Free pistes, great panoramas, reasonable prices and the kids always in sight – in such ski resorts, the family holiday in the snow can be really enjoyed. SnowTrex knows the family ski resorts where the ski holiday is a complete success.
Family ski resorts: The advantages
A quiet village centre, personal ambience and genuine hospitality are the plus points that make family ski resorts so pleasant. There is no hustle and bustle here, and yet, it is never boring – on the contrary. Smaller ski resorts often have many regulars who meet there again and again. Much faster than anywhere else, you get to talk here, make contacts or even new friends. Many appreciate precisely this family cohesion, and so parents with children in particular like to come to family ski resorts. They feel welcome as a family, quickly get to know other families, let the little ones play together and can exchange ideas with other parents. Then there are the subtle nuances in the offer that parents appreciate. For example:
- supervised winter play areas,
- children’s plates on the menus,
- changing tables in the huts,
- short distances between accommodation, lift access, ski school, toboggan slope and the evening leisure activities in the village, and
- a wide range of activities such as tobogganing, horse-drawn sleigh rides or ice skating.
Class instead of mass: Smaller ski resorts often include manageable ski areas that sometimes have only a few kilometres of pistes, but prepare them excellently. In addition, smaller ski areas are a blessing, especially for parents. The practice slope is easy to see, and slightly older children can confidently ski a run on their own. After all, you always meet at the end of the slope, at the lift entrance or at the hut without having to look for each other. Less prominent places are also attractive for families who want to save money. Because fewer kilometres of piste also mean lower prices.
Another advantage of manageable family ski areas: Here, it is predominantly families and pleasure skiers who come together. The après-ski offer in the evening focuses on relaxing activities such as sitting together by the fireplace instead of lively party nights. Parents with small children and those seeking peace and quiet will find exactly the peaceful atmosphere they desire.
Family-friendly ski resorts in Austria
Hochzillertal-Hochfügen-Spieljoch Ski Area
The municipality of Kaltenbach with its districts of Ried and Stumm has about 1,200 inhabitants and is situated at an altitude of 558 metres. The associated Hochzillertal-Hochfügen-Spieljoch ski area (2,378 m) is considered one of the best ski areas in the world. The family ski area has 102 km of pistes, which are accessed by 49 lifts. From Kaltenbach, two 8-seater gondolas take you to the central station in the Hochzillertal area. Here you will find the large beginners’ ski area, the ski schools and the Zwergerl Club with all-day care (from 3 months). Further lifts take you all the way to the top from here. Blue and red slopes always lead back to the central station. Advanced skiers can ski over to Hochfügen via “The best connection” at 2,501 m and explore the second area of the ski resort.
For families who want something entirely different after so much piste and snow, SnowTrex recommends the varied, cultural offerings of Kaltenbach and its region. In nearby Fügen (7 km) you can visit the show dairy and the Zillertaler Speckstube – including tasting. An informative family experience is a visit to the biomass heating power plant “FeuerWerk”. The natural product of wood is brought closer to parents and children in a variety of ways.
The museum in the Widumspfiste invites you on a historical journey through time about folk culture and customs of the Zillertal. The nostalgic version of the Zillertal Railway also runs between Jenbach and Mayrhofen on some days. Of course there are also “normal” sporting activities such as ice skating, tobogganing, winter and snowshoe hiking, cross-country skiing, curling and much more. In the district capital Schwaz, 25 km away, there is also a silver show mine and a planetarium.
Wildkogel Arena Ski Area
The Wildkogel Arena (2,150 m) is located near Bramberg and Neukirchen am Großvenediger in the province of Salzburg in the “Hohe Tauern National Park” holiday region. Of the 75 kilometres of pistes, 85 percent are easy to intermediate slopes. This makes the ski area ideal for families with children to practise their first turns in the snow. The slopes around the Preimislift in Neukirchen and the Wennsergletscher ski lift in Bramberg are particularly popular with families. The “Family Fun Arena” fun park in the Wildkogel Arena is also ideally suited for beginners and entices them with, among other things, kickers, snow waves and boxes.
