Family skiing in Italy means resorts built around nursery slopes, ski-in/ski-out convenience and pizza after a day on the mountain, from Trentino’s gentle pistes to the high-altitude runs of Cervinia. Paul is our Head of Product and Commercial, with over 15 years working in ski product and a soft spot for Paganella as one of his own favourite family resorts. This is his guide to the seven Italian resorts worth knowing about, with everything you need to plan the right trip for your family.
| Resort | Ski area | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| La Thuile | ~150km | Beginners, crowd-free slopes |
| Paganella | 50km | Beginners, nursery slopes |
| Champoluc | ~200km (Monterosa) | Intermediates, uncrowded pistes |
| Cervinia | 150km | All abilities, high-altitude skiing |
| Courmayeur | 41.5km | Weekend breaks, all abilities |
| 3 Zinnen | 115km | Beginners and intermediates |
| Passo Tonale | 100km | Ski-in/ski-out convenience, value for families |
What makes La Thuile a great choice for family skiing?
Linked to: La Rosière, France | Best for: beginners, crowd-free skiing
Sitting right on the French-Italian border, La Thuile is linked to France’s equally popular family ski resort of La Rosieré. Even at peak times, La Thuile is relatively crowd-free and most slopes are geared towards beginners and intermediates. There’s a good array of wide blues and reds to practice your turns on. At village level, there are two nursery slopes for those finding their ski legs, complete with magic carpets. This is one of our favourites resorts for family skiing in Italy.
The restaurants serve up traditional Italian food. From classic pizza and homemade pasta dishes, to fine dining in resort. This is great for families thanks in part to a relaxed, child-friendly après scene. Families can enjoy an evening together digging into pizza, skating at the local ice rink or visiting the Planibel swimming pool complex.
Stay At:
Montana Lodge and Spa in La Thuile is a luxury five-star hotel with the stunning Mont Blanc as a backdrop.
Why is Paganella good for beginner skiers?
Region: Trentino | Best for: beginners, nursery slopes
Paganella is a small and scenic ski resort in Italy. It has fantastic nursery slopes, making this a great resort if you have beginners in the group. The ski area lies in Trentino and it’s relatively modern. If keen skiers in the family are looking for a wider variety of skiing, Madonna di Campiglio and Folgaria are only a short ride on the ski bus.
After the lifts close for the day, there is a laid-back, family-feel around the resort. We love the cosy pizzerias – a perfect place to catch up on the day’s ski school achievements. If the kids still have energy to burn, activities including ice racing karts, snow tubing or a trip to the Paganella Fun Park are a great way to end the day.
What makes Champoluc ideal for intermediate families?
Ski area: ~200km (Monterosa) | Best for: intermediates, uncrowded pistes
The lesser-known ski resort of Champoluc is one of our favourite family ski resorts in Italy. There are nearly 200km of pistes in resort which are usually uncrowded. The ski area is largely suited to intermediates, so families with a little experience will find this is the perfect ski resort for progressing their skiing.
While the resort isn’t known for its late-night après-scene, there is more going on than other resorts in the Monterosa ski area. There’s a fun atmosphere around town, with some bars offering live music and karaoke. If you’re not quite ready for a family sing-along, the CampZero hotel is home to a range of climbing walls, which is also a fun way to expend some energy.
Stay At:
Aethos Monterosa in Champoluc is a contemporary eco-resort, a perfect base for those who are passionate about skiing and the environment.
Why is Cervinia suitable for children of all abilities?
Top altitude: 3,480m | Best for: all abilities, cross-border skiing into Zermatt
Cervinia suits those with children of all abilities – whether they’re making their first turns or adventurous teenagers. There’s so much to explore in this popular Italian ski resort. Its high-altitude slopes reach up to 3,480m, meaning there are fantastic conditions all season long.
There’s a village nursery slope for beginners, with plenty of opportunities to progress further up the mountain as you improve. We recommend trying the gentle blues and reds in the Plan Maison area. Confident skiers can ski over the border into Switzerland’s Zermatt. View the glorious Matterhorn, before enjoying a long, cruisey descent back into Italy for a well-deserved pizza.
