- Holiday ideas
Given the opportunity, most kids love skiing. So with careful planning family skiing holidays really can last a lifetime. Resorts are ever more child-friendly, and there are a growing number of alternatives to choose from when selecting a holiday - from booking with family skiing specialists through to do-it-yourself trips, from the North American West Coast to the long standing family favourites in France and Austria, from scheduled or charter flights to the Eurostar. Two French resorts were selected for our Best Ever Awards, dozens of others across Europe, Canda and the United States deserve consideration depending on your family's specific needs and preferences.
Club Med1st December - 27th April 2014
Mark WarnerSave up to £250pp, plus free child places
Eleven-year-old Patrick Cook assesses a boys-only ski holiday in the French Alps.
Nick and family check out one of central Europe’s ‘Children Hotels’
Take kids to a dry ski-slope to become familiar with the equipment, for lessons or to find out if younger children are ready for lessons.
Investigate the childcare offered – unless your kids are looked after to some degree, as a beginner you won’t be able to learn, or as an experienced skier you’ll be frustrated.
Consider a holiday village combining self-catering apartments with hotel-style facilities, or catered chalets with professional childcare for extended families or families holidaying together.
Rent children’s helmets, skis, boots and poles – they quickly grow out of them. Rent or borrow ski jackets and salopettes in the UK. Bring thick socks, gloves, hats, sunblock, ski goggles/sunglasses, and vests and thermal pants.
Buy suitable insurance.
See our full family ski holidays tips page for more advice, plus our guides to skiing in Europe, Scandinavia, North America and the Far East, Family-friendly Ski Resorts in Eastern Europe and North American Ski Holidays on a Budget, and our Best Ever Family Ski Resort Awards.
Europe
Europe has long been a favourite for family skiing holidays, with short journey times from the UK and many fantastic child-friendly ski resort.
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Far East
The Far East isn’t a typical family ski destination but if you happen to be on that side of the globe, the skiing is good and your kids will have a great time.
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North America
Skiing here is a service industry, with the resorts very raison d’être being to provide you with what you want – something that can’t always be said of some places nearer home.
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Scandinavia
The Nordic countries do have some simply entrancing resorts offering atmosphere in spades, and with some research and planning you can keep costs down.
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Key:
Self-catering
Hotel
Editors favourite
Kids Club
Club Med Saint Moritz Roi Soleil, Valais
A busy all-inclusive hotel in Saint Moritz, Switzerland, with plenty going on to keep the whole family busy, including ski classes and kids club.
Chalet Eva, Savoie
A spacious ski in/ski out fully-catered chalet in Reberty sleeping up to 21 people and with childcare included in the price.
Pierre & Vacances Premium Les Fermes du Soleil, Haute Savoie
Luxury self-catering apartments with indoor pool and sauna, walking distance to amenities in the ski resort of Haute Savoie.
Holiday Club Resort (Are), Sweden
A stylish Scandinavian-designed family-friendly resort in a prime lakeside ski location in Sweden.
Club Med Villars-sur-Ollon, Vaud
Ski classes for older kids, kid's club for the younger ones and everything you could need for babies so you dont have to pack it all in your luggage here to Switzerland.
ChaletHotel Schweizerhof, St. Anton
Traditional style bedrooms, kept well maintained with a warm and friendly feeling plus a great standard of service from staff.
Chalet Hotel Mariandre, Alpe d'Huez
A warm and inviting family-focused chalethotel ideally located for family ski holidays in Alp d'Huez.
Hotel Snowflake and Apartments, Lapland
Family-orientated hotel in Lapland with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities.
Chalet Loden, Meribel
A traditionally styled luxurious chalet in Meribel with a games room and full catering.
Beaver Village Condos, Winter Park Resort
Large condos, ideal for a laid-back self-catering family ski holiday in Winter Park, Colorado.
Hotel Gotthard, Tyrol
A family-run hotel in the super family-friendly ski resort of Lech in Austria. It even has it's own in-house bakery!
Club Med La Plagne 2100, La Plagne
A ski-in/ski-out all-inclusive family holiday resort in La Plagne, France. Plus free kids' ski lessons and childcare
Club Med Avoriaz, Avoriaz
Avoriaz is a perfect resort for family ski holidays It is car free and has a variety of slopes for all abilities. A great all-inclusive choice
Jagerwirt Childrens Hotel, Styria
All season family activities, ski in - ski out, spas, hikes, with 70 hours Free Child Care.
