home All hormones The best ski resorts in Austria for families with children. Family skiing - the best resorts

The best ski resorts in Austria for families with children. Family skiing - the best resorts

On December 21, the winter season started at many European ski resorts. Ski holidays are a great way to harness children's endless energy. And sports, mountain air and vitamin D every day are useful in unlimited doses for adults. Here is a list of European resorts that are best suited for family holidays. When choosing, factors such as convenient infrastructure, a variety of children's entertainment programs, the availability of restaurants and hotels ready to accommodate young travelers, and security are taken into account. The experts were editor-in-chief of the ski news agency Superski Alina Trofimova, editor-in-chief of the mountain travel website Roman Tyulyakov and editor-in-chief of Voyage magazine Olga Yakovina, who have visited many European ski resorts personally and sometimes with children.

Nanny for holidays and toys for rent

Villars (Switzerland). Where to leave your child: 3 kindergartens, including a nursery for children under 1 year old Where they will teach children to ride: two schools for children over 3 years old Five-day subscription: free for children under 9 years old, €118 - for older children, €207 - for adults Bonus: just 18 km away is the thermal resort of Les Bains de Lavey with the hottest springs in Switzerland (water temperature reaches 70°C). True, children only from 4 years old are allowed here. The sunny resort of Villars is comfortably located just 20 km from Lake Geneva and 110 km from Geneva at an altitude of 1300 meters above sea level. Villars was historically created as a family resort. For its attention to children, it is even awarded the prestigious Families Welcome quality certificate, which is issued after a multi-stage examination by a commission led by the Swiss Tourism Federation. The city has five large international and boarding schools, whose students live here almost all year round. Villars has more than 225 km of trails, more than half of which are easy: you can go here with children of almost any age and level of athletic training. For beginners, in the city center there is a free ski area with a children's park, huts, a small slide and belt lifts. There will also be entertainment for those who are not only skiing, but also not yet on their feet. Villars has trails for strollers, children's trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The local tourism office has a service for finding nannies at the resort (though not Russian-speaking ones), as well as a large collection of toys that can be rented. In the village of Gryon, neighboring Villars, you can rent a high chair, stroller, bed or playpen. Not far from Villars there are as many as five amusement parks, including the Geneva Island Caribbean water park and the Swiss Steam Locomotive Park. And adults, leaving their children in one of the local gardens, can safely conquer the most difficult trails in the region. For example, the Glacier 3000 glacier in Diablers can be reached from Villars in just 20 minutes by car.

Water slides and ski slopes

Leukerbad (Switzerland) Where to leave children: two kindergartens for children from 18 months Where children will be taught to ski: two schools where children from 2.5 years old learn Ski pass: free for children under 8 years old, children over 8 years old – €120 , for adults - €267 for five days of skiing. There are family discounts and special offers Bonus: the resort has the largest Alpine thermal complexes in Europe Bugerbad and Walliser Alpentherme&SPA The largest thermal resort in the Alps at an altitude of 1411 meters in the Valais Valley was created by the Romans. They did not ski, but loved to take baths. Today Leukerbad is a popular thermal and ski resort. The price of the ski pass includes a visit to the hot springs. The city has 30 outdoor and indoor thermal pools that will captivate both children and adults. There are several special pools for children. A hit is the hot tubs and large water slide. There are two peaks that can be conquered here - Gemmi and Torrent, located opposite each other. Leukarbad has excellent cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding hills and over 50 km of downhill ski slopes. It has everything that caring parents might need: play areas and special menus in restaurants, cribs and toys in apartments, special family rates and discounts, a kindergarten and nannies. It is especially convenient for children aged three years and older to ski at this resort. In the very center of the town, on the sunny part of the slope, there is a large Erli ski area: gentle slopes, ideal for first starts, comfortable belt lifts, a playground, a school with Russian-speaking instructors. Competitions are held here every Friday. Next to the ski area there is a sports arena - an indoor complex, where children will also find something to their liking.

The shortest metro and children's theater on skis

Serfaus (Austria) Where to leave children: three kindergartens for children from 0 months Where children will be taught to ride: two schools where children from 2.5 years old take lessons Ski pass: free for children under 8 years old. From 8 years old – from €107, adults – from €185 for 5 days of skiing. There are family discounts and special offers. Bonus: Skyswing attraction, where you can experience the state of weightlessness. The Tyrolean resort of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis differs from its mountain neighbors in that it has the world's shortest metro (its length is 1208 m). The local subway consists of one line and four stations; at the beginning of the line there is a large parking lot, at the end there is a platform from where several cable cars start. But it’s worth coming here, of course, not for the metro, but for the atmosphere of a large entertainment complex for children in the mountains. Serfaus is a pedestrian town where cars are not allowed, which means you can let your child go outside without fear. There are several large children's centers, the main one is the Kinderschneealm play area (near the Komperdel intermediate station) with numerous animation programs, a children's ski school, towns and children's restaurants. The lift that goes to the children's playground is adapted to load strollers. Another large children's area - Murmli - is located in the very center of Serfaus. Serfaus has many comfortable wide trails, which is especially convenient when traveling with children. There are also original entertainment: children's snowmobile parkour, children's theater, steam train rides in the snow, adventure routes for children, slides and jumps for novice freeriders, as well as three children's restaurants for hungry explorers.

Skating on the lake

Zell am See (Austria) Where to leave children: two kindergartens for children from 18 months Where children will learn to ski: two schools where children from 3 years old Ski pass for 5 days of skiing: free for children under 8 years old, older - €107 euros. There are family discounts and special offers. Bonus: At an altitude of 3029 meters there is the Kitzsteinhorns glacier with two observation decks providing a 360-degree panorama, including the Top of Salzburg - the highest point in this region. Zell am See is a friendly and sunny town in the Alps. It is located in the Austrian region of Salzburg, on the shores of the beautiful Lake Zeller. In winter, you can play curling and ice skating on the lake. Combined with the town of Kaprun, there are three ski areas, three different mountains and 138 km of ski slopes. The most difficult trails are on the glacier. For easier slopes and wider pistes for smaller skiers, head to Maiskogel and Schmittenhöhe. Local ski schools offer fun classes for little ones and teenagers who dream of mastering complex techniques and going “on virgin soil” with dad. The resort has many hotels marked with the Families Welcome sign, for example: Hagleitner Family Balance Hotel&Spa, Amiamo Familotel, Rudolfshof and others. After a fun day, tourists can enjoy the large water complex Tauern Spa in Kaprun or the indoor sports pool in the center of Zell am See.

