The Best Ski Resorts for Families

Best Ski Resorts for Families in Europe

One of the most important aspects of a family ski holiday is choosing the right resort. With so many options, it can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. Finding the best ski resort can be particularly tricky for large families if several different age groups are travelling.

When looking for the best European ski resorts for families, there are different places to consider. If you’re skiing with teenagers, consider a modern resort such as Tignes in France. This resort offers a range of accommodation, access to more than 300 km of pistes, and plenty of winter activities for teens to enjoy, such as dog sledding, ice skating, and snowmobiling.

If skiing with children, then a resort with excellent ski schools, accessible nursery slopes and childcare options is a must. It is also important to consider which is the best ski resort for the non-skiers in your family. Staying in a luxury chalet in Zermatt whilst enjoying excellent restaurants, beautiful scenery and varied hiking trails is often a popular choice.

Best French Ski Resorts for Families

There are plenty of family-friendly skiing holidays to choose from, each of which has something unique to offer. If you’re ready to explore some of the best French ski resorts for families, you’ll find some of our favoured spots below.

Meribel, France

Ideally located in the Three Valleys and among the world’s most popular resorts, it should come as no surprise that Meribel is known to be one of the best ski resorts for families in France. With top ski schools and dedicated snow play areas for children to enjoy, Meribel is a great resort for a child’s first experience in the mountains. Children under five can ski in Meribel for free although a valid ski pass with identification is still required.

This luxury ski resort is also perfect for groups of skiers of varying abilities thanks to its links to Courchevel and Val Thorens. With several satellite villages, luxury ski chalets in Meribel can be found across the resort; some of our favourite family-friendly chalets include the six-bedroom Chalet Le Grenier and the exquisite Chalet Valentine.

Les Gets, France

As far as family-friendly ski resorts go, there’s no better place than Les Gets. Full of character and charm, Les Gets is part of the Portes du Soleil ski area with 650 km of pistes to explore, making it perfect for families looking to ski long distances.

The majority of the slopes also run side by side so skiers of varying abilities can enjoy the runs best suited to them before meeting at the bottom by the lifts. February half term is a great time for family ski holidays in Les Gets, with a children’s ski and activity area as well as a host of ski schools and many activities to explore off the slopes.

The beautifully furnished Chalet Valambrun creates the perfect base for families of keen skiers being just a two-minute drive from the main ski lifts of Les Gets. Ideal for large families, Chalet Le Clos Saint-Jean also has plenty to keep everyone entertained during your luxury ski holiday.

Best Swiss Ski Resorts for Families

Some of the best ski resorts for kids are in the beautiful mountains of Switzerland. Here you’ll discover luxury resorts and excellent slopes in abundance. Get ready to explore some of the best options for those in pursuit of ski resorts for families.

Saas-Fee, Switzerland

Labelled as a “Family Destination” by the Swiss Tourism Federation, there is no doubt that Saas Fee is one of the best ski resorts in Switzerland for families. The ‘Pearl of the Alps’, Saas Fee’s high altitude makes for snow-sure skiing for most of the season.

With 100 km of perfectly groomed pistes on offer, the skiing in Saas Fee caters for skiers of all abilities. For the non-skiers in the family, Saas-Fee offers plenty of off-slope activities including a visit to Aqua Allalin and the famous ice pavilion.

Saas Fee ski holidays are popular with large families due to there being several ski chalets here which can accommodate 16 guests and upwards.

A private family-friendly retreat, Chalet Lycka can be found a few minutes' walk from the lift station whilst Chalet Annapurna has a fantastic outdoor area overlooking the surrounding peaks.

Crans Montana, Switzerland

Another spot providing the best skiing for families, Crans Montana welcomes groups in both summer and winter. Crans Montana ski holidays are popular with families due to the plethora of activities on offer. Children can enjoy sledging at Snow Island or skating at the Ycoor open-air ice rink.

The varied skiing is another reason why Crans Montana is one of the best ski resorts in Switzerland for families. Beginners learn how to ski on the resort’s golf course, home to some fantastic nursery slopes, whilst more advanced skiers can explore some of the longer red runs through the trees.

