Skiing in Austria with Kids: The Best Family Hotels, Practical Tips, and Everything You Need to Know

After the huge success of last year's trip, we couldn't resist another snowy getaway this winter. We packed our bags (and what felt like the entire house 😅) and headed to Austria for a family ski vacation with Dandan, now four years old, and Li, who was just fourteen months old.

Skiing with two young children is definitely not the simplest type of vacation. It takes planning, flexibility, and realistic expectations. But when you get the balance right, it can be one of the most rewarding and memorable family trips imaginable.

Similar to last year, we decided not to book a pre-packaged ski deal. Instead, we built the trip ourselves around what mattered most to us: a genuinely family-friendly hotel, a ski resort that was convenient and easy to navigate, simple logistics, and as little stress as possible. And it worked out perfectly.

Now that we're back—full of great memories (and a few sore muscles 😉)—I'm excited to share all of our tips for planning a successful family ski holiday. From where we stayed and how we managed with a toddler, to what you actually need to pack, and how to make a ski vacation with young children fun rather than exhausting.

Accommodation

Just like last year, we started with the end goal in mind. Before even choosing a ski resort, we focused on finding the right hotel.

Since we were traveling on our own, without any extra help with the kids, we knew that both of us would want time on the slopes. That meant we needed a hotel that offered more than just a token playroom in the lobby—we were specifically looking for a place with dedicated childcare programs for both babies and young children.

It was important for us to find a hotel where we could leave Li in a safe, professional, and caring environment while we were skiing. At the same time, one of our top priorities this year was finding a ski school that would be a great fit for Dandan. We wanted it to be a genuine experience for him—not just babysitting in the snow, but structured lessons, small groups, professional instructors, and a fun atmosphere that would help him fall in love with skiing from day one.

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We chose Ellmauhof Family Resort, located near the Saalbach ski area. This is a hotel designed entirely around the needs of families, and it shows in every detail. The result is a vacation experience that feels as though it was created specifically for parents traveling with young children.

The family rooms are thoughtfully designed with separate living and sleeping areas, including a dedicated children's room equipped with a baby monitor. This allowed us to put the kids to bed peacefully and continue our evening in the adjoining space without worrying about waking them up. For us, this was a major advantage and one of the features we appreciated most.

The hotel operates on an all-inclusive basis, with four meals served throughout the day, unlimited drinks including alcohol, and access to both the Baby Club and Kids Club. Having everything included meant we could spend our days enjoying the vacation rather than constantly managing logistics.

The hotel offers an impressive range of family-friendly facilities, including a heated indoor pool with a waterslide, a baby pool with interactive water games, a gym, a huge indoor soft-play area, and multiple playrooms. There's also a small farm where children can ride ponies and feed rabbits, complimentary drinks available around the clock, bottle sterilization services for babies, a laundry room, and countless thoughtful touches that make traveling with young children significantly easier.

One of the hotel's biggest advantages is its Ski-In / Ski-Out location. Situated directly on the mountain, you can step out of the hotel and onto the slopes, then ski all the way back to the door at the end of the day. No shuttles, no carrying equipment around, and no extra logistics—just maximum time on the snow.

The hotel also operates its own ski school for children aged three and up, organized in a camp-style format. Every morning, we dropped Dandan off at the Kids Club, where the instructors took over. The team helped him get dressed in all his ski gear, organized everything he needed, and made sure he was ready for a day on the mountain.

At the end of each lesson, the instructors brought the children back to the hotel for lunch and supervised playtime at the Kids Club, which meant we never had to rush back and forth between the slopes and the hotel in the middle of the day.

Dandan absolutely loved it. Every morning he headed off with a huge smile on his face. For him, it was a perfect mix of independence, new friends, and lots of snow.

On the final day, the ski school holds a special medal ceremony for the children, attended by the parents. Watching him stand there proudly wearing his medal was one of those travel moments I'll never forget.

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Getting There

We flew direct to Munich, a journey of around three and a half hours. After landing, we picked up our rental car directly at the airport, loaded up all the luggage, settled the kids in, and hit the road.

The hotel is approximately a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Munich Airport, and the journey turned out to be much easier than we had expected. European roads are, as usual, well-maintained and a pleasure to drive on. We made a few short stops along the way to feed the kids, stretch our legs, and refuel ourselves with coffee before continuing through the beautiful Alpine scenery toward the resort.