Feast under the mountain

Madonna di Campiglio (Italy) Where to leave children: two kindergartens for children from three months Where children will be taught to ski: one school where children from three years old are taught Ski pass for five days of skiing: free for children under 8 years old, free rental helmets for children under 11 years of age. For children over 8 years old - from € 88. Adults - from € 176 Bonus: the resort's 32 restaurants and 24 bars are worth asking friends to stay with the children for the evening and go tasting the best Italian dishes and cocktails Just 220 km from Milan, Among the beautiful Dolomites of the Trentino region is the cozy resort of Madonna Di Campiglio. It will be interesting for both advanced and beginners, and the youngest. Teenagers who are confident skiers will certainly enjoy the huge snow parks (there are three of them above the resort) and wide, not too difficult trails. And for kids, there are educational ski areas with funny characters. Children's playgrounds are scattered throughout the ski area, the highest at the Val Mastellina station: there are all the pleasures for future skiers, and small slopes, and magic carpets, and funny houses. Competitions are regularly held for children. And for adults, from December 19 to 22, the World Cup in alpine skiing took place; during the rest of the time, everyone can ride along the most interesting slalom track.

Carousel on skis

Kronplatz (Italy) Where to leave children: two kindergartens for children from 18 months Where children will be taught to ski: five schools, including a cross-country skiing and biathlon school, where children from three years old study Ski pass for five days: upon purchase of an adult ( from €170) for children (under 8 years old) is issued free of charge. For children under 16 years old - from €119 to €148 (low-high season). Pay attention to the special offer Dolomiti Super Kids for families, which is valid during the Russian children's holidays. Bonus: the opportunity to visit the colorful medieval town of Brunico, 20 km from Kronplatz. The good family resort of Kronplatz in Italian South Tyrol unites 14 towns and villages located at altitudes of 786 up to 1650 meters above sea level. Together they are part of the Dolomiti Superski ski region and are perfectly suited for family holidays of any composition (for example, there are fewer chairlifts and many more cabins). You can come to Kronplatz, as well as to other resorts in the Dolomites, with teenagers and primary schoolchildren who are already bored on the very flat slopes. They will have fun in the huge snow park, on not the easiest ski cross track. For smaller children there are simple trails, a fun Kids Safety Park (down from the Olang ski lift), where they introduce the rules of behavior on the mountain, as well as a wide variety of entertainment: sledding, carousels, animation parks and even a children's restaurant Kroni, which can be reached on the gondola and go back down in the same way without skis.

425 km of trails for the whole family

Les Arcs and La Plagne (France) Where to leave the child: each village has its own garden and nursery for children from 9 months Where children will be taught to ski: two schools for children from three years Ski pass for five days of skiing: free for children under 6 years. There are family ski passes for 1-3 children. For children from 6 to 13 years old - €199, for adults - €265. Bonus: If baby and parents are cold-hardy, you can stay overnight in a snow-built igloo hut. A quiet starry night, a view of Mont Blanc, a real Savoyard fondue, a special technique of sleeping in a sleeping bag on a snow bed will be an unforgettable adventure. The French Les Arcs, La Plagne and Peizet-Vallandry, united into one Paradiski ski region, are celebrating a joint anniversary this year. 10 years ago, the world's largest cable car, Vanoise Express, opened its doors for the first time, connecting both resorts and turning Les Arcs and La Plagne into the second largest ski area in France. Paradiski includes 20 villages scattered on different slopes of two mountains facing each other. This is more than 425 km of trails for every taste and for every age. With kids it is better to go to the quiet pedestrian Arc with a beautiful view of Mont Blanc. There is a kindergarten and nursery, small slopes, an excellent sledding hill, a beautiful square, practically no cars - resort guests leave their cars in a giant underground parking lot. With older children it is better to choose La Plagne. There is more entertainment for teenagers and a wider variety of trails for confident skiers. In La Plagne you can, for example, ride the bobsleigh track.

Fairytale atmosphere

Morzine (France) Where to leave your child: four kindergartens, including a nursery for children under one year old Where they will teach children to ride: two schools where children from 3 years old study; private lessons for children under five days Ski pass: for children under 5 years old - free. For children under 12 years old - from €111, for adults - from €148. Bonus: for fearless parents - the most difficult route of the resort, the almost vertical Swiss Wall Morzine is located on the border of Switzerland and France, 35 km from Geneva, in a region with the warm name Gate of the Sun. The picturesque old town of the Haute-Savoie region was lucky: it was not built up with concrete high-rise buildings, as is done in many French resorts. Therefore, ancient architecture and the atmosphere of good old Europe have been preserved here - a fairy tale that children will especially enjoy. The old market, the town square, and the stone bridge over the Drance River deserve a walking tour. At the same time, Morzine is a full-fledged town with a well-functioning bus service. There are cinemas, an ice skating rink, bars, restaurants, and a small excursion train for children runs through the streets. The single ski area Portes du Soleil includes 13 resorts in France and Switzerland, 650 km of slopes and 228 lifts. No childhood holiday is enough to try everything. Morzine itself is perfect for little trail conquerors. It was here that they began to actively teach not only children from 3-4 years old, but also very young children, to ski holidays with the help of the Babysnow invention. This is something between a large ski and a scooter with steering wheel. The board allows children who can already stand on their feet to get on skis and enjoy sliding on the snow. Experienced instructors from the French Ski School (ESF) will explain and show how Babysnow works. The resort of Avoriaz, neighboring Morzine, is more suitable for teenagers; there are many fun parks for freestyle and steep slopes.

