Pack the whole family into the car and off you go on a skiing holiday together! Where to? Admittedly, the choice of family-friendly ski resorts in Europe is huge. But fortunately there are the RENTertainers, our winter sports experts. And they know exactly which slopes are best for families.
We spoke to the family people among the INTERSPORT Rent employees and present an overview of the best child-friendly ski resorts in Austria, France and Switzerland.
Ski rental and more for the whole family at INTERSPORT Rent
If you're now asking yourself "What about all the ski equipment?", then we say: "You can rent it at particularly favourable family prices at INTERSPORT Rent." In addition to top gear and attractive options for adults and children, we also offer many other services during your skiing holiday.
For example, the practical and convenient online booking. In addition, personal advice from the competent RENTertainers in the best family ski resorts in Europe. And finally, an extra portion of winter sports knowledge for families, online in the RENTertainer blog.
How can I recognise family ski resorts?
There are numerous seals of approval for family-friendly ski resorts, accommodation and holiday destinations. These include "Family Plus" in France, "Family Destination" in Switzerland and various regional awards. Also important: the ratings from platforms such as skiresort.de ("Top for families") or snowplaza.de ("Best ski resort for families").
Do you hesitate to rely on such awards and ratings? Then it's best to judge for yourself whether a region offers the right conditions for you and your loved ones. The following features indicate good family ski resorts:
In the ski area:
- Inexpensive kids' and family ski passes
- Child-friendly beginner areas in the valley or directly at the lift stations
- Easy slopes and runs for families
- Special practice lifts and other child-safe infrastructure
- Ski schools and kindergartens that are also open outside the main season and offer courses for (small) children, teenagers and adults
- Baby and childcare facilities
- Magic carpets, children's areas, adventure courses, wave tracks, playgrounds, mascots and more
At the restaurants and huts:
- Children's dishes on the menu
- Chairs for kids
- Changing tables
- Children's toilets
- Play corners
In the village:
- Short distances between accommodation and lift, e.g. hotels directly on the slopes
- Free buses
- Family-friendly accommodation
- Varied range of winter sports activities such as sledging, ice skating, snowshoeing etc.
- Bad weather programme, e.g. family spa, children's museum, indoor playground etc.
- INTERSPORT Rent ski rental at favourable prices for young and old
Where to go on a skiing holiday with the family in Europe?
Let's go - with a trip through the best family-friendly ski resorts in Europe! You can sit back and relax on a skiing holiday with your children at the following locations, while proudly watching them learn. Or you can all have fun together!
On top: Practical tips for skiing with children - from parents for parents - can be found here ...
Austria
The ski resorts in Austria are among the most popular in Europe and offer families a perfect combination of snow-sure slopes, hospitality and varied infrastructure. In addition to modern gondolas and perfectly groomed runs, the regions also impress with their traditional festivals and Austrian cuisine - from Kaiserschmarrn to regional cheeses.
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
The Tyrolean ski resort of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is made for families. Easy slopes alternate with challenging descents and entertaining themed runs. The youngest children can learn to ski on the Kinderschneealm. Older kids meet up in the Murmlipark, a snow paradise on 10,000 square metres: magic carpet, carousel, igloo and play figures provide extra fun.
All in all, the many specially trained children's ski instructors in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis provide a playful approach. And childcare is also provided: in the Murmli crèche in Serfaus and in Berta's kindergarten in Fiss, the little ones are in the best hands of trained child carers.
The family highlights of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski resort at a glance
- Kinderschneealm for kids
- Murmli Park practice area
- Adventure run Murmliweg, family run named Bärenpiste, cave world, animal park, Berta's Kinderland, Funslope and more
- Murmli the mascot
- Childcare by trained ski instructors and teachers
- Berta's kindergarten in Fiss for children from being 3 months old
- Murmlikrippe daycare centre in Serfaus (at the Komperdell cable car valley station) for toddlers from 0 to 5 years of age
- Indoor playground
- Family accommodation
Wilder Kaiser
Also located in Tyrol - and one of the most popular family ski areas: the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental. The offer for children is as extensive as the entire slope network of approx. 275 kilometres. Beginners can take their first turns on the free Hexenwiese in Söll. For those who already have practice, the Kinderkaiserland with its ski adventure park at the Scheffau mountain station is the place to be.