The “Kogel-Mogel” children’s area ensures that the young skiers want for nothing. Here the kids will find learning aids and magic carpets as well as a children’s restaurant. Outside the skiing fun, there is also professional childcare with painting, handicrafts, puzzles, and excursions for the young snow bunnies.With children well looked after, parents can, for example, devote themselves to the more challenging downhill runs without worrying or take a ski course themselves to learn how to ski or to hone their technique. At 2,100 m, winter sports enthusiasts can also relax and enjoy the mountain panorama in the mountain huts.
Instead of skis, you can alternatively venture onto the slopes in the Wildkogel Arena with a toboggan. Here you will find the world’s longest illuminated toboggan run at 14 km. Away from the slopes, holidaymakers can take part in horse-drawn sleigh rides or observe wild animals during a feeding session.
SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental
Due to its proximity to the German border (24 km), SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental can be reached without a motorway vignette. The village of Ellmau is particularly recommended for families. The idyllically situated village has 2,600 inhabitants and is located at an altitude of 820 metres. The ski pass for the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental offers an incredible 279 kilometres of slopes and 91 lifts. With this scale, it is advisable to initially limit the radius of action to the Astberg and Hartkaiser: beneath the Astberg, between Ellmau and Going, there are several practice lifts with wide, ideal slopes for beginners and returning skiers.
Also located here are the ski schools, the snowtubing track and the Going-Ellmau Kinderland, a real paradise with conveyor belts, carousel with snowtubs, slalom course, bouncy castle and much more. Advanced skiers reach the summit of the Astberg via 3 chairlifts, from where 10 easy and medium level slopes lead through wooded terrain back down to the valley. By the way, there is also a 4.5 km long toboggan run on the Astberg, some of which is illuminated until 2.00 am at night.
The second option is to take the funicular up to the Hartkaiser. From there, you can also get back down via blue and red slopes, but with the option of exploring the rest of the Wilder Kaiser-Brixental ski area. The villages of Scheffau, Söll, Itter, Hopfgarten and Brixen can be visited by ski. A highlight on the Hartkaiser is the over 4 km long valley run!
If you feel like spending a ski-free day, you will also find a wide range of varied activities off the slopes, such as curling, curling, winter and snowshoe hiking, horse-drawn sleigh rides, tandem paragliding, winter riding and much more. You can relax in the Ellmauer KaiserBad, which has a beautiful wellness and sauna area in addition to fast-paced adventure slides.
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis Ski Area
Around 125,000 m² of the piste area in the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area is reserved exclusively for children. 80 percent of the 198 kilometres of pistes are marked blue or red. Perfect conditions for a skiing holiday with the whole family. A centrepiece of this family ski area is the Kinderschneealm at the top station of the Gampen family lift and the Komperdell lift in Serfaus. 45,000 m² of snow surface dedicated solely to the enjoyment – and of course teaching – of the smallest guests. The concept: introduce children to skiing playfully. No one has to endure 4 hours of dull exercises on the boards here. In between, children are allowed to be children – and play to their heart’s content. There are various courses with life-size figures, but there is also a playground and a toboggan run.
At lunchtime, the two children’s restaurants, Murmlirest and Starrest, are open to children up to 6 years of age. Here, the youngsters will not only find exciting themed rooms, but food is also served here that has been tested and selected by children for children. Parents and grandparents can relax while their children have fun. For example, in the nearby relaxation zone with hammocks and beach chairs. Or they can take a walk on the 1.5 km long alpine promenade. This course leads them from the Kinderschneealm once around the nearby reservoir.
Near the Kinderschneealm, there are other highlights waiting for the kids. The Murmlitrail, for example, an interactive adventure trail that reveals the secret of where mascot Murmli lives. Or the Bärenpiste, the family downhill run from the Alpkopfbahn mountain station to the Kinderschneealm. It’s even more adventurous in the Beginner Circus, the fun park for young freestylers with small kickers, wave tracks and boxes. And of course on the snowmobile course, the first one just for kids.