A resort with imagination, like Carlson's

Åre (Sweden) Where to leave your child: one kindergarten for children from 3 years old with English-speaking teachers Where they will teach children to ride: two schools where children from 3 years old learn Ski pass for five days: free for children under 7 years old. For children under 12 years old - from €150, for adults - €208. Bonus: After your reindeer sleigh rides, you can go to a restaurant for freshly smoked salmon or game. The most remarkable place is the hut in the Carins Stuga forest, which can only be reached by dog sled or snowmobile. There is no electricity, and the menu includes game dishes cooked over an open fire. The main Swedish resort, where the royal family vacations and the atmosphere of a real fairy tale reigns. The mountains here are lower than the Alps, and the skiing is a little easier. Åre is located at the foot of forested mountains, the highest of which is Oreskutan (1429 m). But the amount of entertainment on the slopes and opportunities for excursions will please the most active parents. Dog and reindeer sledding, a children's miners' town, a play mini-forest, excursions to a frozen waterfall and an ice hotel - this is not a complete list. It is worth going to the resort with children who have not yet mastered the most difficult slopes: here it will be easy for them to hone their skills. In local schools there is a 15-level class system, so that all students can achieve the same level of skating as accurately as possible. Of the three resorts in Åre, Åre Bjärnen is the best choice for families with children, with a children's playground and a special children's Teddy Bear trail that runs through a picturesque forest.

Cross-country skiing and snow field kitchen

Geilo (Norway) Where to leave your child: three kindergartens, including a nursery for children under one year old Where they will teach children to ride: three schools where children from 3 years old learn Ski pass for five days: free for children under 7 years old. For children from 7 to 15 years old - from € 80, for adults - from € 160 Bonus: Geilo with its winds is one of the best places for snowkiting and paragliding. The quiet town of Geilo is located at an altitude of 800 meters above sea level at the foot of the largest in Norway mountain plateau - Hardangervidda. The highest point of the resort is at an altitude of 1178 m. Geilo has many slopes suitable for family skiing, some of which are illuminated at night. The resort offers a wide variety of winter activities for children: a treasure hunt in the forest with trolls, cross-country ski orienteering, master classes in building snowmen and baking snow pies. Both children and adults will surely enjoy this local invention - a large air cushion on which you can jump on skis (even children over 4 years old are allowed). And of course, there are ideal trails for cross-country skiing, which are more popular in Norway than mountain skiing. Geilo has many cozy apartments, four large supermarkets, and prices are not much higher than in other European countries.

Chasing the Northern Lights

Levi (Finland) Where to leave the child: two kindergartens for children from 0 months Where children will be taught to ride: two schools where children from 3 years old learn Ski pass for five days: for children under 12 years old - € 82 for 5 days, for children over 12 years old - from € 130 to € 150, for adults - from € 138 Bonus: a chance to see the northern lights. In order not to make a mistake with the dates, you can check the forecast service. This resort is located above the Arctic Circle, in Lapland, but thanks to the proximity of the Gulf Stream, the climate here is mild. The resort looks like a village decorated for Christmas, and Santa Claus's residence is only an hour's drive away. Around the village there are hills with round tops, the trails leading from them are simple and short, there are several dedicated training slopes, a huge children's area with free ski lifts, schools and nurseries for little skiers (by the way, there are no problems with Russian-speaking instructors). Every day there are competitions for young racers. There is a large water park with slides and thermal pools. And also a variety of entertainment: a park with husky dogs, a farm with deer, a snow town, an ice gallery, and many children's entertainment areas. A separate plus is that you can get from St. Petersburg to Levi by car in 12 hours (if, of course, you’re lucky at customs).

The main ski resort in Bulgaria

Bansko (Bulgaria) Where to leave the children: one kindergarten for children from 3 years old Where they will teach children to ride: two schools where children from 4 years old learn Ski pass for three days: for children under 12 years old - €62, for schoolchildren and students - €77, for adults - €86 Bonus: In Bansko you can go cross-country skiing on a professionally prepared track. There is a biathlon stadium here, where stages of the European Biathlon Cup often take place. Bansko is the main ski resort in Bulgaria. It is located at the foot of the Pirin Mountains and is surrounded by three peaks - Pirin, Rila and Rodopi. In recent years, thanks to powerful investments, Bansko has turned into a modern mountain resort, in terms of infrastructure and services quite comparable to those in the Alps. There are modern ski lifts, simple and well-groomed trails with a length of 70 km, most of which are located on the sunny side and protected from the wind by forest. There are large hotels in the town, many designed for families with children. For example, the local Kempinski has its own Kids Club, and other hotels have playrooms. Bansko has a huge private sector - apartments with their own kitchens and transfer to the ski lift, which is very convenient for a family holiday. And more than 100 taverns with live music and an excellent menu. There are many advantages to a holiday in Bulgaria: a short flight, simple and straightforward cuisine with delicious dairy products and no unnecessary spices, almost complete absence of language problems, affordable prices.

Most of the most famous ski resorts in Western and Central Europe are aimed at welcoming tourists without children. Their slopes are unsuitable for skiing with children aged 6-7 years and older, and there is practically no entertainment for children there. However, in France, Switzerland, and other European countries, you can still go skiing with children at a ski resort. An overview of the most interesting places for family holidays is in our article.

France

At the very foot of the French Alps, in the historical region of Savoy, there is a picturesque village called Morillon. Over the past few decades, it has been considered one of the best places for family holidays during the winter season. The resort even built a special “children’s village” with ice skating rinks, children’s cafes and clubs. If desired, parents can ride with their offspring on dog sleds.

Learning to ski at the Morillon ski resort couldn't be easier. There are several schools for children and beginners here, and most of the local trails:

smooth, flat and very safe;
not crowded even on weekends;
with the most modern lifting equipment.

