Hello winter! Fun on the slopes for the whole family!
When the first snowflakes fall and the world starts to feel a little magical, there’s no keeping us indoors. That’s when we jump in the car and head for the mountains. Depending on the mood, it’s sledding or skiing with the kids – after all, those first turns on skis need a bit of practice. And for that, it doesn’t have to be a huge ski resort. Here, we’re sharing a handpicked selection of affordable, family-friendly ski resorts we especially love to visit.
Skiing with kids at Spitzingsee – plus our favourite spot for a cosy lunch break
We’ve skied what feels like a thousand laps with our kids on the small practice slope next to the Kurvenlift at Spitzingsee. You can buy a ticket there for just 5 euros, and children ride for free. The rope lift (fair warning: hello sore arms) is fairly long, with different exit points depending on skill level. It’s a wonderful place to practise skiing together and really build confidence on the snow.
Important to know: the lift is reserved for ski schools in the mornings, so plan to come in the afternoon and park at the Kurvenlift-Stüberl car park.
After skiing, we love to round off the day with a late lunch or early dinner at Alperie. This lovely restaurant by Lake Schliersee serves dishes rooted in local tradition, paired with fresh, modern takes on Bavarian classics. Absolutely delicious – and a place we wholeheartedly recommend for families with kids.
A small ski area in Berg near Lake Starnberg – perfect for practice
Anyone keen on both sledding and skiing with their kids will feel right at home at Kreuzmöslberg, close to Lake Starnberg. On the 300-metre slope, one side is buzzing with sleds while the other is reserved for skiers – a great setup for families. With a travel time of around 30 minutes from Munich, it’s also ideal for a spontaneous half-day trip. You can buy a reasonably priced 10-ride pass directly at the lift.
Affordable ski resort for families: the Hexenwiese in Söll is completely free to use
Heading a little further south, you’ll soon find yourself in Austria – and with it, countless opportunities to go skiing with kids. One spot we especially love is the small children’s ski area Hexenwiese in Söll, at the foot of the Wilder Kaiser.
The Hexenwiese, part of SkiWelt Söll, features a wonderfully designed adventure course for young skiers. And the best part: everything at the Hexenwiese is free of charge. Instead of classic slalom poles, witch’s brooms are planted in the snow. Kids can test their balance on a seesaw – skis on – before taking the children’s lift or magic carpet comfortably back up the slope.
For a cosy break, stop by the Hexenalm to warm up, or, on sunny days, settle into the outdoor seating and deck chairs and soak up the winter sun.
Sledding fun instead of skiing with kids
The Hörnle toboggan run in the Ammergau Alps, just beyond Murnau, promises big sledding fun for the whole family. Stretching over 4.5 kilometres, it’s guaranteed to put smiles on children’s faces – and adults enjoy it just as much. Toboggans can be easily rented at the valley station, and a nostalgic two-seater chairlift takes you comfortably to the top.
Cosy mountain huts near both the summit and the valley station invite you to warm up and take a break. From Munich, it’s about an hour’s drive – and usually traffic-free, even on weekends.
And if you’re still looking for a lovely family-friendly hotel right in a ski resort, feel free to browse through our curated selection. You’ll find a few accommodation gems in there that not everyone knows about.
