5 Top Resorts for Families in the Tirol

19th October 2021

Last modified on October 20th, 2021

Family ski holidays need a lot of organisation: from ski-in, ski-out accommodation and large, easy-to-reach beginner areas, to flexible rental arrangements and excellent child-care facilities.

Then there’s a wide range of restaurants catering for multiple diets.

Plus, as children get older, they tend to want slightly different things…

Here are five top resorts for families of different ages as recommended to PlanetSKI by the Tirol Tourist Office:

Image c/o The Tirol

For young families: SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental

One of Austria’s largest ski resorts, the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental offers 288 km of pistes for skiers and snowboarders to explore, alongside numerous off-snow activities.

Consisting of nine villages, including Brixen im Thale, Going and Söll, which can be accessed using innovative lifts, all levels are catered for, with easy slopes – including multiple beginner areas for children – racecourses and fun parks.

And if families find themselves at the top of the Hochbrixen cable car, they might like to visit the enchanting Igloo Village that features sculptures made from natural ice.

Leave the skis (or snowboards) behind and enjoy a husky ride, snow tubing in Ellmau, sitting in a horse-drawn carriage or swimming in one of the many pools.

There is also exemplary childcare available in the SkiWelt, with Ellmi’s Kids Club, the Snow Pirates Kids Club and childcare KiKo.

Here, little ones can try mini carvers, a wonderful way of walking in the snow without having to pull on ski boots.

Plus, the Hohe Salve panoramic mountain has many easy slopes, and the Hopfgarten Kids Clubfeatures a practice area, two magic carpets and supervision for children from 1-3 years old.

A six-day ski pass costs €245 per adult or €122.50 per child (age 6-15). Children aged five and under ski for free.

For more information, please visit: www.skiwelt.at

Family Skiing SkiWelt. Image © SkiWelt Tourist Office

For tweens: Tiroler Zugspitz Arena

Straddling the Austrian-German border the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena has striking views and dramatic mountain ranges along with beginner-friendly slopes and authentic Austrian villages.

Comprising seven smaller ski areas, the resort offers pistes to suit every ability, boasting a high point of close to 3,000 m at Zugspitzplatt, with 58 lifts servicing 105 km of pistes.

For beginners, there are a host of experienced ski schools across the region whilst more seasoned families can make use of the three snow parks as well as the exciting off-piste.

For some non-ski related entertainment, visitors to the region can explore its natural beauty via a snow-shoe hike or magical horse-drawn sleigh ride.

Alternatively, sign up for a snowcat ride and learn about driving one of the machines.

And parents looking to sample some of the rich Bavarian culture of the region can enjoy beers brewed at the Stald-Bräu, Austria’s highest brewery.

A six-day ski pass costs from €276 per adult and €130 per child (age 6-15 years). A six-day one parent and one child lift pass costs from €372.

For more information, please visit www.zugspitzarena.com

Zugspitz Arena. Image © PlanetSKI

For teenagers: Kitzbühel

With its 185 km of pistes, Hanglalm snowpark and plenty of family-friendly restaurants, teenagers have much on offer in Kitzbühel.

The resort has a huge amount of varying terrain, sure to excite, and when not skiing, there are plenty of off-piste activities, including ice skating, a swimming centre with slides, the Gaisberg floodlit toboggan run, and fun climbing walls at the Sports Centre.

In addition, teens can try Timoks Alpine Coaster in Fieberbrunn, which is open year-round.

Join in with the buzzing atmosphere and watch an ice hockey game with the locals, before heading to a relaxed restaurant for some Austrian cuisine.

And for those teens who want a challenge, why not complete the brand-new ski circuit, reputed to be the longest in the world?

Linking Going am Wilden Kaiser, across to the Kitzbühel Alps to Hollersbach in the Hohe Tauern, families can whizz around the 80 km of slopes with just one lift pass – the KitzSkiWelt Ticket.

A six-day ski pass costs from €245 per adult, €184 per youth (age 16-18) and €122,50 per child (age 6-15).

For more information, please visit www.kitzbuehel.com

Family Skiing Kitzbuhel. Image © Kitzbuhel Tourist Office

For older families: St. Anton am Arlberg

Recognised around the world as the birthplace of alpine skiing, St. Anton am Arlberg offers state-of-the-art lift systems and exciting après ski without losing touch of the rich cultural roots the region was founded on.

A variety of gradients make up the 305 km pistes, catering to eager first timers and snow-hardened experts.

An array of ski schools are available for the less experienced, whilst the 200 km of designated off-piste terrain and famous Stanton snow parkpresent some more challenging options.

Returning from the slopes, young adults (and older adults) can treat themselves to a well-earned beer at one of the many bars.

At 9 pm every Wednesday, the Ski School Arlberg and the New School-Team of the Ski Club Arlberg put on a spectacular ski demonstration, taking viewers through the history of skiing, exhibiting the advances in both technology and style.

For more refined entertainment, the diversity of exceptional restaurants and bars serve authentic local delicacies and exceptional international cuisine; the burgers at Galzig Bistrobar are by all accounts phenomenal.

A six-day ski pass costs from €326 per adult, €281 per youth (age 15-18) and €196 per child (age 6-14)

For more information, please visit www.stantonamarlberg.com

St Anton. Image © Arlberger Bergbahnen, Patrick-Bätz.

For that multigenerational trip: Gurgl

Known as the diamond of the Alps, Gurgl is considered one of the Alps’ most snow-reliable ski areas.

Home to 112 km of pistes, connected by 25 modern lifts, guests can ensure top-class skiing.

Its wide range of pistes varying in difficulty, plus its vast activity programme, make this resort perfect for multigenerational families.

There are free ski bus shuttles and plenty of parking areas, renowned ski schools and well-equipped rental stations, plus interactive ski trail maps and plenty of Wi-Fi spots; guests don’t miss a thing.

And for those wanting a break from skis, there are 12 km of winter walkingroutes that wind through snow-covered pine forests, across winter-white meadows and alongside Gurgler Ache mountain brook.

The Aqua Dome Thermal Spa at Längenfeld offers a warm welcome to parents to switch off, while the grandparents are drinking creamy hot chocolate with the kids.

Alternatively, grandparents might like the Top Mountain Crosspoint motorcycle museum (which will reopen in November 2021) while the parents take the kids tobogganing.

A six-day lift pass costs from €251 per adult, €201 per youth, and €138 per child or senior (age 80+).

For more information, please visit: www.gurgl.com

Gurgl, Image © SkiSchule-Obergurgl.com

Tirol, Austria. Image © PlanetSKI

Covid-19 Rules & Regulations

All regions in Tirol have developed comprehensive Covid-secure hygiene concepts and flexible cancellation conditions to offer guests the greatest possible safety and peace of mind on holiday.

Here at PlanetSKI we have detailed the full situation in Austria:

• Covid-19 ski holiday rules in Austria

The website www.welcome.tirol provides an overview of the number of cases in Tirol, updated daily, as well as information on travel restrictions currently in place, safety measures in the regions and details on what you need to know when travelling back to your home country.

Image c/o The Tirol