Just a 40-minute drive from this resort is the beautiful Swiss city of Geneva. You can go there on an excursion if you get bored with your holiday in the Savoyard village.

When listing the best ski resorts for beginners in France, one cannot fail to mention the town of Puy-St-Vincent. It is located in the Hautes-Alpes region, in the southeast of the country. There are 2 excellent schools for beginners with qualified trainers, most of whom have experience working with children. The resort has a large kindergarten. All the routes of Puy-Saint-Vincent converge in the center, so it is simply impossible to get lost on them. In your free time from skiing, you can:

go to the cinema, to family film screenings;
visit one of the many restaurants, and almost all of them have a children's menu;
take a snowmobile trip.

Switzerland

Switzerland also has excellent ski resorts for families with children. The most famous among them is called Adelboden and is located in the Bernese Alps. Most of the resort's trails are gentle and level, relatively uncrowded even at the height of the season. Adelboden's infrastructure meets the highest international standards and is adapted to accommodate children. For them there are:

several spacious game rooms;
2 large swimming pools;
a school with children's instructors who will teach the child how to stand on skis;
numerous cafes and restaurants with children's menus.

And of course, in Adelboden you can go not only skiing, but also skating and sledding, as well as dog sledding. However, keep in mind – Swiss resorts are among the most expensive in Europe. The cost of renting equipment and staying in hotels is quite high here.

Italy

Ski resorts for children in the Italian Dolomites are more economical. In terms of the combination of price and quality, one of the most attractive options is the small town of Selva. It accepts tourists with children aged 4 months and older. In Selva there are family hotels of a very high standard, many of which employ nannies. You can leave your baby with a nanny while his parents ride on the local slopes.

Older children will also have something to do. They can have fun in special clubs or on playgrounds with sports towns. If desired, a teenage child can enroll in classes at a rock climbing school.

Another great family-friendly resort is called Passo del Tonale, also located in the Dolomites. It is a small village located at the foot of a mountain over 3000 m high. More than a dozen trails are laid on its slopes. Among them there are both very simple ones for beginners and more difficult routes. Like other best ski resorts for families with children, Passo del Tonale offers its guests:

use the services of nannies;
undergo training in ski schools for children and adults;
visit cozy cafes with children's menus.

An important feature of the resort is the long season. Snow in this picturesque corner of the Dolomites lies from the end of October to the very end of May. The peak season is December-February.

Sweden

The best ski resorts for children are not only in the Alps and Dolomites. Not everyone knows that you can have excellent skiing in Sweden. Local resorts are not as popular as Swiss or French ones, which is why there are significantly fewer vacationers here. Prices for holidays in the Scandinavian country cannot be called low, but the Swedes’ service is truly impeccable.

The best ski resorts for a family holiday: ski resorts in France, Austria and Switzerland, popular among tourists all over the world, are perfect for family holidays.

What do you need for a comfortable family skiing holiday? Low prices, different types of entertainment for all ages and calm trails. All three of these components are the hallmarks of the small ski resorts listed below.

Morillon, Grand Massif, France

For more than one generation, French families have been heading to this Savoyard village for clean mountain air and active pastime. According to experts, this ski resort is one of the best for those who are the proud owners of children aged from six months to 10 years. There is a lot of entertainment for them here, including babysitting services while their parents conquer the snowy slopes. In addition to tracks of varying degrees of difficulty, Morillon has an ice skating rink. You can also ride in a dog-drawn sleigh and watch the ski descent by torchlight. The village is connected to other resorts by a network of ski lifts. Another plus is the short distance to Geneva, covered in 35 minutes by public transport.

Gréolières Les Neiges, Provence, France

Gréolières-les-Neiges is not the most famous place among foreigners. Perhaps only the British come to this resort occasionally. The low location and limited number of recreational facilities mean that most of the skiers are local residents. The friendly atmosphere, more homely than in other alpine resorts, and the relatively free slopes are the main advantages. Chairlifts, slopes for beginners, 26 km of ski tracks and pistes with beautiful views of the Mediterranean and Corsica - what else is needed for a good holiday. The mild climate, without much cold, is ideal for families with small children. Cheap restaurants, an inexpensive hotel surrounded by a picturesque forest, and the possibility of a trip to Nice are additional advantages.

Aussois, Maurienne Valley, France

Ossois is a holiday at the level of ski resorts in the famous Three Valleys, with the famous Courchevel, but at significantly lower prices. The resort itself is a pretty village built of stone and slate. On Tuesdays there are still fairs where you can buy fresh and highest quality products. Entertainment for children of all ages and an award as one of the best places for family holidays attract tourists and local residents here.

Les Houches, Chamonix Valley, France

Les Houches is a small town in the Chamonix valley, as if created for a family holiday. It's also an award winner and much nicer than the more famous resorts nearby. The length of the ski slopes is about 55 km, of which 2 are black, 13 are red, 7 are blue and 4 are green. Les Houches has many lifts of different types and there are opportunities for paragliding, ice skating, dog sledding, and rock climbing. The largest St. Bernard breeding farm will delight any child.

Puy-St-Vincent, Hautes-Alpes, France

Puy Saint Vincent is considered one of the best European family resorts. Basically, the French themselves relax here. The British predominate among foreigners. The high reputation is the merit of two ski schools, excellent slopes and the opportunity to leave children unattended right on the mountain slopes.

Safety and convenience are the main distinguishing features. In addition to skiing, in Puy Saint-Vincent you can ride a scooter and go to the movies.

Lungau, Salzburg, Austria

If you're not prepared to learn to ski in a snowstorm, then the classic resort of St. Michael in Lungau is your best bet. It is famous primarily for having the largest number of sunny days a year. A network of ski lifts, cable cars, access to other resorts by bus, several schools, an ice skating rink, opportunities for other sports, open-air bars and a hot air balloon week in January are not so little.