Stay At:
The Hotel Bucaneve in Cervinia has great access to the slopes and is a short walk from the nearest lift.
What makes Courmayeur a good family ski weekend destination?
Ski area: 41.5km | Region: Aosta Valley | Best for: weekend breaks, families
Perfect for a weekend getaway, Courmayeur is also ideal as a family ski destination. This Italian gem combines natural beauty with modern top-class facilities. Part of the Aosta Valley, you will be surrounded by some of the most beautiful alpine backdrops. The ski area has 41.5km of slopes, small enough to keep all the family in check. There are pistes appropriate for all levels of skier or snowboarder too.
We highly recommend staying at the luxurious Le Massif hotel, because of it’s brilliant childcare offering, children’s menu and indoor swimming pool. The family rooms are spacious and can be interconnecting too. You will feel completely relaxed with the excellent service and superb facilities in the hotel.
Stay At:
Hotel Le Massif in Courmayeur is a fabulous five-star hotel set in a great location close to the lifts.
Why is 3 Zinnen a good choice for beginners and intermediates?
Ski area: 115km | Region: Dolomites | Best for: beginners and intermediates
Also known as the Three Peaks Dolomites, 3 Zinnen comprises several towns and villages linked by free shuttle buses. They share 115 km of slopes, mostly gentle blues and reds, which are perfect for beginners and intermediates. The 3 Zinnen Dolomites are known as the ski resorts of short distances – everything you need for a perfect day on the slopes is conveniently close at hand. Ski shuttles and trains are provided to take you to and from the cable cars, making the dreaded walk with the kids’ skis much less daunting.
This region is an ideal destination for a family ski holiday – beginner-friendly slopes, top-notch infrastructure, and a wide range of family-focused activities make for a fantastic all-round holiday with the kids.
Stay At:
Hotel Kreuzbergpass is a wonderful four-star hotel in a peaceful location.
What makes Passo Tonale great value for families?
Best for: ski-in/ski-out, free lift passes for under-10s
Passo Tonale is one of our favourite resorts for family skiing in Italy, as kids under ten receive free lift passes, and youths also get discounted tickets. Any non-skiing children are sure to have a great time in one of the local kindergartens, while the rest of the family explores the lovely blues and reds the resort has to offer. The resort is primarily ski-in/ski-out, making it very convenient for meeting up. After a day on the slopes, Nico’s Bar is a fantastic hub for families, offering a stellar combination of delicious pizzas and a games room.
Stay At:
Hotel Grand Paradiso is an excellent four-star hotel at the foot of the slopes in Passo Tonale.
Our ski experts are here to help you find out more about the best Italian ski resorts for families. Get in touch on 020 7471 7700 for family skiing in Italy.
La Thuile, Paganella and Passo Tonale are particularly well suited to families with beginners, thanks to gentle nursery slopes and ski-in/ski-out convenience. Courmayeur and Cervinia work well for families with a wider range of abilities, including more confident teenage skiers.
Cervinia suits children of all abilities, from first turns on the village nursery slope to longer descents in the Plan Maison area for older kids. Confident young skiers can also ski over the border into Zermatt for a cross-country day trip.
3 Zinnen, also known as the Three Peaks Dolomites, comprises several linked towns and villages connected by free shuttle buses. The resort offers 115km of mostly gentle blue and red runs, suited to beginners and intermediates.
Courmayeur works well for a family weekend, with a compact 41.5km ski area set against Aosta Valley scenery. Pistes cover all ability levels, and family-friendly hotels in resort offer childcare and children’s menus.
Cervinia and Courmayeur are two of the most popular Italian ski resorts for families, thanks to their size, all-ability terrain and strong choice of family-friendly hotels. La Thuile and Paganella are also well-established favourites for families with younger or beginner skiers, offering quieter slopes and dedicated nursery areas.
