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You don’t need to wait until your child is skiing (or even walking) to take them to a ski resort.
And while you’ll certainly have to make some changes to your usual routine, ski holidays with babies are both very achievable and highly rewarding.
Research and preparation is key. Find a baby-friendly ski resort and accommodation, preferably that offers in-house childcare (there are providers that will take infants from as young as 3 months) and is close to the resort’s amenities.
Here’s everything you need to know before your first ski trip with a baby.
What should we pack?
Clothing
Under 1s don’t need ski gear, but they do need to be warm and dry. A thermal waterproof onesie is a good choice for an outer layer, and make sure to bring a number of spare undergarments, as well as gloves, hats and anything else that will keep them happy and comfortable.
Equipment
You don’t have to bring everything with you as lots of baby equipment can be rented in the resort, either from specialist companies or from your accommodation. Some hotels, chalets, and apartments provide essentials like travel cots, bedding, highchairs and equipment you’ll need for mealtimes. Check what they have available (and that it's suitable for your needs) so that you know what you need to pack it in your luggage.
Getting around
A sturdy three-wheeled pram will be able to cope with most terrain, whether that’s ice, snow or just an uneven surface. You should be able to rent one if you can’t bring your own. A sling is also a good idea for short trips round town. And for a fun alternative, rent or buy a little sledge with a rope. As long as your baby can sit up, you can tow them around - a fun alternative to a pram. Just make sure not to do it next to a busy road!
How should we get there?
If you book a family ski holiday package through an agent like Iglu Ski, flights and transfers are often included. This is easiest option in most cases, especially if it’s a short transfer time from the airport to the resort. Everything is arranged for you - all you have to do is show up to the airport on time and you’ll be greeted by your driver on the other side.
You could also consider the ski train. Services depart regularly from St Pancras to the Alps and there’s not much more than an hour’s difference in journey time compared to flying. You also get more leg room and storage space, great for travelling with an infant on your lap and with the additional bags they require.
Driving to the Alps with one or two stops along the way is also an option, and can be much cheaper than flying or the train. Overall, though, the journey time is longer and it’s a long time for a baby to spend in a car seat.
EXPERT TIPS FROM PARENTS
If this is your first time flying with an under 1 year old, here are some top tips from a parent:
What are the best ski resorts for babies?
You can give your holiday the best chance of success by choosing a baby-friendly ski resort.
But what makes one resort better for babies than another?
- Short transfer time - infants require comfort and routine, so select resorts within a short transfer (1 to 1.5 hours) from major airports, like Geneva, to minimise travel stress.
- Childcare and supervision - choose accommodation that offers specialised infant care services. Most resorts have day care centres and hotels with childcare facilities, though not all will take babies under 1 year old. Early booking is essential as spaces fill quickly, especially in peak seasons.
- Family-friendly activities - look for resorts that offer infant-friendly activities such as gentle sled rides, indoor soft play areas, and safe spaces for supervised snow play, so that your baby can enjoy the mountain even though they can’t yet ski.
With that in mind, here are the best resorts for babies:
La Rosiere
Near the Italian border (and linked with La Thuile to form the Espace San Bernardo), La Rosiere is a certified Famille Plus resort, meaning it meets a strict set of family-friendly criteria. There is a childcare assistant that will look after your baby from just 3 months for everything from a few hours to days. La Rosiere is pretty, peaceful, and small, making it easy to get around. Despite that it still offers a decent size skiing area of over 150km. Taking 2.5 hours from Geneva and 2 hours from Chambery, the transfer time is a little long. However, to save you having to transport childcare equipment and a pram all that way, you can rent it from La Patte Blanche or the Comptoir de La Rosière.
