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.

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.

Thyon-Les Collons ski resort, Switzerland, in winter — Pictured: Thyon-Les Collons, Les Sybelles, Ellmau.

Ranked on our family rating, then on the size of the ski area for older children to grow into.

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.

Best ski resorts in Europe for families

Frequently asked questions

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