1. Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis (Austria)
The Tyrolean ski region around Serfaus, Fiss and Ladis is one of the most child-friendly within the Austrian Alps. Attractions such as the kid’s snow Alp, Berta’s kids land, the Murmlipark, an Indian land, a dinosaur forest on the piste and the children’s skidoo track provide plenty of entertainment.
2. Stubai Glacier (Austria)
The family-friendly ski world BIG Family, just above Neustift, provides a care-free package for families with children of all ages.
Main attraction is the BIG Family Ski Camp on the Stubai Glacier with separate kids’ area, practice lifts, Miniland, a kids’ restaurant and an indoor kindergarten in Gamsgarten.
3. Meiringen-Hasliberg (Switzerland)
This ski region in the Bernese Oberland bears the Swiss quality seal ‘Familien Willkommen’ (families welcome). The Skihäsliland is one of Switzerland’s most popular children’s flat practice areas, with magic carpets and an igloo village.
4. Zillertal Arena (Austria)
Ski mascot FUNty welcomes little ones in Zillertal resorts Zell am Ziller, Gerlos, Krimml and Wald-Königsleiten. The huge, yellow elephant is the sign for child-friendly ski areas in the valley, offering beginner and kids’ areas, as well as guest kindergarten. An action highlight for the whole family is the Alpen-Acterbahn Arena Coaster in Zell.
5. Schmittenhöhe Zell Am See (Austria)
In the Pinzgau, the Schmittenhöhe is the local family mountain. In the kids’ ski land, beginners can learn with help of dragon Schmindolin. More practised children can test themselves on the wave track and through ski gates. Secured lifts with children-proof security mechanisms are available. The family highlight is the XXL fun slope and a ski movie track.
6. Hochoetz (Austria)
The ski region Hochoetz in the Ötztal offers comparably cheap huts and a manageable ski area with 41 kilometres of piste. There is a kids’ land, practice lifts, full-day child-care service, as well as an indoor relaxation and play area. Highlights on the piste are a special fun park for mini freestylers and a kids’ track for getting to know wild animals.
7. Almenwelt Lofer (Austria)
The Skialm Lofer in the Salzburg Saalach valley has often been announced “most family-friendly ski area in Austria”. The extra-wide pistes total 46 kilometres and there are two children’s areas at the Lofer Alm lift. Safety is a major focus, thanks to the special family chair lift Schwarzeck, with automatically closing kids’ bars, and a fully pedestrianised resort centre. There are special reduced family cards for local activities.
8. Arber in the Bavarian Forest (Germany)
The ski area at the Große Arber is an original family ski area: not too large, easily manageable practise slopes with four magic carpets and a great price-service ratio. In the ArBär kids’ land there is a bear mascot to the kids get started on the snow, and the family cross park is fun and diverse for both children and adults.
9. Alpe Di Siusi (Italy)
The Alpe di Siusi is known as the most family-friendly ski resort in Southern Tyrol. The lifts are child-safe and there are various large children areas. Little witch Nix is a great help for the children’s orientation and also provides useful security tips. Fun parks and a time-tracking slope specially designed for children add to the appeal.
10. Valfréjus (France)
French ski resort Valfréjus in the Maurienne Valley has accommodation directly on the pistes. The resort provides 65 kilometres of piste. In the Baby Club, children aged three months to three years can attend childcare, and in the international ski school Mäuse-Club (mouse club) tuition takes places in English. Away from the pistes there is a 450-square-metre ice rink and a two-kilometre bobsleigh run.