Best ski resorts in Europe for families
A family resort is judged on the details rather than the headline piste count. You want a nursery area kept clear of through traffic, ski school and childcare that takes young children seriously, and a village compact enough to move between apartment, lift and lesson meeting point without a car. These are the European resorts in our database that rate highest against those tests.
Ranked on our family rating, then on the size of the ski area for older children to grow into.
- 1Thyon-Les CollonsLes 4 Vallées, SwitzerlandRenowned for its beginner-friendly slopes, expansive 4 Valleys terrain, and breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and Dent Blanche.Family 5/5, 412 km of piste
- 2Les SybellesMaurienne, FranceSix villages linked into the fourth largest French ski area, without the marquee prices.Family 5/5, 310 km of piste
- 3EllmauTirol, AustriaGateway to the SkiWelt, Austria's largest linked ski area, and a family classic.Family 5/5, 288 km of piste
- 4WestendorfTirol, AustriaPrettiest of the SkiWelt villages, quieter than Söll with tree lined runs.Family 5/5, 288 km of piste
- 5SchladmingStyria, AustriaA four-mountain ski circuit of 123km you can ride from end to end and home to the legendary World Cup Night Slalom - above a cobbled Styrian town with a medieval square and one of Austria's most spirited après-ski scenes.Family 5/5, 230 km of piste
- 6La PlagneParadiski, FranceOne of the world's largest ski resorts, offering exceptional terrain for every level and France's only bobsleigh track.Family 5/5, 225 km of piste
- 7Arosa LenzerheideGraubünden, SwitzerlandExperience Arosa Lenzerheide's breathtaking scenery, expansive slopes, and a wealth of snow activities, where winter fun awaits at every turn!Family 5/5, 225 km of piste
- 8LenzerheideSwitzerland, SwitzerlandSunny slopes, stunning alpine scenery, and seamless access to Arosa for 140 miles of unforgettable skiing.Family 5/5, 225 km of piste
- 9Serfaus Fiss LadisTirol, AustriaA Tyrolean giant with expansive slopes and family-friendly charmFamily 5/5, 214 km of piste
- 10Grindelwald WengenJungfrau, SwitzerlandA charming, traditional Swiss village where visitors can explore up to 130 miles of slopes in the Jungfrau ski areaFamily 5/5, 213 km of piste
- 11FlachauSalzburg, AustriaSki Amadé hub village and home of the World Cup night slalom under the floodlights.Family 5/5, 213 km of piste
- 12WagrainSalzburg, AustriaA delightful blend of alpine beauty, ski convenience, and family-friendly amenitiesFamily 5/5, 213 km of piste
- 13GrandvaliraPyrenees, AndorraThe largest lift network in the Pyrenees, spread across six villages.Family 5/5, 210 km of piste
- 14Adelboden LenkBernese Oberland, SwitzerlandPicture book Swiss village and World Cup giant slalom host in the Bernese Oberland.Family 5/5, 210 km of piste
- 15RisoulSouthern Alps, FranceSunny Forêt Blanche resort linked to Vars, popular with families and freestylers.Family 5/5, 185 km of piste
- 16Val GardenaDolomites, ItalyUnparalleled breathtaking skiing amongst the Dolomites and home to the world-famous Sella Ronda circuitFamily 5/5, 181 km of piste
- 17ValmorelTarentaise, FrancePedestrian friendly modern chalet village linked into the Grand Domaine.Family 5/5, 165 km of piste
- 18Les MenuiresLes 3 Vallées, FranceThe value entry point into the Trois Vallées with easy grooming and huge access.Family 5/5, 160 km of piste
- 19MéribelLes 3 Vallées, FranceChocolate box chalet village at the heart of the Trois Vallées. Polished, wooded, sociable.Family 5/5, 150 km of piste
- 20CourchevelLes 3 Vallées, FranceThis glamorous French ski resort is known as the jewel in the crown of the world's biggest ski area, the Three Valleys.Family 5/5, 150 km of piste
Frequently asked questions
- What should you look for in a family ski resort?
- Three things: a nursery slope that skiers are not skiing through on their way home, a ski school with small groups and English speaking instructors for under sixes, and short walks between accommodation, lifts and lesson meeting points. Childcare for non skiing toddlers matters if you want to ski as adults too.
- Does altitude matter for young children?
- High resorts hold snow, but very high nursery areas are cold, windy and exposed, which shortens a small child's day. Mid altitude villages with tree lined, sheltered beginner slopes are usually more comfortable, provided the resort has snowmaking on the lower runs.
- When should families book to avoid the highest prices?
- Book accommodation and ski school six to nine months ahead for February half term, which is the busiest and most expensive week of the season. Early January and the middle two weeks of March give near identical conditions at noticeably lower prices and with far shorter lift queues.