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From ski school proximity to childcare and evening entertainment, there’s a lot to consider when you’re planning a family ski holiday.
We’ve been helping organise ski trips for over 26 years, so we know what makes a family getaway a success – from finding the perfect resort and accommodation to deciding what to pack.
Whether you’re a seasoned skier introducing your kids to the slopes or it's everyone’s first time, here’s everything you need to know to plan a holiday you’ll never forget.
How to choose the best family ski resort
If it’s your family’s first ski trip, choosing the right resort will ensure you get off to a flying start. The best family ski resorts are usually easy to get around, have plenty of beginner-friendly terrain, and make day-to-day logistics as simple as possible.
When comparing resorts, look out for:
Easy access to the slopes and ski school – compact resorts are ideal for families, especially if the lifts, nursery slopes and ski school meeting point are all in one central area. Car-free or pedestrian-friendly resorts can make getting around safer and easier too.
Plenty of beginner-friendly terrain – if children or first-time adults are learning, look for resorts with plenty of easy runs, as well as dedicated nursery slopes for beginners.
A layout that’s easy to navigate – some resorts have beginner pistes, but they’re spread out or poorly connected. Resorts with well-linked beginner areas and a strong lift system make it easier to build confidence without accidentally ending up on more difficult terrain.
Family-friendly accommodation options – larger resorts often give you more choice when it comes to hotels, apartments and chalets, making it easier to find something that suits your family’s budget and needs.
Lift pass savings for families and children – some resorts offer discounted family passes or free skiing for younger children, which can make a noticeable difference to the overall cost.
Shorter transfer times – after a flight or long journey, an easy transfer can be a big advantage, especially with younger children.
How Iglu Ski can help
Need a family resort recommendation? Give our ski specialists a call, tell them your family’s requirements, and they can recommend the most suitable resorts.
And make sure to check out our comprehensive guide on the best ski resorts for families, featuring popular destinations like La Plagne, Tignes and La Rosiere.
What type of accommodation works best for families?
For families, the best accommodation is usually the option that makes your holiday as hassle-free as possible and provides enough space for everyone to relax at the end of the day.
Location, too, is especially important. When you’re rushing to get the kids to lessons in the morning, you’ll thank yourself for booking somewhere that’s a short walk to ski school or has ski-in-ski-out access.
You should also look out for practical family-friendly features such as:
Room for cots, luggage, wet ski clothing, or simply to spread out and run around
Self-catering facilities or child-friendly meal options
Childcare or babysitting services
Easy access to resort amenities such as shops, pharmacies and swimming pools
Aside from those factors, the right type of accommodation depends on your family’s budget and preferences:
Hotels are a great choice for families who want convenience, with multiple board options, family rooms, on-site childcare, and extras such as swimming pools and games rooms.
Catered chalets are ideal for larger families, with meals cooked for you and a cosy, shared living space to enjoy together after skiing. Some also offer in-house childcare
Apartments are ideal if you want more flexibility, a convenient location near the slopes, and the option to prepare your own meals or snacks around your kid’s routine.
How Iglu Ski can help
Our ski specialists have a detailed knowledge of the best family accommodation available in our top resorts, and can recommend the perfect property based on your needs.
We also have a carefully selected collection of family ski chalets, as well as hundreds of hotels and apartments that are ideal for families.
What do I need to pack?
When skiing with kids, it’s better to be overprepared than underprepared – being too cold or wet on their first trip to the mountains could dampen their enthusiasm. As well as insulated and waterproof jackets and bottoms, the key is bringing lots of spares and options, so it’s easy to layer up or down according to the temperature.
If it’s your first ski holiday, your best bet is to pick up some budget-friendly skiwear from somewhere like Decathlon, Mountain Warehouse, Aldi Ski Wear or TK Maxx. If they're keen to go again and again, you can invest in some higher quality gear. If you’re planning a ski trip for the following year, look for big discounts from March onwards as shops and brands make way for next season’s gear.
