How to Plan a Family Ski Holiday

Finding the best family-friendly ski holidays in the Alps can be a daunting task, but with a little guidance from us, you can find the perfect ski resort and chalet for your family, ensuring an unforgettable winter getaway. Take a look at our guide for how to plan your next holiday on the slopes with the whole clan, ensuring you make the most out of your trip.

Tips for Family Skiing Holidays

From choosing the best ski resort for families to finding the right accommodation, and when to book childcare arrangements during your stay, there are a few things to consider when planning a getaway with the whole family. Whether you’re booking your first time skiing holiday or have done this many times before, below are some of our top tips to help get you started.

Choosing the Best Ski Resort for Families

Choosing a ski resort with a wide range of activities and amenities for children of all ages will vary depending on the type of family skiing you’re looking for. It is also important to consider the activities off the slopes on offer. You’ll want a resort that offers gentle slopes for beginners and more challenging terrain for advanced skiers, providing something for all when enjoying a family ski holiday.

Finding the Best Chalets for Families

The location should be one of the first things to consider when choosing a chalet. Make sure it is located close to the ski slopes, especially if you have young children who may not be able to walk long distances in ski boots.

Alternatively, you could consider a chalet with a driving service. You will also want a chalet that is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of communal areas where your family can relax and spend time together. It is also important that the accommodation has plenty of amenities for children such as games rooms, TV rooms and outdoor play areas, ensuring your children are kept entertained even when they’re not on the slopes.

Leo Trippi has a wide range of family chalets including Courchevel 1850's Chalet Montana, St Anton's Chalet 53 and Chalet Juno in Val d'Isere.

Fully Serviced Chalets for Family Ski Holidays

If you don’t want to lift a finger during your family ski holiday, we recommend choosing a fully serviced chalet with a dedicated team of staff, including a chef, chalet manager and concierge. In this way, you won’t have to worry about cooking, cleaning or arranging activities for your family.

Ski Holidays with Lessons

When looking for some of the best ski holidays for beginners, consider booking ski lessons with a ski school or a private guide. This can be especially helpful if you have children who are new to skiing or if you’re not familiar with the resort. We can recommend the best ski schools and guides in your chosen resort and book your lessons.

The Best Time to Book Family Ski Trips

Family chalets are in high demand, especially during school holidays so we recommend booking as early as possible. Ski schools, restaurants and childcare also get booked up during peak times, so it’s important to get these organised as soon as you can.

When to Book Childcare when Skiing with Children

Quality childcare is essential for a stress-free family ski holiday, and services can fill up quickly, especially during peak school holiday periods. We recommend booking early to ensure availability. We work closely with trusted partners like Merinannies who provide expert and reliable childcare, so you can enjoy peace of mind while hitting the slopes.

The Best Ski Resort for Families

Topping our list of the best skiing for families is Courchevel. Located in the Three Valleys, this popular French resort consists of several villages linked by a free and frequent bus service. For easy access to the slopes, the village of Courchevel 1850 is where the majority of ski-in/ski-out accommodation is located.

However, there are plenty of family-friendly aspects to the other villages that make them equally appealing, from the fantastic nursery slopes of Courchevel 1650 to the Aquamotion swimming and leisure complex close to Courchevel 1550.

With a huge ski area spanning 600 km, Courchevel offers something for skiers of all levels and the ski schools are among some of the best in Europe. Aside from skiing, the resort has plenty of activities for families to enjoy including ice skating, tobogganing and snowshoeing.

Also in the Three Valleys, Meribel is another popular family ski resort. There is a huge range of accommodation but we recommend being close to Meribel Centre for easy access to the ski lifts, shops and restaurants.

The resort has several designated children’s ski areas (La Piste des Inuits, Moon Wild Piste and the Yeti Park), whilst more advanced skiers have the whole of the Three Valleys ski area to explore. There are plenty of activities to keep children amused from the 3 km adventure luge track, Mission Black Forest, to the Parc Olympique which is home to an indoor ice skating rink.

In Switzerland, Saas Fee is ideal for families looking for a quieter, more laid-back holiday. With over 100 km of ski runs, it offers plenty of terrain for skiers of all levels, but there are also numerous alternative activities to enjoy, such as ice skating, snowshoeing and sledging.