Nassfeld, Carinthia, Austria

Nassfeld in Carinthia is a wonderful ski resort on the border of Austria and Italy, designed for family holidays. A whole chain of hotels, created specifically for those who come with children, offers its visitors not only accommodation and meals, but also tennis courts, playgrounds, swimming pools, cinemas, discos, health centers and much more. Nassfeld is good for both advanced and beginner skiers. One of the longest ski lifts in Europe will take you to the very top.

Adelboden, Switzerland

Another place to relax with the whole family. The picturesque Swiss village is the site of the World Cup ski competitions. It's quite quiet and cozy here. A variety of entertainment is provided for children.

A resort beyond the Arctic Circle, the best children's schools with Russian-speaking instructors and the Italian stronghold of little skiers are in our selection of ideal places for a family ski holiday.

Villars (Switzerland)

For children: 2 ski schools for children from 3 years old, 3 kindergartens with nurseries, children's ski routes, free ski area, toy rental service

The best characteristic of the quality of the ski resort in Villars is the Families Welcome certificate from the Swiss Tourism Federation. This document is issued to resorts for their special attitude towards children's recreation. Villars is home to five international schools and the streets are filled with children all year round.

Among the 225 kilometers of pistes, most are very easy, where children of any age with minimal skiing skills can safely ski. For completely ignorant kids, there is a free ski area in the city center and several schools where they can quickly teach how to ski. In addition, there are parks and mountain trails for walks with strollers, trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

For mini trips, the nearby water park and several amusement parks are suitable. For experienced skiers, difficult trails are offered, and in order not to worry about children while skiing, the city operates a service for finding nannies and “toys for rent”.

Morillon (France)

For children: ski school for children from 3 years old, children's village with nannies for children from 6 months, children's snow park with toboggan slopes

A typical alpine village equipped for a family ski holiday. There are only 15 trails, among which there is not a single one that is truly difficult. For ski masters, it is better to find something more extreme, but for a relaxing time with children, Morillon has everything, which is confirmed by the fact that the resort has the prestigious French Famille Plus award.

The children's village has all the conditions to keep children busy all day: nurseries for the little ones and kindergartens for children up to 10 years old. Morillon has two toboggan slopes for children and adults with a total track length of 5 km, as well as a children's water park. Additional entertainment includes dog sledding, an ice skating rink on Lake Anessi, paragliding, hang gliding, helicopter and hot air balloon flights.

Leukerbad (Switzerland)

For children: kindergartens for children from 1.5 years old, ski schools for children from 2.5 years old with Russian-speaking instructors, large children's ski area, children's menu in restaurants, discounts for families

Leukerbad was originally a thermal resort, but gradually became one of the best places for family holidays. Here they are meticulous in their approach to the youngest skiers and have prepared a special ski area for them with gentle slopes, comfortable lifts and professional instructors.

Hotels also take special care of couples with children: the rooms have cribs and toys, special rates and discounts are provided, and children's menus are offered in restaurants. You can leave your children in kindergartens that accept children from 18 months. Older children can be taken to the thermal pools, of which there are more than 30 in the city.

Angertal (Austria)

For children: specialized school for children from 4 years old, children's educational tracks, kindergarten for children from 3 years old

In Angertal they promise to teach children to ride as well as their parents in 6 days. This is possible thanks to a well-thought-out training system, professional instructors and special training tracks. To give children an excellent ski education, Angertal is almost an ideal place, but you need to come here specifically for training, because in terms of the number of additional children’s “bells and whistles” the resort is clearly inferior to its competitors, but there are also noticeably fewer people here.

Kronplatz (Italy)

For children: kindergartens for children from 1.5 years old, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and biathlon schools for children from 3 years old

You should go to the family ski resort of Kronplatz, which unites 14 towns and villages, with older children who already have basic skiing skills and who are ready to conquer new horizons. Of course, there are kindergartens and schools for the little ones, but teenagers will find it much more interesting here due to the huge snow park with slopes a little more difficult than the starting gentle slopes. In addition to ski slopes, there are additional entertainment such as animation parks, non-standard children's restaurants, toboggan runs, and ski carousels.

Hemsedal (Norway)

For children: the largest children's ski area in Norway, ski school, amusement park, nursery for children from 6 months

Hemsedal is considered the best Scandinavian resort for family holidays. Two ski centers accommodate 52 slopes and 24 lifts, and the local ski school is ready to teach children from three years old. Among the slopes there are very simple ones for beginners and difficult ones for professionals. At the same time, there is always a place to leave children of all ages: there is a nursery with nannies for six-month-old children and a kindergarten for older children. In addition, there is a children's amusement park Lynxland. To take a break from skiing, you can go sledding, snowmobile, tobogganing and dog sledding, kite surfing and paragliding,

Levi (Finland)

For children: kindergartens and nurseries for children of any age, ski schools with Russian-speaking instructors, nearby Santa Claus village

An exotic option for a family ski holiday. Levi is located above the Arctic Circle, but it is not very cold here due to the warm waters of the Atlantic Gulf Stream. Children will love the resort for its Christmas colours, the birthplace of Santa Claus, which can be reached within an hour, and the opportunity to see the famous Northern Lights.

Levi has a large children's area with free ski lifts, where various competitions are constantly held. There are also entertainment centers, a water park and non-standard entertainment: a reindeer farm, a snow town with an ice gallery, and a husky dog park.

Hello, friends!

Holidays at winter resorts, and even with children, are a very specific holiday. And not everyone will decide to embark on this somewhat extreme journey. And yet, where can you go with your children during the winter holidays to ski and snowboard?

To begin with, let’s limit the range of ski resorts planned for consideration geographically. We will not talk about European and overseas resorts, because we have already talked about some of them, and also because now a trip to foreign resorts is an expensive pleasure. So today all the attention is on Russian ski resorts, the most famous of which are located in the Caucasus and the Urals.

Having analyzed the ski market in the world, Swiss researcher Laurent Vanat, speaking about Russia, noted that in our country today there are 170 ski resorts. The figure is, of course, impressive. Although in terms of the popularity of ski holidays (according to the same report), we are far behind, for example, Switzerland, Austria and France.

