Five Family Ski Resorts For Your Next Trip To The Slopes

Upmarket Lech in the Arlberg region has been attracting well-heeled families for generations. Less glitzy than the likes of St. Moritz and Verbier, this understated Austrian resort has long been a favourite of royalty. There’s no doubt that the town’s price tag reflects its clientele, but in return you’ll have access to some of the finest skiing in Austria.

Here, there are plenty of beginner’s slopes, and the truly excellent ski schools make it perfect for those new to the sport. Plus, children under eight ski for free – a big perk in a pricey resort. Younger children (aged three to six) can join the Kinder Club for whole or half days of private or group activities and ski lessons, which can be booked at one of the many ski schools. Lech Ski School is a good place to start. 

A local snow park complete with hair-raising jumps and challenging runs for more experienced teens helps make Lech a great option for those with older children, too. Elsewhere, a thrilling 1.2 km toboggan runs through the forest from Oberlech to Lech (grab your toboggans from the Bergbahn Oberlech station), while non-skiing activities include a very impressive sports centre where kids can play tennis, scale the indoor climbing wall or visit the bowling alley.

And let’s not forget the fantastic Austrian food; children (and parents) will be thrilled to see a plate of apple strudel waiting for them at the end of their ski lesson. Lastly, while the après scene is not as lively as neighbouring St Anton, it’s just the right vibe for families.

 

With so many stunning resorts, it can be hard to choose where to ski in Switzerland, but Arosa is one of the best if you’re visiting with children. With an indoor fun park, ice skating rink and day care centre, it’s been given the ‘Family Destination’ seal of approval from the Swiss Tourism Association.

One of the resort’s biggest plus points is the free ski school. Children aged up to 17 who spend at least two nights in one of the participating hotels during their winter holiday can enjoy a free group lesson every day, encouraging youngsters to get to grips with the sport, and the Swiss Ski and Snowboard School Arosa (SSSA) is one of the best you can find in the Alps.

As far as adult-worthy skiing goes, it couldn’t get much better either: there are plenty of cruisey blues and wide red runs making it an ideal spot for those who are new(ish) to the sport, a large section of nursery slopes for complete beginners, as well as three super-fun toboggan runs. More advanced skiers will not be disappointed either, thanks to several very challenging runs – try the Black Diamond if you’re brave enough. 

Another plus here is the many family-friendly mountain restaurants such as Alp Arosa, where you can just pop in. No booking required. Just what you need when tired little people need to stop for lunch a bit early.

 

Italy is known as a family-friendly destination, and its ski resorts are just as welcoming. The stunning Dolomites are peppered with wonderful villages but one of the best – and most stylish – is Cortina d’Ampezzo. Nicknamed ‘Queen of the Dolomites’, it gained its reputation as one of Europe’s finest ski resorts after hosting the 1956 Winter Olympics.

Just a two-hour transfer from Venice, this beautiful town with cobbled streets and retro-chic appeal is suitably parent-pleasing while also offering plenty for younger visitors. It’s an excellent place for beginners to ski thanks to good nursery slopes and plenty of wide, gentle runs, found on the lower parts of the Pomedes sector. There’s also the Baby Socrepes area for children, plenty of super-easy runs, and a nearby snow park for older children looking for some fun. Ski schools here are great, too, we love the Cristallo-Cortina Ski & Snowboard School who have amazing English-speaking instructors providing both group and private lessons. Book early as their services are in demand.

Aside from skiing, you’ll find ice skating, husky-sleigh rides, snow shoeing, a playground and an indoor climbing centre. But food is one of the real highlights of a trip to the Dolomites, and Cortina is home to some of the best mountain restaurants in the world. Lunch is a big deal here, so click off your skis and join Italian families for a long feast of pizza and pasta at fantastic spots such as El Camineto.