For the slopes, you should pack:
Waterproof ski jacket – choose something warm, insulated and easy to move around in. Bright colours or distinctive patterns can also make children easier to spot on the slopes. Look for a waterproof rating of 15,000mm or more, which should provide enough protection for most conditions on the mountain.
Salopettes or insulated ski trousers – bib-style trousers or salopettes help keep kids warm and dry, especially when they spend lots of time falling over or sitting in the snow. All-in-ones can be cute and provide extra warmth, but are less convenient when they need to use the bathroom.
Gloves or mittens – warm, waterproof handwear is essential. Mittens are often better for younger children because they’re warmer, while older children may prefer gloves for better grip and dexterity.
Goggles – a proper pair of ski goggles will protect eyes from snow glare and wind. Make sure they fit comfortably with a helmet.
Helmet – whether you bring your own or hire one in resort, a helmet is a must for children learning to ski.
Ski socks – pack several pairs of proper ski socks rather than regular everyday socks, which can rub and become uncomfortable in ski boots.
Thermal base layers – long-sleeved tops and leggings provide extra insulation and are easy to layer under bulkier outerwear.
Mid-layers such as fleeces or jumpers – these make it easy to add or remove warmth depending on the weather.
Neck warmer or buff – useful for cold, windy chairlift rides and snowy days.
Waterproof boots with good grip – essential for getting around icy streets or snowy paths when not in ski boots.
Casual evening clothes – ski clothing can get damp during the day, so it’s worth packing comfortable clothes for lounging or going out in the evening.
Sun cream – the sun is surprisingly strong in the mountains, even on cold days.
Lip balm – cold air and altitude can leave lips dry and sore very quickly.
Sunglasses – useful off the slopes, especially on bright days or when walking around the resort.
Check out our first ski trip packing checklist to ensure you don’t forget anything important.
Should I rent or buy skis and equipment?
First-time families should hire skis, boards, boots and helmets in the resort as they’re expensive to buy and difficult to transport.
Rental skis and boards are graded by experience level (typically, you’ll see this displayed as colours – e.g. blue to black or bronze to platinum), with beginner equipment costing less than performance gear.
For example, beginner level adult skis and boots cost around £100 for the week, while performance gear is closer to £200. Helmets typically cost around £30, while skis and boots for children under 11 are around £75 for the week.
How Iglu Ski can help
You can include skis, boards, boots, and a helmet for you and the kids as a paid extra when booking – it’s as simple as ticking a box. We have bronze, silver, gold, and platinum options, so it’s easy to find equipment that matches your experience level.
Bringing your own equipment? In many cases, you can add and pay for ski carriage when booking your holiday through us. Spaces are limited on each flight, so we always recommend arranging you carriage as soon as possible.
What childcare is available in ski resorts?
Most ski resorts are home to a range of childcare options for children of different ages.
Hotels and independent childcare providers offer daytime care, with playrooms and dedicated facilities designed to keep children safe, comfortable and entertained. Some services can also take children to and from ski school, so you can maximise your time on the slopes. Childcare places can fill up quickly, particularly during peak weeks and school holidays, so it’s always worth booking as early as possible. The care and activities provided at kids clubs are always age-appropriate, so you can be sure your little ones will be well looked after.
Some ski schools also combine childcare with ski lessons and lunch. For example, ESF’s Club Piou Piou takes children from age 3 and introduces them to skiing by playing games in the snow with the help of friendly animal mascots. When they’re not skiing, they can enjoy organised indoor and outdoor activities, with supervised meals available as an optional extra.
Some chalet companies also offer in-house childcare, and can arrange a babysitter for you if you want to go out for an evening meal. A private nanny can also be a good option, especially for families who want more flexibility or childcare tailored to their own schedule.
How Iglu Ski can help
Many of the 50+ ski holiday suppliers and tour operators we work with offer in-house childcare from qualified, vetted carers and nannies. Some, like Club Med, Neilson and Ski Famille, are family ski trip specialists, combining family-friendly accommodation, with childcare facilities and children’s meals in one package.
