Running, sliding and splashing come naturally to most children. So why not set your family loose in the mountains for a winter break that matches exactly that energy? The Innsbruck region in western Austria has an array of family attractions designed to keep every age group moving, laughing and building confidence in the snow.
Innsbruck itself sits right at the foot of the Alps, so families can combine time in a lively, walkable city with easy access to some of Tyrol’s best ski resorts, without a long transfer eating into holiday time. It works well whatever your family’s experience level, from first-time skiers finding their feet to older kids ready for something faster.
Across the region’s ski areas you’ll find dedicated kids’ clubs, gentle nursery slopes and toboggan runs, alongside plenty of ways to enjoy the snow without strapping on skis at all. Here’s a closer look at what your family can expect in Innsbruck this winter.
© Innsbruck Tourismus / Ötztal Tourismus / Dominik Stanka
Family-friendly ski schools in the Innsbruck region
For younger children and beginners, the Innsbruck region has invested heavily in making that first experience on skis a positive one. Kinderland Grünberg on the Mieming Plateau is a good example, with magic carpets to help small skiers glide without the stress of a drag lift, plus its own toboggan run and adventure playground for when little legs need a break from skiing altogether.
Muttereralm is another strong choice for families, thanks to its Kinderland and Märchenwald areas, both designed for little ones taking their first turns in the snow. Over in the Kühtai ski area, children can join a ski rally led by Resi, a larger-than-life cow character who makes learning to turn and stop feel like a game rather than a lesson. For parents who need a little time to themselves on the slopes, Kids Club Kühtai offers childcare for the youngest members of the family, while slightly older children can build their skills at BOBO Kinderland.
Family hiking in the Innsbruck region
Not every family holiday needs to revolve around skiing and the Mieming Plateau has a lovely alternative for those who would rather stay on two feet. A guided walk through the winter landscape here comes with an unusual companion:llamas walking alongside your family while you take in the snow-covered scenery.
The route winds through quiet forest tracks and open meadows dusted with snow, well away from the busier ski runs and there’s plenty of time built in for photos and for the llamas themselves, who tend to be just as curious about your family as your gang is about them.
© Innsbruck Tourismus / Stefan Ringler
Tobogganing for families in the Innsbruck region
The Innsbruck region has some of Tyrol’s best natural tobogganing runs. In the Sellraintal Valley, families can walk through a frosty forest to reach the Gleirschalm run, turning the journey there into part of the adventure. Alternatively, the Muttereralmbahn and Oberperfuss cable cars offer a more convenient route, carrying you and your sledge up the mountain before you whizz back down together.
If you want guaranteed snow, head for Kühtai, home to Tyrol’s highest toboggan run at 2,000 metres above sea level – a reliable option for later in the season.
© Innsbruck Tourismus / Stefan Ringler
The Ski plus City Pass for family holidays
One of the best-value additions to a family trip here is the Ski plus City Pass, which is particularly attractive for families with children aged six and over. It combines access to skiing with the region’s city attractions, so you are not limited to a single type of day out for the whole trip.
The pass covers 12 ski resorts around Innsbruck and in the Stubai Valley, plus 23 other attractions and a swimming pool near the city, taking in landmarks such as the Golden Roof, the city’s most famous landmark and the Nordkette cable car up into the mountains. It also includes the ski bus service and the Sightseer hop-on hop-off bus, so getting between the slopes and the sights is covered too.
© Innsbruck Tourismus / Stefan Ringler
Planning a family winter holiday to the Innsbruck region
Innsbruck has its own airport with direct winter flights from UK cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Newcastle, with flight times of around two to two and a half hours. Many of the resorts and ski schools covered here are also only a short transfer from the airport.
The ski season generally runs from December to April and a week is usually enough time to try more than one resort without feeling rushed, mixing ski days with time exploring Innsbruck itself. With ski schools built around confidence rather than pressure, toboggan runs for every ability and plenty to do beyond the slopes, the Innsbruck region has become one of the most well-rounded choices for a family winter holiday, whether your family is new to skiing or waits all year for the first snowfall.
Make it happen
Where to stay
Families can base themselves centrally in Innsbruck for easy access to both the slopes and the city’s attractions, or choose one of the surrounding villages, such as Mutters or the Mieming Plateau, for a shorter transfer straight to the ski schools and toboggan runs.
The Ski plus City Pass
Families with children aged six and over can combine ski access with the region’s city attractions on a single pass, making it easier to plan a trip that covers mountain days and city time in equal measure.
When to go
The Innsbruck region’s ski season typically runs from December through to April, with Kühtai’s high altitude of 2,000 metres offering some of the most reliable snow later in the season.
For more information, visit: innsbruck.info.