But the Kindererschneealm is by no means the end of the story. Two more areas are dedicated entirely to the little winter sports enthusiasts. Firstly, there is the Murmli Park in the middle of Serfaus. All guests can have fun on this 10,000 m² terrain free of charge. For example, two conveyor belts, a carousel, an igloo, and many play figures await on the slightly sloping meadow. All this is especially suitable for children between 3 and 4 years. It is precisely for this group that the Serfaus Ski School has also developed a special learning concept called the “Gentle Birth of Ski Children”. Finally, Berta’s Kinderland awaits at the middle station of the Sonnenbahn in Fiss-Ladis. Whether on the conveyor belts, on the practice platter lift, in the foxhole, in Berta’s sound forest, on the playground, the race track, the tubing track or in the individual learning areas.
And the little guests can check how far they have already developed on Berta’s learning trail. In addition to all the learning, fun is of course also a priority at the Fiss-Ladis Ski School. That’s why the team is known for its children’s entertainment. Highlights are, for example, the Punch and Judy show, the ski race or the Indian day. Berta also runs a kindergarten, by the way: from the age of 3 months, the offspring are looked after here in generously designed rooms with a climbing tower, sleeping corner, children’s cinema and Berta’s mini snow land.
There is also an extra area for children who want to swing down the mountain on one board instead of two. Berta’s Boarderclub at the Möseralmbahn in Fiss is a practice area just for snowboarders. From the age of 6, they let off steam here on a boardercross, a wave track and various special trails. First jumps are tested on the airbag.
If you think that the family fun stops when you reach the valley, you’re wrong. Off the slopes, the fun continues. For example, there are two toboggan runs. On one of them there is regularly a lot of fun even in the evening. Demo teams from the ski school then prove themselves as acrobats, and there are also fireworks.
Hohentauern Ski Resort
“A little closer to heaven” is the motto of the Hohentauern sports village – and rightly so. The Hohentauern ski area provides truly heavenly skiing pleasure for the whole family. Especially the little ones get their money’s worth in the ski kindergarten with ski carousel and magic carpet. Children up to the age of six ride the lift free of charge when accompanied by their parents. The family-friendly slopes with around 10 kilometres of pistes bear the Styrian Piste Quality Seal.
Zillertal Arena Ski Area
Although it was opened up in 1962 and has been “married” to the Zillertal Arena (143 kilometres of pistes) for 10 years, the Gerlosplatte plateau near Krimml is still an insider tip. It is mainly permanent guests and young families who come here, and it is more leisurely than fast-paced. Only a few snowboarders and daredevils look for adventures on the slopes. Yet, the Gerlosplatte guarantees pure skiing fun – every holiday guest will find their ideal slope here. Several chairlifts take skiers to the top of the mountain. Once at the top, the full beauty of the Gerlosplatte is revealed. A 360-degree panorama like something out of a picture book. If you have children, the family ski area is perfect for you because Hochkrimml offers the right level of difficulty for every skill level.
There is no way around a ski school so that the children learn the right way to handle the skis, but also how to handle the slopes right from the start. In Arena FUNtasyland, the little ones start on the magic carpet and rope lift, between the trapper’s hut and the Indian tents. But subsequently, it’s quickly off to the beginners’ slope in front of the Filzsteinalm and into the world of pistes on the Gerlosplatte.
In the evening, you can go tobogganing on the Filzstein. The best way to relax your muscles and senses is at the crystal baths in Wald (Pinzgau), not far from Krimml. The glass architecture provides an unobstructed view of the mountain panorama. There is a large slide, paddling pool for small children, loungers, massages, and a restaurant.
Trins Ski Area
Quietly in the Gschnitztal, a side valley of the Wipptal, Trins offers a good mix of tranquillity and access to the slopes. Trins is only about 30 kilometres from Innsbruck and is thus not far from several larger ski areas. At the same time, it is quiet in the somewhat remote valley. The special feature of the Trins skiing area (1 kilometre of pistes) are the pistes that lie in steps on the slope. This makes them particularly clear and pleasant to ski. For the little ones there is a slide hill, a children’s playground and a warm-up room with supervision.
