Family ski passes, childcare services or ski schools for beginners: Holidays in the snow with your little ones come with special requirements regarding accommodation, slopes and more. The good news: Many of the multi-faceted ski resorts in Austria boast a variety of family-friendly offers. Regardless of whether you are a pro on the slopes or a skiing newbie – all winter sports enthusiasts will get their money's worth there.
Nevertheless, the question arises: What regions are particularly family-friendly and how can you recognise them? Our RENTertainers are familiar with the wishes and concerns of snow-loving family holidaymakers and are happy to tell you what to look for ...
How to recognise family-friendly ski resorts
A checklist
Affordable offers and attractive deals can be found in every ski region. But what are the highlights of ski resorts and accommodation options that appeal especially to families. Here's a checklist of family-friendly services:
- children's ski passes, discounted family ski passes or family packages
- child-friendly ski schools with their own beginners' area near the valley or right by the lift station
- special children's lifts or child-friendly access to the lifts
- magic carpets to transport the little skiers
- a designated area for children with wave track, adventure course or playground
- baby- and childcare offers
- children's menus, children's toilets and baby changing facilities at the huts
What’s the perfect ski resort for me and my family?
The above criteria can serve as a rough guide when looking for family-friendly ski resorts. However, when it comes to choosing a specific region or accommodation, deciding on one is often difficult. Ultimately, all family members should feel comfortable on their holiday – and that requires thorough planning. As not every family has the same preferences, a few personal considerations can make the decision-making process much easier.
That's why our experienced RENTertainers have summarised the most important criteria – so you and your family can thoroughly enjoy your stay.
Size of the resort
Family-friendly? Yes, but how big should the ski resort be? Do you prefer a large ski area with countless kilometres of slopes, numerous lifts and several ski schools, children's areas and so on? Or a slightly smaller resort with fewer offers for the youngest guests but with a laid-back and cosy atmosphere?
Getting there & mobility on site
By car, bus or train: The journey is part of the holiday. But not every accommodation is equally easy to reach, and factors such as storage space and comfort also play an important role on a family holiday. That's why it's worth taking a look at the options for getting there before booking your trip: Can the ski resort be reached quickly and easily by train? Are snow chains necessary if you are travelling by car? Are there any mountain passes along the route to the resort?
Speaking of mobility: This of course also plays a decisive role on site. Especially with children, accommodation in a central location or right next to the slopes really pays off. This way, you won’t have to lug around your equipment for long distances, and the adventures in the snow can begin right on your accommodation’s doorstep. In addition, proximity to a playground, ski school and supermarket can be a welcome bonus on a family holiday.
Comfort
Do you want to self-cater at a holiday flat or prefer an all-inclusive stay in a hotel? Both have their advantages, but when choosing accommodation, cost is of course also a deciding factor. Renting flats and holiday homes is usually cheaper.
Price
The issue of affordability is something (almost) every holidaymaker is concerned with. There are options for a joint holiday in the snow that have a significant impact on your holiday budget: For instance, is the intended destination a luxury ski resort or an insider tip with great family deals? Are there discounts for families, for example, when buying a ski pass? Do children perhaps even get to use the lifts for free?
Our tip for smart spenders: In many ski resorts, you can book packages that include both the ski passes and accommodation. Taking advantage of this option usually pays off, especially for families.
Equipment
A first-rate ski holiday requires first-rate equipment – so far, so good. But where do you get it? Bring it yourself or better rent it? On a family holiday, luggage can quickly pile up, and all the skis, helmets and poles become a challenge to transport. If you opt for rental equipment, you don't have to worry about any of that.
Family-friendly & convenient: With more than 800 shops, INTERSPORT Rent can be found in the most beautiful ski resorts around the world – including in Austria! That’s where you can rent high-quality ski equipment at a great value-for-money ratio. Excellent family offers and online reservations ensure that you get the best equipment quickly and easily.
Everything at a glance: When planning your next ski holiday, we recommend you take a look at our checklist. This way you won't forget anything important.
Family-friendly ski resorts in Austria
The land of mountains is simply made for skiing. Fascinatingly diverse ski resorts as far as the eye can see are waiting for you. Now the only question is: Which resorts and regions are the best for a family holiday? Our RENTertainers have put together an overview of Austria's top family ski resorts ...
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
The three Tyrolean resorts of Serfaus, Fiss and Ladis form an interconnected ski area of around 460 hectares that is hard to beat in terms of family-friendliness: 125,000 square metres of the area are reserved exclusively for children. The Kinderschneealm and Murmli Park also ensure plenty of fun and variety for little winter sports enthusiasts. On a total of 214 kilometres of ski runs, all skiers – pros or newbies – are sure to get their money's worth.