The Sochi Olympics changed everything for the better. The results of last year's and current bookings for January 2016 showed that the ski resorts of the Krasnodar Territory are in the highest demand, followed in popularity by the resorts of Dombay, the Urals, the Elbrus region and Siberia.

Experts note that not only the number of tourists who come to the snow-capped mountains has increased, but also their composition. Today, even those who have never skied before go to the mountains. And among them there are a lot of families with children and school groups.

We will talk about the most popular and most family-friendly Russian ski resorts.

Ski resorts of the Krasnodar region

The most famous mountain resort in the South of Russia, Krasnaya Polyana, still leads in popularity. This is a universal resort, not much inferior to European ones, where everyone will find what they need.

It is unique in its location: 42 kilometers from the Black Sea and 35 kilometers from Adler. While staying in a hotel on the seashore, you can ski on the snow-covered slopes of Krasnaya Polyana from December to May.

Essentially, these are “our Alps,” with new high-class hotels, modern ski lifts and sports equipment rentals, excellent quality ski slopes and related infrastructure.

Other advantages are convenient transfer (close distance of the resort from the airport), easy access from any region (short flights, the ability to replace them by train or bus), a large number of regular flights from any city in Russia.

In December, another bus route was opened, which delivers vacationers from the airport to hotels in Krasnaya Polyana once an hour. The bus schedule is based on the departure and arrival times of planes. Travel for an adult passenger is 400 rubles, a child ticket (under 12 years old) is 200 rubles, children under 2 years old can travel for free. You can buy bus tickets online on the website of the Unified Transport Directorate.

In order not to get confused in geography and names, it is worth clarifying that Krasnaya Polyana is usually called the entire mountain cluster (this is a group of sports facilities for the Olympics, located near the village of Krasnaya Polyana). Although in fact, Krasnaya Polyana is just one of the villages. The second is Esto-Sadok, and on this territory there are three resorts:

Rosa Khutor - the largest, most ambitious and youngest resort with a variety of ski slopes for every taste, with inexpensive apartments and luxury hotels (read more about the Rosa Khutor ski resort).
Gorki City +540 and +960 (objects are located on two levels). This resort is worth visiting for those for whom skiing is not the main goal of their vacation, but only a pleasant addition to a variety of entertainment and shopping. At +540 there are many retail outlets and places for entertainment. Gorki Gorod +960 is good for a relaxing holiday for the respectable public, accustomed to relaxing in comfort on the hotel premises. Staying at one of these resorts does not exclude the use of the services of another hotel.
Gazprom - a resort for the elite public. Suitable for beginners due to convenient trails - wide and flat (learn more about).

In the ranking of the most attractive prices for family holidays at European ski resorts, compiled by the Internet portal TripAdvisor, Krasnaya Polyana took second place this year (after the Bulgarian Bansko).

However, in Russia Krasnaya Polyana is considered the most expensive resort. A tourist will pay an average of 4,600 rubles per day for accommodation in a budget hotel, lunch in a restaurant and a day ski pass. A family of four will spend an average of 159,000 rubles for a week’s stay at a hotel with dinners and drinks, ski passes, lessons with a trainer and equipment rental.

If we look in detail at what the price for a vacation is made up of, it is quite obvious that travel costs take up about a third of the budget. So a flight from Moscow to Krasnaya Polyana and back will cost 7,000 rubles. And, for example, a flight from Novosibirsk will cost 21 thousand rubles.

Other expenses:

Transfer from the airport by Lastochka – 700 rubles
Accommodation in a standard room with breakfast – 6 thousand rubles per day
Meals – 1500 rubles per day
Equipment rental – 1400 rubles per day
Day ski pass: 1950 rubles – on weekdays, 2250 rubles – on weekends
Apres-ski (SPA, sauna) – 1500 per hour

Total: a week's vacation with a flight from Moscow for two will cost 133,900 rubles.

Cheap flights from Moscow to Sochi:

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		1 transfer

Let's consider other, more budget-friendly vacation options.

Ski resorts of the North Caucasus

For residents of the European part of Russia, holidays in the resorts of Dombay and the Elbrus region will undoubtedly be more economical. Even if you have to spend more on the road.

If you decide to go to the mountains with your children, Dombay, with its mild and sunny climate, is a wonderful holiday option during the school holidays.

Dombay, which is also called the “Pearl of the Caucasus,” is located in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic on the territory of the Teberda Nature Reserve.

The resort is large, the pistes are different (although their quality, if compared, say, with Krasnaya Polyana or Sheregesh, is somewhat worse). For inexperienced skiers, the gentle and wide slopes on Mount Mussa-Achitara are well suited. The winter season opens in December and lasts until May. Here you can ski, snowmobile and sled.

The resort's hotels are conveniently located next to the cable car and ski lifts at Dombayskaya Polyana.

You can get to Mineralnye Vody by plane or train. And then by taxi or bus (there is a transfer in Teberda). Options are available by train to Cherkessk or Nevinnomyssk.

A day of rest with a ski pass, accommodation and lunch will cost one tourist about 4,200 rubles.

Let's look at the costs in detail:

Round trip flight from Moscow – 9,000 rubles
Transfer from the airport by bus – 1500 rubles
Hotel with a “standard” room (with breakfast) – 3100 rubles per day
Meals – 750 rubles per day
Day ski pass – 1400 rubles

Total: a week's vacation with a flight from Moscow for two will cost 85,800 rubles.

By the way, 23 kilometers from the famous Dombay ski resort is the Teberda ski resort, which is one of the best mountain resorts with a mild climate, without wind and fog and sudden temperature changes. The place is comfortable enough for families with children, who are accepted here from the age of four.

Arkhyz

Arkhyz is a young all-season ski resort in Karachay-Cherkessia (it is located 95 km from the city of Cherkessk, 165 kilometers from Mineralnye Vody).