Brunnalm Ski Area
The ski areas in East Tyrol are still insider tips. Fantastic downhill runs, perfect childcare and many leisure activities off the slopes await you in the tranquil Defereggen valley, for example. In the middle of the valley lies the Brunnalm ski area with 17 km of family slopes. The entrance to the Brunnalm cable car is on the outskirts of St. Jakob. Below the gondola, the little ones can learn in the children’s ski park on the drag lift and practice slope. At the top of the slope, widely branching pleasure runs and several rustic huts await. An unbeatable argument for families is the comparatively low price level in the Defereggen valley.
Grünberg Ski Area
The small, fine village of Obsteig is located in the district of Imst on a magnificent sunny plateau. The pride of the village is the Kinderland beneath Obsteig’s local mountain, the Grünberg (1,102 m). The gentle slope with a 1 km downhill run is ideally suited for the first skiing attempts of children and beginners, and at the same time easily manageable for parents. A large, flat winter playground awaits ski beginners. Who are transported up the slope right away on several magic carpets to try their hand at the many colourful obstacles. The Grünberg T-bar lift next to the main piste takes you a little higher still, where a 700-metre blue run awaits adult beginners and slightly advanced skiers and snowboarders.
Buchensteinwand/Pillersee Ski Area
In the middle of the Kitzbühel Alps, between the well-known ski resorts of Leogang and Fieberbrunn, lies the small town of Hochfilzen and its ski area of Buchensteinwand/Pillersee (22 kilometres of pistes). The village in the Pillerseetal has the perfect location for accessing the ski area. And at the same time it is as quiet and tranquil as an Alpine village can be. The ski school in Hochfilzen offers special care for the youngsters with a ski playground, ski kindergarten and toddler care, packed into a “child-friendly” daily programme. Qualified lessons with trained children’s ski instructors round off the family-friendly offer.
Family-friendly ski resorts in France
Chamrousse Ski Resort
The small municipality of Chamrousse, with a population of around 400, lies between 1,400 and 2,250 metres above sea level in the French Alps. From the mountain tops of the 90 kilometres Chamrousse ski area, there are breathtaking views of the nearby city of Grenoble.
The Chamrousse ski area has been awarded a seal of family friendliness, and not without reason. Chamrousse offers childcare for the youngest children from the age of one. And at the age of three, kids can learn to ski playfully at the ski school. There is also a Kids Fun Park for the first freestyle fun. Another advantage for families is that the flat complexes in Chamrousse are located right next to the slopes. This makes it easy and uncomplicated to get into the ski area with the children. The 16 lifts transport families quickly and comfortably to the snow-sure peaks.
For a change of pace from skiing, families can enjoy ice skating and the two action-packed toboggan runs. In the nearby adventure pool “Center aquatique Flottibulle”, water rats can let off steam on a water slide, among other things. The tour guide provided by SnowTrex also offers an inviting programme with a welcome evening and a shared raclette or fondue meal.
Le Grand Domaine Ski Resort
Have you heard of the Snow Hole of Savoie? This is the name for the family-friendly Valmorel in the Savoy Alps. Located 35 km south of the Olympic city of Albertville at an altitude of 1,400 m, it is one of the most beautiful and cosy ski villages in France. The centre of the village, consisting mostly of chalets, was built in the typical regional style of wood and natural stone. Small boutiques, cosy restaurants, pretty shops and accommodation are located directly on the slopes. The ski area is called “Le Grand Domaine” (2,550 m) and lives up to its name. There are 165 kilometres of pistes to choose from.
Right next to the village are the wide and flat beginner’s slopes with particularly slow-moving lifts. In between, mainly green and blue beginner pistes run in a star shape. The ski schools and ski kindergartens are also located in these areas. By the way, Valmorel has a real special feature: It is home to the only German ski school in France. Because of its location, but also because it is equipped with 350 modern snow cannons, Valmorel is considered to have guaranteed snow until mid-April.
During winter, the resort offers a varied programme of sports, games, and shows. Down in the valley in Aigueblanche (12 km), for example, there is a large family swimming pool with two indoor pools, a giant slide and other activities.
