Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.
Europe boasts almost 4,000 ski resorts with a combined 38,059 kilometres of slopes. With so much to choose from, picking the right destination that caters to all skill levels in your family can be tricky.
We’ve done the research for you to take the stress out of booking. Here are our top three European ski resorts for your next family holiday.
La Rosière, France
La Rosière, in the southeast of France, is consistently ranked as one of the best destinations for skiing families. Located just a few minutes from Italy, it’s regarded as the gem of the Haute-Tarentaise. It sits at 1,850m on a south-facing valley flank, ensuring all-day sunshine keeps the kids warm and happy even during the coldest winter days.
Family ski holidays in La Rosière allow the kids to learn how to ski at Ecole de Ski France (ESF) and plenty of empty slopes, thanks to the ski area being 150km with just 15,000 beds, leading to a lower ratio of skiers.
If your kids are beginners or intermediates, they can enjoy the abundance of wide, cruisy blues and easygoing reds. The Little Saint Bernard trail, an adventurous green running through the woods with tunnels, bells, and arches, is a great place to build a snowman at the end of a run.
Alpe d’Huez, France
Alpe d’Huez reaches 3330m on the Pic Blanc glacier in the French Alps. It is affectionately called ‘l’Isle du Soleil’ for having the most sunny days on the slopes in a year. It forms part of the Grand Domaine ski area, along with Auris-en-Oisans, Huez-en-Oisans, Oz-en-Oisans, Vaujany, and Villard Reculas, to create a giant playground.
The resort has something for the whole family, with great snowparks, for which the French Tourism organisation has been awarded the ‘Famille Plus’ label. There’s also motor racing on the ice, live music gigs, and comedy festivals to enjoy after dinner.
Alpe d’Huez is also home to the infamous La Sarenne, the world’s longest on-piste black ski run, traversing a whopping 16 kilometres. It’s the ultimate challenge for seasoned pros, with thigh-busting steep terrain.
Ellmau (SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental), Austria
Ellmau is part of the vast SkiWelt ski area—one of the largest in Austria—with over 270 km of pistes, many of which are ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers. It’s an attractive valley village tucked away in the eastern corner of the SkiWelt domain and boasts stunning views north to the peaks of the imposing Wilder Kaiser range.
The local slopes are gentle and well-linked with those in the neighbouring village of Going, providing an accessible progression route for the whole family making their first skiing or snowboarding forays out on the mountain. Off the slopes, there’s tobogganing and winter hiking to enjoy.
Ellmau offers a range of accommodations to suit your holiday budget, from basic guesthouses to 3- to 5-star hotels. The village has a large selection of shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants, alongside leisure facilities nearby.
Disclosure – this is a collaborative post.