On the slopes of the mountains, where new ski lifts deliver tourists, there are modern trails of varying difficulty. There is a rental point for sports equipment and a snow park. The resort can receive up to 1000 visitors daily.

The resort is growing very quickly and is constantly being updated. This season, the resort plans to open 3 ski slopes, launch a new cable car (its length is more than 2.4 km), and an artificial snowmaking system.

A multifunctional center is being built in the village of Lunnaya Polyana, and an entertainment complex with bars, restaurants and a hotel with 200 beds is being built in the village of Romantik.

Rental shops are also well prepared for the season. Almost 2 thousand sets of new equipment will be available for snowboarders and skiers at uniform rates throughout the resort. There are discounts for children - 35-40% of the adult rate.

Last season, about a quarter of all vacationers were families with children. And this is not at all accidental. The resort takes care of children and thinks about how to entertain them. In the children's ski town, children from 5 years old are taught to ski. In addition to skiing, you can engage in tubing and amateur biathlon. And in the tourist village of Romantic, mass entertainment and sporting events, concerts and holidays are organized.

The cost of a ski pass depends on the season and duration of skiing. Discounts are available for group classes and package services. A separate price is provided for children's and family ski passes, as well as for multi-day excursion passes and a walking ticket. Children under 6 years old and some other categories of vacationers can use the ski lifts for free.

The most expensive ski passes are offered in the high season (from December 28, 2015 to January 10, 2016): 1,150 rubles for a day ski pass for children and 2,300 rubles for an adult.

This season there is a new accommodation option with 180 seats. This is a whole complex of wooden cottage-chalets in a mountain style with the provision of services according to the international Ski-in/Ski-out standard, which means the closest location to the ski lifts, to which you can go down from the chalet directly on a snowboard or skis. A double room in such a cottage will cost 2 thousand rubles. If you want to save on housing, you can rent an apartment.

You can get to the resort by plane (Mineralnye Vody airport) or by train to the railway stations of Cherkessk, Nevinnomyssk or Mineralnye Vody. From there - by minibus, taxi or bus.

Elbrus region

This is the third largest ski region in the country. In the depths of the Baksan Valley on the snow-covered slopes of Elbrus and on Mount Cheget are the resorts of Elbrus, Adyl-Su, Cheget and Bezengi.

The Elbrus region is famous for its unique highlands. 35 kilometers of ski slopes are intended mainly for professionals and experienced skiers. International competitions are often held here. The resorts Cheget, Adyl-Su and Bezengi are especially distinguished by this.

Families with children and beginner skiers most often stay at the Elbrus complex. It operates all year round, the trails here are flat and wide. The slopes are specially prepared for young skiers, there is a so-called “paddling pool” and a ski school.

A day of active recreation with skiing will cost a tourist at least 3,800 rubles.

Let's look at the costs in detail:

Flight from Moscow and back – 9000 rubles
Transfer by bus – 1500 rubles
Hotel (standard room without meals) – 2500 rubles
Meals – 750 rubles per day
Equipment rental – 500 rubles per day
Day ski pass – 1800 rubles
Apres-ski (SPA, sauna) – 1500 per sauna (6 people)

Total: a week's vacation with a flight from Moscow for two will cost 87,200 rubles.

The nearest airports are in Mineralnye Vody and Nalchik. You can also get there by train. Further to Terskol by taxi, minibus or bus (possibly with a transfer in Baksan or Tyrnyauz).

Ski resorts of the Urals

The peculiarity of the resorts in this region (mainly the Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Perm regions and Bashkiria) is that there are no high-mountain resorts here. Beginner skiers have plenty of fun here.

Abzakovo

This is the most famous and largest mountain resort in the Urals for relaxing skiing, where families with children, beginners and experienced skiers come every year. The resort is located in Bashkortostan, 25 kilometers from Beloretsk.

The ski season here is long: from November to May. The length of the trails (15 in total) is 18 kilometers. In addition, modern ski lifts and artificial lighting, developed infrastructure and excellent service await vacationers here.

There is a children's slide with a special slope, rentals, school training, and many simple trails for beginners, where those who decide to take up skiing receive their first lessons. And also various entertainments, including a sauna, a small Aquarium water park, a swimming pool, a gym, cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowmobiling, and horse riding. You can visit the Amur tigers at the local zoo.

You can stay in the private sector, in a hotel or in the Abzakovo holiday home. The prices are quite affordable. For an inexpensive hotel, ski pass and lunch, a tourist will pay from 3,100 rubles per day.

And if in detail, then:

Round trip flight from Moscow – 13,500 rubles
Transfer – 200 rubles
Hotel (standard room without meals): on weekdays – 2700 rubles, on weekends – 3500 rubles
Meals – 770 rubles per day
Equipment rental – 1300 rubles on weekdays, 1700 – on weekends
Day ski pass – 2700 rubles for 3 days
Apres-ski (SPA, sauna) – 1000 per sauna (6 people)

Total: a week's holiday with a flight from Moscow for two will cost 94,180 rubles.

You can get to the resort by plane to the airport in Magnitogorsk, from there to Abzakovo by car for about an hour and a half, or by train to Novoabzakovo station, which is located between Magnitogorsk and Beloretsk.

By the way, not far from Abzakovo there is the Bannoe resort. It is located on the picturesque Lake Yakty-Kul (45 km from Magnitogorsk). In Bannoy there are trails of varying difficulty, and for children there is a “Snow World” club and a special slope. Excursions to the Kapova Cave and the Shulgan-Tash Nature Reserve are organized for resort guests.

Resort Zavyalikha

Zavyalikha is a young ski resort (located 197 km from Ufa and 220 km from Chelyabinsk), which has 10 slopes of varying complexity with a total length of almost 15 kilometers, using their partial lighting, an artificial snowmaking system and the most modern lifts. The pride of the resort is the six-seater high-speed lift "Conrad".

In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can go on an excursion to a natural park, ride horses, climb Mount Iremel, and learn winter kiting.

A day's stay with lunch and skiing will cost a tourist from 3,300 rubles.

