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Feb, 6 - 2025 - 7 mins

The Best European Ski Resorts for Families During School Holidays

During school holidays and half-terms, millions of parents flock to popular ski resorts with their mini shredders and the result is often long lift lines, crowded pistes and some seriously stressed-out adults. However, imagine if you could speak to thousands of families and filter down their opinions to get left with the very best, and relatively undiscovered ski resorts. That’s exactly what you’ll find below.

Rather than overwhelm you with options, you’ll find four resorts and all the info you need to know if it's a good fit for your family or not. We’ve used data collected from thousands of unbiased reviews and ratings to bring you the best user-voted family-friendly ski resorts in France, Austria, Italy and Spain.

Best French Ski Resort for the School Holidays: Morillon

A charming, densely wooded resort that often draws comparisons to Canada, Morillon forms part of the Grand Massif area, where you’ll also find Flaine, Samoëns, Les Carroz, and Sixt. Morillon itself sits at a relatively low 650m, so many families choose to stay at the mid-station, Les Esserts 1100m. Here, there are a number of ski-in ski-out accommodation options along with a few restaurants and bars.

In Les Esserts there is also the ‘Village des Enfants’, where both skiing and non-skiing children between the ages of 6 months and 10 years are looked after. As far as the winter programme of events goes, there are weekly torchlight descents, concerts, wine and food tasting, and a variety of activities for children including tobogganing and dog-sledding. Relatively unknown, the resort rarely gets too crowded and you’ll enjoy access to the other resorts in the Grand Massif, should you want a bit more hustle and bustle.

Families will love:

• The fact that transfer time is only 1 hour
• Easy access to ski schools
• Ze KidzPark Funzone - on the Charnia blue run and designed for children.
• The affordability - our community rates it 4.21/5 for value.

What the Snomad Community says: “We love Morillon, with its small village feel, and easy ski school access, it makes skiing with a young family very doable. We stayed in Morillon 1100, and there are a couple of restaurants and a small selection of shops, and a supermarket. Lots of apartments to rent at reasonable prices, and quick access up the main lift to my favourite blue run, Sairon, or access to the rest of the Grand Massif.” - Laura, April 2024. Browse other community reviews of Morillon here.

Best Ski Resort in Spain for Families: Sierra Nevada

Seeking a family ski trip that throws a little culture into the mix? Sierra Nevada is Europe’s southernmost ski resort, where you can admire the Mediterranean sea on a clear day! While that might sound like a gamble in terms of snow quality, the 3300m elevation keeps things cold and relatively consistent.

The best places to stay are Pradollano (2078m) and Borreguiles (2675m.) If you want the convenience of ski-in, ski-out accommodation, opt for Borreguiles but be aware that you’ll have slightly less choice when it comes to eating out and non-ski activities. Pradollano is high enough and well-serviced by two cable cars.

For activities the little ones will love, the Mirlo Blanco Coaster is located on the outskirts of Pradollano and is great fun for the whole family. The alpine coaster speeds down to the valley over steep curves and waves and a tubing run provides additional entertainment.

Families will love: The 2100 - 3300m elevation (Spain’s highest.) A great ski school speaking a range of languages Kid-friendly attractions including numerous fun zones and the Mirlo Blanco Coaster.

What the Snomad Community says: “Great resort, good for families, not so much for young party people. Worth a trip if you're planning on heading to Spain. Make sure to go from the end of January onwards as we’ve found the snow doesn't arrive till after Christmas.” - Joseph, December 2024.

Take a look at what other families are saying about ski holidays in Sierra Nevada.

Family-Friendly Ski Resort in Austria for the School Holidays: Nassfeld Hermagor

While it might be a bit of a mouthful when friends ask where you’re headed, Nassfeld Hermagor combines Austrian efficiency with the culinary benefits of being close to the Italian border. The largest ski area in Austria’s southernmost state, Nassfeld has been voted as Austria’s third best-value ski resort, making it an ideal option in terms of affordability.

Reaching from 600m to 2002m in elevation, there are over 110kms of piste to explore where families can find fun zones, a snowpark and a healthy mix of piste gradients. There are 24 restaurants on the mountain which make things easy during the day, and English-speaking ‘Ski Schules’ are on hand for any lessons.

Families will love: The affordability - Snomad voters rate it 4.67/5 for value for money. Miniclub ran by ‘Octi’ the skiing squid. Off-slope activities including ice skating and sledding

What the Snomad Community says: “A stunning resort, so picturesque with brilliantly groomed slopes. Plenty of restaurants and eateries on the mountain and in the village of Tropolach, at the bottom of the mountain. Brilliant lifts, so efficient with modernisation continuing with a new chairlift this season. Snow can be relied on. Lift from the bottom of the mountain to the top, opens at 8:30 am and stops at 16:45 - amazing. Restaurants and accommodation options in Tropolach are great, traditional with stunning food.” - Imogen, January 2025.

Italy’s Best Ski Resort for Families: Alta Badia

A scenic ski resort in the Italian Dolomites, Alta Badia forms part of the Dolomiti Superski area, which boasts a mindblowing 1,200km of slopes. However, Alta Badia is lesser known (and therefore not as crowded) as the more popular resorts of the Sella Ronda or Cortina. The local resort area has more than enough to satisfy everyone in the group, with 53 ski lifts servicing 130km of perfectly groomed pistes.

The area is known for its striking scenery, and you’ll choose between the localities of Corvara, La Villa, San Cassiano and the high mountain plateau of Pralongià when opting for a place to stay. Corvara is considered the main village, with the best access to lifts and activities, while La Villa is more peaceful and great for families with younger children. San Cassiano is a more upscale option, with amazing restaurants - Alta Badia has a reputation for amazing food.

There is a selection of snowparks, funcross and speedcheck features throughout the area, and off-slope activities include tobogganing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice skating and night sledding.

Families will love: Fewer crowds than in more well-known Italian resorts World-class food, from casual mountain huts to Michelin-starred dining State-of-the-art snow-making facilities for reliable conditions

What the Snomad Community says: “There is something for everyone in this slice of Italian heaven. So much for all ski abilities to enjoy with a good variety of slopes. One of the highlights is tackling the Sella Ronda. Alta Badia is fantastic for non-skiing attractions too. With lots of characterful eateries, bars and villages in each town, there is always a good place to take a beat, fill up and stretch off. The selection of food in the area is varied, and delicious, with Austro-Italian cuisine - not very often you see Pork Schnitzel, and handmade ravioli on the same menu, but you do in Alta Badia, and it makes for a wonderful eating experience.” - Jamie, November 2024.

See what else families are saying about skiing Alta Badia.