Luxury ski chalets in Crans Montana are well-suited to those looking for the best skiing for families. For ski-in/ski-out access teamed with serious comfort, Six Senses Crans Montana is ideal if you have children in tow.

Large families looking for ultimate luxury should stay at Ultima Crans Montana, a slopeside property fitted out like a five-star hotel with an extensive spa and a team of staff to take care of your every need.

Best Austrian Ski Resorts for Families

Alongside France and Switzerland, there are also some incredible child-friendly ski holidays in Austria. Here you will find fantastic accommodations and a ton of things to do both on and off the slopes, providing more than enough to keep the whole family entertained.

Lech, Austria

One of the best ski resorts in Europe for families has to be the charming resort of Lech. Close to St. Anton in the vast Arlberg ski area, family ski holidays in Lech offer easy airport transfers, extensive slopes and a variety of activities.

Lech is home to excellent children’s clubs, childcare options and numerous ski schools. From a horse-drawn sleigh ride to ice skating and tobogganing, families on a luxury ski holiday in Lech can enjoy a plethora of new experiences together. Serious skiers in the family have 300 km of spectacular downhill skiing to explore as well as 200 km of deep powder runs.

There is also a fantastic choice of family-orientated ski chalets in Lech am Arlberg. If you’re looking for a catered chalet in Lech then Chalet 1551 is an ideal option with a host, private chef, chauffeur-driven Range Rover and on-call masseuse ready to cater to your needs.

For a chalet rental in Lech close to the slopes, Chalech S offers modern mountain living just a three-minute walk from the chairlift.

Kitzbuhel, Austria

Whilst it may not be an obvious choice as one of the best ski resorts in Austria for families, Kitzbuhel is in fact a fantastic resort for children learning to ski for the first time. The resort offers discounts on ski passes for children with several "Kids Go Free" days throughout the season.

There are a wide range of ski schools and instructors to choose from as well as specific children's skiing zones. Teens will appreciate the snowboard funparks whilst more advanced skiers have excellent off-piste touring at their disposal.

Foodies can enjoy delicious regional cooking in an abundance of restaurants and for non-skiers there's everything from hiking and tobogganing to ice skating and curling as well as several high-profile events including the Snow Polo World Cup and Hahnenkamm Race.

Ski holidays for families in Kitzbuhel allow visitors to stay at one of the many luxury chalets which are dotted around the resort. For quality family time, Hahnenkamm Lodge offers total privacy once the lifts have closed for the day, allowing you to soak up the tranquillity and beauty of the mountains and enjoy the chalet's incredible facilities.

Best Italian Ski Resorts for Families

Another excellent option for those pursuing ski holidays with kids is Italy. The breathtaking surroundings, fantastic skiing opportunities and excellent attractions off the slopes provide more than enough for the whole family to enjoy. Below you’ll find some excellent options for a luxury ski break in Italy.

Madonna di Campiglio, Italy

One of Italy’s most famous resorts, Madonna di Campiglio has become increasingly popular with families looking to escape to the Alps for a luxury ski holiday. Mainly built in a traditional alpine style, this resort is full of charm.

With varied slopes for all abilities, Madonna di Campiglio is a snowy paradise and has an abundance of activities for the whole family to experience including dog sledding, ice climbing and paragliding.

A rustic retreat with enchanting views of the Dolomites, Chalet Doss is the perfect base to come together as a family and enjoy everything this wonderful ski resort has to offer.

Breuil-Cervinia, Italy

Located on the Swiss-Italian border with high-altitude slopes reaching 3,480m, Cervinia is often recognised as one of the best ski resorts for families in Italy. Cervinia suits families with differing abilities, catering for adventurous teenagers and complete beginners.

There are plenty of gentle blues in the Plan Maison area whilst confident skiers can ski over the border into Zermatt and enjoy a family lunch as one of the gourmet restaurants with a view of the Mattterhorn.

Off the slopes, family groups on a Cervinia ski holiday can go on a snowmobile excursion, experience the thrill of hiking through the forest on one of the many snowshoeing trails or head to the highest museum in Europe.

When it comes to choosing accommodation, there are many catered chalets in Cervinia including Chalet La Fenice, a newly-built luxury ski chalet with sumptuous living areas, incredible bedroom suites, a cinema room, staggering views and a sublime spa.