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About the Saalbach Hinterglemm Ski Area

Located in Austria's Salzburg region, Saalbach Hinterglemm is one of the largest and most modern ski destinations in Europe. The ski area stretches from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 meters above sea level and offers more than 270 kilometers of interconnected slopes, making it a paradise for skiers of all levels.

What truly sets Saalbach Hinterglemm apart is its ability to combine a vast, world-class ski domain with an atmosphere that feels exceptionally welcoming to families. The resort features excellent beginner zones, high-quality ski schools, and wide, forgiving slopes that are ideal for first-time skiers and families with children.

Beyond skiing, there are plenty of activities designed for younger visitors, including dedicated snow play areas, sledding runs, and other winter attractions that allow even the smallest family members to enjoy the mountain experience. This balance between extensive skiing opportunities and family-friendly infrastructure is one of the main reasons the resort has become such a popular choice for families returning year after year.

Ski Lessons for Children and Adults

The resort is home to several excellent ski schools, staffed by professional and patient instructors who work with skiers of all ages and ability levels. For children, there are dedicated programs and beginner areas, including a learning zone located close to the hotel, which makes the entire experience especially convenient for parents.

Dandan attended ski camp every day from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Each morning, we dropped him off at the Kids Club, where he joined the other children before heading out to the slopes with the instructors. At the end of the lesson, the team brought the children back to the hotel, where a warm and generous lunch was waiting for them. The whole setup was incredibly smooth and stress-free.

As for me, I took group lessons on four different days, trying several ski schools and instructors along the way. Each lesson offered a different perspective and helped me improve in its own way. Personally, I found it very valuable to experience different teaching styles and approaches, so I would absolutely recommend mixing things up rather than sticking with the same instructor throughout your trip.

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How to Dress Kids for Skiing

So, what about ski gear for children? In general, the answer is simple: pretty much the same as for adults.

Kids need the same basic equipment to stay warm, comfortable, and safe on the slopes: thermal base layers, a waterproof ski suit, warm gloves, proper ski socks, goggles, ski boots, a helmet, and, of course, their ski equipment.

One important tip: for younger children, mittens are usually a much better choice than traditional gloves with separate fingers. They're easier to put on, especially when dealing with impatient little skiers, and they do a much better job of keeping small hands warm throughout the day. When it comes to snowy adventures, warm hands can make all the difference between a happy child and an early trip back to the hotel.

Where to Buy Ski Gear and What You Actually Need

When we were looking for ski gear for Dandan last year, we considered both renting and buying second-hand equipment. In practice, neither option worked particularly well for us, so we decided to purchase everything we needed.

Thermal Base Layers

We bought thermal tops and leggings from Decathlon. I highly recommend ordering online in advance, as popular sizes are often out of stock in physical stores during the ski season.

Ski Socks, Goggles, Gloves, and Ski Suit

We ordered most of these items from Amazon, where we found a wide selection, good prices, and plenty of family-friendly options.

Winter Boots

We found a great option at Next. One useful trick is to buy a size up so the boots can potentially last for another season. We chose boots from Igor, and they kept Dandan's feet warm and dry throughout the trip.

Helmet, Skis, and Ski Boots

We rented all of these at the resort, which is by far the easiest and most practical solution. Not only does it save valuable luggage space, but it also ensures that the equipment is professionally fitted and appropriate for your child's size and ability level. For most families, renting ski equipment on-site is the most convenient choice.

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So… Would We Do a Ski Trip Again with a One-Year-Old and a Four-Year-Old?

Absolutely yes. 💙

It's not the easiest type of vacation, but it's definitely doable—and, more importantly, it's completely worth it.

Traveling with young children always comes with its challenges, and a ski holiday is no exception. But with the right expectations, good planning, and a family-friendly setup, it can become an unforgettable experience for both parents and kids.

If you're dreaming about a family ski vacation, I hope this guide has given you the confidence to take the leap. The logistics may seem overwhelming at first, but once you're there—watching your child proudly ski down their first slope or seeing them experience the magic of snow for the first time—it all feels worthwhile.

And if you have any questions, concerns, or are currently planning your own family ski trip, feel free to leave a comment below or send me a message on Instagram. I'd be happy to help.