Our First Family Ski Vacation in Austria – With a 3-Year-Old and a 4-Month-Old Baby!

After dreaming about it for quite some time, this year we decided to take the plunge (or more accurately, dive into the snow!) and go on our first family ski vacation. With 3-year-old Dandan and 4-month-old Li, we packed ourselves—and all the gear—and set off on an unforgettable experience in Austria. And we enjoyed every moment!

Unlike what many tend to do, we didn’t go for a pre-arranged ski package. Instead, we tailored the vacation exactly to fit our needs. And it worked perfectly! Now that we’re back, full of memories, I’m excited to share all our tips for a successful and fun family ski vacation.

Watch Highlights

Accommodation

Unlike our other trips, this time we started at the end—before even choosing a destination, we focused on finding the right hotel. Since we were traveling alone without extra help, it was clear that both of us would want to ski. So we looked specifically for a hotel that offers child and baby care. It was important to us to find a place where we could confidently leave the kids in good hands while we hit the slopes. Beyond that, we also wanted a ski resort that offers ski lessons from the age of three, so Dandan could try skiing for the first time.

We chose Hotel Bär in Austria, located near the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area. It’s a hotel entirely designed for families—resulting in a perfect experience for those traveling with young kids.

The hotel rooms are divided into separate spaces, including an independent children’s room, allowing the little ones to sleep peacefully while parents can stay awake in the adjacent room.

Stays at the hotel are sold as Saturday-to-Saturday all-inclusive packages, which include:

• Three meals a day

• Daily access (except Saturdays) to the Baby Club and Kids Club from 8:30 AM to 9:00 PM

• Access to the neighboring hotel LOWE, where there's an additional water park for kids

The hotel also features:

• An indoor heated pool with an outdoor section

• Gym

• Climbing wall for kids (ages 4+)

• Complimentary stroller and buggy rental

• Free drinks 24/7

• Bottle sterilization service

• Laundry service (including a self-service option for a symbolic fee)

• And much more...

The Food (It Deserves Its Own Paragraph!)

Wow. The food truly deserves a highlight. This is one of the few resorts where the cuisine is genuinely exceptional. Each evening, guests receive the menu for the next day—a refined, chef-crafted selection—from which you choose your courses for dinner.

Dinner feels like dining at a high-end restaurant: there’s a rich and indulgent buffet (including kid-friendly options), and the waiter serves the selected courses—starter, soup, main course, and dessert. Not a single dish was repeated during the week, and the quality was easily Michelin-star level. No exaggeration.

Our stay at Hotel Bär absolutely made our vacation, and I highly recommend it even for summer holidays in Tyrol, especially for those less into skiing and more into hiking and nature.

Getting There

We took a direct flight to Munich, which lasted about 3.5 hours. Upon landing, we picked up our pre-booked rental car right at the airport, loaded our gear, settled in, and hit the road.

The drive to the hotel took about another 3.5 hours and went surprisingly smoothly. As always, European roads were pleasant and easy to navigate. We stopped occasionally for quick feeding breaks for the little ones and coffee for us.

About the Serfaus Ski Area

The Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area, located in the Tyrol region of Austria, is one of the most family-friendly ski destinations in Europe. The resort spans elevations from 1,200 to 2,828 meters above sea level and boasts an impressive variety of slopes totaling 214 kilometers, suitable for all levels of skiers.

What truly sets this place apart is its strong focus on families and children. You’ll find:

• Murmlipark – a beautifully designed snow zone for kids with ski lessons and snow activities

• Berta's Kinderland Fiss-Ladis – an adorable snow park with fun installations, games, and experiential learning

Note: These two areas are only open during the season and usually close around mid-March. After that, the main ski school on the mountain continues to operate.

The resort also offers plenty of mountain restaurants, bars, and rest spots—all with a cozy ambiance and stunning panoramic views of the Tyrolean Alps.

Personally, we immediately felt that this wasn’t just a “family-friendly” label—it was truly built around families. From the stroller-accessible gondola stations, to sled-friendly ski runs, to a giant indoor play zone at the base of the mountain—every little detail made the trip easier, more comfortable, and genuinely enjoyable for all of us.

Ski Lessons

The Skischule Serfaus is the official ski school of the area. It runs hundreds of qualified instructors offering lessons for all levels—from young kids just starting out to experienced adult skiers.

You can book private or group lessons in advance, which is highly recommended, especially during peak season.

Note: Prices aren’t cheap—

• A two-hour private lesson: around €200

• A four-hour group lesson: about €100

Kids’ Ski Lessons

As mentioned, there are two main kid-friendly ski zones, with Murmlipark located right in front of our hotel, Hotel Bär.

Unfortunately, since we traveled at the end of the season, this area was no longer operating—snow levels had dropped, and lessons there were canceled just before our arrival.

Still, the ski school continued offering lessons for kids aged three and up at Berta's Kinderland Fiss-Ladis, in small groups or private sessions. Lessons were available in German or English.

Dandan had his first-ever ski experience during two sessions in the first few days. I want to be honest—at that age (three), it’s more about fun and exposure than real learning. For this age group, I highly recommend a one-hour private session. The gear is heavy, kids are bundled in layers, and even just getting to the lesson requires energy. In Dandan’s case, one hour was the sweet spot—beyond that, fatigue kicks in, and the fun fades.

Ski Equipment

Like other top ski resorts worldwide, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis offers rental services for ski and snowboard gear, with a wide range suitable for all ages and skill levels—including small children.

The rental station is conveniently located right next to the gondola, which means no long treks carrying gear.

They also offer daily storage, letting you pick up and drop off your equipment on-site instead of hauling it back and forth to the hotel. Super convenient—especially when traveling with kids and full hands.

How to Dress Kids for Skiing?

So, what about kids’ ski gear? Basically—just like adults! 🙂

If we break it down, kids need the same essentials:

• Thermal layers

• Ski suit and gloves

• Proper socks

• Goggles

• Ski boots

• Helmet and ski equipment

Tip: For toddlers, I recommend mittens instead of fingered gloves—they’re easier to manage for little hands.

When looking for gear for Dandan, we also explored rental and second-hand options—but they didn’t really work out for us. In the end, we chose to buy.

• Thermal shirts and pants – bought from Decathlon. I suggest ordering online in advance, as the store had limited stock when we visited.

• Ski socks, goggles, gloves, ski suit – ordered from Amazon (I added links).

• Winter boots – we found a great pair on Next. Buy one size up to use them next year too. We bought from the brand Igor, and they were super warm.

• Helmet, skis, ski boots – rented on-site, which was the easiest and most convenient option.

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So… Skiing with a Toddler and a Baby – Would We Do It Again?

Absolutely yes 💙

It was a different kind of vacation—more logistics, more planning—but also way more meaningful. Watching Dandan stand on skis for the first time, knowing we’re still able to go on adventures even with a baby just a few months old, and seeing the kids enjoying themselves just as much as we were—it’s a kind of fulfillment that’s hard to explain.

If you’re dreaming of a snowy family holiday, I hope this post helps you realize: it’s totally doable.

And if you have questions or are unsure about anything—feel free to message me here in the comments or on Instagram. I’d love to help! ☃️