Ski holidays with children can be some of the most memorable family adventures
There’s something pretty special about taking your children on their first ski holiday. The excitement of seeing snow for the first time, learning to ski together and warming up with hot chocolate at the end of a day on the slopes can create memories that last a lifetime.
But a successful ski holiday with children takes a little more planning than a trip with adults. Choosing the right family-friendly resort, booking suitable ski lessons and making sure everyone stays warm, fed and happy can make all the difference.
The good news? Once you’ve got the basics covered, a family ski holiday can be surprisingly easy – and incredibly rewarding.
Our Top Tips for Skiing with Kids
The key to a great family ski holiday is keeping things fun. Your children don’t need to spend six hours a day on skis, particularly when they’re learning. A couple of enjoyable hours on the slopes followed by lunch, hot chocolate or some time playing in the snow can be more than enough.
Book ski lessons. Good ski schools can make a huge difference, particularly for first-timers. Children can learn alongside others their own age, make friends and build confidence with qualified instructors.
Keep them warm and dry. Layers, waterproof clothing, good-quality ski socks and spare gloves are essentials. There’s nothing guaranteed to bring a day on the mountain to an abrupt end quite like cold, wet hands.
Take plenty of breaks. Children burn through energy quickly at altitude, so regular stops for a snack or hot chocolate are a good idea.
And most importantly, don’t put pressure on them. Some children will take to skiing immediately; others need a little more time. The aim of the first family ski holiday should be to make them want to come back.
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Which Ski Resorts are Best for Children
Choosing the right resort is one of the most important decisions when booking ski holidays with children. Look for easy beginner slopes, reliable snow, good ski schools and plenty to do away from the pistes.
Here are five Skiworld resorts that tick plenty of family-friendly boxes.
1. Méribel, France
Méribel is a fantastic choice for ski holidays with children, combining a charming, traditional resort atmosphere with access to the enormous Three Valleys ski area. The resort has dedicated beginner zones and gentle pistes where younger skiers can build confidence before progressing further into the mountains.
Away from the slopes, Méribel offers plenty of family-friendly activities, while its range of accommodation makes it easy to find a convenient base for your family. As children improve, the wider Three Valleys provides almost limitless terrain to explore together.
Family highlights: Dedicated beginner areas | Three Valleys skiing | Family-friendly resort atmosphere
Méribel offers plenty of skiing and activities for families of different ages
2. La Plagne, France
La Plagne has long been a favourite for family ski holidays, and it’s easy to see why. There are dedicated beginner areas, excellent ski schools and plenty of gentle terrain for children finding their feet.
Many of our chalets and accommodation options also offer convenient access to the slopes, helping to make those first-morning logistics a little less stressful. And when the skis come off, there’s plenty to keep children entertained around the resort.
Family highlights: Beginner-friendly skiing | Excellent ski schools | Convenient accommodation
La Plagne is a family favourite thanks to its varied skiing and excellent facilities
3. Alpe D’Huez, France
With its sunny slopes, varied terrain and huge range of activities, Alpe d’Huez is another excellent destination for ski holidays with children. The resort has dedicated beginner areas and gentle pistes, while more confident young skiers can progress onto the extensive network of runs.
There’s plenty to enjoy away from the skis, too, from swimming and ice skating to tobogganing and other family activities. And with its famously sunny reputation, Alpe d’Huez is a particularly appealing choice for families who want to maximise their time enjoying the mountain.
Family highlights: Sunny skiing | Excellent beginner terrain | Wide range of family activities
With plenty to do on and off the slopes, as well as its excellent weather record, Alpe D’Huez is a family favourite
4. Les Arcs, France
With access to the enormous Paradiski area, Les Arcs offers enough variety to keep the whole family entertained as children progress from their first turns to more challenging pistes.
Arc 1800’s Mille8 area is particularly well suited to families, with dedicated fun areas, tobogganing and other activities that make a change from skiing. It’s a great option if different members of the family have different ideas about what makes a perfect day in the mountains.
Family highlights: Mille8 fun area | Wide variety of skiing | Tobogganing and activities
Les Arcs offers family-friendly skiing alongside plenty of activities away from the slopes
5. Val d’Isère, France
Val d’Isère might have a reputation for serious skiing and glamorous après ski, but it’s also an excellent destination for families.
The Village des Enfants provides a dedicated environment where younger skiers can learn and build confidence, while free beginner lifts make those first tentative turns easier. Once they’re ready to explore further, the wider Espace Killy ski area offers huge scope for progression.
Family highlights: Village des Enfants | Free beginner lifts | Excellent ski terrain
Val d’Isère combines excellent children’s facilities with outstanding skiing
What Can Children Do Besides Skiing?
Even the most enthusiastic young skier needs a break occasionally. Thankfully, family ski holidays aren’t all about skiing.
Sledging and tobogganing are obvious favourites and require considerably less instruction than skiing. Many resorts also have dedicated runs and fun areas designed specifically for younger visitors.
Swimming pools and aquatic centres are another great option after a morning on the mountain. Tignes’ Le Lagon, for example, offers a welcome change of pace when everyone needs some time away from ski boots.
Depending on the resort, you can also find ice skating, indoor play areas, dog sledding and horse-drawn sleigh rides. For families with younger children, having plenty of alternatives nearby can be just as important as the skiing itself.
There’s plenty to do when little legs need a break from skiing
What Do Children Eat on a Ski Holiday?
After a morning learning to ski, most children won’t be particularly interested in an elaborate three-course lunch. They’ll be hungry!
Fortunately, family-friendly food is easy to find in most Alpine resorts, with familiar favourites such as pizza, pasta and chips alongside traditional mountain dishes.
A catered ski chalet can make mealtimes particularly straightforward for families. After a busy day, you can return to your chalet for afternoon tea and cake before enjoying a relaxed evening meal. Children’s meals can often be adapted to suit younger appetites and, where possible, fussy eaters.
It’s also worth carrying a few snacks in your ski jacket or rucksack. A cereal bar, piece of fruit or small chocolate bar can be the difference between one more run and a full-scale mountain meltdown.
How to Make Travelling with Children Easier
Getting to the mountains is part of the adventure, but travelling with children and a mountain of ski gear can be challenging.
Whichever option you choose, plan ahead. Keep snacks, entertainment, spare clothes and other essentials easily accessible, rather than buried underneath everyone’s ski equipment.
It’s also worth arranging airport transfers in advance and checking what luggage is included in your travel arrangements. If you’re travelling with very young children, familiar toys or activities can help make the journey feel more like an adventure and less like a long day of travelling.
And don’t forget to involve the children. Letting them choose their ski goggles, pack a small rucksack or get involved with the countdown to departure can help build excitement before you’ve even reached the mountains.
A little preparation can make travelling to the Alps much easier with children
What Makes a Great Ski Holiday with Children?
The perfect ski holiday with children isn’t necessarily the one with the biggest ski area or the most challenging pistes. It’s the one where everyone comes home wanting to do it all again.
Choose a resort with good beginner facilities, book appropriate ski lessons and give children plenty of time to rest and play. Look for accommodation that makes family life easier, with a convenient location, such as a catered chalet where friendly chalet hosts take care of breakfast, afternoon tea and a delicious three or four-course dinner six nights of the week.
Most importantly, remember that children experience the mountains differently from adults. Sometimes their favourite memory won’t be the longest run of the week – it’ll be the snowball fight, the hot chocolate, the first successful turn or the moment they saw a mountain for the first time.
And that’s what makes ski holidays with children so special.
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