The insider tip for a relaxed ski holiday with kids
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Some ski resorts impress with sheer size, Gitschberg Jochtal charms with an easy, family-friendly feel. Around three hours from Munich, you clip into your skis and suddenly find yourself right in the middle of a winter wonderland: wide, sun-soaked slopes for every level, fun parks and fun slopes for kids, genuinely good South Tyrolean food and – compared to many other ski areas – surprisingly fair prices. Children under eight even ski for free.
This isn’t about ticking off 100 kilometres of slopes in a day. It’s about something much nicer: skiing together, repeating favourite runs, hot chocolate instead of stress, family time instead of chasing numbers. The ski area is easy to explore over a relaxed weekend, without lift-line chaos or endless orientation. Lift passes are best purchased online – it saves time and often a few euros as well.
Our first stop is Vals, a small village above Brixen. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, it feels as if a soft layer of cosiness has settled over the place: warm window lights, apple punch in hand, homemade biscuits. No hustle, no crowds, just the feeling of arriving.
In this article, we take you with us into winter in Gitschberg Jochtal:
out onto the slopes, up to the wintery Fane Alm, into our family-run Hotel Huber, and into all those small moments that turn a winter weekend with kids into a truly lovely family experience.
1. First tips & FAQs: winter in Gitschberg Jochtal with kids
How big is the ski area – and who is it best suited for?
Gitschberg Jochtal isn’t a mega ski circus, but a pleasantly manageable ski area spread across two mountains: Gitschberg and Jochtal. And that’s exactly what makes it so appealing – especially with kids. There’s plenty of variety, without the constant feeling of missing out. In total, you’ll find 55 kilometres of slopes across 25 runs (blue, red and black), set between 1,307 and 2,510 metres above sea level.
How long is a stay worthwhile?
For a relaxed winter weekend, two to three ski days are ideal. That gives you enough time to explore both mountains, discover favourite runs and still leave room for a winter adventure off the slopes for example up at the Fane Alm. Chances are, you’ll already be planning your return.
If you’re staying longer, booking a ski course for the kids is highly recommended. This is where even the youngest learn from the pros. We watched the classic pizza-and-fries parade along the slope for a while and smiled at every cheerful “Bellissimo!” the ski instructor called out over the children’s helmets.
What’s the overall atmosphere like?
Family-friendly, relaxed, never over the top. Wide slopes with a great mix of easy, intermediate and more challenging runs, fun adventure slopes for kids, funslopes, plenty of moments to enjoy and no stress. Perfect if you’re looking for a ski area where parents and children feel equally at ease.
What about prices?
Lift passes are comparatively family-friendly:
- Day pass approx. €63 for adults
- €44 for juniors
- Children born between 2018 and 2022 ski for free when one parent purchases a lift pass.
Especially when travelling with two or more kids, that’s a factor worth appreciating.
2. Skiing in Gitschberg Jochtal: two mountains, plenty of space for families
On the first morning, it’s straight out onto the slopes. The two ski mountains, Gitschberg and Jochtal, are connected, easy to navigate and still wonderfully varied. To switch from one mountain to the other, you briefly take off your skis and cross the road in practice, it hardly bothers anyone. There’s a blue run to warm up, followed by reds for a smooth, flowing ride. And if you’re in the mood for more, there are also a few black runs to explore.
You can easily ski your favourite runs two or three times without ever feeling like you’re missing out. It does wonders for family harmony, especially when the kids fall in love with a particular slope because it has little hidden paths and small discoveries they simply have to show their siblings.
Fun parks & adventure extras for kids
There’s plenty to enjoy for kids and for parents who like to feel like kids again on holiday: Family Slope, fun parks, ski movie, kids cross and speed check (new this season). Perfect for a motivational boost in between, or when the ski day needs a little extra spark. Our two were especially taken with the kids cross course. The mix of turns, small bumps and gentle jumps quickly turns one run into several – and the course into a real fun magnet.
Lunch break at Ochsenalm
For lunch, we ended up at the Ochsenalm, the kind of place where you’re happy to linger a little longer. The sunny terrace quickly became our favourite spot, paired with steaming dumplings, homemade apple strudel and an espresso in the open air that simply feels right on a ski day.
While we sip our coffee and soak up the sun, we watch the freeriders on the opposite slope. The kids follow them with fascinated eyes – and in that moment, we already know where we’ll be heading next.
Skiing in Gitschberg Jochtal: key facts
- Ski area: Gitschberg Jochtal, two interconnected ski mountains
- Slopes: blue and red runs, plus a few black options – ideal for families with mixed skill levels
- Family features: fun parks with ski movie, kids cross and speed check
- Lift pass prices: approx. €63 (adults) / €44 (juniors) per day – booking online can save you a little more
- Kids special: children born between 2018 and 2022 ski for free when one parent holds a lift pass
3. Fane Alm in winter: a day straight out of a South Tyrolean storybook
One day of our weekend isn’t spent on the slopes, but up at Fane Alm – a small, historic alpine village above Mühlbach. What awaits here is a winter scene more beautiful than anything you could imagine: quiet, snow-covered and wonderfully timeless.
