Family Ski Guide – Resort and Hotel Recommendations for Your Family Ski Trip
Great family hotels, what to expect in resort and how to book – my family ski guide has tips and recommendations for family ski holidays.
Thinking of bringing the kids skiing and not sure where to start? I was there too! Despite skiing many times over the years, I was not prepared for the level of planning that was needed to book our family ski trip. There was so much to consider! From lengthy airport transfers and the proximity of hotels to lifts (trust me you don’t want to carry your own skis plus your toddlers back and forth each day), to choosing family friendly resorts and hotels. Hopefully my family ski guide will help you choose the right resort and let you plan the perfect ski holiday!
Let’s face it, family skiing holidays are not cheap! As well as resort and hotel recommendations, getting the right advice about which lift passes and lessons are needed, activities for non-skiing people, and whether to opt for a hotel or a self-catering chalet, are all important things to consider.
I have teamed up with Ireland’s ski experts, Topflight, the Irish family owned business who have been organising family ski holidays from Ireland for over 45 years. Topflight’s ski team have skied with their own families and will give you expert advice, book lift passes, ski school and ski equipment, and the all important travel insurance! Simply call them on 01 240 1700 and they will be only too happy to help you.
As well as offering the expert advice when booking, and managers at the airport to help with check-in, the Topflight in-resort support team is priceless, especially for first time ski holidays.
What to expect in Topflight’s Family Ski Resorts
Each ski resort has a Topflight Resort Manager who are dedicated to helping families get the very best ski holiday experience. They are on hand throughout the holiday for advice on practical things such as where to go on the first morning and the top things to do in resorts – whether that is skiing or non-skiing activities.
The Topflight Resort team are an extra set of hands on the first morning when everyone is picking up equipment for the first time. And, if you need anything during your stay you can call or send them a WhatsApp message. They will keep in touch throughout the week in an unobtrusive manner – sometimes it can be simply a message to say ‘I would suggest an extra thermal layer this morning’, or to advise of a local festival, fireworks display or fun activity that children may enjoy.
Top 3 Family Ski Destinations and Hotel Recommendations
Austria
I have skied in Austria many times and loved it. With fairy-tale like villages, great food and superb family friendly facilities, it is no surprise that it is Ireland’s most popular ski destination. Many Austrian resorts are located 90 minutes or less from the airport too, this is particularly important if you are travelling with young children. I have listed some of Topflight’s top hotels for family ski holidays below:
Schladming: 4 Star+ Sporthotel Royer
With an indoor and outdoor heated pool, a children’s play area, games room and five-course dinner included, the family friendly Sporthotel Royer is a super ski hotel for families.
It is located within easy walking distance to the charming medieval town of Schladming, and within easy access to the ski gondola.
Family rooms that cater for four are available here and transfer time from Salzburg is just 80 minutes.
Check prices hereWestendorf – 3 Star Hotel Post
Westendorf is renowned for its lovely village atmosphere and you will find the same warm welcome at the family-run Hotel Post. This superbly located cosy hotel offers great value for a family ski holiday in Austria. The nursery ski slopes are just 50 metres away and the closest ski lift is just 100 metres away.
There is a children’s playroom in the hotel, and Bobo’s Miniclub is located in the resort centre with a host of activities for 3 – 5 year olds.
Breakfast and 3-course evening meal is included each day, and the hotel’s bar is a popular spot for aprés-ski in Westendorf.
Quad rooms that cater for four are available here and transfer time from Salzburg is 2 hours and 30 minutes
Check prices hereSt Johann in Tirol: 4 Star Sporthotel Austria
The Sporthotel Austria is a firm favourite with Topflight customers for many years, and if you read the excellent reviews on TripAdvisor you will see why. You can expect top quality food and service with breakfast and evening meal included each day, and the large indoor pool and wellness area are the perfect place to relax after a day on the mountain.
The hotel is superbly located in this pretty town and just 150 metres away from the ski lift and ski school. St Johann has special Bambini ski courses for children age 3 to 5 making it a super choice for family ski holidays with young children.
Junior Suites that cater for four are available here and transfer time from Salzburg is 90 minutes
Check prices hereZell am See: 4 Star Hotel Der Waldhof
Zell am See is one of Austria’s prettiest resorts – I skied here many years ago and loved it. As well as a town packed with shops, bars and restaurants, its frozen lake and stunning views of Austria’s highest peak are what brings visitors back here year after year.
