Guide 2026/27
Family ski trip with kids: tips, family ski resorts and packing list
The short answer: A family ski trip works best at a resort with gentle beginner slopes, short walks to the lifts and a free ski pass for little kids. Plan short ski days, at first an hour is often enough. And let your child play at home first: with drySki, kids learn stance and balance from age 2. Here you'll find tips, family ski resorts in Europe and the USA, how to get ready and a packing list you can check off.
Updated: November 2, 2026. All ski resort details come from the resorts' official websites for the 2026/27 season.
Key points at a glance
- Free ski pass: At many resorts, kids up to age 5 or 6 ski free, usually with a paying parent. Some go further: at the Stubai Glacier, kids under 10 ski free.
- Best time to go: Early December and from mid March. That is when kids ski free days and weeks happen, and the slopes are quieter than during school breaks.
- Short ski days: At first, an hour on skis is often enough. Then a break, hot cocoa, a snowman.
- Play first: With drySki, kids from age 2 learn stance and balance at home. For the littlest ones, that often means you can skip pricey ski lessons.
- Gear: Buy the helmet, goggles and warm mittens. Rent skis and boots, since kids grow so fast.
10 tips for a family ski trip with kids
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Pick the right resort
Look for a kids area with a magic carpet, gentle blue runs close to the valley and a short walk from your lodging to the lift. A big resort is not automatically a great family ski resort.
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Stay right on the slopes
Ski in, ski out saves you a lot of hauling with little kids. If that's too pricey, look for lodging near the ski shuttle stop or with a ski locker at the base station.
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Go at the right time
Holiday weeks are crowded and expensive. In early December and from mid March, many resorts have days and weeks when kids ski free.
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Short and often beats long
At first, an hour on skis is often enough, and a morning on day one. Stop while it's still fun.
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Plan regular breaks
Warm tea, a snack in the jacket pocket and a mountain hut nearby save many a ski day.
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Ski school or teach them yourself?
Many ski schools take kids from about age 3, some only from 4. For the littlest ones, lots of parents skip pricey lessons: kids who played on drySki at home already know the stance and balance. More in our guide At what age can my child learn to ski?
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Try the gear on first
Fit ski boots in the store, with the ski socks your child will wear on the mountain. Have them put on the helmet, gloves and snowsuit once at home, so nothing feels new on day one.
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Dress in thin layers
Base layer, fleece and ski jacket instead of one thick sweater. Kids sweat quickly and then get cold. This way you can take a layer off when the weather changes.
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Build the excitement
Talk about the snow, the lift and the hot cocoa in the mountain hut, and look at pictures of the resort together. That way your child starts relaxed and confident.
Getting ready for a family ski trip: learning to ski in the playroom
The first ski day is a lot of new things at once for kids: heavy boots, long skis, cold, strangers. The more of it feels familiar, the easier it gets. That is why the best prep starts at home, a few weeks before the trip.
drySki: learn to ski before the first snow falls
With drySki, kids from age 2 take their first steps on skis at home, just by playing. While they play, everything they need on the snow happens on its own:
- Motor skills: Stance and balance on skis are already there before they hit the snow.
- Body awareness: The movements get practiced until they come naturally.
- No pressure: No snow, no cold, no frustration. Your child practices whenever they feel like it.
- Confidence: On the snow your child thinks: I know this, I can do this, let's go!
You don't have to explain or set up anything. Our tip: just leave the drySki in the playroom, and your child will discover them on their own. If you like to play together, our guide has 6 games for the living room.
For the littlest ones, that often means you can skip pricey ski lessons. Ski instructors of the DSV, the German Ski Association, recommend drySki. For kids ages 2 to 8, made of wood and wool felt from Bavaria. Handmade in Munich. Want to try them first? You can also rent drySki.
Shop drySki“drySki saved us the cost of expensive toddler ski lessons.” Felicitas W.
Best family ski resorts for 2026/27
A great family ski resort has gentle beginner slopes, short walks and fair prices for kids. We picked these resorts because kids ski free there for an especially long time or especially often in the 2026/27 season. Every detail comes from the resort's official website.
Skiing with kids in Austria
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Serfaus Fiss Ladis
Tyrol
Kids born in 2021 or later ski free, with photo ID.
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Stubaier Gletscher
Tyrol
Kids under 10 ski free when a parent buys the same pass category. Pick up the free pass at the ticket office with ID.
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Silvretta Arena Ischgl Samnaun
Tyrol
Kids under 8 ski free with the Silvretta ski pass when skiing with a parent. With the VIP ski pass and the Ischgl or Mathon guest card, even under 10.
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Hochoetz, Ötztal
Tyrol
Kids under 8 (born 2018 or later) ski free with a parent.
