Best Ski Resorts for Kids

Finding the top ski resorts for kids is a seasonal struggle for parents and guardians across the globe. We recognised this, so gathered together the best snow sport experts in the neighbourhood, to draft what we believe to be the best collection of the world’s top ski resorts for you, and your children.

Aspen Snowmass, Colorado, USA

Perhaps the most famous child-friendly ski resort in the world, Aspen Snowmass has been a family favourite since the early days. The slopes are some of the best in the world for every ability, while the resort itself packs endless fun.

Skiers aged 5-12 are encouraged by a variety of cool programmes designed to improve your children’s ability to ski safely. The most coveted item on the agenda is the Treehouse Kids’ Adventure Centre that incorporates interactive rooms for every age group. Hit the movies for a family night out, or take part in the family snowcat ride for an evening of sing-a-longs and a crispy BBQ dinner.

Hamilton Lodge, Belalp, Switzerland

Embedded in the UNESCO-protected, Aletsch glacier region this child-friendly Swiss resort earns its stripes on a number of levels. The major draw card for families is that Hamilton Lodge is entirely car-free. They run a dedicated children’s ski school, or for children aged between 2 and 4 years there’s the charming ‘Kinderhort’ (nursery), or appointed baby-sitter with dedicated phone service.

A fun children’s play area, and children’s-only dinner service is available to free up your time. Their winter skiing season which runs from the middle of December to the end of April.

Okemo, Vermont, USA

There are few better places for family skiing holidays than Okemo, Vermont. Kids are provided with a fun learning environment, to find their ski-feet using a range of dedicated ski lessons targeted at different ages and abilities. The resort actively promotes safe skiing and snowboarding techniques, as well as environmental awareness and courtesy on the slopes, via their Snow Monsters programme.

Under 6s ski and ride for free, while under 13s lodge for free in selected accommodations. The Penguin Playground Day Care Centre is operated at extremely high international standards, while every feasible service you could expect of a family ski resort is on offer at Okemo.

Serre Chevalier, France

The French love to keep this beloved French resort to themselves, but recent reports have revealed that Serre Chevalier is one of the best ski resorts for children in Europe. Don’t expect a raucous nightlife, this is where quiet retreats into the soft white corners of Europe’s ski fields.

The resort offers a great selection of day care and nurseries, while the skiing might not be as good as elsewhere in Europe, the rare opportunity to please everyone is greater than most. Kids revel in the crèche services, bubble pools and other activities as well as numerous shows organised by the Serre Chevalier events team.

Selva, Italy

The Sella Ronda circuit has long been known as a great ski destination, and it seems the Selva has kept up with the game, and continues to provide great ski getaways for families.

A combination of fantastic childcare facilities and superb nursery slopes has seen the resort attract some of the world’s most frequent skiers. The Dolomites provide noble compensation for the frequent-fallers, while the unmistakably appeal of a genuine Italian ski holiday is guaranteed.

Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont, USA

The Smugglers’ Notch in northeastern USA has a reputation for developing young people’s ski and snowboard skills, while providing a safe environment for the entire family. Their full day programmes keep the under 18s engaged throughout their stay, while the Flaik GPS technology in use at Smugglers’ Notch provides an excellent way to revisit the days events.

Away from the slopes, families are fully provided for in the Funzone, a colourful wonderland featuring a 45-foot giant obstacle course, the Smuggs Bouncy House, miniature golf and an arcade.

Les Arcs, France

Don't miss Les Arcs 1950, the first Intrawest-designed, purpose-built, French-Canadian style village in Europe. Beginners get good snow on the high nursery slopes, with a new children's area at 1800, complete with magic carpet lifts and sledging tracks. Parents will need to supply their child’s health record (BCG vaccination is compulsory).

Flaine, France

This beautiful French resort is dappled with crèches, and kids’ clubs, as well as ice quadding, ice karting and dogsledding. Flaine was specifically designed to provide a safe environment for your children. Cars are kept to the outer edge of the village, keeping the main square safe for young snow fans.

The resort is less than an hours drive from Geneva, and just as the first, “Are we there yet?” launches, you can point out the dedicated lines of jumps, and excite the children with tales of the Ecole du Ski Française — or, as we like to call it, French Ski School.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada

Whistler is synonymous with family skiing holidays, and for good reason. It offers some of the best facilities in the world, on some of the world’s best ski and snowboard slopes. As expected, Whistler Blackcomb provides dedicated programmes to keep your kids fulfilled and focused on the slopes, while the off-slope activities are reason enough to visit.

Kids of all ages love exploring the Tube Park, which utilises a state-of-the-art conveyor belt to haul tubers back to the top. Take sleigh rides through the backcountry, or try out their zip line ecotours, dogsledding, and the unmissable Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre.

Copper Mountain, Colorado, USA

Copper Mountain is a family favourite with American skiers. Offering myriad lessons for every age this is a resort that aims at the heart of fun-inclusive holidays in the snow. Consider the Kids’ Night Out, an event that welcomes children aged 8 weeks to 12 years old to dine on pizza and make new friends around the Nintendo Wii and movie nights.

For those wanting to get their fingers messy, sign up for the Kids in the Kitchen event which welcome kids to make their own dinner or encourage them to immerse themselves in the Belly Button Babies & Bakery; Copper Mountain’s on-site childcare facility.

Have we dropped a clanger and missed your favourite child-friendly ski resort? While we will always endeavour to cover the world’s best ski centres, we’re humans-at-heart and we’re more open than most to our readers adding to the conversation. After all, no season is ever the same, right?