Where to take your family on a skiing holiday in 2021

Les Deux Alpes
This top French resort is a fantastic base for families of all ages. It’s one of the best family ski resorts in France - from varied, snowsure slopes to an amazing choice of activities, Les Deux Alpes has everything you need to stave off holiday boredom.

On the mountain, you’ll find a wide choice of easy runs for beginners as well as a fun snowpark and Family-Cross race course. The ski schools are ace and the lifts are easy to navigate, giving older kids the chance to enjoy a little freedom. Off the mountain, Les Deux Alpes has endless child-friendly things to do including ice skating, tobogganing, bowling, huskie sledding or catching a movie at resort’s cinema.

Avoriaz
A lofty pedestrianised resort perched high in the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, Avoriaz gives you 100% ski-in, ski-out access to the slopes. Kids will love the fact that the only options for getting around town are on the snow – whether that’s skiing, sledging or hopping on a horse-drawn sleigh.

There’s a lovely atmosphere to Avoriaz, with plenty of relaxed cafés and sun terraces where you can soak up those spectacular views down the valley. The Village des Enfants ski areas is a fantastic place to teach children to ski, while off the slopes the Aquariaz waterpark is a tropical aquatic paradise complete with pools, slides, climbing walls and open-air hot tubs.

Arinsal
With wide tree-lined slopes, fab ski schools and convenient on-mountain childcare, it’s no surprise Arinsal is popular with families. The resort’s ‘Snow Garden’ is where the youngest skiers and boarders will learn the ropes in a safe, engaging area designed especially for kids. From there, they’ll progress onto exploring the pistes and – let’s face it – showing you how it’s done.

Arinsal may be known for its fun party scene, but there’s much to keep families happy too. You’ll find everything from swimming to arcade games on the menu in the resort’s largest hotel, the Princesa & Diana Parc. Or why not take a break from skiing and head to the nearby Naturlandia activity park to ride the epic 3.5km coaster?

Soldeu & El Tarter
The twin villages of Soldeu and El Tarter both offer plenty of beautiful runs in the heart of the vast Grandvalira ski area. The wide, uncrowded pistes are ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers of all ages to build their confidence and skills on.

If your young family loves a chilled-out resort, opt for El Tarter – the quieter of the two villages. Here you’ll find relaxed restaurants and an unhurried vibe, along with our fun Neilson-run kids’ club for children aged 4 months upwards at the Neilson Hotel Del Clos – there’s plenty to get the family excited about skiing in El Tarter. Soldeu has more happening in terms of activities and après-ski, so is often the preferred choice for families with older kids.

Mayrhofen 

Ski holidays in Mayrhofen tick so many boxes for the whole family. The ski school is award-winning and the kids even get to learn in their own dedicated area on the Ahorn mountain.

The slopes are wide and not too steep with plenty of magic carpets (think a flat escalator) to help you up the mountain. Once you progress your skills, there's a huge amount of blue runs waiting for you to tackle while the older kids can try out some tricks in the huge snowpark. 

At the end of the day, take the lift back down to the traditional village centre and discover the wonderful world of Austrian après ski fun, winter markets and plenty of family entertainment.

Obergurgl
This stunning resort is a regular favourite among families thanks to its gorgeous scenery, gentle slopes and child-friendly beginner areas. The compact resort tends to attract beginner and intermediate skiers and boarders, leaving the real speed demons to head elsewhere.

Obergurgl offers plenty of ski in-ski out accommodation, as well as a picturesque traffic-free village centre. You’ll find an ice rink, swimming pool and a few friendly bars but other than that it’s all about kicking back and enjoying the snow, the scenery and each other.

Livigno
Italy is renowned for giving families a warm welcome and that’s certainly true of the snowsure alpine village of Livigno. This child-friendly resort goes all out to make things as easy and fun for families as possible. From its award-winning English-speaking ski schools and family-only snow parks to its fantastic choice of non-skiing activities (horse riding or husky dog sledding anyone?), Livigno caters to families of all ages, whether you’re skiing for the first time after having a baby or you’ve got teens in tow.

The pedestrian resort centre is super friendly with lovely cafés, bars and eateries where you can warm up over a drink and some delicious Italian food. There’s even tax-free shopping for the adults.

Pila
Set just above the ancient Roman town of Aosta, Pila is one of Italy’s top family ski resorts. The ski area is both compact and scenic, with staggering views of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. The ski schools are exceptional and the playful doorstep nursery slopes will have even the most reluctant novice on board in no time.

Away from the pistes, you can dive into a packed programme of activities from bob sleighing to snow tubing. Or why not take budding history buffs on a gondola ride down to Aosta to discover the Roman sights and monuments there? For family ski resorts in Italy, it doesn’t get much better than Pila.

Saas Fee
Traffic-free Saas Fee has to be one of the best Swiss ski resorts for beginner ski holidays with little ones. Not only does it boast stunning mountain views and year-round glacier skiing, it’s perfectly balances peace and quiet with exciting activities. The beginner slopes are conveniently located next to the resort and as one of the world’s highest resorts, snow cover is rarely an issue.

Saas Fee may be full of traditional alpine charm, but you’ll also find an extensive offering of family-friendly activities including ice skating, swimming, bowling, dog sledding, sleigh rides and cinema.

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