10 Best Places To Go Skiing With Toddlers In Europe

10 Best Places to Go Skiing with Toddlers

Skiing holidays are a brilliant choice for winter breaks with your family. The ski resorts across the Alps and beyond are filled with great activities both on and off the slopes. Plus, after an action-packed day, you can look forward to a cosy retreat with tasty, hot food and warming drinks. Even if you’re all complete beginners, you’ll find that there’s a very welcoming atmosphere with ski schools and gentler runs that cater to you. There are hundreds of ski resorts to choose from, but each one has a slightly different ambience and is angled to specific skiing levels. That’s why we’ve picked out the 10 best places to go skiing with toddlers based on resorts that have lots of family friendly activities and more beginner-level runs. If you click on a link in this piece, we may earn affiliate revenue.

#1. Avoriaz, France

Fly to: Chambery or Geneva

Avoriaz is set in the centre of the 650km Portes du Soleil, one of the biggest linked ski networks in France. The choice of slopes here is superb for intermediate skiers, and you can even ski right into the heart of town! For families, Avoriaz is a great choice for a toddler friendly ski holiday because it has such a wide range of things to do off-piste. That includes the indoor Aquariaz water park with fun water slides, waves, rapids and more. Plus, there’s a ski school in the resort that caters for younger children and complete beginners. They can even visit the Village des Enfants, which is specially set up with slower ski lifts and a mini snow park.

Best ski hotels for toddlers in Avoriaz:

L’Amara Apartments

These luxury, five-star self-catering apartments have a cosy, wood-cabin style with a modern twist. There’s also an on-site wellness area with heated indoor pools including a kids’ pool.

Les Cimes du Soleil

This modern and stylish hotel has a great range of dining options with unlimited wine during your evening meals! It also has a hotel-run kids’ club.

#2. La Rosière, France

Fly to: Chambery

La Rosiére sits right at the Alpine border between France and Italy. Bonus – this means you can ski in two countries during one ski holiday! The resort is located in the Espace San Bernado, which is a particularly friendly ski area for beginners, with plenty of green runs available. If you’re wondering where to go skiing with toddlers, La Rosière may be ideal as it has a fantastic ski school in the town. Plus, there are fun sledging activities available too!

Best ski hotels for toddlers in La Rosière:

Hemera Lodge Apartments

This luxurious lodge has a great range of facilities, including an on-site heated pool and wellness centre.

Residence Les Marmottons

These modern self-catering apartments are set in a wooden-lodge style building with amazing views. They just a 4 min walk to the slopes.

#3. Zell am See, Austria

Fly to: Chambery, Salzburg or Munich

Zell am See is certainly one of the most scenic ski resorts of the Austrian Alps. Think narrow, snowy streets lined with pastel townhouses and ornate wooden balconies. The town becomes even prettier as dusk descends when there’s a glow of lanterns and twinkling fairy lights to illuminate your steps. For places to go skiing with toddlers, Zell am See is top of the list too. It has an expansive nursery ski area for beginners filled with green runs. Plus, at the kids’ ski area you may even spot the park’s mascot, Schmidolin the Dragon! Off-piste, there’s the Kidstein water park at the Tauern Spa or you could even head to the town’s ice rink or speedy toboggan slope.

Best ski hotels for toddlers in Zell Am See:

Vaya Zell am See

This great value hotel is brilliant for family ski holidays, as it’s ski in ski out, right next to the children’s ski school and has an indoor swimming pool.

Grand Hotel

This historic hotel dates to the 19th century and looks out upon a shimmering lake for stunning waterfront views. It also has a kids pool, kids club for children aged 3+ and playroom.

#4. Ruka, Finland

Fly to: Kuusamo

Ruka is a ski resort that’s located in Lapland. As you may have guessed, this makes it an excellent option to combine a festive and ski holiday in one! But that’s not all that makes it a top toddler friendly ski holiday. Ruka is also placed in the biggest beginner friendly ski area in Finland, with a huge choice of green runs on gentle slopes. Off-piste, there’s a bowling alley and even an Angry Birds Activity Park. And of course, that’s not forgetting Santa’s Secret Cottage, where you can meet Santa and his elves while enjoying hot chocolate and sweet treats.

Best ski hotels for toddlers in Ruda:

Ruka Suites

These modern apartments have incredible views and are just a minute away from the main ski lifts.

Ruka Village Hotel & Apartments

The exterior of this residence is styled like a traditional wood lodge, yet its interiors are sleek and modern. Plus, it’s placed right next door to the shopping centre and bowling alley.

Scandic Rukahovi Hotel

This grand hotel is centrally located, close to all major facilities of the town, including the ski lifts, shopping centre and restaurants.

#5. Tremblant, Canada

Fly to: Montreal

As you might expect from a landscape as expansive as Canada’s, Tremblant has plenty of space, panoramic views and awe-inspiring mountains. It’s still very friendly for beginners too, as there are more than 100 runs here with lots of green runs to choose from. That’s what makes it one of the best places to go skiing with toddlers. The town itself is a skier’s paradise as the streets are snowy, scenic and car-free. Plus, there’s plenty to keep you occupied away from the slopes, including an amazing treetop adventure and zipline course for all ages!

Best ski hotels for toddlers in Tremblant:

Fairmont Tremblant

The interiors of Fairmont Tremblant have a refined, continental style. Plus, it’s perfectly located mere moments from the slopes and ski lifts. It also has a video games room and even a heated outdoor pool.

Lodge de la Montagne

The façade of Lodge de la Montagne looks like a traditional townhouse, yet inside its rooms are modern, sleek and stylish. It’s also located close to the Aqua Club indoor swimming pool.

