Europe has so many wonderful ski resorts with charming, villages awash with fairytale-like chalets. Discover the culture of another country and let the kids learn a few words in another language. Then there are magical Christmas markets and all kinds of historic places to explore, as well as delicious cuisines to sample.
Europe has so many wonderful ski resorts with charming villages awash with fairytale-like chalets. Discover the culture of another country and let the kids learn a few words in another language. Then there are magical Christmas markets and all kinds of historic places to explore, as well as delicious cuisines to sample.
While a giant in the ski world, Val d’Isère feels small and intimate, with its one main street so easy to get around, it will make you and the kids feel at home. The town dates back to 1664, but the ski resort infrastructure is as modern as it gets. As for the skiing, there’s 300 kilometres of prepared pistes as well as some magnificent and easily accessible off-piste opportunities.
Courchevel is a ski holiday on steroids, with more of everything. There are six villages – Saint-Bon, Courchevel Le Praz, Courchevel Village, Moriond, La Tania and Courchevel 1850. The icing on the cake is that it is part of Les 3 Vallées, giving access to 600 kilometres of slopes in all seven of its resorts including Méribel, Val Thorens and Les Menuires.
Zermatt is like a real-life fairytale with 360 kilometres of pistes. It is a wonderland for kids and also boasts the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise where you’ll see 38 4,000-metre peaks and 14 glaciers.
St. Anton am Arlberg is one of the places all skiers and snowboarders want to go at least once in their lives, with its beauty, glamour and incredible ski terrain mixed with its warm hospitality.
Val Thorens is in Les 3 Vallées and has an exceptional array of activities for families, excellent ski-in, ski-out accommodation and fantastic skiing. Head up the legendary Cime de Caron for astonishing views.
LAAX is a leading freestyle resort for freeskiers and snowboarders in the Alps with the largest halfpipe in the world. LAAX offers 235 kilometres of pistes and is connected to the Flims and Falera resorts.
Hotel Annapurna is one of only two luxury hotels in Courchevel, France, that is still owned and managed by the same family who created it. Their passion for high quality facilities and world-class service has certainly not gone unnoticed; in fact they’ve had recurrent guests since the 70’s. It seems panoramic views are everywhere you turn at Annapurna – even the jacuzzi faces out to the surrounding peaks. The rooms are cosy with oak wood and plenty of natural light and a kids club and games room is available to keep the little ones entertained between ski runs.
1. St Anton am Arlberg, Austria
=2. Verbier, Switzerland
=2. Chamonix, France
1. Val Thorens, France
2. Wengen, Switzerland
=3. Engelberg-Titlis, Switzerland
=3. Courchevel, France
=3. St Moritz, Switzerland
1. LAAX, Switzerland
2. Avoriaz, France,
3. Mayrhofen, Austria
2. Chamonix, France
3. St Anton am Arlberg, Austria
4. Courchevel, France
5. Kitzbühel, Austria
Our expert picks are complemented by your favourite resorts in the Readers’ Choice category for the ultimate guide to kid-friendly snow adventures. Whether you’re a powderhound heading overseas or getting your ski legs in Australasia, our Best Family Ski Resorts 2020 will point you in the direction of a perfect snow holiday.
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