You might not immediately think of Switzerland as a child-friendly skiing destination. However, there are over 20 ski resorts around the country that carry the 'family destination' label. So Switzerland is more than suitable for a winter holiday with a family. The label indicates that the resorts offer playful ways for children to learn skiing, versatile children's areas and excellent practice slopes. In addition, cute mascots encourage kids on the slopes, and different activities are organized off the slopes as well. So which are the child-friendly ski resorts in Switzerland? Here is our selection for the top 5!
When you think of winter holidays in Switzerland, you might immediately picture an image with dozens of four-thousanders and glaciers, rugged mountain scenery and challenging slopes. But families with children can also have a fantastic skiing holiday there! Many Swiss ski resorts have been given a special family destination label because of the diversity of facilities they offer, such as childcare, excellent practice slopes, family restaurants and more. In other words, this label marks superb winter sports destinations suitable for all ages. In this blog, we present the top 5 child-friendly destinations in Switzerland.
Grächen is a paradise for children and one of the most child-friendly ski resorts in Switzerland. In the SiSu children's park, its mascot - kingfisher SiSu- ensures the kids have a great time. The children's park is vast, as is the number of offered facilities. The opportunities to learn to ski are perfect here. The resort provides rolling practice slopes, private ski lifts and a children's land full of play elements. Moreover, there are many other things to do, such as snow tubing, riding on the carousel or watching a film in the cinema room inside an igloo. You can also use childcare services and visit a family restaurant serving tasty food.
Another excellent destination for children and beginners is Engelberg. Don't miss the 'Klostermatte' family area - one of many beginner areas of the resort. This is a wonderful environment for children as it features the Globis Winterland with special ski lifts for kids, an extensive children's land and a family restaurant. When kids outgrow the 'Klostermatte', they can proceed to the Brunni skiing area. Moreover, they can visit the Yeti Park and enjoy the snow even without the skis, for example, on a sledge. All in all, Engelberg offers plenty to do, so your family will certainly have a great time there.
The Meiringen-Hasliberg ski resort is also a proud receiver of the 'family destination' label and therefore deserves a place on this list. Children can visit Skihäsliland, an ideal environment for learning the skiing basics. The children's area has wide slopes, perfect for practising first turns with fun ski instructors. In between, kids can play nicely. The Meiringen-Hasliberg offers about 60 km of slopes and is well-organised, which families with children often like. There is also plenty to do after skiing, for example, endless tobogganing, which you can even do in the evenings!
The famous Swiss ski resort and charming village of Nendaz is part of the gigantic Les 4 Vallées ski area, one of the largest and most child-friendly ski areas in Switzerland. The slopes connected to the village consist mainly of relatively easy to medium-hard slopes and are therefore ideal for families. Thanks to the many facilities for children, the village was awarded the 'family destination' label. Kids can participate in specially developed programmes, visit several play areas, try tobogganing and use a wide selection of toys.
The Davos Klosters ski resort is versatile, extensive and family-friendly. Everything has really been thought through to make the little ones happy. In Kinderland Madrisa, every child can have fun. Among other things, it offers a large air cushion, a tubing track, a trampoline and several children's ski lifts. While the kids play, parents can relax and cheer on their kids from a deckchair. Next to Madrisa, kids can also visit the Rinerhorn, an excellent place for young skiers. Jumps, exciting slopes and a route through a witch's forest are just a few fun things to do in this children's area. And last but not least, ski pass prices for kids are also family-friendly here.
I grew up in Slovenia, close to the Julian Alps. Early on, my parents put me on skis and skates, and the winter sports enthusiasm hasn't left me since. I also enjoy cross-country skiing and have been a keen snowboarder for the past 20 years.