Siberia and Far East

These are the ski resorts of Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Baikal, Kemerovo, Altai, Khakassia and the Far East. It’s easy to guess that the cheapest holiday here will be for residents of Siberia and nearby cities due to low travel costs.

Sheregesh

Perhaps in our country this is the most popular resort after Krasnaya Polyana with the best trails and good infrastructure. It is located between the Sayans and Altai (south of the Kemerovo region, 200 kilometers from Novokuznetsk) in a place with the beautiful name Gornaya Shoria.

In terms of complexity and number of trails (15), lifts (17), rental points, restaurants and cafes, this resort can compete with Krasnaya Polyana. It is loved for its fluffy snow and the opportunity to ski from November to May.

Mostly tourists ski on the slopes of Green Mountain. Beginners and children are advised to start their training on the training trails and gentle slopes of Mount Medvedzhonok. For older children there is a ski school, and for children there is a Tumbler ski nursery. In addition, there is a snow park, an indoor skating rink, underground parking and ski equipment rental.

You can stay not only at the foot of the mountain in a hotel, but also in the village itself (it’s cheaper). Buses from the Snezhny Hotel deliver tourists to the slopes free of charge. From the village of Sheregesh from the Kukuruza store on weekends, municipal buses run to the mountain, and you can also catch a taxi here.

The renovated Bear Cub complex has recently opened with a hotel (55 rooms), a mini-zoo and a cross-country ski track.

A one-day vacation with a ski pass, lunch and accommodation will cost a tourist an average of 2,700 rubles.

The resort now has a single ski pass, which unites the lifts in all ski sectors. The most expensive is 1,400 rubles per day (allows you to cover all ski areas at the resort and use 12 ski lifts). Alternative ski pass – 1000 rubles (you can use it to ski in sector A and use 4 lifts).

It is also possible for tourists not to buy a single ski pass, but to use a one-time lift (the cost of a ski pass per lift this season will be 40-150 rubles), or you can buy a ski pass from operators (600-1100 rubles per day). This is much cheaper than at the Rosa Khutor resort, where the cost of a one-time lift is from 700 rubles, a day ski pass is 1950 rubles.

Belokurikha

This resort is located on the slopes of the Cherginsky ridge, 236 kilometers from Barnaul and 65 kilometers from Biysk. Consists of 6 trails with a total length of 25 kilometers and 5 lifts. Some of the slopes are illuminated. Season – from December to March.

This is not just a ski center for winter recreation, but also a balneological resort with an excellent healing component. The Blagodat sports complex, which is part of the health resort, is the largest in the region.

To get to the resort from Moscow, you need to fly to Barnaul (travel time is a little over 4 hours), then by bus (about 5 hours), minibus or taxi (about 3-3.5 hours) to Belokurikha. One tourist will need 2,700 rubles per day for a vacation.

Mount Sobolinaya

Sobolina Mountain offers views of the deepest lake on the planet. There are trails of varying difficulty: both super difficult and tubing for children. The peculiarity of this resort is its mild climate even in winter.

With accommodation, everything is simple: right next to the ski lift there are hotels, for example, Grand Baikal 3*, but it is cheaper to rent an apartment (from 500 rubles per day per person).

A one-day vacation with budget accommodation, lunch in a cafe or restaurant and a ski pass will cost one tourist from 3,600 rubles.

The most convenient way to get to Irkutsk (150 km) or Ulan-Ude is by plane. Then take a taxi, train, train or bus to Baikalsk.

Northwestern region of Russia and Volga region

In the European part of our country, of course, it is not so easy to find high mountains. The terrain is predominantly flat with little elevation change. But for beginners who want to master skiing skills, as well as for those who love cross-country skiing, this is the place. You can find such places to relax near your home.

Ski resort "Bolshoi Vudyavr"

Among the sports complexes located in the Murmansk region beyond the Arctic Circle in the Khibiny Mountains, this new, well-equipped high-mountain resort stands out. It is located 12 km from Kirovsk. The skiing season is long, but the best time is March, because it is warmer at that time. It is very cold here during the winter holidays and on New Year's Day.

The trails at this resort are designed for different skill levels. There is a children's slope for the little ones and a training slope. Classes with an instructor are organized.

Accommodation in hotels in Kirovsk. You can also rent an apartment inexpensively in the city (from 500 rubles per day).

The resort is convenient for residents of northwestern Russia to visit. You can quickly get there by flying to the city of Apatity, and then 30 km by taxi or bus. The cost of a vacation is from 3,500 rubles per day per person.

Sorochany

Sorochany is a well-known resort in the Moscow region, which is located on the slopes of the Klinsko-Dmitrovskaya ridge.

There are good slopes with fairly wide ski runs, modern ski lifts, ski equipment rental, a children's training slope with a playground, two baby lifts for snow tubing, a games room and two outdoor skating rinks.

A day's rest for one person with equipment rental will cost 3-4 thousand rubles.

By the way, in one of the previous articles I already wrote about.

Ski resort "Igora"

The Igora ski complex is an excellent opportunity for St. Petersburg residents to relax in a comfortable year-round resort, which is located 54 kilometers from St. Petersburg. There are 7 trails of varying difficulty: for both beginners and well-trained skiers, an extreme park, a training slope, a snow tubing track, an Ice Palace and a SPA complex.

A day of skiing with equipment rental will cost one person 4-5 thousand rubles.

Choose a resort where there are more blue and green trails, where there are simple gentle slopes, experienced children's instructors, schools for teaching children and beginners, "paddling pools", mini-clubs for kids, all sorts of winter fun, such as sledding and tubing.

The peculiarity of a holiday at a ski resort is that you have to spend money on. Winter sportswear for an adult (jacket, sports pants, shoes, gloves) can cost an average of 10-12 thousand rubles. And if you buy skis, poles and other ski equipment, the cost of equipment will increase significantly. Therefore, if you plan to visit ski resorts once a year or even less often, it is better to rent equipment on the spot. Bye bye…