Hotel Tirolerhof, Tyrol
A family-friendly hotel in The Tirol, offering all-inclusive meals, an indoor pool, is located next to slopes and with free childcare.
Neubichler-Alm, Bavaria
Set within farmland and surrounded by stunning mountains in the Bavaria region, this place offers free childcare and so many baby- and child-friendly activities.
Gina's - 1st Adventure Children's Hotel, Carinthia
A small friendly all-inclusive hotel catering exclusively for families and with free childcare included.
Hotel Galtenberg, Alpbach
Year-round delights for all the family with 60 hrs Free Child Care and free transfers.
Hagleitner Family Balance Hotel, Kaprun
Superb family lakeside hotel with 84 hrs Free Child Care.
Löwe and Bär Hotel, Tyrol
All-inclusive family hotel in the Tirol with great facilities and free childcare from age 6 months to 14 years included in the cost.
Europe’s 1st Baby + Children’s Hotel, Carinthia
Extremely well suited to babies and toddlers, with 80 hours free childcare and specialised menus for all the family in Carinthia, Austria.
Almhof & Kroller, Tyrol
A family hotel in The Tirol, offering up to 72 hrs free childcare to each family & a direct access to the ski lift and nursery slopes.
Post Family Hotel, Salzburg
Outstanding family hotel on the shores of a bathing lake with 60hrs' free childcare.
Egger Family Hotel, Salzburg
Family hotel in one of Austria's best skiing areas with 40 hrs Free Child Care.
Leading Family Hotel & Resort Alpenrose, Tyrol
A first-class hotel that caters for all the family with free childcare, a gourmet menu and ideal for winter and summer active family holidays.
Alpenresidenz Ballunspitze, Galtur
A sociable hotel in the Tirol for all the family, from tots to grandparents, in summer and winter alike.
Alpina Family Hotel, St. Johann
Impressive hotel with top family amenities, and facilities & 50 hrs Free Child Care.
Baby Childrens Hotel Sonnelino, Carinthia
Lakeside, private sandy beach, 48 hrs Free Child Care.
Habachklause Hotel, Salzburg
Quality family hotel with farm, year round activities and 64 hours free childcare.
Achensee, Tyrol
A spacious ultra family-friendly hotel in The Tirol, perfect for active families in the summer and winter. Plus free childcare
Sporthotel Beck, Vorarlberg
Family hotel with riding stables, farm & golf, with 72 hours Free Child Care.
Hauser Kaibling Family Hotel, Styria
Year round activities, ski in - ski out, spa, free hikes, with 52 hours of Free Child Care.
Heidi-Hotel Falkertsee, Carinthia
Newly refurbished family adventure hotel, with 50 hours Free Child Care.
Dilly's Wellnesshotel, Austria
Lakeside setting, 3 spas, first kids fitness studio, with 70 hours Free Child Care.
Brennseehof Hotel, Carinthia
Year round family hotel, at least 10 sports all year, with 60 hours Free Child Care.
Smileys Childrens Hotel, Carinthia
Lakeside setting, private beach, luxurious facilities, with 60 hours Free Child Care.
Hotel Monte Rosa, Zermatt, Zermatt
A traditional turn-of-the century Alpine luxury boutique hotel, in the heart of Zermatt, Switzerland.
Europa Hotel, Saas Fee
A quiet but comfortable family-friendly ski hotel in Saas Fee, with free taxi transfers to ski lifts and ski school.
Tarentaise Meribel Mottaret Mark Warner, Meribel
A stunning piste-side chalethotel, ideally located in the heart of Meribel, with kids clubs for up to 12 year olds.
L'Aiguille Percee, Tignes
A chalethotel in Tignes, full of character, great food and offering childcare and child-friendly facilities.
Chalethotel Dahu, Courchevel
In a prime position within the upmarket ski destination of Courchevel, this family-friendly ski chalet offers fully-catered family holidays.
Coast Blackcomb Suites at Whistler, Whistler
Ideal ski in/ski out hotel with one of best ski schools in Whistler where suites even have handy kitchenettes.