Young and old ski racers can meet up on the speed measuring track or the ski movie run. There is also a weekly programme with exciting activities such as llama trekking, dog sledding or a visit to the local indoor pool in Ellmau. Ready for a break? There are several options for professional childcare at the Wilder Kaiser.
Best of all: benefit from attractive ski pass offers for the whole family!
The family highlights of the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser at a glance
- Free practice area "Hexenwiese" in Söll
- Kinderkaiserland with ski adventure park including mascot
- Child-safe chairlifts
- "Witches' Winter" adventure
- 4 fun parks (Big and Mini Playground Westendorf, Kaiserpark in Ellmau, Crazy Kangaroo Park in Söll)
- childcare: "Kiko" in Söll, Schneepiraten Kids Club in Scheffau (0 to 5 years) and Ellmi's Kids Club (2 to 6 years)
- Ski pass offers for families, e.g. young family card or family ski weeks
- Several children's ski schools in Scheffau, Söll and Ellmau
- Varied weekly programme
- Two floodlit night sledging runs (moon toboggan run and witches' ride), curling, snow biking and more
- Family-friendly mountain restaurants in every village
Lofer
With its 46 kilometres of slopes, Lofer in Salzburg's Saalachtal is a relatively small and manageable ski area - and popular with families for this reason alone. Top awards as a family and beginners' ski area, for ideal slope preparation, modern lifts and cable cars as well as cleanliness and hygiene confirm: skiing in Lofer offers the perfect all-round package.
A good price-performance ratio and two child-safe chairlifts do the rest to provide families with a perfect skiing experience. Especially cool: The 140-metre-long, covered magic carpet and the Lofi Funline are sure to make the eyes of the little ones light up.
Unique: Every Saturday, children up to the age of 18 are free on the slopes of Lofer when accompanied by both parents.
The family highlights of Lofer ski resort at a glance
- Child-safe chairlifts
- Award for family and beginner friendliness
- Affordable family ski passes in different versions
- 140 metre long, covered magic carpet
- Lofi Funline for the whole family along the Family Express lift
- Combined ticket "Ski and thermal spa"
Switzerland
Switzerland's ski resorts are synonymous with impressive mountain panoramas and a long winter sports tradition. Families not only appreciate the slopes and modern lifts here, but also the authentic Swiss culture that can be felt in the charming mountain villages. Visitors will like regional culinary specialities such as cheese fondue or rösti on their skiing holiday. Swiss ski regions combine alpine lifestyle with genuine hospitality.
Bellwald
Easy for the little ones and challenging for teenagers and adults: in Bellwald, there is something for every member of the family on 40 kilometres of slopes. The ski area bears the "Families Welcome" label for good reason. This includes the children's ski school with mascot Snowli for all ski kids from the age of 2 to 5.
A special incentive: with the Bellwald Card in your luggage, Snowli's Hasenland can even be used free of charge, and with it the children's ski lift, magic carpet, figure course and even more. Also free with the guest card: local childcare and the sports bus, which runs from the village directly to the chairlift valley station.
Long queues? There are hardly any in Bellwald - things always move quickly at the lifts. You can also enjoy the view of the legendary Matterhorn.
The family highlights of Bellwald at a glance
- Several ski schools and a children's ski school with crèche
- Ski and snowboard school
- Snowpark
- Sledging (from the middle station of the chairlift) and night sledging (in Gassen)
- Sports bus from the village to the lift stations
- Dynamic price model with special rates for families with two or more children
Arosa Lenzerheide
Arosa and Lenzerheide are the dream team for families travelling to Switzerland for skiing.
On the one hand, Arosa, which has been awarded the "Family Destination" label. Many attractions round off the offer and ensure a varied daily programme. Fairy tales are read to you in the Märligondel. Learn to ski in a playful way in the beginners' and children's area. Attend a free group course at the ski and snowboard school – when you stay for at least two nights in a participating accommodation. There are numerous opportunities to observe and feed animals on the squirrel trail. Childcare, sledging runs and much more await you in Arosa.
