The Niche Traveller's
Journal
TRENDING HOTELS & VILLAS
13.11.2024
Best Ski Hotels for Families: Our Top 6 Handpicked Hotels and Houses in the Alps
Ski holidays with children can be a challenge, from finding the right destination and ski area to arranging suitable accommodations and transportation. With each family having unique needs for their winter getaway, we've selected six of our top partner hotels—each exceptional yet catering to different audiences. From luxury family resorts to chalet villages and individual chalets, this refined selection aims to simplify your choice for your next ski holiday. If you don’t find your perfect fit here, don’t hesitate to contact us for personalized recommendations.
Forsthofgut in Leogang, Austria
- Overview: The family-run Forsthofgut in Leogang, Austria, has a rich history. What began as an agricultural and forestry business has been transformed by the Schmuck family over generations into a sustainable luxury hotel catering to discerning families. Team spirit and a deep connection to nature are central to its philosophy. Guests can enjoy shared experiences in the mountains and forests, as well as relaxation and wellness in the hotel’s various spas and swimming pools. Children and teens are particularly well-cared for here. Complimentary professional childcare is offered seven days a week at Rocky’s Club for children aged two and up. The hotel’s petting zoo is home to sheep, rabbits, ponies, goats, donkeys, and alpacas. During holiday periods, football camps and art programs are available, and the hotel also features a tennis court. A dedicated riding hall offers a variety of equestrian camps. Forsthofgut combines luxurious comfort with rustic charm and offers ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes of the Saalbach Hinterglemm ski area, making it an ideal and convenient base for avid skiers.
- Who Will Love It? Perfect for families seeking a blend of relaxation and activity, with a wide range of offerings for both children and adults. Its direct access to the ski area makes it especially appealing to skiing enthusiasts. With childcare available for children as young as two, it’s an excellent choice for families with young children. The sustainable concept also resonates with guests who value both luxury and environmental responsibility.
- Getting There: Forsthofgut is easily accessible by car from Salzburg Airport, just 1.5 hours away. The nearest train station is in Leogang, making it convenient and eco-friendly for those travelling by train.
Guarda Val in Lenzerheide, Switzerland
- Overview: Perched high above Lenzerheide, Guarda Val offers a stylish and authentic retreat with breathtaking views and a secluded location that perfectly showcases the best of Swiss alpine living. Known as a culinary paradise, it delights guests with exceptional cuisine and an outdoor kitchen, creating unforgettable dining experiences year-round. Families can enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, or relaxing by the fireplace. Guarda Val emphasizes shared experiences, offering seasonal outdoor activities such as mushroom foraging or wildlife spotting, which can be booked in advance. While there is no kids’ club and the spa is not child-friendly, the hotel provides a shuttle to the nearby Lenzerheide and Arosa ski areas. A special highlight during the Christmas season is the Zauberwald (Magic Forest), a sensory festival featuring an impressive program of art, children’s activities, and music in the heart of Lenzerheide.
- Who Will Love It? Ideal for couples, families with older children, and multigenerational groups seeking a refined, tranquil atmosphere with upscale amenities. Due to the lack of childcare services, it is less suitable for families with toddlers or young children.
- Getting There: Guarda Val is approximately two hours by car from Zurich Airport or easily accessible via train and bus from Chur.
Moar Gut in Großarl, Austria
- Overview: Nestled in the Großarl Valley, the Moar Gut Resort is a family-friendly retreat of the highest caliber. Catering to every age group, the resort offers exceptional amenities and services, starting with childcare for infants as young as one month. Parents can relax in a serene, adults-only spa, while families can enjoy a family spa featuring a swimming pool, water slide, and saunas. Activities abound with an indoor trampoline hall, a sports hall equipped with basketball hoops and soccer goals, a gaming room, a riding stable, and even a ski practice lift located directly on the hotel grounds.
