Skiing can be a wonderful family activity and one that can go from toddlers to teenagers and beyond. We have pulled together the best ski resorts in Europe for families, based on personal visits from the Family Hotel Expert team. The best ski resorts for families in Europe have fantastic lessons, varied terrain and great hotels of course. The best family ski resorts Europe has provide a range of benefits, ensuring all the family have a great ski holiday.
Everywhere on this list of best family ski resorts in Europe has either been personally visited by one of our team or heavily researched so you don’t need to. Click the ‘check availability here’ button to find out the cost of the hotel. We don’t link to anything or anywhere we wouldn’t stay in ourselves with our own children (and wherever possible we have).
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Table of Contents
Trysil, Norway
Trysil is Norway’s largest resort and packed full of great things to do with kids. The Scandinavian calm, kind manner together with a whole raft of different slopes and experiences makes this one of the best ski resorts in Europe for families. This is a fun place to ski with Valle the snowman a great mascot who pops up all over the place and who kids will love. Stay at the Radisson Blu Trysil, right in the centre of the resort and full of fun things to do away from the snow (including an amazing swimming pool, bowling alley and American diner amongst many others). Absolutely one of the best ski resorts for families in Europe.
Read more: Our review of the Radisson Blu Resort Trysil, Norway
Courchevel, France
Courchevel is a wonderful resort for families, nestled in the Alps and with views over to Mont Blanc. Designed in 1946 the resort has the skier in mind with primarily ski in ski out accommodation. There are ski runs for every level of skier and they converge in the centre of the town, making it a great place for families of different levels of skier. The town itself is great for families with creperies side by side little delis. There is plenty of family friendly accommodation in the town, our top pick is the luxurious Hotel Le Chabichou which will be somewhere all the family will love. Set in the heart of Courchevel it offers a swimming pool, sauna and hot tub. They have a range of accommodation options including family suites which sleep six. With a Michelin starred restaurant on site this is a hotel that offers all the luxury you could want and a fantastic family skiing experience in one of the top resorts.
Gerlos, Austria
Gerlos is a wonderful resort for a family ski holiday, full of beautiful sights, fun activities and great accommodation. They have a ski school called “Happy Kids” which does what it says. As well as skiing there’s snow tubing, sledging and a fantastic snow show each week. Austria has some brilliant accommodation and in Gerlos this comes in the form of Almhof Family und Wellness Resort. This family friendly hotel has great family rooms and is all inclusive at its best. There are outdoor and indoor swimming pools including one with a great water slide. The family rooms are ideal for those travelling with kids and the hotel has ski storage lockers and can help you organise ski school and ski passes.
Ruka, Finland
Ruka is one of those magical places that is so much more than just a ski resort. Based on the edge of Lapland in Finland the temperatures drop significantly here compared to other ski resorts and give it an otherworldly look. There is a great ski school here which is ideal for kids new to skiing, or intermediates. There is so much more to Ruka than just skiing though including a chance to visit Father Christmas’s cottage along with lots of other snow activities like taking a reindeer ride or going on a husky sledge ride. Our top pick in the town is the Scandic Rukahovi, right in the centre and with great family rooms. With lots of nearby restaurants and a fun indoor softplay in the town this is a fantastic ski resort for kids.
Read more: The best holidays to Lapland
Engelberg, Switzerland
Engelberg is a great destination for a family ski trip as there is so much variety, meaning no matter what level you’re at there’s something for you. There’s some great ski schools in the town and also lots of other activities to enjoy including snowshoeing, an ice grotto or walking across Europe’s highest suspension bridge here. This is an easy resort to get to independently as there’s a train station to make your own way to. We recommend H+ Hotel & SPA Engelberg as a great place to stay with kids. This 4 star hotel is just 350 yards from the train station. There’s an amazing indoor pool and they have great buffet food which includes lots of local favourites. With family rooms and a hotel that is able to help organise ski school and ski passes this is a great, central stay.
Read more: The best Switzerland family holidays
Flaine, France
Flaine is a wonderful resort for families. Designed with the skiier in mind the whole resort is well kitted out with ice rink, swimming pool, cinema and playground. The skiing here is great for families of all abilities and there’s really good ski schools. Right in the centre of Flaine Forum is Terminal Neige – Totem which is a gorgeous, quirky mountain hotel. Here the kids will love the free games throughout the lobby and the pool. The hotel have family rooms and the food is fantastic. Located really close to the main ski lift this is a wonderful hotel for all the family to enjoy.
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
Kranjska Gora is a great European ski resort for those looking for a cheaper option compared to many of the more expensive French resorts. Located in Slovenia and close to the beautiful Lake Bled and only an hour from the capital of Ljubljana, this is a picturesque town with a friendly, welcoming feel to it. The ski school is very gentle and it’s a great place to get out on to the slopes, particularly if you’re a beginner or intermediate. The Ramada Resort Kranjska Gora is a really nice hotel to stay in, located at the bottom of the ski slopes so it’s an ideal location. Kids will love the indoor pool and some of the rooms offer sofa beds for children.
Les Arcs, France
Les Arcs feels like one of the great resorts for all the family to really enjoy. 1950 is one of the quieter areas and with a chocolate box feel and is our top pick if you’re considering Les Arcs. The whole of 1950 is car free and the ski route takes you through the main village. You can still access the other areas of Les Arcs and a trip to the fantastic swimming pool with slides and the toboggan run will keep everyone happy. A great place to stay is Résidence Pierre & Vacances Premium Arc 1950 Le Village which has great accommodation for families with self catering apartments. There are swimming pools to use and as it’s ski in ski out it makes a family trip here easy.
Beitostølen, Norway
If you or your children are new to skiing then you can do no better than heading to beautiful Beitostolen in Norway. Situated about three hours north of Oslo, Beitostolen is a picturesque Norwegian ski town full of character. This is not a resort with lots of nightlife or restaurants (although there are a few), it is somewhere with an abundance of Norwegian kindness which is perfect for the beginner. Much of the skiing is centred around the town, although there are more challenging runs you can take the lifts out to access. The ski school here is gentle and encouraging and kids will thrive here. Stay at the Radisson Blu Resort, Beitostølen for roaring fires in reception and gorgeous mountain views. They have family double rooms which can accommodate two adults and two children and apartments for lager families. This is a short walk to the main ski school and slopes so a perfect location and kids will love the swimming pool for some downtime too.
Frequently asked questions about taking a ski holiday in Europe with kids
What is the best ski resort for beginners in Europe?
Some of the best ski resorts for beginners are in Scandinavia – Beitostolen and Ruka stand out. Courchevel and Les Arcs in France are also great. See our full list here for lots more recommendations.
Which ski resorts are good for non-skiing activities?
If some of your party don’t want to ski then Flaine is particularly great with lots of other activities on offer. Ruka will also give you lots of fun along with Kranjska Gora for possibilities of trips out. All of the resorts mentioned here have lots of variety on offer.
Your ski travel check list –
- ✈️ – Find great flights with Opodo
- 🏥 – Get the travel insurance we use at CoverForYou
- 🅿️ – Book your airport parking at a fantastic rate here with Holiday Extras
- 💳 – Get a Currensea Card to easily pay for purchases abroad
We hope you enjoy our roundup of best ski resorts in Europe for families. Why not check out our suggestions of Christmas family breaks for more inspiration and sign up for our newsletter to hear more of our holiday suggestions and great hotel deals from around the world.
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