On the other side - in Lenzerheide - there are also several children's areas, an ice rink and natural ice fields, the fun Foxtrail and the colourful Globi children's programme with many stations for families in the region. Not only on the slopes, but also away from them, there is plenty of entertainment on a skiing holiday!
The family highlights of Arosa Lenzerheide at a glance
- Arosa has been recognised as a "Family Destination".
- Honeyland at Prätschli for children and beginners - free of charge
- Possibility of free group lessons at the Arosa ski and snowboard school
- Adventures off the slopes in Beerenland Innerarosa, on the Eichhörnliweg, in the Lenzerheide and many more.
- Childcare at the Bärenhöhle in the Arosa indoor playground
- Children's programme in Lenzerheide, e.g. cross-country skiing taster courses, children's theatre or barbecues by the bonfire
France
Ski resorts in France combine Alpine winter sports with the French way of life: in addition to perfectly groomed slopes, families enjoy cosy accommodation in traditional Alpine villages as well as a culinary variety ranging from hearty Savoyard specialities to fine French cuisine.
Les 3 Vallées
In the French family ski resort of Les 3 Vallées, kids are kings and queens. You can feel this in the child-friendly accommodations as well as on the slopes and in the ski schools and kindergartens in the ski area. Les 3 Vallées is one of the largest interconnected ski areas in Europe and stretches across three valleys. It's easy to imagine that there is more than enough space for the needs of families!
The family highlights of 3 Vallées ski resort at a glance
- more than 50 % (164) beginners’ slopes (green) and easy runs (blue)
- two family ski routes from valley to valley along blue runs
- child-friendly ski lifts with extra protection
- great family ski pass prices
- numerous ski-in/ski-out hotels right by the slope
Other family-friendly ski resorts in France
- Le Corbier (Les Sybelles)
- Val d'Isère - Tignes - Espace Killy
- More ski resorts in France
Also recommended: Family ski resorts in Germany and Italy
- Germany: Großer Arber (Bavarian Forest), Balderschwang, Bad Hindelang
- Italy: Dolomiti Superski Carezza, Alpe di Siusi, Three Peaks
Frequently asked questions about family-friendly ski resorts in Europe?
How can you recognise whether a ski resort is beginner-friendly?
You can recognise beginner-friendly, family-oriented ski resorts in Europe by their large number of gentle, wide slopes with low difficulty levels (blue and green). It is also important to have easily accessible practice runs with magic carpets or simple T-bar lifts so that children and beginners can get off to a stress-free start. A ski school with qualified instructors and children's areas are also decisive criteria. Another plus are short, safe routes from the accommodation to the lifts as well as family-friendly infrastructure such as childcare, sledging runs or indoor play areas.
Which ski resorts guarantee snow?
Snow-sure, family-friendly ski resorts in Europe are characterised above all by their location and modern snowmaking technology. From an altitude of 2,500 metres, you can assume a high level of snow reliability, as the temperatures there are usually low enough to guarantee a continuous blanket of snow. In addition, many destinations rely on snowmaking systems to ensure perfect slopes - a decisive advantage for families who want to plan ahead. Examples of such ski resorts are Obergurgl-Hochgurgl in Austria, which reaches up to over 3,000 metres, and La Plagne in France, where altitude and modern snowmaking go hand in hand.
What should I pack for a skiing holiday with children?
A well thought-out packing list is particularly important for a skiing holiday with children so that the whole family can start the winter fun well prepared. The basic equipment includes children's skis, ski poles, ski boots and a suitable ski helmet - much of which you can get from an INTERSPORT Rent shop. Additional safety can be provided by ski goggles with UV protection and a back protector. When it comes to clothing, parents should opt for warm, breathable and waterproof items: A ski jacket, ski trousers, ski underwear, fleece jumper, several pairs of ski socks and gloves are a must.
INTERSPORT Rent tip
The RENTertainer recommends
No matter which ski resort in Europe you choose for your family holiday - you can rely on one thing: INTERSPORT Rent is on site and will equip you with first-class ski equipment. Find out about current family offers in the shop to save on your holiday budget!
In addition, the experts always have helpful tips on the conditions or the slopes. Which runs are least frequented at which time of the year or what other activities there are to discover outside the ski area. They have the insider info for you!