Family-friendly ski resorts in Germany
Söllereck Ski Area
Oberstdorf is the southernmost municipality in Germany and lies at an altitude of 813 metres. The spa town with exceptionally clean air has about 9,900 inhabitants and is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Germany. The prestigious winter sports resort has one of the most modern and largest ski jumps in the world and is the venue for internationally renowned skiing competitions. A matter, of course, is the free ski bus for winter sports enthusiasts, which regularly serves the Ski Oberstdorf Kleinwalsertal ski area.
Families with small children, beginners and returning skiers are recommended to start with the area at Söllereck (1,450 m). Here there are 12 km of pistes, 5 km of which are easy and 5 of which are lifts. The Söllereck has been certified as particularly family-friendly by Kinderland Bayern®. For example, there is a free practice area with ski carousel, igloo, conveyor belt and magic carpet, where children are playfully introduced to skiing by dedicated ski instructors. Action-packed fun is guaranteed on the Alpine Coaster, a fast-paced, 850-metre-long toboggan run on which speeds of up to 40 km/h can be reached. Snowbikes can also be rented at the Söllereck valley station.
Oberstdorf also offers a wide range of leisure activities. How about building an igloo together, for example? Those who prefer more speed are spoilt for choice with tobogganing, airboarding, snow biking, snowscootering, zorbing, etc. Curling, ice skating, dog sledding and snowshoe hikes are somewhat quieter. A beautiful pedestrian zone with attractive shops for strolling as well as restaurants of all categories round off the perfect family offer.
Großer Arber Ski Area & Silberberg Ski Area
Bodenmais with its 3,300 inhabitants lies at an altitude of 689 m beneath the highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest, the Großer Arber (1,456 m). The cosy climatic health resort is the ideal starting point for a varied winter holiday with the family. There are two family ski areas to choose from: “Großer Arber” and “Silberberg”.
The Silberberg ski area (up to 955 m) delights with clear and family-friendly slopes. There are a total of 2 km of well-groomed slopes. In the children’s park with magic carpet, ski carousel and supervision, the younger guests learn the ABCs of winter sports playfully. Those who have had enough of skiing can try the over 500 m long winter toboggan run or visit the show mine located in the middle of the ski area. The 955 m high Silberberg is not called that for nothing. People were already digging for silver and other minerals in its mines a good 500 years ago. Centuries-old tunnels, an underground lake and many interesting exhibits bring the past back to life.
The Großer Arber ski area (up to 1,456 m) scores with a much greater variety. For example the very demanding alpine World Cup course of the Ski Country Performance Centre. There are a total of 6 lifts and 10 km of pistes, with a focus on blue and red runs. The Arber is considered to be the most snow-sure German low mountain peak, yet here, too, investments have been made in a modern snow-making system. Therfore skiing is usually possible until mid-April. Families enjoy the 6-person lifts, with which everyone can reach the highest point of the ski area together in just a few minutes. From here you have a fantastic view over the Bavarian Forest and the Bohemian Forest. A special experience is certainly the 8 km long touring run from the Großer Arber to the indoor pool in Bodenmais.
The popular ArBär-Kinderland with 4 conveyor carpets in different lengths, as well as a ski carousel, offers ideal conditions for children and beginners to get acquainted with winter sports. There is also a warm-up room and WCs suitable for children. Children taking part in the courses receive a snack and a drink at lunchtime. Something special is the family cross park on the Thurnhof slope. This consists of smaller waves, hills and some steep curves. Here, everyone can try their hand at jumps – riding fun guaranteed! Bodenmais and the surrounding area offer many varied options for the evenings or a day off from skiing: ice skating rink, curling rink, a large network of winter hiking trails, the Silberbergbad with sauna area and the Bayerwald Animal Park in nearby Lohberg with native fauna. A visit to the JOSKA glassworks in Bodenmais is also highly recommended.