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Pitztal
Tyrol
Free ski lessons for beginners ages 3 to 5.99, Monday to Friday from Dec 7 to 18, 2026, Jan 11 to 22, 2027 and Mar 8 to 19, 2027. Limited spots, book online. At the Pitztal Glacier and Rifflsee, kids born in 2019 or later ski free for a €2 handling fee.
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Weißsee Gletscherwelt Uttendorf
Salzburg
Two kids under 12 ski free with their parents, single parents included. From Dec 19, 2026 to Apr 18, 2027.
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Skicircus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn
Salzburg
Kids born in 2021 or later ski free with an adult, a photo is required. Over Easter, from Mar 20 to Apr 4, 2027, kids born in 2011 or later ski free when a parent buys a Ski ALPIN CARD for 4 days or more.
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Schladming Dachstein
Styria
Kids up to age 6 (born 2021 or later) ski free. Get the ticket at the ticket office, with a €3 keycard deposit. Not valid in the Ramsau ski area.
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Nauders
Tyrol
Kids born in 2021 or later need no ticket. During the NAUDERS+ Family Weeks from Mar 20 to Apr 4, 2027, kids up to 15 ski free when a parent buys a ski pass for 5 days or more.
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Weissbriach
Carinthia
The ski pass is included for all guests from just one night at a participating hotel, all season long.
Switzerland
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Zermatt
Valais
Kids up to 8.99 years ski free, with a photo on the pass. Every Saturday, all kids under 16 ski free.
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Aletsch Arena
Valais
Every Saturday, kids under 16 ski free, loaded online onto the SwissPass. With the family ski pass, the 3rd child and any more up to 15.99 ski free.
Italy
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Dolomiti Superski
South Tyrol, Trentino, Veneto
Kids born 2019 to 2023 ski free: one child per full paying adult, with the same pass, for the same length and bought at the same time. This applies in all 12 valleys, such as Kronplatz, Alta Badia, Val Gardena and the Seiser Alm, season passes included.
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Livigno
Lombardy
With Baby Free, kids born in 2019 or later ski free, one child per adult with a pass for the same length.
France
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Tignes Val d'Isère
Savoie
Kids under 8 ski free, with proof of age and pickup at the ticket office.
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Grand Massif
Haute Savoie
Kids under 8 get a free day pass, only at the ticket office with proof of age. The area includes Flaine, Samoëns, Les Carroz, Morillon and Sixt.
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Paradiski
Savoie
Kids under 5 ski free in Les Arcs, La Plagne and Peisey Vallandry. On top of that, 16 beginner lifts are free for everyone.
Germany
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Garmisch Classic and Zugspitze
Bavaria
Kids under 6 ski free with a parent. In ski school, your child needs a ticket.
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Spitzingsee Tegernsee
Bavaria
The family day pass costs €129 for both parents and all kids ages 6 to 15.
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Skiliftkarussell Winterberg
Sauerland
Kids up to and including age 5 ski free with a paying parent or guardian.
USA
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Steamboat
Colorado
Kids Ski Free: kids 12 and under ski free for as many days as the paying adult, when the adult buys a 5+ day lift ticket before the season. One child per adult, season passes do not qualify. From Nov 21 to Dec 15, 2026, kids 12 and under can get a free ticket online, no adult ticket needed.
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Power Kids Pass
Multiple states
Kids 12 and under get a free season pass for 12 mountains, no adult purchase needed and no blackout dates, for example Purgatory, Arizona Snowbowl and Brian Head.
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Mammoth Mountain
California
Kids Ski Free Week from Dec 5 to 11, 2026: kids 12 and under reserve a $0 day ticket online for each day, no adult ticket needed.
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Jackson Hole
Wyoming
Kids on Snow from Dec 11 to 13, 2026: kids 12 and under ski free with an adult holding valid lift access, season pass, Ikon or Mountain Collective included. Plus free kids' rentals.
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Powder Mountain
Utah
Kids 6 and under ski free every day. When a parent buys a 2026/27 Unlimited pass, kids 12 and under get up to 2 free season passes.
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Sun Valley
Idaho
With 3+ nights in Sun Valley Resort lodging, kids 12 and under ski free, up to 2 per day with a skiing adult, except on some blackout dates. Kids 4 and under always ski free with a paying adult.
All 95 free ski pass deals at a glance
Our Free Ski Pass List has every verified deal in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France and the USA, with conditions, dates and the official source.
How to make a family ski trip more affordable
Lift tickets, lodging, gear, ski school: a ski trip for the whole family adds up fast. These moves save the most.
- Use the free ski pass. Pick a resort where your child skis free. All 95 deals are in the Free Ski Pass List.