The Dolomites is another fantastic destination for a family ski holiday. Alta Badia is renowned for its well-groomed pistes and wide, gentle slopes, making it an ideal choice for families with young children. The resort’s ski schools are known for their experienced instructors who specialise in teaching young skiers.

Children can learn the basics or improve their skills in a safe and supportive environment. Beyond skiing, families can enjoy horse sleigh rides around the resort, ice skating, sledging and indoor climbing and bouldering.

Where are the Best Family-Friendly Chalets?

We have a wide variety of child-friendly ski holidays in our portfolio, providing our guests with some of the finest chalets during their stay. These range from ski-in/ski-out catered chalets with all the bells and whistles to more low-key self-catered chalets and apartments. To help you narrow down the options we’ve picked out some of our favourites in family-friendly resorts.

Chalet Le Namaste, Courchevel 1850 - Best for Snow Holidays for Families

Located in Courchevel 1850, Chalet Le Namaste is perfect for those looking for some of the best snow holidays for families. It boasts ski-in/ski-out access, a spacious double-height open-plan living and dining area, and a wonderful spa area with an indoor swimming pool and a wave machine!

There’s also a designated children’s bedroom with cabin bunk beds and a smaller double bedroom perfect for the nanny. You’ll also receive dedicated service from a professional team which includes a chalet manager, chef, chauffeur and host.

Chalet Pont du Cam, Meribel - Best for Families Skiing with Teenagers

Families with teenagers will love this spacious mountain escape. Located a two-minute chauffeured drive from the slopes and five minutes from the resort centre, access to ski lifts, shops, bars and restaurants couldn’t be easier. Chalet Pont du Cam provides plenty of post-ski entertainment from the champagne bar and pool table to the eight-seater hot tub on the terrace. All of the rooms can be configured as double or twin beds, which is useful when it comes to sharing with siblings.

Chalet Valambrun, Les Gets - Best for a Relaxing Ski Holiday with the Family

Located in the vast Portes du Soleil ski area, Les Gets is a fantastic resort for families and Chalet Valambrun is the ideal base. Children can rest their weary heads in a beautifully handcrafted triple bunk bed whilst parents enjoy a relaxing evening in the chalet’s private spa complete with indoor pool, hammam and outdoor cedar hot tub, or the sumptuous 14-seater cinema room.

Chalech S, Lech - Best for Big Groups

Part of the Chalech Residence, this modern mountain chalet is a short stroll from the village centre. There’s an impressive open-plan living and dining area and a separate TV snug - an ideal space for children or teens. Whilst the chalet has its own spa area with a sauna and hammam, guests also have access to an indoor pool which is shared with four other properties in the residence. There are six bedrooms at Chalech S, including a bunk room and the chalet can be rented fully serviced or self-catered.

Chalet Milé 1, Val Gardena - Best for Exceptional Skiing

Perfect for families seeking both adventure and relaxation, Chalet Milé 1 in Val Gardena offers a luxurious yet cosy retreat in the heart of the Dolomites. With four elegant en-suite bedrooms, the chalet provides ample space for families to unwind together while still enjoying their own privacy. Its prime location—just a short drive from the ski lift and a short walk to Ortisei’s vibrant town centre—ensures easy access to both the slopes and family-friendly amenities. After an exhilarating day on the pistes, parents can relax in the wellness area, while children enjoy the spacious living area or explore the chalet’s scenic garden.

How can we help?

Booking with a reputable travel agent such as ourselves can save you time and assist you in narrowing down the options. We help you navigate the complexities of booking a family ski holiday, from recommending the right resort and accommodation for your family to arranging airport transfers, ski lessons, childcare, activities and restaurants.

We take the stress out of planning and curate a personalised itinerary tailored to your family’s preferences, unlocking hidden gems and ensuring you have a seamless experience from the booking process to the end of your holiday. Contact our team today, who will help guide you every step of the way.

Summary

We hope that after reading this article, you now know a bit more about some of the best snow holidays for families. With so many incredible places to choose from, you’re sure to find something for an array of travel itineraries. Whether you’re visiting with older children and experienced skiers or plan to hit the slopes with the little ones, there are plenty of options for all types of families when choosing Leo Trippi for your next luxurious ski holiday.