Unternberg Ski Area
Ruhpolding in Upper Bavaria is best known as a cross-country skiing destination and for the Biathlon World Cup that takes place there every year. But in addition to Nordic athletes, skiers also get their money’s worth here. With 2.5 kilometres of slopes, the Unternberg ski area is absolutely suitable for families, learning children and pleasure skiers. Despite the small size of the area, Unternberg has all the amenities of a large ski area. From artificial snowmaking and several alpine huts to floodlights in the evening. A plus point of the small spot is the deep snow slope above the piste. Here, experienced freeriders can take a chairlift up to the Unternberg Alm and enjoy the 3.6 km long ski route.
Nesselwang Ski Area
The small village of Nesselwang lies in what is probably the most unspoilt part of the Allgäu beneath the Alpspitze (1,575 m). Here wide country roads and small streams meander along the idyllic villages. The Nesselwang ski area is quite impressive in the otherwise rather flat foothills of the Alps. The 8 km of blue and red runs are easy to survey and families can enjoy a peaceful downhill run. To ensure that parents and older children don’t get bored, the repertoire of this fine area includes a 700 m long black run, the 5ive Alpspitzpark and the illuminated 2 km long night run. Incidentally, Nesselwang in the Allgäu is not to be confused with the Austrian Nesselwängle. This town is just under 40 km away in the Tannheim Valley and also has a small ski area attached to it.
Bocksberg Ski Area
The town of Goslar in Lower Saxony is located on the north-eastern edge of the Harz Mountains and thus in one of the most beautiful winter sports regions in Germany. The entrance to the Bocksberg cable car, which leads up to the ski area of the same name, is located in the district of Hahnenklee-Bocksberg. Five downhill runs with a total length of 4.3 km await you here. Six lifts transport you to the slopes of the Bocksberg (726 m). For skiing beginners, there is a children’s lift with a 200 m run, where you can practise your first turns in a relaxed way. The 1.5 km long toboggan run is illuminated in the evening for the last 400 m.
Family-friendly ski resorts in Italy
Alpe di Siusi Ski Area
Castelrotto is located in South Tyrol (Italy), right between Bressanone and Bolzano, and only 100 km from Innsbruck. The pretty market town has about 6,500 inhabitants and is situated at an altitude of 1,060 metres. Many of the houses in this traditional village are decorated with elaborate murals. The village area also includes Siusi and the Alpe di Siusi, the largest high alpine pasture in Europe at 52 km². The Alpe di Siusi is mostly car-free, so we recommend taking the free ski bus from Castelrotto to the valley station in Siusi (approx. 3 km). The cable car quickly takes you up to 1,800 m, where the idyllic high plateau is waiting to be discovered. The Alpe di Siusi fascinates with its liberating expanse and breathtaking scenery.
60 kilometres of perfectly groomed pistes are made accessible by 22 modern lifts and are 100% covered with snow. The pistes are divided into 30 km of blue, 29 km of red and 1 km of black runs. Which makes them ideal for enjoying the slopes with the whole family.
Several ski kindergartens and fun parks for kids are available to whet your appetite for getting into winter sports. There are tunnels, magic carpets, bouncy castles and even a mini express train. For a ski-free day, water rats have two options: The Acquarena in Brixen (27 km) and the Mardolomit in Ortisei (11 km). Both baths have several pools, water slides, brine pools, several saunas, steam baths and gastronomy. Those who would like to indulge in other sports or simply enjoy the fairytale landscape. There they can choose between snowshoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing, ski tours, sledding, paragliding and ice skating. Virtually nearby of Castelrotto is the small ski area of Marinzen. Where night skiing is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm-10pm on 2.3 km.
Merano 2000 Ski Area
In Italy’s family ski area Merano 2000, childcare is a top priority. Despite the total of 40 km of downhill skiing, parents have a good view of the crucial areas. “Luckis Kinderland” is the new outdoor playground and winter fun park for children. The life-size Haflinger horse Lucki serves as an orientation aid and accompanies the kids on and off the slopes. The play area is located directly at the mountain station of the Merano 2000 cable car, so that parents can always keep an eye on their offspring. A highlight for the whole family is the “Alpine Bob”. The longest rail toboggan run in Italy leads 1.1 km down the mountain. And without getting off, it takes the bobsleigh riders straight back up the mountain. That’s what we call service!
