There is no shortage of child-friendly ski resorts in Italy. In the land of pasta and pizza, the 'bambini' hold a very special place. Italians love children, which reflects in the many facilities they offer. From fun children's areas where kids can learn their first turns to exciting fun slopes, family hotels and fun activities for young and old. Are you thinking of spending your next winter holiday in Italy? In this article, we present seven child-friendly ski resorts in Italy.
If you want to go on a winter sports holiday with children, Italy is the place to be. Almost every ski resort has some facilities for families, but some really stand out. In the latter, both parents and children can have a great skiing holiday, and the facilities are just a little bit more extensive. Kids' areas, cheerful mascots, play areas and fun activities outside skiing: these child-friendly ski resorts in Italy have it all!
Gitschberg Jochtal is a true family gem that has not yet been discovered by big crowds and is never really busy, not even in high season. It lies in the Italian province of South Tyrol, about an hour's drive from the Brenner Pass. The ski area has 55 km of slopes and two ski schools. The little ones can enjoy ski lessons and childcare from an early age. They can learn their first turns playfully in the children's area and then move on to the rest of the ski area. As the ski resort is not very big, you can regularly bump into other family members on the slopes. If a parent buys a ski pass, children up to 8 years can ski for free here. There are also plenty of fun things to do off-piste, from a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride to tobogganing (the 6,75 km Brimi Winter Run is a tip). The resort also organizes a special weekly programme.
Are you looking for a child-friendly ski resort in Italy overlooking the Dolomites? Then Alta Badia might be something for you. The ski area has around 130 km of slopes, which are mostly marked blue and wonderfully wide. Perfect for practising those first turns! Accommodation is available in several villages, each boasting its own character. Corvara and Colfosco, for instance, are the biggest and liveliest, while La Villa, San Cassiano, La Val and Badia are a lot smaller and more convivial. But facilities for children are available everywhere. They range from fun children's areas to beautiful practice slopes and playgrounds, so your kids won't get bored for a moment! And neither will you as a parent! While your children enjoy their skiing lessons, you can ski the Sellaronda or try out the unrivalled gastronomy of the region. There is no shortage of good restaurants and mountain huts!
Paganella is located just above Molveno, at the foot of the Brenta Dolomites. This child-friendly ski resort boasts stunning views. From its highest point at 2,125 metres, it is even possible to see lake Garda in clear weather. The ski area offers 50 km of slopes and is well-organized. Most of the slopes are wonderfully wide and perfect for beginners. More than 190 ski instructors are available for lessons, and the little ones can have a splendid time playing in the snow, among others, at the Paganella Kinder Club Andalo. Childcare is available at Miniclub Andalo. As the ski resort is reasonably small, you might soon meet your kids on the slopes. Moreover, there's plenty to do after skiing. You can take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, go ice skating and even ice-karting.
Ski area Folgaria Lavarone lies in the beautiful winter sports region Alpe Cimbra in the Brenta Dolomites. The village of Folgaria shares a ski area with the nearby village of Lavarone. This child-friendly ski area offers just over 100 km of slopes. Children between 0 and 12 years old can visit a special play park where mascots - witch Perty, elf FliFlick and Manny - take care of everyday entertainment. They can play there and practise skiing. Several ski schools offer lessons, and there is also plenty to do outside skiing. How about snow tubing or tobogganing with the whole family?
Val di Fassa is a perfect family skiing destination in Italy. From this beautiful valley overlooking the Dolomites, you can admire several impressive peaks, such as the Rosengarten, Sass Pordoi and Latemar. Moreover, there are extensive facilities for families. The more than 100 km of slopes are spread over several separate ski areas, not all of which are interconnected. Each offers many child-friendly facilities, though the slopes of Carezza, Catinaccio-Ciampedie and Passo San Pellegrino-Falcade are where families with children feel most at home. For instance, Carezza offers no less than three children's areas (König Laurin kinderland, Naniland and the children's area of Vido di Fassa), special children's slopes and a real kids' ski tour. In Catinaccio-Ciampedie, mascot Lauri takes care of everyday entertainment, while Passo San Pellegrino-Falcade also boasts beautiful children's lands.
Are you looking for a child-friendly ski resort in the Italian South Tyrol? Then Kronplatz (Plan de Corones in Italian) is something for you. This versatile ski area has over 110 km of slopes, of which many are located on the Kronplatz mountain. Most pistes are blue and perfect for beginners and families. The 2,275-metre-high Kronplatz mountain rises high above the town of Bruneck and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountainous area. The sun shines extra often here due to its southern location, so chances are you can enjoy plenty of sunshine while skiing. The villages of St. Vigil in Enneberg and Olang are best suited for families. Near the Kronplatz valley station, you will find Croniworld, an extensive children's area featuring an indoor ski slope, a restaurant, a playroom and a cinema. Tough teenagers can spend some time on fun slopes and fun parks. Moreover, there is plenty to do off-piste. Among others, you can go tobogganing or ice skating.
We conclude this list of child-friendly ski resorts in Italy with Val Gardena. Located in the middle of the Dolomites, this beautiful valley offers access to just over 170 km of slopes. If you add the connections to Alta Badia, Val di Fassa and Arabba-Marmolada, you quickly get to over 500 km of slopes. Accommodation is available in three charming villages: Ortisei, St Christina and Selva/Wolkenstein, all featuring many facilities for children. In Val Gardena, you can find several children's areas where the kids can learn their first turns, but there is also plenty to off-piste. And a handy fact: the Dolomiti Superski ski pass, which also offers access to other valleys and ski areas in the Dolomiti Superski ski region, is free for children up to 8 years of age when accompanied by a parent.
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.
