Italy’s best family-friendly ski resorts this winter

Family ski holidays in Italy are some of the best value in Europe, childcare and ski kindergartens are more the norm than the exception these days, and most ski schools are happy to teach kids from age three. Plus Italian ski regions look stunning, the Dolomiti Superski carousel is the largest in the world, and The Dolomites themselves have UNESCO World Heritage status, with good reason.

Have a look at five easy to love Italian ski resorts, every one perfect for families this winter.

1/5  Merano 2000, South Tyrol: Merano 2000 ski area

Sitting above the historic spa town of Merano, Merano 2000 is an amazing family resort with everything from good ski-schools to professional childcare, kindergartens, exciting snow parks, fun activities on and off the slopes, and skiing well into spring.

The surrounding South Tyrol region is enchanting, famous for Christmas markets, charming villages, winter climbing and soothing natural thermal springs; all within easy reach of Merano 2000.   

Good for families

• 40km runs, low cost SnowKids pass up to age 10
• Close to spa town of Merano
• Merano 2000 Ski School starts lessons from age three.
• Snow Kindergarten, supervised childcare from ages three to eight.
• Wide variety of family chalets, residences and hotels.
• Merano Thermal Spa and Pool complex
• Snow Park Merano 2000
• Meranarena Ice Hall, Alpine Bob Tobogganing
• Sledging, horse riding, family ski tours.
• Luckis Kinderland kids ski camp

2/5  Passo Tonale, Val di Sole: Adamello Ski area

This great value resort is also one of the highest in Italy, opens early, and is snow-sure right through until late March. Despite the natural advantages, it’s uncrowded, popular with families, and a good choice for first-time young skiers: the nursery area is huge.

Although it’s purpose-built, a friendly atmosphere, lively restaurants, fun events, and car-free streets, more than make up for the lack of history. As an added incentive, many of Passo Tonale’s hotels also offer professional childcare, and family ski-packages. 

Good for families

• Adamelo Ski Pass covers Passo Tonale, Ponte di Legno, Temù, and the Presana Glacier.
• Good value family hotels and apartments.
• Scuola Italiana Sci & Snowboard starts lessons from age three.
• Supervised local kindergarten and kids snow garden.
• Christmas and New Year family events.
• Nursery slopes close to village centre, hotels and restaurants.
• Kid’s evening events at Ski School Ponte Tonale.
• Presena Glacier Snow Park.
• Skating, sledging, tobogganing, torch-lit snow walks.
• Child-friendly restaurants and cafés.

3/5  Badia, Alta Badia: Dolomiti Superski area

Badia is one of the most historic villages in Alta Badia. Delightfully pretty, surrounded by dramatic Dolomite scenery, and famous for traditional festivities and events, it’s very popular with families, and the excellent local ski-school starts lessons from age three.

Badia’s also part of the enormous Dolomoti Superski area, which is covered by a single pass, and fast lifts from the village centre link to the Alta Badia ski carousel at the foot of Mt. Saint Croce.

Good for families

• Easy access to the Dolomiti Superski area
• Wide range of good value family hotels and chalets.
• Local ski-school starts lessons from age three.
• Single Dolomite Pass covers entire ski area.
• Masses of traditional Alpine charm, historic architecture, local traditions.
• Close to other Alta Badia resorts for indoor and outdoor family activities.
• Skating on frozen Sompunt Lake.
• Alta Badia Snow Park, Kid Slope Pralongia II Snow Park.
• Horse riding, sledging, tobogganing, indoor climbing.
• The Museum of the Sleeping Bear, traditional Christmas markets.

4/5  Alpe di Siusi , Seiser Alm: Dolomiti Superski area

At 56km², Alpe di Siusi is the largest plateau in Europe, and one of the most remarkable landscapes in the entire UNESCO World Heritage Dolomites. It’s also a fantastic all-rounder for family ski holidays, with a great range of activities for all ages; good ski schools, fast access to the Dolomiti Superski area, and excellent snow parks.

Good for families

• Easy access to the Dolomiti Superski area
• Wide range of village and mountain chalets.
• Seiser Alm ski-school starts lessons from age three.
• Single Dolomite Pass covers entire ski area.
• Nursery Alpe di Siusi offers childcare from age two.
• Themed family-friendly ski-circuits.
• Children’s winter festivals and events.
• Alpe di Siusi Snow Park – largest terrain park in The Dolomites.
• Ice skating, sledging, horse-drawn sleighs, tobogganing,
• Sammy Kiddyland, dedicated children’s ski area.

5/5  Selva Val Gardena, Bolzano: Dolomiti Superski area

Just below the dramatic Sella Massif, Selva looks and acts like a fairy-tale Alpine village, but it’s just as well known for ski-in-ski-out convenience, as Christmas Mountain Markets, and the annual St. Nicholas Festival in December.

Part of the Dolomiti Superski area, the resort sits on the legendary Sellaronda Circuit, and accesses over 1200km of runs covered by the single Dolomiti Superski Pass.

Good for families

• 1200km runs on the Dolomiti Superski Pass.
• Scuola 2000 ski school starts lessons from age four.
• Santa Cristina ski school offers childcare from age two
• Within easy reach of all Val Gardena resorts.
• Good range of family chalets, residences and hotels.
• Ice Stadium, Climbing Hall
• Family Christmas even programme.
• Sledging, horse riding, tobogganing, horse-drawn sleighs.
• Moonlit cross-country skiing for teens.