Anyone for a snowball fight or building a snowman? Austria’s Alps offer all of that, plus family ski holidays across a brilliant variety of slopes and resorts. If you’re planning a trip with the kids, here are 10 of the best Austrian ski resorts for families, each with its own strengths depending on your children’s ages and what you’re looking for.
#1. Alpbachtal Wildschönau – Great for Families
Families and children will feel right at home in this resort, part of the Ski Juwel area. It’s well equipped with children’s areas, childcare services including a ski kindergarten, a children’s carousel, and practice lifts spread throughout the resort — including child-only lift entrances.
The resort also offers a high rope course and a toboggan run for days when little legs need a break from skiing, along with family ski pass deals worth asking about when you book.
#2. Obergurgl – Best for Accessibility
If you’re taking young children to the Alps, the ideal scenario is guaranteed snow cover at village level and a long season, so a holiday works whether you go before Christmas or towards the end of April after Easter. Obergurgl delivers on both counts.
Based at the eastern end of the Alps, this traditional village is within an easy hour’s drive of Innsbruck. It has a genuinely family-friendly atmosphere and attracts a loyal following who love its low-key feel and well-run, traditional hotels and chalets. The Obergurgl Ski School has a long-standing reputation for teaching the basics to children and adults, having been established since 1922.
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#3. Hochficht – Best for Value
Set amidst beautiful Bohemian Forest scenery, this region is known for offering good value for families. Look out for discounted “Snowman” style tickets for younger children and reduced family rates when there are three or more children in the group — schemes like these are worth checking directly with the resort when you book, as pricing and terms can change season to season.
The Bohemian Forest region in Upper Austria sits on the border with Germany and the Czech Republic, and offers a wide range of pistes across all difficulty levels. Advanced skiers can let off steam on steeper runs, while beginners can get used to the snow on gentle family slopes. There’s something here for everyone.
#4. Alpbach – Best Compact Resort
Alpbach in the Tirol is one of the prettiest villages in Austria and has long been a favourite with British and Irish families. It’s compact, full of charm, and the nursery slopes sit right next to the village. The intermediate slopes aren’t extensive, but they’re great for building confidence and practising technique, and both of the village’s ski schools are very child-friendly.
More experienced skiers will find some good off-piste terrain nearby. If a full day on the slopes is too much for the little ones, there’s an indoor swimming pool and outdoor ice rinks to keep everyone entertained.
#5. Westendorf – Best for Beginners
If you’re a first-time skiing family and don’t fancy the crowds that can dominate busier pistes, the charming resort of Westendorf is a good starting point.
The nursery slope has its own chairlift and sits right in the heart of the village, while the gondola takes you up to lovely wide blue runs that are rarely busy. It’s a quiet resort, but there are a couple of lively après-ski bars and a real sense of everyday Austrian village life continuing alongside the ski season.
#6. Ellmau – Best for Younger Children
Ellmau is ideal for families with younger children who are keen to get some serious skiing in while the little ones are in ski school or kindergarten. There’s a well-regarded crèche in the village and wide nursery slopes close to the centre.
There’s also direct access from the village to an extensive network of pistes, so parents can ski to their hearts’ content and still be back to meet the kids at lunchtime. There’s a good variety of bars and restaurants, but Ellmau remains essentially a peaceful place.
#7. Seefeld – Best for Family Accommodation and Activities
Seefeld is close to Innsbruck airport, the main ski airport in western Austria, and ticks more boxes for a rounded family vacation than many other resorts on this list.
Under 30 minutes’ drive from Innsbruck, Seefeld has some excellent hotels well used to catering for families, with plenty to do outside ski hours. You’ll still find a ski kindergarten and a dedicated ski school, but the resort also offers winter walking trails and coach excursions to nearby towns.
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#8. Ladis – Best Large Resort for Families
Ladis is part of a trio of resorts known collectively as Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, among Tyrol’s largest ski areas. Set high above the River Inn, it’s known for its family-friendliness despite its scale.
There’s a dedicated kids’ ski school area, “Berta’s Kids Park,” where children can learn to ski in a fun, kid-friendly setting. The resort is well regarded for its service and facilities, making it a solid choice for families and experienced skiers alike.
#9. St. Anton – Best for Teenagers
St. Anton is better known as an expert’s ski destination than a family resort, but it’s a bit of a hidden gem for families with teenagers who want the full ski-resort experience while still enjoying a holiday with mum and dad.
The town has a wide range of entertainment options and snow-based activities that don’t involve flying down a black run. There are ice rinks, tobogganing slopes, tenpin bowling, and — most importantly for the teens — some of the finest slopes in Europe.
#10. Silberregion Karwendel – Best for Kids’ Ski Courses
A good family holiday is one where everyone gets to do what they enjoy most. Silberregion Karwendel is a family-friendly ski area with pistes often accessible right from your accommodation.
The region has previously offered free or discounted ski courses for children during parts of the season as an incentive for families booking a week’s stay. Offers like this do change from year to year, so it’s worth checking the current terms directly before you book.
Have you discovered any Austrian gems that are great for kids and families? Let us know in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Austrian ski resort is best for young children?
Alpbachtal Wildschönau and Ellmau are both strong choices for younger children, with dedicated ski kindergartens, nursery slopes close to the village centre, and childcare options that let parents ski while little ones are looked after.
Which resort offers the best value for families?
Hochficht is generally considered one of the better value regions, with discounted tickets often available for younger children and family-friendly rates. It’s always worth checking current pricing directly with the resort before you travel.
Is Austria good for beginner skiers?
Yes. Westendorf and Alpbach are both excellent for beginners, with gentle nursery slopes right in the village and ski schools well used to teaching children and adults from scratch.
Are any Austrian resorts good for teenagers specifically?
St. Anton is a great option for families with teenagers, combining serious slopes with plenty of non-skiing activities like ice skating, tobogganing, and bowling.
What should I check before booking a family ski holiday in Austria?
Snow reliability at village level, the availability and reputation of ski kindergartens or crèches, and current family ticket pricing are all worth confirming directly with the resort, as these details can change season to season.
More Family Travel Ideas
- How to Plan the Best Family Ski Holiday
- 10 Cool Vacation Spots for Kids
- Family-Friendly European City Breaks
Browsing for your next family adventure? Save this article so you can come back to it while you plan, or explore more of our family travel ideas for inspiration.
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