Fairmont Tremblant , Tremblant
A favourite option amongst families for a luxury ski holiday in Canada, this hotel boasts a great location and excellent facilities.
Kaya Chalet Hotel, Les Menuires
Small, luxury hotel in Les Menuires; with large rooms for up to 6 people, spa, restaurant and secure boot lockers.
Abba Xalet Suites Hotel, Andorra
Comfortable and spacious hotel for families near the Andorran capital, ideal for summer and winter holidays and breaks.
Hotel Kompas, Slovenia
Popular family hotel in Slovenia with large bedrooms, indoor pool and playground. Ideal for summer and winter
Sport Hotel & Spa, Romania
Spa hotel at the foot of ski-runs in Poiana Brasov, ideal for both winter and summer holidays in Romania.
Chalet Negritelles, Les Gets
Chalet sleeping up to 10 people, centrally located in Les Gets and just a few minutes walk from the ski lifts.
Chalethotel Le Val d'Isere, Val D'Isere
A cosy chalethotel in the popular ski resort of Val d'Isère, with amazing views and kids clubs, evening creche and babysitting services.
Chalethotel Hauts de Toviere, Tignes
In a convenient location in the family-friendly resort of Tignes, close to the slopes, fully-catered and a range of kids clubs for up to 12 years.
Key:
Self-catering
Hotel
Editors favourite
Kids Club
Harriniva, Winter Wilderness - 7 or 8 day
7 day family adventure in Scandinavia with huskies, reindeers and saunas.
Kuusamo A Magical Search for Father Christmas – 5 days
A fun-filled family snow programme for children from 4 years old, including an afternoon with Santa.
Santa Spectacular
4 days/3 nights in Saariselkä - reindeer safaris, search for Santa and snowmobiling.
Slovakian Snow Adventure Family Holiday
A centre-based week of snow-filled winter sports and traditional activities.
Norway Christmas at Savalen 5 day
A true winter experience in Norway where you experience the scenery as well as some activities.
Jeris Adventure - Tailormade
Tailor your own action packed family adventure on the shores of Lake Jerisjarvi.
Iso-Syote Design Your Own Holiday
A combination of activities, superb accommodation, pristine wilderness and some of the best skiing in Finland.
Kakslauttanen Design Your Own Holiday
Tailor made holidays at Kakslauttanen allow you to experience some of the most unique accommodation in Lapland.
Nellim Wilderness Hotel Tailormade
Tailor-made programmes at Nellim allow you to design your own holiday.
Jeris Family New Year in a Winter Cottage 7 day
Cosy winter cottages, log fires, a beautiful lakeside setting, spa facilities, deep snow and a fantastic range of activities.
Jeris Family Christmas in a Winter Cottage 7 day
Your very own family winter cottage after an active day in sub-zero temperatures.
Jeris, Winter Cottages 7 or 8 day
Jeris encapsulates the family holiday Lapland dream.
Swedish Lapland The Forest Hotel Adventure and the ICEHOTEL 7 or 8 days
Unique highlights such as visiting a moose park, snow sculpting and a tour of the famous ICEHOTEL®.
Iso Syote Winter Adventure 7 or 8 day
A fabulous combination of activities, superb accommodation, pristine wilderness.
Nellim Wilderness Lodge Family Winter Adventure 7 day
Despite Nellim’s remote wilderness location you are assured of a warm and genuine Lappish family welcome.
Finland Menesjarvi Family Adventure for Older Kids 7 day
A magical winter wonderland.
Kittila Adventure - 7day
7 day adventure with snowmobiling, husky safari, a reindeer farm and safari and cross-country skiing.
Luosto Family Adventure - 8 day
Fantastic winter activities in small ski resort 90 minutes north of the Arctic Circle.
Jeris Adventure - 5day
5 day action packed family adventure (for over 8s) on the shores of Lake Jerisjarvi.
Luosto Adventure - Tailormade
First class winter activities and some of the cosiest cabins available.
Bulgarian Winter Experience Family Holiday
A great mix of winter activity, exploration and discovery off the beaten track in Bulgaria.
Winter Activity Week Family Holiday
Exciting snow-based activities surrounded by the beauty of the Pyrenean landscape.
Ask our experts
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