Extras for families
| Highlights for children | Offers for family members of all ages |
|---|---|
| Kinderschneealm | discounted family ski passes |
| Murmli Park | ski schools |
| Berta's Kinderland (with children's villa including children's stage, entertainment room, snow adventure room and ski depot for kids) |
childcare (also for babies and toddlers) |
| Berta's Indian Land | Fiss Cave World |
| magic carpet | children's restaurants |
| merry-go-round | wildlife park |
| children's fun areas | dinosaur forest |
| climbing tower | sledging run |
| adventure course | bear run |
| snowmobile course |
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental
With 288 kilometres of ski runs, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental is one of the largest and most extensive ski areas in the world. The infrastructure there also makes the region a real hotspot for families. With large parking areas at the valley stations, child-safe chairlifts and many wide and easy slopes and blue runs all the way down to the valley, the resort leaves nothing to be desired.
Extras for families
| Highlights for children | Offers for family members of all ages |
|---|---|
| Hexenwiese at SkiWelt Söll | family ski passes and discounts for family holidaymakers |
| Kids SkiWelt in Hochbrixen (including Bobo mini-club, children's club, practice lift, Aktiv-Kinderland children's area and magic carpet) |
ski schools with their own children's area |
| Ellmi’s Winter World at SkiWelt Ellmau | childcare (also for babies and toddlers from 5 months) |
| "Hans im Glück" obstacle course | family ski depots |
| Skimovie runs | ALPENIGLU® village in Hochbrixen including ice exhibition |
| sledging runs | |
| funparks for all levels (from beginner to pro) |
Stubai Glacier
Stubai Glacier also has a lot to offer for families. On a total area of 1,450 hectares with 110 kilometres of ski runs, there is plenty to discover and experience – even for the youngest skiers. Family-friendly service is a priority in the region. While children have fun in the snow, parents get to relax or enjoy action-packed adventures on the slopes. At the Stubai Glacier ski resort, all interests can be easily combined.
Extras for families
| Highlights for children | Offers for family members of all ages |
|---|---|
| BIG Family children and youths ski camp (including practice lift, magic carpets and children's restaurants) |
family ski passes and discounted, family-friendly offers |
| BIG Family slalom | ski schools with their own children's area |
| BIG Family boardercross | childcare (at kindergarten) |
| BIG Family funslope | ice rally through the ice grotto on Eisgrat |
| children's line at Stubai Zoo Snowpark | viewing platform at Stubai Glacier |
| speed measurement run & timed race course | Mammoth playground |
| merry-go-round | winter hiking |
| mascots B.Big and Mini B | |
| snow castle at Gamsgarten | |
| snowcat rides |
Schmittenhöhe in Zell am See
Close to the picturesque mountain town of Zell am See lies the Schmitten family ski resort. As a top destination for winter sports fans of all ages, the resort boasts winter fun for all levels on 77 kilometres of ski runs. The diverse range of offers and the award-winning family hotels ensure that all generations feel comfortable both on and off the slopes.
Extras for families
| Highlights for children | Offers for family members of all ages |
|---|---|
| adventure area with children's slope | family ski passes and discounted, family-friendly offers |
| Dragon Park & children's area | extensive ski school and ski course offers (including children's area and magic carpet) |
| Dragon mascot Schmidolin | childcare |
| wave track | snow park |
| dragon tunnel | Funslope XXL |
| Schmidolin's magic carpet (including children's lift) | Skimovie run |
| children's merry-go-round | Jukeboxx cable car |
Almenwelt Lofer
In Salzburg's idyllic Saalach Valley, the family-friendly ski area of Almenwelt Lofer comprises 46 kilometres of ski runs. More than half of the slopes fall into the blue category for beginners. Practice lifts and children's areas make the region the ideal holiday destination for families. And thanks to the region’s diverse offers, experienced skiers will feel right at home at Almenwelt Lofer too.
Extras for families
| Highlights for children | Offers for family members of all ages |
|---|---|
| children's areas (Bobo Kinder-Club, Lofino Kinderland) | family ski passes and other affordable, family-friendly offers |
| children's merry-go-round | ski schools (including Kinderland, magic carpet and mascot) |
| wave track | childcare (at kindergarten) |
| adventure course | playground |
| magic carpet | family downhill run |
| children's lift | winter walks |
| mascot: Lofer mountain cow |
INTERSPORT Rent Tip
Safety always comes first – especially when going skiing. That's why following certain basic rules, including tips for safe behaviour on the slopes, is an absolute must for a relaxed family holiday. Important aspects include:
- the right equipment
- physical fitness
- showing consideration for others
- the weather conditions
You can find more information about safety on the slopes in our guide to skiing more responsibly ...