Valmorel
Valmorel is a great little resort for ski holidays with infants. It’s small and has a pedestrianised centre, which makes it safe and easy to get around with little ones in tow. And although it was purpose-built in the 1970s, unlike many of its contemporaries, it consists of low-rise wood-clad buildings in the Savoyard style rather than concrete blocks. It also has over 150km of pistes, many of which are beginner friendly, and spa facilities for parents. Childcare for under 3s in Valmorel is delivered by babysitters at your accommodation, who you can get in touch with via the tourist office. If you can find a flight to Chambéry Airport, the transfer time from there to the resort is only 1 hour 15 minutes. Otherwise it’s 2 hours from Geneva.
Samoëns
Samoëns, a small and traditional French Alpine village, is part of the Grand Massif Ski Area, which encompasses 265km of pistes across its five villages. There’s loads of beginner-friendly terrain, as well as pistes for intermediate and advanced skiers in the wider area. The resort is relaxed, with plenty of family-friendly accommodation and wellness facilities available for parents. There are at least four places in the resort where you can rent baby equipment and childcare providers or in-accommodation care that will take children of any age. It takes as little as 1 hour 10 minutes to get there from Geneva airport.
Flaine
Another Grand Massif resort, Flaine has many of the same infant-friendly qualities as its neighbour. Purpose-built as a ski resort, its car-free centre was designed to be safe and easy-to-navigate. There are some brilliant childcare providers in the resort, including Les P’tits Loups, which takes children from as young as 6 months from 9am to 5pm. Like Samoëns, the transfer time is very short - around 1 hour 15 minutes from Geneva.
La Plagne
La Plagne is our best overall resort for families and also a brilliant resort for babies. Many of its 11 villages have nurseries. For example, Les P’tits Bonnets in Plagne Centre and Flocons et Petits Pas in Belle Plagne both take children from 5 months, while there are also lots of nannies and babysitters that offer more flexible services. With baby in the hands of professionals, parents can explore the massive Paradiski, with its 425km of pistes and 85 beginner runs.
Les Arcs
Les Arcs is the other half of the Paradiski and another great resort to go to with a baby. Many of its villages were purpose built, meaning they offer convenience and amenities in abundance, as well as ski-in-ski-out accommodation that will make your holiday as hassle-free as possible. Childcare options are plentiful, with places that take children from 3 months, such as Little Kids, and even a private nanny, Nanny Nancy, that will look after your baby from birth. Both of these are down in Bourg Saint Maurice, a large town that you can get to on the funicular in 7 minutes.
What’s the best ski accommodation for babies?
How do the different types of ski accommodation stack up for families with babies? Each has its virtues and limitations.
Chalet
If you’re dreaming of a classic and cosy chalet holiday with your baby, then go for it. There are lots of places that can accommodate families with children under 1. Find somewhere that’s close to the resort’s amenities and that can provide baby equipment essentials. If you go for a hosted chalet, you can focus on spending time with your baby while your hosts ensure you’re well-looked after. And if you fancy a night out, you can hire a babysitter for the evening. Some chalet providers include nanny services as part of their package. For example, Family Ski’s Powder Pups service looks after kids aged from 3 months to 4 years, and picks them up and drops them off at your chalet. And Club Med operates chalets in a number of resorts that give you access to their on-site Baby Clubs.
Hotel
For parents with very young babies, hotels offer the convenience of having everything under one roof - from restaurants to entertainment and on-site childcare. They can also provide things like cots and bottle warmers in your room and, as your little one may not (or may only just be) walking, room size isn’t too much of an issue.
Self-catered apartment
If you’re trying to budget, a self-catered apartment can often be the most cost-effective option. It also gives you the freedom to operate according to your own schedule and meal preferences. As you know, babies don’t always want to play ball with the timetable, so that flexibility can be very useful. Just make sure you’re within walking distance of a supermarket or baby-friendly restaurants.
Ski resort childcare options for babies under 1
If you’re on holiday as two parents and a baby, you have a couple of options when it comes to organising your day.
