A winter paradise for the best family ski resorts - Austria

Ski resorts in Austria have modern and sophisticated infrastructure because they regularly see significant investment. From higher, faster and bigger lifts to extended and linked ski areas, Austria is always upgrading the holiday experience for its winter guests, from the smallest to the tallest. For family ski holidays, Austria is hard to beat.  

The southern Austrian province of Carinthia enjoys a long ski season, usually lasting from November through to May in the highest resorts. Austria is one of only four countries in the world that has lift served skiing all year round. Easter, with its milder temperatures, is one of the best times for family skiing. Austria’s family-friendly ski resorts in Carinthia offer snow-secure skiing through to spring.

You’ll find plenty of choice when it comes to accommodation at our family ski resorts. Austria’s sunny southern province has over 40 ski areas and the selection of accommodation in Carinthia ranges from inexpensive to luxury, often with a focus on wellness, family and gourmet experiences. Many resorts offer convenient proximity to the slopes, making your little ones’ early ski days fun and easy. 

Plenty of sun, the mild climate on the south side of the Alps and wide, safe slopes ensure that learning to ski in Carinthia is a complete success for families with children. Ski schools in Carinthia, and throughout Austria, have highly-trained instructors who love making sure beginner skiers of all ages have a great experience and learn the right techniques. Set your kids up for a lifetime of fun on the snow.

Carinthia lies on the border with Italy and Slovenia and the Alpe-Adria regional influence can be tasted with every meal. Being on the sunny side of the Alps ensures fresh produce harvested in season and that is an important part of the special flavours of Alpine-Adriatic cuisine. Here, longstanding cooking traditions and new interpretations merge to form a delicious regional style.

Pick up the Winter Kärnten Card to make the most of winter excursion opportunities across the region, ensuring an unforgettable family ski holiday. Austria has so much to experience on and off the slopes. Visit the Pyramidenkogel, the world’s tallest wooden viewing tower, or see the giant snakes and turtles at the Happ Reptile Zoo.

Here in Carinthia, making ski holidays fun and affordable is a focus for many family ski resorts. Austria’s beloved Bad Kleinkirchheim winter sports region has the ‘Family Euro’ package, where children up to age 12 accompanied by their parents ski for only one euro per day. In the Klippitztörl ski area children at selected accommodations can ski for free in the off-peak seasons. Heiligenblut has the Snowman ski pass, which is only four euro for children up to the age of ten in combination with a parent ski pass. At the Heidi-Alm Ski Park at the Falkert Mountain, children up to age 6 ride for free if they are accompanied by an adult. In the Sportberg Goldeck ski area, children up to age 14 who stay with their families at accommodation establishments located around Lake Millstatt ski free from January 9 until the end of the season, as long as their parents purchase ski passes. 

The magic age for learning to ski is around five years old. Many children around this age will be able to pick up the basics of stopping, turning and managing the lifts. You’ll be amazed how quickly they can escape the ski garden and get out onto the green and blue runs.

That’s not to say older children will not pick up skiing just as quickly, as more strength and endurance helps them progress. Younger than five years old it really depends on the child – for some very young children it is more about having a positive, fun experience in the snow and being looked after while Mum and Dad hit the slopes. 

It is vital to choose the right place for your family ski holidays. Austria is renowned for its professional and friendly ski instructors and ski schools, especially at the many family ski resorts. Austria and Carinthia have highly-trained instructors who love making sure beginner skiers of all ages have a great experience. 

Learning the correct technique from the beginning is important to minimise physical effort and the risk of accidents. Ski lessons with highly-trained instructors ensure that beginners can enjoy skiing from their very first turns.  For some children, group ski lessons can be daunting and you might like to consider private ski lessons for the family together. 

As your skiing confidence grows, having ski lessons each season is important to refresh and progress your skills. Even advanced skiers can benefit from private lessons to hone their technique. There is always room for improvement!

Make sure fun and not freezing is the refrain of your family ski holidays. Austria ski trips require thoughtful packing and you should check kids have everything they need for a great day on the mountain. A warm, waterproof coat and salopettes or onesie is vital. Underneath this, layers of thermal underwear and thin jumpers or fleeces can be adjusted depending on the weather. The clothing worn next to the skin must be made of a wicking fabric rather than cotton. Good socks, ski gloves, and a neck warmer that can be pulled up over the lower face in a cold wind finish off the outfit. Don’t forget that ski helmets are compulsory for children and teens up to the age of 15.