Winterwanderung über den Milchsteig
Der Weg zur Fane Alm führt etwa 3 Kilometer über den Milchsteig. Unterwegs gibt es Infotafeln, kleine Spielstopps und natürlich reichlich Gelegenheit für Schneebälle, die in alle Richtungen fliegen. Kinder gehen gerne mit, nicht, weil man sie groß überreden muss, sondern weil es unterwegs tatsächlich etwas zu entdecken gibt.
Oben angekommen, wartet ein idyllisches Dorf aus Holzhäusern, umgeben von stiller Bergkulisse. Besonders in der Adventszeit wird es noch stimmungsvoller:
- Almadvent mit Musik (jeden Adventssonntag)
- Feuerstellen mit Apfelpunsch
- regionale süße und salzige Schmankerl
- und hin und wieder ein Besuch vom Nikolaus
Keine Autos, keine Wege vollgestellt mit Skiausrüstung, sondern Freiraum. Die Kinder rutschen neben der Hütte im Schnee, während wir in der Zingerlehütte Südtiroler Klassiker essen und ein Glas Wein genießen. Besser kann sich ein Tag im Winterurlaub mit Kindern kaum anfühlen.
Winter hike along the Milchsteig
The walk up to Fane Alm follows the Milchsteig for around three kilometres. Along the way, there are information boards, small play stops and, of course, plenty of opportunities for snowballs flying in every direction. Kids are happy to come along, not because they need much convincing, but because there’s genuinely something to discover along the route.
Once you reach the top, an idyllic village of wooden chalets awaits, framed by a quiet mountain backdrop. During Advent, the atmosphere becomes even more magical:
- Alpine Advent with music (every Advent Sunday)
- fire pits serving warm apple punch
- regional sweet and savoury treats
- and, every now and then, a visit from St Nicholas
No cars, no paths cluttered with ski gear – just space to breathe. The kids slide around in the snow next to the huts while we enjoy South Tyrolean classics at the Zingerlehütte, along with a glass of wine. It’s hard to imagine a better way to spend a winter holiday day with kids.
4. Our hotel recommendation: Familienhotel Huber
Our home for the weekend was the Familienhotel Huber, a modern, family-run hotel with a warm, welcoming feel that makes it easy to settle in and feel at home. The ski area is just a two-minute drive away, and when there’s enough snow, a drag lift even runs right past the hotel.
The hotel also has its own farm, which children are welcome to visit, and in summer the family runs a private alpine pasture complete with animals and a playground.
Pools & wellness
After a day on the slopes with kids, you’re grateful for a place where everyone can unwind in their own way – and that’s exactly what the Familienhotel Huber offers. There’s an indoor and outdoor pool for splashing around, a water slide that rarely gets used just once, and a separate toddler area where even the youngest guests can paddle safely.
If you’re looking to slow down yourself for a moment, the whirlpool with mountain views quickly becomes a favourite spot. For even more peace and quiet, there’s a dedicated adults-only sauna area, including treatments and massages designed to make tired ski legs feel light again.
The atmosphere is exactly what a family hotel should be: kids are free to be kids, and parents still find their own places to retreat.
Culinary highlights
From a culinary point of view, the Familienhotel Huber is thoughtfully designed. The breakfast buffet features fresh juices you can press yourself, nut butters to make on your own and egg dishes prepared to order – including eggs Benedict. For kids, there’s a child-height buffet, which isn’t just practical but clearly brings them a lot of joy. At lunchtime, a light afternoon snack is served to refuel, and in the evening guests are treated to a multi-course dinner, beautifully presented and based on high-quality regional ingredients.
One highlight we absolutely have to mention is the cheese selection in the evening, which is genuinely impressive. And anyone with a sweet tooth will be more than happy with dessert: the desserts are freshly prepared each day in the hotel’s own patisserie.
Rooms
The rooms are designed in warm wood tones, modern yet cosy. One small detail that makes a big difference in everyday family life: sinks at child height. It’s a clear sign that someone has really thought things through. There’s plenty of space, without constantly having to navigate around suitcases.
Play areas & childcare
For kids, there’s plenty on offer:
- a kids’ club for younger children
- a games room for older kids with table football and a gaming corner
- a cinema room where, in the afternoons, bubbles sometimes float through the air instead of a film being shown
Even though we didn’t make use of the childcare ourselves, everything around the kids’ club feels easygoing and warm-hearted – without a rigid animation programme.
5. Conclusion: who is Gitschberg Jochtal in winter ideal for?
Gitschberg Jochtal is a thoroughly family-friendly region in South Tyrol – the kind of place you ease into with good spirits: clip into your skis, start gliding, find your favourite runs. Even at the lifts, staff are happy to help the little ones. And if a ski pole happens to land in an awkward spot, it’s handed back with a friendly “that can happen to anyone.”
For families with younger children, it’s well worth taking a look at the ski courses on offer. Here, even the smallest skiers learn from professionals – and are often standing confidently on their skis faster than you can say pizza and fries.
For us, it was exactly the right mix: skiing, great food, alpine adventures and a hotel that truly felt good to come home to.
We would book this weekend again in a heartbeat and we’ll probably be back sooner than planned.