What happens at ski school?
Most ski schools in Europe welcome children from around age 3, with English-speaking instructors and lessons designed to be fun, supportive and appropriate for their age and ability.
Lessons for the youngest children or first-timers usually take place on dedicated beginner or nursery slopes, where they build confidence through games, gentle practice areas and simple exercises. When your kids are older or more experienced, they’ll progress onto suitable pistes with a qualified instructor, where they’ll learn more technical skiing skills.
Lesson length varies by age and resort. Younger children often start with half-day sessions, with morning and afternoon start times available, while older children might gain more from a full-day. In some cases, lunch is included or offered as an extra, so it’s worth checking what’s covered when you book.
Are there any lift pass discounts for families?
Yes! There are three ways you can save money on your lift passes that make it even more rewarding to ski as a family.
Some ski areas offer discounts when you buy adult and child lift passes together. For example, the Portes du Soleil knocks 10% off everyone’s pass, while the Three Valleys allows the whole family to ski at the child rate.
On top of that, pretty much all resorts allow children up to a certain age to ski for free. In France, this is usually up to age 5. However, in the Tignes – Val d'Isère ski area, kids under 8 get a free pass.
The under 8 limit also applies in many Austrian resorts, while in a few Swiss resorts – including Saas Fee, Zermatt and Crans Montana – kids ski for free until they’re 9 years old.
What other activities are there to do in the resort?
In most ski resorts, the lifts close by late afternoon, so it’s worth planning how to entertain the kids for the rest of the day. Non-ski activities can also be a big plus if your children are still too young to ski or you simply fancy a day off the slopes.
If the kids aren’t done playing in the snow, there are loads of other ways to enjoy the mountain. Many resorts have floodlit tobogganing slopes that everyone can enjoy, or you could try husky or dog sledding.
If you’ve had your fill of the outdoors or the weather turns, head inside for family-friendly fun at the swimming pool, bowling alley, or cinema. Parents could take it in turns to look after the kids for an hour or two while their partner has a treatment at the spa.
How much should we expect to spend on a family ski holiday?
A family of four can expect to spend anything from between £4,000 and £10,000 (£1,000 to £2,500 per person) for a week-long skiing holiday, with the country, resort, board and accommodation type the biggest influences on overall cost.
School holidays are more expensive than term time trips, but you can find lower prices if you book early. You can also then pay in flexible instalments, provided you’re all settled up a couple of months in advance of your departure date.
A package, with flights, transfers and accommodation included, is one of the easiest ski holiday options, especially when you have kids, and you can find incredible deals by going through an agent like Iglu Ski. However, you might prefer to book an accommodation-only deal and arrange your own travel.
Whether you want an affordable trip or a luxury experience, there’s no right way to have a family skiing holiday. Each has its merits, and which you prefer depends on your budget and preferences.
Discover how our top tips could save you £6,000 on your first family ski holiday.
How do I book a family ski holiday?
Ready to book your family ski holiday? Get your trip off to a smooth start by ticking off this ski trip plan checklist:
Choose your resort – preferably somewhere that’s easy to navigate, has lots of beginner terrain and plenty of accommodation options.
Choose your package or accommodation – look for accommodation that provides easy access to ski school, lifts and resort amenities, and suits your budget and preferences.
Book kids club or private childcare – do this is soon as possible, especially for peak date holidays.
Book your lessons – again, peak dates sell out quickly, so it’s best to book lessons early
Arrange ski hire and lift passes – you can do this at the time of booking or closer to departure.
With Iglu Ski, it couldn’t be easier to find a ski holiday that matches your exact requirements. We have tonnes of family ski deals to the top resorts in Europe and beyond available to book online or over the phone.
Use filters like board basis, ski-in-ski-out and departure airport to narrow down your search for the perfect holiday, or give our ski experts a call. They can make specific recommendations or even build you a tailor-made trip.