Family-friendly ski resorts in Switzerland
Arosa-Lenzerheide Ski Area
The family holiday resort of Arosa in Switzerland has around 3,100 inhabitants and is situated at an altitude of 1,775 m in the Schanfigger Valley. Since the merger with Lenzerheide to form the Arosa-Lenzerheide ski area, a whole 225 kilometres of pistes with guaranteed snow and 50 lifts await winter sports-loving families here. With 110 km of blue pistes, there are predominantly easy, family-friendly runs here. In addition to these family-friendly slopes, families can also look forward to several children’s areas here, such as the “Arosa Junior Club”, the “Honigland”, the “Kinderland Auarara” and the “Snowli-Kinderland” with childcare and indoor areas. Ski kindergartens and schools as well as children’s lifts, magic carpets, children’s carousel and playgrounds in the snow round off the offer.
So, the little ones are in good hands in the Arosa-Lenzerheide ski area and can learn to ski playfully, while their parents venture onto the more challenging slopes. Such as the FIS downhill course or the Gipfelstürmer tour, for example. Or they can sit back and relax on one of the countless cosy mountain huts and enjoy the sun-drenched terraces. The whole family can then come together at the end of a successful day’s skiing on the 3 km long “Pradaschier” toboggan run. There they can master the 480 metres of altitude with countless bends together.
A special offer in Arosa is also the “Eichhörnliweg”. On the theme trail, information boards tell young and old interesting facts about squirrels. The little animals even eat directly from the visitors’ hands.
Another special experience is the “fairy gondola”. On certain days in January and February, children can board the Arosa-Weisshorn cable car in the evening. There they can listen to the wonderful fairy tales of the Swiss mountains in a mysterious atmosphere.
Family-friendly ski resorts in the Czech Republic
Špičák Železná Ruda Ski Resort
The Czech village of Železná Ruda (German: Markt Eisenstein) is located at 750 m and only about 3 km from the German border near Bayerisch Eisenstein. The Špičák ski area with its 8.5 km of slopes is one of the winter sports centres in the Bohemian Forest. The area is also really optimally used. Beneath Špičák (1,202 m), Pinguinland welcomes skiing beginners. While further up, blue and red slopes and even a black run await advanced skiers. There is also a snow park and a floodlit slope. A plus point is the proximity to the Arber ski area, just over the German border. Those who want to take a short drive with their children will reach the 15 km downhill run at the Großer Arber after only 10 km.
Zadov-Churáňov Ski Resort
The tranquil village of Stachy is located on the Czech side of the Bohemian Forest. The connected family skiing area of Zadov-Churáňov creates the greatest possible variety on 5 kilometres of slopes. A total of two chairlifts and six T-bar lifts provide access to the skiing area. Which consists of easy and intermediate slopes and is thus ideal for beginners. The blue runs are predominantly flat, well laid out, and therefore very practical for parents who want to keep an eye on their children. The red Rukáv run is the longest run in the area with quite challenging 1.3 kilometres of piste. The exit of the highest lift station is on Churáňov (1,118 m).
Family-friendly ski resorts in Poland
Ski Resort SKI & SUN Świeradów-Zdrój
The Polish spa town of Świeradów-Zdrój (German: Bad Flinsberg) is not only known for its healing waters, but also for lush snowfall and a beautiful, quiet ski area. The 2.5 kilometres of pistes are divided between blue and red runs that wind through forest aisles towards the valley. In addition to T-bar lifts, the Heufuder eight-gondola lift is a modern lift system. And dozens of snow cannons support the already abundant natural snow. The popular night skiing is also possible here.
Family-friendly ski resorts in Slovakia
Tatranská Lomnica Ski Resort
The snowy village of Tatranská Lomnica is the tourist centre of the High Tatras. In the Tatranská Lomnica ski area you can ski at the Lomnica Peak (2,634 m), the second-highest peak in Slovakia. There is something for winter sports enthusiasts of all ages on 12 kilometres of pistes. For example, the longest and steepest piste in the country runs here. In a special freeride zone you can go off-piste on secured tracks and children can slide down the snowtubing track. We think of this Slovakian ski pearl: Small but mighty!