Zell am See is one of the best ski resorts for families too. There is a Kindergarten for children aged 2 and above who are not ready for skiing yet, as well as a Mini Club with ski tuition for children aged 3 – 4 years.
The newly renovated 4 star Hotel Der Waldhof is one of the best hotels for family ski holidays in Austria and has family Suites that can sleep up to 6!
There is a soft play area, ball pit and a host of games for little ones, as well as an indoor football pitch with target practise features, table tennis and air hockey for older children. There is also a heated outdoor swimming pool and expanded Spa and wellness area.
The hotel is located just 400 metres from the ski school meeting point and 10 minute walk to the resort centre. Transfer time from Salzburg airport to Zell am See is 90 minutes.
Top Tip: Clients staying from the 8th Mar 2025 until 30th Mar 2025 can enjoy an All Inclusive package included including beer, house wine, schnaps, non-alcoholic drinks, coffee and tea.
Check prices hereFor families who want to stay in Zell am See but are looking for a cheaper alternative, the 4 Star Pension Edelweiss is a popular choice and has rooms that sleep up to four.
Andorra
I started my ski journey in Andorra and returned there last year after 20+ years! Andorra is an ideal choice for ski holidays for families as it has superb ski schools and kindergartens and offers great value ski pack bundles which are lower in price than comparable options in France or Austria.
Read: 10 reasons to choose Andorra for your next ski trip
Soldeu: 5 Star Hotel Park Piolets & Spa
I had the pleasure of staying at the fabulous Park Piolets & Spa last year. The location at the top of the village is excellent, and there is a complimentary ski bus to the slopes.
In Soldeu there are 4 nurseries for children aged between 12 months and 4 years, a ski kindergarten for children over 24 months old, and a Ski and Snowboard School with specialised instructors for children from 3 to 6 years. The hotel also has a children’s play room.
Deluxe and Quad Rooms sleep up to four. Room are spacious and extremely well equipped – there was even a hair straightener in my room!
You can enjoy fabulous views of the slopes from your balcony or the front garden of the hotel, which serves up fabulous cocktails beside an outdoor fire pit. You can also enjoy views from the outdoor hot tub, and the Spa caters for families in the afternoons – there are even child-friendly treatments available, although some facilities have an additional charge.
Transfer time from Barcelona airport is 4 hours.
Check prices hereArinsal – 4 Star Hotel Princesa Parc
Hotel Princesa Parc is located in the centre of Arinsal and just 200m from the gondola. It is part of the Princesa Parc complex and has a a selection of bars as restaurants as well as an aquarium, a bowling alley and a superb Spa and wellness centre.
Breakfast and evening meal is included each day and there are interconnecting family rooms that sleep up to four.
Arinsal offers super ski facilities for children. A kindergarten accepts children from 1 to 4 years, and there is a snow park for children aged 4 to 8 years.
Transfer time from Barcelona airport is 3 hours 40 minutes.
Check prices hereFrance
France has the largest ski network and best variety of ski resorts in the world. For families where parents have skied before, but you also want plenty of nursery slopes for children, France is a super choice. Many resorts offer ski-in, ski-out chalet style self-catering accommodation – like the one I have listed below, and there are superb family friendly activities available.
Plagne 1800: 4 Star Les Chalets Edelweiss
La Plagne offers access to one of the biggest ski areas in the world and with almost 70% of the ski area above 2,000 metres, it has a great snow record too. You will find plenty of wide open slopes and superb ski clubs for children such as Buffalo Park and Buffalo kids, as well as the longest funslope in Europe. The Bobraft and bobsleigh is sure to be a big hit with older children and teenagers too.
The Les Chalets Edelweiss are superbly located at the foot of the slopes in La Plagne where you can literally ski to your door. There is a choice of accommodation including large one and two bedroom apartments that can sleep up to 8. The indoor heated pool will surely be a welcome treat after a day on the slopes.
Transfer time from Lyon or Geneva airports is 3 hours.
Check prices hereI hope my family ski guide will see you hitting the slopes soon! These are just a small sample of the many family ski holidays that Topflight offer. Visit Topflight.ie to see more ski holidays or contact their dedicated ski experts on 01 240 1700 and let them plan the perfect family ski trip to suit you.
While every effort was made to ensure accuracy, hotel descriptions and resort facilities are subject to change. This post was sponsored by Topflight.