- A complimentary hotel shuttle takes guests to the nearby Grossarltal ski area, part of the expansive Ski amadé network, offering 760 kilometers of slopes and 270 lifts. The resort also provides ski rentals and a shop stocked with toys, fashion, and lifestyle products, ensuring guests have everything they need. Accommodations range across various categories, all thoughtfully designed with elegance and comfort. Adding to the charm, the hotel features a certified organic farm and a small animal petting zoo. A special highlight during the pre-Christmas season is the Salzburg Mountain Advent, held annually in the Großarl Valley from late November to late December
- Who Will Love It? Moar Gut is perfect for discerning families seeking exceptional service and a stress-free vacation with childcare for even the youngest members. Guests can enjoy a wide range of amenities designed to create unforgettable family experiences.
- Getting There: Moar Gut is approximately a one-hour drive from Salzburg Airport. It is also accessible by train via St. Johann im Pongau or Bischofshofen (for ICE travellers). Shuttle services to the hotel can be arranged upon request.
Haus Benedikta in Montafon, Austria
- Overview: With great dedication and attention to detail, the owner has transformed this charming, rustic house (built in 1836) in Montafon into a holiday retreat that meets the highest standards of quality and sustainability. The property features three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, as well as a loft, accommodating up to eight guests. Guests can enjoy a fully equipped kitchen, a sauna, and a cozy traditional living room (Stube). In the summer, a beautiful garden invites you to relax and unwind. While there is no direct access to the slopes, a short bus or car ride takes guests to the Silvretta Montafon ski area. The house’s tranquil location, along with its stylish, rustic, and welcoming design, creates the perfect atmosphere for quality family time.
- Who Will Love It? Ideal for families or friends seeking a quiet, self-catered winter getaway with authentic alpine charm in a cozy, serene setting.
- Getting There: Benedikta is located about 2 hours by car from Innsbruck or Zurich, with train access to Schruns, followed by a taxi to Vandans.
Prechtlgut in Wagrain, Austria
- Overview: The luxurious chalets at the Prechtlgut mountain village in Wagrain, Austria, are perfect for those seeking ultimate privacy. Each chalet features a private mini spa, including a sauna and hot tub, as well as a cozy fireplace in the living room. The kitchens are fully equipped, and breakfast is delivered and set up in the chalet every morning. For those who prefer not to cook, there’s an on-site restaurant or the option to have meals delivered directly to the chalet. The property also offers parking for guests and a ski storage room. The location is unbeatable - right across from the gondola that takes you into the Snow Space Salzburg ski area, making it ideal for active travellers.
- Who Will Love It? Perfect for families and couples who value privacy, luxury, and quick access to the ski slopes. It’s especially suitable for parents with babies, as the private chalets provide a tranquil and self-contained environment. However, there is no kids' club or swimming pool, making it less ideal for families with children who don’t ski and require childcare services.
- Getting There: Prechtlgut is about an hour’s drive from Salzburg Airport. Alternatively, guests can take the train to St. Johann in Pongau and then a short taxi ride to the chalet village.
Feuerstein Nature Family Resort in South Tyrol
- Overview: Nestled in the idyllic Pflersch Valley in South Tyrol, just beyond the Brenner Pass, the Feuerstein Nature Family Resort is easily accessible and offers an exceptional retreat for the whole family. Highlights include a riding stable with options for riding lessons and equestrian vacations, a Montessori-inspired childcare program, a spacious woodcraft workshop for sawing, building, and painting, and dedicated wellness facilities for both adults and families.
- While the resort doesn’t provide direct access to ski slopes, the charming Ladurns ski area is just around the corner. A convenient bus departs directly from the hotel, and children are transported via the resort’s shuttle service to ski lessons. Situated at the end of the valley, the location is wonderfully peaceful, with hiking trails leading straight into nature from the hotel’s doorstep.
- Who Will Love It? This resort is ideal for families who value a nature- and education-oriented environment with a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. It’s particularly well-suited for families with children up to 12 years old.
- Getting There: The Feuerstein Nature Family Resort is about 1.5 hours by car from Innsbruck Airport. Travellers can also take the train to Brenner or Gossensass stations. Hotel shuttle service is available upon request.
In our selection process and travel consulting, we strive to be as precise and detailed as possible. If you didn’t find what you were looking for in this report, feel free to explore our other destinations for inspiration or contact us directly with specific questions or travel requests. For direct access to our online portfolio of over 250 accommodations, you can register for a membership here.
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