How about a stress-free, carefree and enjoyable skiing holiday for the whole family? That's a given in Switzerland's family ski resorts! The offer is original and varied, inviting winter lovers to enjoy their favourite activities in the snow.: skiing, sledging, cross-country skiing and much more – the possibilities are endless and will delight adults and children alike.
And best of all, Switzerland's family-friendly ski resorts offer perfect conditions for winter sports enthusiasts of all ages. This means that parents can also unwind and relax while their children enjoy daring adventures in the snow. A win-win situation!
Recognising family-friendly ski resorts
Beginners and children want expert supervision on their holiday. Experienced skiers, on the other hand, are looking for challenges in the snow. Child-friendly resorts must meet both needs - and everything in between. This is the only way to fulfil the dreams of winter sports lovers of all levels.
Seals of quality, family slopes and more
The following tips will show you how to determine if a resort is "family friendly" and what you need to have a successful winter getaway:
- Especially in Switzerland: the "Families Welcome" seal of approval
- Discounted family ski passes, free children’s ski passes or attractive family packages
- Numerous easy slopes in the ski area – especially green and blue descents as well as special family runs
- Kids’ lifts, childproof chair lifts or child-friendly access to them
- Comprehensive childcare services
- Professional ski schools with dedicated beginner areas close to the valley
- Separate practice areas for kids, such as a wave track, adventure course or playground
Important safety aspects on family ski slopes
Safety is the top priority on a skiing holiday. The best family ski resorts in Switzerland are not only characterised by their child-friendly services, but also by their well-thought-out safety concepts. From professional ski instructors and modern lift facilities to perfectly groomed descents –ski resorts for families ensure that both adults and children can enjoy their first turns in the snow without any worries.
It is particularly important to choose the right slopes for the different skill levels. Experienced skiers know that not every run in a ski resort is suitable for beginners and kids.
Marked slopes for winter sports beginners
Children with no skiing experience cannot and should not attempt every run. That is why clearly marked slopes – beyond the beginner's and children's area – are essential for safety in the snow. The green and blue runs are particularly suitable for young skiers and enthusiastic ski novices. These family slopes have a very gentle gradient and offer ideal conditions for families with children.
The wide and well-groomed descents also allow adults to try skiing for the first time without feeling overwhelmed. Swiss ski resorts are known for their first-class slope preparation, which guarantees safe skiing at all levels of difficulty.
Family ski resorts in Switzerland
With more than 300 ski resorts and countless kilometres of descents, Switzerland has perfected winter sports – and there is a wide range of activities on offer: in addition to traditional ski slopes, the snow-covered Alpine region offers cross-country trails, sledging hills, freeride runs and winter hiking trails. Swiss ski resorts are also true snow oases for the youngest skiers. Their extensive offers suitable for families have been attracting young and old from around the world for years.
So where are the best family ski resorts in Switzerland, and what makes them so special? Our RENTertainers have summarised the most important information for you...
Aletsch Arena: Swiss ski resort for the whole family
The Aletsch Arena encompasses the holiday resorts of Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiesch-Eggishorn. With a total of 104 kilometres of slopes, it offers a snow paradise for the whole family. More than 40 kilometres are green, blue and family runs – ideal for skiing together and especially for winter sports beginners. In the kids' club, little ones new to skiing can also be introduced to the snow in a playful way. Afterwards, they can perfect their first turns in peace and quiet in the adjacent beginner areas.
An overview of the family-friendly services
- Bobos Kids' Club with Snowgarden and Snow Kids Village
- Snowli Park ski school
- Ski kindergarten
- Children's carousel, wave track and obstacle course
- Magic carpet and children's lifts
- Childcare and playground
- Kids’ sunland with snow tubing and sledging run
- Mascot Gletschi, the glacier flea
Arosa Lenzerheide: Winter sports paradise for beginners
The Arosa Lenzerheide ski resort in Switzerland is a dream come true, especially for beginners. At Honigland Prätschli and the children's areas Auarara, Fastatsch and Heimberg, the youngest can learn to ski in a playful way.
Most of the activities are free of charge and feature easy, child-friendly descents and various attractions such as a carousel, a mini course and igloos on the grounds. Experienced skiers will also find plenty to enjoy on the 225 kilometres of slopes: snow parks, cross-country trails and sledging hills guarantee fun in the snow for young and old alike.
