next to Flachau and shares the same ski area, but has a more relaxed pace that many families prefer. The resort's children's area, Wagraini's Winterwelt, is one of the best in the Alps, with imaginative themed zones, a children's restaurant and experienced instructors. Wagrain also has a good selection of family hotels with child-friendly facilities such as swimming pools, playrooms and children's menus. Prices are somewhat lower than in neighbouring Flachau.

Maria Alm

Maria Alm is a genuine Austrian alpine village offering a safe and homely atmosphere. The resort has its own children's area at the foot of the ski area where the youngest can practise at their own pace. The ski instructors are used to children, and many speak Scandinavian languages. Maria Alm gives access to Hochkönig's 120 km of pistes, with wide, gentle runs that suit families perfectly. Prices for accommodation and food are among the lowest in Salzburgerland.

Lofer

Lofer is a charming little resort that is often overlooked, but is perfect for families with younger children. The ski area is a manageable size with 46 km of pistes, almost exclusively blue and red runs. This makes it easy to keep an eye on the children and ski together as a family. Lofer has one of the lowest price levels of any ski resort in the Alps, and the genuine Austrian village atmosphere gives a wonderful holiday feel.

Schladming

Schladming is a good choice for families with older children and teenagers wanting more of a challenge. The famous 4-Mountain circuit offers 123 km of linked pistes with varied terrain. The resort has excellent children's facilities at the Planai base, including a children's area and ski school, and also tempts with activities such as an evening toboggan run and guided nature experiences. Schladming has a good selection of family hotels in every price range.

Dachstein West

Dachstein West is one of the Alps' best-kept secrets for families. The ski area offers 142 km of pistes with fantastic views towards the Dachstein glacier, and most of the pistes are wide and gentle. The children's area at the base station has practice lifts and a snow playground. Prices are low, the atmosphere is genuinely Austrian, and the slopes are rarely crowded. A perfect choice for families wanting to avoid the crowds at the bigger ski resorts.

Rauris

Rauris in Salzburgerland is one of Austria's very best resorts for beginners and is rated as having the country's best beginner slope, a long, wide and gentle slope where children and new skiers get perfect conditions to learn. The genuine gold-mining village at the gateway to the Hohe Tauern National Park offers 33 km of pistes, short queues and low prices. As well as the skiing, there is a 2 km toboggan run and horse-drawn sleigh rides that make the holiday memorable for the whole family.

Children's areas and ski schools

All the family resorts we recommend have professional ski schools experienced in teaching children to ski. Here is what you can expect.

Children's area. Most resorts have their own children's areas, often called "Kinderland" or "Snow Space", with magic carpet lifts, small practice slopes and playful elements such as figures and tunnels. These areas are fenced off and safe, so children can practise without risking getting in the way of others.

Ski school. The price of group lessons for children varies from resort to resort, depending on length and format. Most ski schools offer half-day and full-day packages, often with lunch included in the full-day option. Children are grouped by age and level, and lessons are structured with games and friendly competitions.

Private lessons. If you want your child to get extra attention, you can book private lessons. It is more expensive, but the child learns faster, and the instructor can tailor the teaching entirely to the child's needs.

Childcare in the snow. Several resorts offer childcare for the very youngest, from one to three years old, while parents ski. The children play in the snow, build snowmen and take part in organised indoor activities. This is an excellent option for families with children not yet ready for ski school.

Family-friendly hotels and accommodation

The right accommodation makes a big difference on a family ski holiday. Here is what to look for when choosing a hotel.

Half board. A family hotel with half board, breakfast and dinner included, is the most practical and economical option. You will not have to worry about dinner after a long day on the slopes, and children are often offered their own children's menu. Many hotels offer a children's buffet with dishes children like.

Facilities. The best family hotels have a swimming pool or spa area, a playroom, and sometimes a children's club with organised evening activities. This gives you as a parent the chance to have some time to yourself while the children are entertained.

Location. Choose a hotel near the ski lift if possible. Having to walk or take the ski bus with all the children's kit every morning takes energy. Hotels right by the piste cost a little more, but save time and effort, especially with young children.

Family rooms. Most alpine hotels offer family rooms for two adults and two children. Some have apartments with their own kitchen, which can be economical if you want to cook some meals yourselves.

Tips for travelling with children to the Alps

A family holiday in the mountains takes a bit of extra planning. Here are our best tips for a trouble-free and enjoyable trip.

Book ski school in advance. The most popular ski school times fill up quickly, especially during half term. Book ski lessons at the same time as you book your stay, so you are sure of a place in the group that suits your child.

Hire equipment on site. Bringing your children's ski equipment on the trip is impractical and cumbersome. Every ski resort has ski hire with children's equipment in every size. Hire is reasonably priced for children and includes skis, boots and poles. Helmets can often be hired for a small extra cost, and in Austria helmets are compulsory for children.

Plan shorter ski days. Children cannot manage as long as adults. Plan for half days on the slopes, especially in the first few days, and alternate with other activities. Most family resorts have toboggan runs, swimming pools and snow play areas to supplement the skiing.

Dress in layers. The weather in the mountains can change quickly. Dress children in several layers that are easy to put on and take off. Invest in good thermal underwear, windproof outerwear and warm mittens. Always keep spare mittens and a hat in the rucksack.

Take breaks. A break at a mountain restaurant in the middle of the day gives children energy and fresh motivation. Many family resorts have restaurants with children's corners where they can play for a while as parents enjoy a coffee.

Choose the right week. Avoid half term if possible. It is the most expensive week, and hotels fill up quickly. The week before or after half term is often considerably cheaper, with the same snow conditions and shorter lift queues.

Price comparison: family resorts

Prices vary between resorts. Here is an overview to help you choose the right resort for your family's budget.

€ = Budget. €€ = Mid-range.

Book your family ski holiday

Ready to give your family an unforgettable ski holiday in the Alps? See current stays with hotel and lift pass included. The earlier you book, the better the price and choice.

Frequently asked questions about family ski holidays

Explore the family resorts

Read our detailed guides to the best family resorts. Each guide contains information about pistes, lifts, children's facilities, snow reliability and accommodation.

• Ski holidays to Flachau
• Ski holidays to Wagrain
• Ski holidays to Maria Alm
• Ski holidays to Lofer
• Ski holidays to Schladming
• Ski holidays to Rauris

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