If you used to enjoy jetting off for annual ski breaks, hitting the powder and letting your hair down with the après-ski, you might think those days are behind you now you have a toddler or two in tow. But while you might have to make some changes to your ski trip, there's no reason you can't still hit the slopes.
In fact, introducing your tots to the thrill of the ski slopes at a young age can be a fantastic way to get them comfortable on skis sooner rather than later. Take it from someone who first skied in their 30s... toddlers have far less fear and less far to fall!
If you're planning on taking your little one to the snow this year, you'll be pleased to hear that there are many family friendly ski resorts that are fully geared up to make the ski experience fun for both you and the kids. You might have to make space in your suitcase for the kids ski wear, but sharing your passion with them will make it all worthwhile.
What to look for in the best ski resorts for toddlers
While your pre-kid ski needs might have included buzzing bars for après-ski and perhaps a spa for a post Black-run massage, your wish list when skiing with toddlers is likely to be more focused on practicalities. Dancing on the tables probably isn't on the cards for this trip so avoiding the party spots, or at least booking a quieter chalet, will make life easier when you're trying to get the kids to sleep. The best ski resorts for families will have beginner slopes, child-friendly restaurants, children's lessons and perhaps a creche for when the higher slopes are calling.
While most ski resorts often have ski schools, you'll probably find that the majority only take children over the age of three. If your little one is younger, looking for a resort with a creche or babysitting services will let you get out on the slopes while your kids enjoy themselves. Some of the resorts we've covered, for instance Avoriaz, have child-friendly snowparks where they can get used to the snow, or Babysnow devices you can hire so they can get the ski buzz safely.
Best ski resorts for toddlers: Europe
If you're based in the UK you'll find some of the world's best ski resorts for families in Europe. From France to Italy, Austria to Switzerland, there are many ski resorts that are set up for families with small children. Whether that's hotels with babysitting services or resorts with children's ski lessons, both you and the little ones can enjoy a ski holiday designed for you.
Avoriaz sits in the Portes du Soleil offering access to the whole ski area. There are plenty of green and blue slopes and even a snowpark designed specially for children. It's also a car-free resort with ski-in/ski-out accommodation so it's a brilliant option for families. The ski school offers lessons for kids as young as three, and children under the age of 5 ski for free. If your children are too young to ski, there's also the Avrizou Nursery which welcomes children aged 6 months to 3 years old. And if all that wasn't enough, there's also the Aquariaz water park, a tropical paradise of hot tubs, swimming pools, and water slides for off-slope entertainment.
With lots of gentle practise slopes for little ones, in Les Deux Alpes beginners can head right up to the 3600m glacier without being thrown in at the deep end. There are plenty of confidence-building slopes, spectacular views and a nice choice of family friendly restaurants. There's also a resort pool, ice rink and cinema so little ones can be entertained on and off the slopes. The ski schools take children from 3 years old but you can also hire a 'Babysnow' - a gliding device equipped with a surfboard, a handlebar, a saddle and a handle that you can use to get your little one (from 1 year old upwards) used to the slopes.
Alpe d'Huez boasts a variety of gentle slopes and excellent ski schools catering to young children. There are 49km of green runs and 54km of blue runs for beginners, but if you're after a thrill, it's also home to the longest black in the world, the 16km Sarenne. The resort also offers non-skiing activities such as ice skating and swimming, and is equally great in summer, with biking, mountain biking and hiking.
Val d’Isère is situated in the heart of the Espace Killy ski area and offers 300 km of pistes, catering to all experience levels. While it has something of a reputation for hair-raising runs and a hedonistic nightlife, Val d'Isere can be equally family friendly if you do it right. Children will love the Christmassy feel in winter – from classic chalets to streets lined with fir trees and fairy lights. The Centre Aquasportif has a huge indoor pool and an indoor climbing wall if your tot wants to take a break from the snow, while winter holiday classics like ice skating and husky dog sledging make this one of the best winter escapes for families.
The Experimental Chalet Val d’Isère is located in the Val d’Isère village and has been designed with families in mind, including an indoor swimming pool and a dedicated children’s play area. Close to the nursery slopes, it's ideal for beginners and young skiers. When you're not on the slopes, there are children's menus in the restaurants and family suites so you can all relax together.
Sharing the Espace Killy ski area with Val d'Isere, Tignes is another of our favourite toddler friendly ski resorts. It's a fantastic choice for families, with a mix of beginner slopes and more challenging runs, as well as great childcare facilities that will allow you to test out the challenging runs without a toddler in tow. There's also a large indoor swimming pool, sledding areas, and an ice skating rink. Much of the accommodation in Tignes are ski-in/ski-out, making it easy for families to get on the slopes.
The ESF Piou Piou Club accepts toddlers from three years old and there’s a dedicated children’s beginner area on the slopes of Tignes Val Claret with easy-to-use lifts for little ones. Once confidence starts to build, take to the many blue runs around the 300km ski area (nearly 50% are blues).
Obergurgl is a high-altitude, snow-sure resort that’s perfect for families. The resort has excellent beginner areas and a range of gentle blue slopes for young skiers. There are a number of ski schools offering group and private lessons for children from three years old and a kids’ snow park with magic carpets and play areas. There's even a Funmountain in Obergurgl with everything from wave tracks to snow parks and obstacles to provide a challenge for all the family. The village is car-free, so you can relax in a safe, family-friendly atmosphere.
La Rosière is a charming, family-friendly resort with an excellent ESF ski school that offers lessons for children as young as three years old in their dedicated Piou Piou Club. This area includes magic carpets, gentle slopes, and fun games to introduce toddlers to skiing. La Rosière also has the Galopins Kids’ Club, which provides childcare for children from 3-12 years old and packages are available that combine ESF ski lessons with the Club des Galopins, giving parents time to enjoy the slopes. Additional family-friendly activities include sledding, snowshoeing, and an indoor play centre. The relaxed, welcoming atmosphere makes La Rosière ideal for young skiers.
Cervinia is a top choice for families, offering wide, gentle slopes that are perfect for beginners. The Cervino Ski School takes children from three years old and provides small-group lessons tailored to young skiers. The Breuil-Cervinia Baby Club offers childcare for toddlers from 6 months old, so even if your little one isn't old enough to get on skis, you can still get out on the slopes. Off the slopes, the whole family will enjoy sledding, ice skating, and snowshoe walks in the Italian Alps. and of course, there's plenty of pasta to keep the kids happy!
Not only is 'the Pearl of the Alps' a car-free ski resort, making it a safe and quiet destination for families, but it's also classically Alpine so will capture little ones' imaginations. The ski area is also relatively small, so even if you're skiing separately, you'll easily be able to pick up the kids or meet up for lunch.
There are a number of ski schools offering both group and private lessons for children from three years old, with a dedicated children’s snow park and ski carousel, while Kian's Adventure Land offers playgrounds, a teepee and igloos. Families can also explore sledding trails, snowshoe walks, and a glacier cave for added adventure, where children over the age of 8 can explore the deep snow-covered gorge between Saas-Fee and Saas-Grund. To warm up, head to the children's pool at the Aqua Allalin.
Rebecca Lancaster is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby, drawing on ten years of parenting her two children to help others navigating their own parenting journey. As a freelance writer, she spent ten years working with leading lifestyle brands, from travel companies to food and drink start-ups, and writing everything from hotel reviews to guides to the best British cheeses. She’s particularly interested in travel and introducing her children to the excitement of visiting new places, trying different foods (less successfully) and experiencing different cultures.