Sommet des Neiges

This hotel is right in the heart of Tremblant’s pedestrianised village, so it’s easy to discover the local town. It also has a kids’ play area, games room and free ice skating for children.

#6. Passo Tonale, Italy

Fly to: Verona

Passo Tonale is one of the best places to be for beginners. The 100km ski area here is formed of quiet, wide green runs that are very welcoming to new starters. The kids’ ski area in the resort is highly rated too, making this a great choice for a toddler friendly ski holiday. It has a play area and inflatable slide, and even snow bikes designed for younger children. Another plus point for families in Passo Tonale – you’ll find pizza and pasta is always on the menu, so it’s perfect for fussy eaters!

Best ski hotels for toddlers in Passo Tonale:

Hotel Grand Paradiso

This great value hotel is fantastic for intermediate skiers and above, as you can ski right up to the door! It also has an indoor swimming pool and Pepi Penguin Nursery for babies aged 6 months plus. Plus, the ski school is just a 10-minute walk away.

Hotel Sport Vittoria

This elegant townhouse is composed of traditional, wood-furnished interiors. It’s also directly opposite the nursery slope and has an indoor swimming pool and kids playroom.

Hotel Miramonti

This hotel is excellently located, as it’s only a minute away from the ski lifts and ski school. Plus, it has a hotel-run kids’ club too for children aged 2+ and an indoor swimming pool.

#7. Flaine, France

Fly to: Chambery or Geneva

Flaine is one of the biggest and best-known ski resorts in the French Alps. It’s set up for all skill levels, but the sheer abundance of green runs makes it an excellent choice for beginners and places to go skiing with toddlers. The buildings of the town may not have the most picture-perfect aspect, but it more than makes it for it with the range of activities and facilities on offer. Within the resort, you can go ice karting, visit the bowling alley or play a game or two at the pool tables. It’s also a short transfer from Geneva airport.

Best ski hotels for toddlers in Flaine:

Residence de la Forêt Apartments

These apartments are cosy, modern and comfortable. Plus, they’re just 100m away from the pistes. Pepi Penguin Nursery is available at a nearby hotel.

Le Centaure Apartments

These luxurious, self-catering apartments have a unique style, with cosy open-fires, wooden furnishings and sleek stonework. It also has on-site heated pools, including a kids’ pool. Pepi Penguin Nursery is available at a nearby hotel.

Les Terrasses d’Eos Apartments

You can ski right up to the door of these modern apartments. But even if you don’t fancy that, it’s just a short stroll to the centre of town! There’s also a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool, indoor jacuzzi and restaurant.

Hotel Le Flaine

The first thing you’ll notice about this hotel is its unique, angular design that seems to carve geometric shapes out of the cliffside itself. Inside, the interiors are stunningly contemporary, with sleek lines, polished furnishings and bold blocks of bright colour. Pepi Penguin Nursery is available.

#8. Obergurgl, Austria

Obergurgl is set in the scenic Tyrolean mountains, where sharp snowy peaks lead towards dense evergreen woodlands. It’s also one of the highest ski resorts in Austria, meaning you can be certain of snowy conditions throughout the ski season. There are lots of nursery slopes and runs designed especially for kids, so it’s also one of the best places to go skiing with toddlers. The historic village centre is also spectacularly picturesque, where ornately carved wooden townhouses complement the snowy scenes. For even more fun, you can even head to the horse riding centre here.

Best ski hotels for toddlers in Obergurgl:

Alpen-Wellness Resort Hochfirst

This hotel has a long and historic heritage, yet its interiors gleam with a modern sense of style. It has brilliant facilities too, including indoor heated pools and a hotel-run kids’ club.

The Crystal VAYA Unique

You’ll instantly notice the Crystal VAYA Unique has a modern approach to design, from its panoramic windows to the elegant monochrome style of its furnishings. It’s also ski in ski out and has an indoor and outdoor swimming pool.

Hotel Lohmann

This great value hotel has an understated style and lots of fantastic facilities including a hotel-run kids club and a playroom. Plus, you can enjoy unlimited drinks during your evening meals.

#9. La Plagne, France

Fly to: Chambery or Geneva

La Plagne is set within the famed Paradiski area, considered one of the best ski networks in all of France. It offers a great mix of terrain, from tree-lined trails to glacier slopes and wide runs. In fact, La Plagne is such a large ski resort, it’s actually composed of several interconnected villages. If you’re wondering where to go skiing with toddlers, Plagne Aime 2000 is considered ideal as it is closer to the beginner runs. Off-piste, there’s plenty to do here too including visiting an indoor ice rink and a wondrous ice grotto.

Best ski hotels for toddlers in La Plagne:

Les Granges du Soleil Apartments

These apartments epitomise the cosy, chalet-style décor of natural timber and wooden furnishings. Plus, you can even ski right up to the door – there’s also an indoor swimming pool.

Residence Le Centaure

These brilliant, self-catering apartments are centrally located, near to the supermarket, restaurants and everything else you need including a swimming pool. They’re set very close to the slopes too.

#10. Soldeu, Andorra

Fly to: Toulouse or Barcelona

Soldeu is one of the most popular ski resorts in Andorra as it’s set in the centre of Grandvalira, the country’s largest ski area. The 210km network of slopes here has a great mix of beginner and intermediate runs on quieter slopes. Reflecting the family-friendly atmosphere that makes Soldeu a good choice for a toddler friendly ski holiday, the resort has a ski school and nursery especially for 2-5 year olds. There’s also the fun snow garden and Yokai circuit with activities, games and ski obstacles to try!