Taking the children on their first ski trip can be a daunting prospect, but with prior preparation and the right resort, it promises to be fun for all the family. Discover four of the best Alpine resorts for family ski trips, each blessed with varied runs in glorious surroundings and plenty of thrilling activities and amenities to suit all ages.
Avoriaz, France
With its car-free centre – excepting the occasional horse-drawn sleigh – Avoriaz is one of the most popular ski resorts for families with young children where safety is a primary concern. Its purpose-planned situation in one of the highest areas of the French Alps means you’re guaranteed great snow and staggering views whenever you visit during the extended ski season. That’s the main reason why it ranks among the best ski resorts in Europe despite its retro feel.
Children new to skiing can practise on the nursery slopes before graduating to the sizeable group of green and blue runs. More experienced family members will love the exhilarating fast red and black runs.
Val Thorens, France
Renowned as the highest in Europe, Val Thorens ski resort is a family favourite thanks to its facilities, accommodation and excellent skiing opportunities. It’s part of the famous Three Valleys which boasts 600 kilometres of runs of various gradings and is snow-sure throughout the season, and you can access the entire area from Val Thorens using a special Three Valleys pass.
There are plenty of things to do away from the slopes too. Let the kids burn off some energy at the Sports Centre which features tennis and squash courts, a swimming pool with saunas, steam rooms and Jacuzzis, and a children’s fun park with trampolines. Adults can relax in the spa next door which offers a range of quality treatments including massages and facials.
Zell Am See, Austria
Celebrate the spectacular scenery of the Alps at Zell Am See in Austria. A sea of snow-capped mountains stretches as far as the eye can see with the vast Lake Zell glittering in the valley below. The easy-going runs allow you to keep up a leisurely pace and enjoy your surroundings as you ski, and the views give the laidback après-ski scene a luxury feel. You’ve got many restaurants to choose from, variously serving top-notch local fare and international dishes for all palettes – even fussy kids!
Zell Am See is especially enchanting in December when the local town glows with illuminated Christmas markets alive with chatter, mouthwatering food and an alluring festive mood.
Wengen, Switzerland
Located in the Swiss capital, Bern, Wengen is easy to access so you can spend less time travelling with tired kids and devote more hours to fun in the snow. The resort is easy to navigate too, connected by a mountain railway extending out to the lakes at Interlaken which make for a beautiful day trip. The centre is traffic-free so you can explore the resort’s shops and restaurants at night without worry.
Explore the wealth of gentle slopes on skis or toboggans, cross the peaks on snowshoes and ice-skate on natural rinks (frozen glacial lakes). Enjoy concerts or learn about local folklore in the evenings before sitting down to a sumptuous dinner of local delicacies like fondue.