- Book kids ski free days and weeks. On the Kids go free days at KitzSki, all kids born in 2011 or later ski free: Dec 12, 2026, Jan 17, 2027, Mar 13, 2027 and Mar 27, 2027. With the Ski amadé Family Spring Deals, kids up to 15 ski free from Mar 13, 2027 when a parent buys a ski pass for 4 days or more. In Rauris, kids up to 15 ski free from Mar 20 to 29, 2027 when a parent buys a 3-day pass at the regular rate at the ticket office.
- Free ski school in a package. With Kids on Ski, beginners ages 3 to 5 get 5 half-day lessons, 6 days of lift pass, rental gear and 7 nights in the parents' room for free when two paying adults book 7 nights at a partner hotel. It runs before and after peak season, for example in Nauders, Sölden, Alta Badia and Lenzerheide. Max. 2 kids per booking, 200 spots per region.
- Family bonus from the 3rd child. At Ski Arlberg, Ski amadé, KitzSki, Kreischberg and the Aletsch Arena, among others, the third child skis free, often any further kids too. The exact rules are in the list.
- Rent your gear. Kids grow fast and need a different ski length almost every year. On the snow, renting is usually cheaper than buying.
- Cook for yourself. A vacation rental and a packed lunch in the backpack save money every day at the mountain hut.
- Skip the toddler ski lessons. For the littlest ones, many parents skip pricey lessons when their child has played on drySki at home.
Ski gear for kids: buy or rent?
Buy:
- Ski helmet: It has to fit right, not just look cool. In some countries, Italy for example, helmets are required for kids. Try it on together with the goggles.
- Goggles: should fit the helmet with no gap at the forehead.
- Mittens: keep little hands warmer than gloves. Pack a spare pair.
- Base layers and ski socks: thin, long ski socks, not thick wool socks, in the ski boot.
- Ski jacket and pants: waterproof, ideally in a bright color. Secondhand is often the best choice.
Rent:
- Skis: As a rule of thumb, beginner kids skis should reach between chest and chin. Shorter skis are easier to turn.
- Ski boots: a snug fit, not a size up to grow into. A boot that's too big gives no support.
- Poles: The littlest ones don't need them yet.
Tip: Put a note with your phone number in your child's jacket pocket.
Packing list for a family ski trip
Your checklist to tick off. Your checks are saved on this device, and you can print the list.
FAQ: skiing with kids
What age is good for a first family ski trip?
Kids can come along at any age. Most kids first stand on skis in the snow at age 3 to 4, and many ski schools take kids from about age 3. Practice can start earlier: with drySki at home from age 2, as soon as your child walks steadily.
What makes a good family ski resort?
Gentle beginner slopes with a magic carpet, a short walk from lodging to the lift and fair prices for kids. In Serfaus Fiss Ladis, kids born in 2021 or later ski free, at the Stubai Glacier kids under 10 with a paying parent, and in Zermatt kids up to 8.99 years.
When is the best time for a ski trip with kids?
Early December and from mid March. It is quieter and cheaper than during school breaks, and there are kids ski free days and weeks: for example the KitzSki Kids go free days on Dec 12, 2026 and Mar 13, 2027, the Ski amadé Family Spring Deals from Mar 13, 2027, or the NAUDERS+ Family Weeks from Mar 20 to Apr 4, 2027.
How long should kids ski each day?
At first, an hour is often enough, then take a break. On day one, a morning is plenty. Older kids can handle a full day later on. Better to stop while it's still fun.
Does my child need ski lessons on a ski trip?
For the littlest ones, often not. Kids who played on drySki at home already know the stance, the balance and the feel of skis under their feet when they get to the snow. Lots of parents tell us their child skied off with them on day one and they skipped pricey toddler ski lessons.
Are there free ski lessons for kids?
Yes. In the Pitztal valley there are free ski lessons for beginners ages 3 to 5.99 in 2026/27, during three weeks in December, January and March. With Kids on Ski, beginners ages 3 to 5 get free lessons, a lift pass and rental gear when two paying adults book 7 nights at a partner hotel.
Is ski in, ski out lodging worth it with kids?
With little kids, often yes. You don't have to haul skis and boots, and you're back in your room quickly for breaks. A cheaper option is lodging near the ski shuttle or with a ski locker at the base station.
What goes on a packing list for a family ski trip?
Ski helmet, goggles, ski jacket and pants, base layers, ski socks, mittens plus a spare pair, sunscreen and your child's ID for the free ski pass. The full checklist to tick off is right here on this page.
Find more answers about drySki in our FAQ.
Ready for the first day on the snow?
With drySki, kids as young as 2 learn their first steps on skis at home, through play. So you can spend your first ski season together on the slopes instead of the bunny hill ; - )