An overview of the family-friendly services
- Honigland Prätschli & various kids‘ areas
- Children's carousel and obstacle course
- Magic carpet
- Ski kindergarten and ski school
- Childcare
- Snow tubing and toboggan run
- Globi's winter playground
- Snowli mascot
Brigels-Waltensburg-Andiast: A swiss family ski resort with tradition
The family-friendly Brigels-Waltensburg-Andiast ski resort stretches across 50 kilometres of slopes above the idyllic Vorderrhein Valley – a highlight especially for beginners. Winter sports lovers of all ages can really let off steam on the extra-wide groomed runs and in the Snow Kids Village, which includes practice parks. In the adjacent snow park or on the Skimovie race slope, even experienced skiers can benefit from the varied range of activities on offer.
An overview of the family-friendly services
- Kids’ areas including their own practice parks
- Ski kindergarten and nursery for children under 4 years of age
- Ski school and childcare
- Snow Kids Village with children's carousel, magic carpet, rope lifts, skidoo course and wave track
- Adventure course
- Children's lifts
- Sledging run
- Snow tubing run with its own lift
Grächen: For a fairytale skiing holiday
The Grächen ski resort is perfect for families. 44 kilometres of perfectly groomed slopes, the enchanting fairy-tale gondola and the SiSu family park invite to enjoy pure snow fun. And the variety of attractions, including a snowshoe trail and sledging run, will leave you wanting more. Thanks to the comprehensive childcare services on offer, parents can relax and enjoy adventures during their stay while their kids are well looked after.
An overview of the family-friendly services
- Fairytale gondola lift
- SiSu Family Park with children's lifts, beginner slopes, magic carpets, carousel and fairy tale igloo cinema
- Sledging hill and snow tubing run
- Mäc SiSu family restaurant
- 4 family fun parks for kids aged between 2 and 15
- Snowbike taster course
- Family fun slope and Jump Maxi Area
- Ski kindergarten for children aged 2 and above
- Ski school
- Mascot SiSu
- Winter hiking and snowshoe trails
Klosters Madrisa: The family adventure mountain in Switzerland
The adventure mountain near Davos-Klosters offers 31 kilometres of slopes, a true snow paradise for all ages and abilities. While beginners are introduced to skiing in a playful way at Madrisa Land, advanced skiers can enjoy action-packed snow adventures in Madrisa Park. And for fun and relaxing variety, the ski area offers winter hiking trails and a sledging run. This guarantees that a stay in Klosters Madrisa will be worthwhile for all snow-loving families.
An overview of the family-friendly services
- Madrisa Land for the little ones with a children's carousel, bouncy castle, trampoline, snow tubing track and magic carpets
- Madrisa Park for advanced snow lovers, including a race park, big airbag, obstacle course, kids’ cross course, wave track and jumps
- Ski kindergarten and ski school
- Playground
- Snowli mascot
- Sledging run and winter hiking trails
First-class equipment for the whole family
The right equipment is essential for a successful skiing holiday. So it's great that winter sports fans in Switzerland can also benefit from the comprehensive and family-friendly INTERSPORT Rent service. This means you can enjoy the competent service and technical expertise of our RENTertainers when travelling through Switzerland too.
Convenient online booking of your ski equipment
If you already know what equipment you and your loved ones will need at the Swiss family ski resort, take advantage of online booking and reserve your equipment well in advance of your arrival. This way you can secure your favourites and avoid waiting times at the resort.
Whether you choose your skis online in advance or take advantage of our on-site advice service to find the ideal equipment for you and your family, INTERSPORT Rent guarantees top-quality and family-friendly prices!
Extra comfort in a children's hotel
Those traveling with the whole family can enjoy a real upgrade by booking a family-friendly accommodation. Kids’ hotels are designed for winter sports fans of all ages and ensure a relaxing stay in Switzerland. Everything families need for a ski holiday together is provided.
What makes a children's hotel special?
Family-friendly hotels and accommodations score points for being close to the slopes. Downhill runs are often right outside the door, so there is no need to lug equipment and other items around. On the other hand, the nearest ski lift should not be far away. A free ski shuttle is another factor that contributes to more comfort on site.
Further advantages of children's hotels on skiing holidays
- Comprehensive baby and childcare
- Child-friendly menus or children's buffets
- Hotel playgrounds and playrooms
- Baby and child equipment available for rent in rooms or at reception
- Separate family rooms
- Affordable prices for families
These services will make your trip for both parents and children to a Swiss ski resort a real highlight!
Good to know: You can find more information and tips on how to prepare in our article Skiing holidays with children.
INTERSPORT Rent tip
The RENTertainer recommends
Have you decided on a ski resort for your winter adventures in Switzerland? Perfect! Then you can start packing. What are the essentials for a family trip to the snow and what should you pay particular attention to? Our checklist for skiing holidays summarises everything you need to know at a glance. This way, even packing becomes part of the anticipation of your stay.
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