If you’re on the hunt for resorts that offer family-friendly skiing as well as a feeling of luxury, look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the best ski resorts to suit your family, regardless of skiing ability. The resorts that make our list also offer fantastic amenities for children of all ages, and exclusive experiences to bring an extra touch of luxury to your family ski holiday.
Skiing with family members doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy luxe accommodation and exclusive surroundings - our luxury chalets and hotels are perfect for kids as well as adults. From private pools to bowling alleys, kids’ clubs, snow schools and more, we’ve found some of the best resorts for families that tick every box.
How to choose the best family-friendly ski resort for your luxury holiday
How do you find the best ski resort for your family? There are a few things to bear in mind to make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible, and as stress-free as possible for children (and parents) alike!
Good transport
Access to and from mainstream airports is arguably one of the most important aspects of a ski resort destination. For families with young children, in particular, a shorter transfer time can avoid long or arduous bus journeys. Luckily a lot of luxury ski resorts have reasonable transfer times, with a number of airports popular with skiers to access the Alps. Private transfers may be a good idea to make your journey smoother if you’re travelling with particularly young children or older relatives.
Access to ski schools
Try and find a family skiing resort with an excellent selection of nursery slopes suitable for beginners as well as ski schools for guided lessons for all ages and abilities. Luxury chalets with ski-in/ski-out access or a driving service are particularly popular in family skiing resorts, allowing for maximum time on the slopes with minimum travel time.
Family-friendly amenities
Family-friendly restaurants can cater for large groups and multi-generational families, ideal for younger travellers or those not interested in booking fancy restaurants or bars for Après-ski. You might also wish to consider a luxury ski resort which is traffic-free so that children are safer while walking through the towns and villages.
Activities for non-skiers
Choosing a resort which is snow-sure is another great way of guaranteeing you have the best family ski holiday, particularly if it is your first time on the slopes. Remember that non-ski activities can be just as important as skiing, especially if your group is made up of grandparents or non-skiers. Many resorts have a vast range of activities on offer for non-skiers, including sledging, tobogganing and sleigh rides. Plus, there are plenty of spas and swimming pools for those looking for something a little more relaxing.
Oxford Ski Company have years of experience pairing our guests with their perfect luxury getaway. From beautiful ski resorts for family beginners to exclusive resorts for expert skiers, our ultimate list covers everything, from accessible ski areas to family-friendly restaurants and everything in between.
Explore the most exclusive ski resorts for family-friendly skiing below.
Best luxury family ski resorts in Europe
France
Family skiing in France is popular for UK skiers, thanks to easy transport links and a fantastic array of resorts to choose from.
Austria
Austria is renowned for its alpine charm, for a family getaway with historic, traditional towns, beautiful scenery and an eclectic range of runs to explore.
Switzerland
Home to some of the most luxe ski resorts in the world, Switzerland offers a magical winter getaway in the heart of the Alps.
Italy
Italy offers some fantastic options for a family-friendly ski holiday. From the forests of the Dolomites to the sunny Italian Alps, explore some of our family favourites below.
Luxury ski resorts for young children in Europe
Méribel, France
The French resort of Méribel is one of the best ski resorts for children and is particularly popular with British travellers. Brimming with bars, restaurants and shops, Méribel offers everything you need for an excellent family ski holiday and oozes alpine charm. With fantastic skiing for children, nursery slopes and first-class childcare facilities, ski-sure families can rest assured they’ll be kept occupied. For children who do not wish to ski, Méribel Olympic Park is home to a swimming pool, spa, fitness centre, bowling alley, an indoor ice rink and climbing wall.
San Cassiano, Italy
Skiing in the Dolomites is a must for your bucket list, and the pretty Italian village of San Cassiano makes an excellent choice for a family-friendly ski resort. With 70% of the pistes in the resort suited to beginners, young children can enjoy lessons with the local ski schools using easy slopes that are very accessible. The beautiful scenery is as good as anywhere else in the Alps, and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from for lunches and evening meals.
Morzine, France
Another luxury ski resort that’s best for children is Morzine, France. Located in the Portes du Soleil ski area, Morzine is only an hour’s drive from Geneva Airport. With brilliant skiing for children as well as plenty to explore in Morzine’s old town, there are plenty of reasons why it makes our list of top resorts for families. With an array of bars and restaurants, a riverside promenade, an ice hockey rink and a cinema, there’s enough to do away from the slopes to keep youngsters entertained.
Luxury ski resorts for teenagers in Europe
Avoriaz, France
Purpose-built for pedestrian use with convenient access to the slopes and only 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Geneva airport, Avoriaz, France is the perfect luxury ski resort for a family group with teenagers. Avoriaz is a luxury ski resort with plenty for teenagers to enjoy, both on and off the slopes. With a car-free centre that’s safe and easy to navigate, teenagers can enjoy the Aquariaz water park, as well as five snowparks to explore. The Portez du Soleil ski area provides the perfect backdrop for beginner and intermediate skiers alike as the town of Avoriaz has plenty to offer with luxe boutiques, exclusive restaurants and a charming town centre.
With private ski school lessons as well as small group lessons, parents can choose between a number of different ski schools for hands-on, tailored tuition from experts with years of skiing experience under their belt. Ski schools in Avoriaz include Avoriaz Alpine Ski School, Supreme Ski School, and New Generation to name just a few.
Val d'Isère, France
Val d'Isère ski resort in France is another great option for family-friendly skiing. Offering one of the best snow holidays for families, Val d'Isère has a thriving village and fantastic links to the sprawling three valleys ski network. Sitting at 1800m, the resort offers excellent skiing for all abilities as well as some particularly challenging black runs. Après is a big deal in Val d'Isère, with La Folie Douce and Cocoricos on the piste, and nightclubs Dadoune and Dick’s Tea Bar sure to be a hit with older teenagers and young adults.
St Anton, Austria
Over in Austria, St Anton’s teen-friendly ski resort is another great choice. Forming part of the Arlberg ski area, St Anton is one of the oldest mountain resorts in the world and boasts some fantastic skiing, with 60% of the pistes suitable only for intermediate and advanced skiers. Teenagers who don’t ski will love the Arl.rock sports centre, which offers activities such as rock climbing, bowling, tennis and squash. There’s also an ice rink and wellness centre complete with indoor and outdoor pools, a multi-level sauna and a relaxing wellness zone.
Get in touch with our team for more information on the best ski resort to take your family. Keep up to date with our blog or explore our entire collection of luxury ski chalets and ski hotels for inspiration.