Nursery or crèche
If you’re looking for regular childcare for the duration of your holiday, a nursery or daycare centre is the way to go. Some providers will offer both half and full-day options, so you can find an arrangement that works for you. These services can be independent businesses or may be offered in-house by your hotel. Nursery space for under 1s can be competitive, especially at peak times, so make sure to book your space as early as possible.
Private nanny
If you want maximum flexibility, opt for a private nanny service. They can look after your baby in the familiar environment of your chalet or apartment, with services available hourly, daily or for the week, allowing you to customise care to your exact schedule. Just make sure to check the reviews, ratings and qualifications of any nanny you consider using.
Share childcare and skiing
Alternatively, if you don’t feel comfortable leaving your infant with another party all day (or they don’t want to be left), you can take it in turns to ski and look after your little one. There are plenty of non-skiing activities to entertain you and baby, and some resorts even have special lift passes that can be shared by the parents. That means you don’t have to buy two that you each use for only half the time.
Bring the grandparents
A multi-generational skiing holiday is a great way for the whole family to spend time together and create long-lasting memories. If you have a grandparent who doesn’t ski, and is happy to look after the baby, then both parents can ski together safe in the knowledge that the baby is with a relative. Or, if you have grandparents who do ski, you can split childcare and skiing between you, your partner, and the grandparents. 
Ski holiday providers for infant-friendly holidays
The following companies provide everything you need to have a brilliant first holiday with your baby:
Club Med
Club Med operates a range of all-inclusive hotels and catered chalets in France and Italy. Childcare is available from 4 months (for an added cost) at the Baby Club, which keeps kids entertained all day with age-appropriate activities, meals and naps.
Any resort with a Baby Club also includes a travel cot, a bathtub, bottle warmers, and more in your room at no extra cost, and has baby changing facilities and a baby bottle room (with everything you need to prepare milk and baby food) on site. What’s more, from 6 to 7.30pm, the baby restaurant is open for family dinner. There’s also a ‘baby corner’ in the main restaurant.
The following Club Med resorts have Baby Clubs:
Ski Famille
Ski Famille holidays are great for families with very young children, offering infant care from just three months old in its fully catered chalets across the French Alps. Every chalet has been chosen for its family-friendly location and layout. Its childcare service is delivered by DBS-checked, first aid trained staff, with gentle, age-appropriate care available six days a week.
Neilson
Neilson’s family ski holidays can cater to even the youngest guests, with childcare available from 4 months old at selected Mountain Collection hotels in France, Italy, and Andorra. Its kids’ clubs provide safe, flexible care run by trained staff, allowing parents to relax or ski, knowing their baby is well cared for. Accommodation includes family-sized rooms and early dining options for little ones. With flights, transfers, meals, and support included, Neilson helps take the stress out of ski holidays with infants.
Belambra
Belambra offers infant childcare from 4 months old at selected resorts. Its Club locations are mostly ski-in-ski-out, reducing the need for long walks or shuttles with infants. Trained staff care for babies in warm, secure environments while parents hit the slopes. Accommodation options are varied, with everything from self-catering to all-inclusive: many resorts offer family rooms, early meals, and on-site wellness spaces.
Family Ski Company
When it comes to the Family Ski Company the clue is in the name. Offering dedicated childcare from just 3 months old, their catered chalets in Ardent (Avoriaz) and Reberty (Les 3 Vallées) are ski-in/ski-out or close to lifts and designed to accommodate the needs of families. Qualified nannies offer flexible childcare tailored to infants’ routines, with in-house babysitting, quiet nap spaces, and other baby-friendly services included.
Book your first ski holiday with a baby through Iglu Ski
Going skiing with a baby brings with it a load of new considerations, but it can also make for a wonderful first family holiday. The key is to choose the right resort and accommodation, and to pack smart.
Discover your perfect family ski trip through Iglu Ski. We work with dozens of tour operators to bring you more deals than any other agent, and our ski experts are always on hand to help you book. We take the hassle out of arranging your skiing holiday so you can focus on making memories with your baby.