A family ski holiday can be one of the most memorable winter adventures you share together — but skiing with children requires a little more planning than a trip for adults. The right resort, accommodation, childcare and ski-school setup can make the difference between a stressful week and a holiday everyone wants to repeat.
Whether you’re travelling with a baby, a toddler taking their first turns on skis, or older children who are still building confidence on the slopes, here are our best tips for planning a family ski holiday that works for everyone.
1. Choose a Family-Friendly Ski Resort
Not all ski resorts are equally suited to families. When choosing where to go, look beyond the size and reputation of the ski area and consider how easy the resort will be with children.
Look for:
- Beginner-friendly slopes and plenty of easy blue runs
- A good ski school with programmes for your children’s ages
- Childcare or kids’ clubs or hire a holiday nanny
- Accommodation close to the lifts
- A pedestrian-friendly village
- Family-friendly restaurants
- Indoor activities for non-skiing days
- A swimming pool or other activities for taking a break from skiing
- Reliable snow conditions for the time of year you’re travelling
- A family-friendly hotel – Read our guide here
Convenience matters. Being able to walk easily from your accommodation to the lifts, ski school and restaurants can make a huge difference when you’re carrying children and equipment.
2. Skiing with a Baby: Make Childcare Part of the Plan
Having a baby doesn’t mean giving up your ski holiday — but it does mean thinking differently about your time on the mountain.
One option is to hire a holiday nanny or experienced babysitter, allowing parents to ski while someone trusted stays with the baby. You could arrange childcare for a few hours in the morning, for example, and then have your nanny take a break while you spend some quality time together as a family. You can then use your childcare hours again in the evening for a lovely baby-free fondue dinner or drinks in the village.
A few other things to consider:
- Choose accommodation close to the slopes so you can easily return to your baby.
- Check whether your accommodation provides a cot, high chair and other baby essentials.
- Keep your baby’s usual routine as much as possible.
- Don’t underestimate the cold and altitude when planning time outdoors.
- Remember that strollers can be difficult to use in snowy villages.
- A baby carrier can be useful for walks, but babies should never be carried while skiing.
The goal doesn’t have to be spending all day on the slopes. A few hours of good skiing while knowing your baby is comfortable and well cared for can be more than enough.
Best overall ski destination for families with a baby: Avoriaz, France
Avoriaz is one of Europe’s easiest ski resorts for families with very young children. The resort is completely car-free and ski-in/ski-out, meaning you can get around without constantly worrying about traffic, while accommodation, ski schools and slopes are all conveniently close together. There are also dedicated children’s areas and childcare options, making it easier for parents to enjoy some time on the mountain while their baby is cared for.
Why we love it for babies: Car-free village, ski-in/ski-out convenience, childcare and plenty of skiing for parents.
-> Discover baby-friendly Avoriaz, France for your next family winter vacation
3. Skiing with Toddlers: Keep It Fun and Flexible
For toddlers, a first ski holiday should be about enjoying the snow rather than mastering the slopes. Some children will take to skis immediately; others will be much more interested in sledding, snowball fights and hot chocolate.
If your child is old enough for ski school, look for a programme designed specifically for young children, ideally one that combines skiing with games and plenty of breaks.
And consider hiring a holiday nanny who can ski. Having the same caregiver throughout your holiday means they can get to know your children properly, spend time with them at the hotel on a ski-free day, or accompany them onto the slopes when they’re ready to ski — but also be ready to take them back to the hotel if they are tired of the mountain, without this having to break up your precious ski time.
It gives parents more freedom while giving children a familiar and trusted adult to enjoy the holiday with.
Read our guide to Holiday Nannies in Europe: Rates, Vetting & What to Expect
Find Available Holiday Nannies for Your Trip
Most importantly, don’t force it. Thirty minutes of happy skiing is far better than two hours ending in tears. The goal of those first ski trips is to make children think skiing is fun — not to turn them into expert skiers.
Best overall ski destination for families with toddlers: Les Gets, France
Les Gets combines the charm of a traditional Alpine village with excellent facilities for young children. The central nursery slopes and ski-school meeting points are easy to reach, while the gentle, tree-lined pistes provide a comfortable environment for children who are finding their ski legs. When parents want more challenging skiing, Les Gets also provides access to the huge Portes du Soleil ski area.
Why we love it for toddlers: A beautiful, walkable village, gentle slopes, excellent children’s facilities and plenty to do beyond skiing.
-> Discover the winter wonderland destination Les Gets, France
4. Let Older Children Build Their Confidence
If your children can already ski but aren’t quite at the same level as you, ski school can be a great option even beyond the beginner years.
Spending time with an instructor allows children to improve their technique, build confidence and explore terrain appropriate for their ability. They also get to ski and socialise with other children, while parents can enjoy some time on the more challenging slopes.
You can then come back together for family runs, lunch or après-ski — giving everyone the best of both worlds.
Best overall ski destination for families with older children: Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Austria
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is an excellent choice for families whose children can already ski but are still developing their confidence and technique. The resort has extensive children’s areas and gentle terrain for progression, while the larger ski area offers plenty of variety as young skiers improve.
It means children can spend time with an instructor and their peers while parents enjoy more challenging terrain of their own.
Why we love it for older children: Excellent progression terrain, dedicated children’s areas and enough varied skiing to keep both children and experienced parents interested.
-> Discover the magic of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis as a family
5. Think Beyond the Skiing
A successful family ski holiday doesn’t have to mean skiing from morning until afternoon every day. Children can get tired quickly, particularly when they’re learning something new and spending long periods outside in the cold.
When choosing your destination, look for other activities such as:
- Sledding
- Swimming
- Snowshoeing
- Ice skating
- Snow play
- Indoor play areas
- Family-friendly restaurants and cafés
Having other things to do also gives children something to look forward to when they’ve had enough of their skis.
Want to expand your ski trip for the ultimate winter wonderland adventure travel in Europe? Read our 5 Magical Winter Escapes in Europe for Families blog for lots of ideas for an unforgettable family winter destination that does not include skiing.
6. You Don’t Have to Ski Every Day to Have a Successful Ski Holiday
It can be tempting to make the most of every day on the mountain, especially when you’ve travelled a long way and paid for lift passes and equipment. But you don’t have to ski every day to have a great family ski holiday.
A day spent exploring the village, swimming, sledding or simply relaxing at the chalet can give everyone a chance to recharge. You might even find that after a ski-free day, the whole family is excited to get back on the slopes.
The Secret to a Great Family Ski Holiday?
Plan for the family you actually have — not the skiing family you imagine you’ll have.
Babies may need flexible childcare, toddlers may only want to ski for an hour, and older children may be happiest skiing with friends and an instructor rather than trying to keep up with their parents.
The best family ski holidays leave room for all of that. With the right resort, a little advance planning and realistic expectations, you can create a winter holiday where parents get to ski, children have fun, and everyone comes home with memories they’ll want to repeat next year.
Want to explore the option of welcoming a professional, ski-loving Holiday Nanny for your next skiing holiday?
Check our availability here.
