Last Updated on November 13, 2023 by Suzy McCullough
Austria is a great destination for families to enjoy a skiing holiday. The Austrian Alps are blessed with a long snow season making the country widely recognised as one of the world’s best snow-sure skiing destinations.
It is also well known to be value for money for everything from lift passes to hotel prices, ski schools and eating out. It can’t match France for its sheer size but it is still home to some impressive ski areas and modern lifts. If you click on a link in this piece, we may earn affiliate revenue.
Obergurgl Ski Resort Austria
Obergurgl is a great ski resort for families and is one of the best for convenience. It is a charming Tyrolean village with high-altitude slopes and a great ski record. There are lots of slopes designed for kids and learners are well looked after the the excellent local ski school.
There are plenty of top-notch hotels set in the village that has an authentic feel to it. It is filled with traditional alpine chalets and it’s especially peaceful in the evenings.
Hotel Alpina – Obergurgl, Austria
The Hotel Alpina in Obergurgl is a ski-in ski-out hotel on a blue run. It overlooks the village and if you are just starting out the hotel has a private shuttle to take you to the nursery slopes a few minutes away.
There is an indoor swimming pool with spa and wellness facilities including saunas one of which is for families, steam room and hot tubs. For children, there are two playrooms with games and toys plus there is a hotel-run Kid’s Club. You can also enjoy family-friendly entertainment including live music and magic shows once a week.
For skiers, there is a heated boot room and a ski storage room. There is an on-site restaurant and some of their rooms can sleep up to 5 people.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Alpina
Alpen-Wellness Resort Hochfirst – Obergurgl, Austria
Located in front of the nearest lift and ski school meeting point is the Alpen-Wellness Resort Hochfirst. It has been run by the Fender family for over 80 years and has been long established as one of Austria’s finest. This is a ski-in ski-out hotel.
The 5-star hotel is luxurious and beautifully decorated throughout. They are located just a short walk from the Festkogl gondola and it is one of the best hotels for families on our list. There is a hotel-run kid’s club for children aged 3-10 and a heated outdoor pool with panoramic views.
You also have a spa to relax in with an indoor pool, a range of saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs. Their junior suites can sleep up to 4 people and they have a range of other rooms available.
BOOK / Check Availability – Alpen-Wellness Resort
Hotel Alpenland – Obergurgl, Austria
Another ski-in ski-out hotel is the Hotel Alpenland. It is located just a 5-minute walk to the resort centre, a 3-minute walk to the ski bus stop and a 5-minute walk to the ski school meeting point.
At the hotel, there is a comfortable lounge with a cosy open fireplace and a cocktail bar for quiet evenings. You can even take a book to read from the library which has English books. There is the AlpenRelax wellness area with saunas, steam rooms, an ice grotto and a relaxation area with waterbeds.
Plus there is a children’s playroom with soft toys and a games room with a pool table and darts. They have family rooms and junior suites which can sleep up to 4 people.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Alpenland
Niederau Ski Resort Austria
The small and traditional village of Niederau has a laid-back atmosphere and it is great for beginner skiing. There is a gentle nursery area next to the village centre, a highly-rated ski school and off-slope activities making it perfect for families.
In the village, there are wood-clad chalets and a Gothic church. Most of the accommodation is just metres from the piste. From the village, there is a free ski bus to nearby Auffach. Off the slopes, you can have a go at building a snow shelter on an igloo building course or you can give little legs a rest with a sleigh ride.
Harmony Hotel Sonnschein – Niederau, Austria
With a quiet location away from the main street the Harmony Hotel Sonnschein has two wings of rooms, one with a classic alpine style and the other newer wing has a fresher more modern touch to it.
Guests can make use of two swimming pools with underwater jets and there are a couple of saunas and a steam room. For skiers, there is a large boot room with heated boot racks or you can choose to store your gear up closer to the lifts.
The Sonnschein ski lift is about a 10-minute walk away. Also nearby is the Markbachjoch gondola and the ski bus stop plus the Tennladen nursery slopes.
BOOK / Check Availability – Harmony Hotel Sonnschein
Mayrhofen Ski Resort Austria
Mayrhofen is a large traditional town with a big ski area including the steepest run in Austria, the Harakiri. It is set between two mountains. The local pistes are an intermediate playground with linked reds and blues. There is even high-altitude skiing on the nearby Hintertux glacier.
Kids will love the opportunity to ride on a horse-drawn sleigh and the town has a lively atmosphere, especially at night time. If it’s your first time skiing there is the Snowsure nursery area at the top of the Penken Gondola. Other facilities in the town include bowling, curling and there is a swimming pool with a spa.
Hotel Neuhaus – Mayrhofen, Austria
The Hotel Neuhaus is ideally located with access to some of the best skiing in Austria. It is just a few minutes walk to Mayrhofen’s busy centre and around a 10-minute walk up to the Penken gondola. The bus and train station is just a one-minute walk away.
There are two wings to the hotel and within the complex, there is a Movie Bar and a Kugl games lounge with Austrian Skittles and a pool table. Also for guests, there is an indoor swimming pool with a sauna area and a modern gym plus a luxurious spa.
Bedrooms at the Neuhaus are modern and comfortable. It is worth knowing that the annexe wing is 3-star whereas the Hotel Neuhaus itself is 4-star. For children, there is a playroom with toys.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Neuhaus
Sport and Spa Hotel Strass – Mayrhofen, Austria
Located right in the resort centre next to the Penken gondola is the Sport and Spa Hotel Strass. It is one of the most popular hotels in the area and it has an unbeatable location. There is a ski school meeting point at the top of the gondola and it is a 5-minute walk to the Ahorn cable car. Plus there is a ski bus stop next door.
The hotel has some superb spa and leisure facilities located in the sports wing. This covers 3 floors and there is Sauna World with Finnish, Roman and organic saunas for over 16s plus a family spa. You can also relax in hot tubs and relaxation areas. Plus there are three swimming pools.
Families will love the games room with billiards and table tennis. There is a playroom for kids and you can even challenge someone to a game of squash. There is an on-site restaurant, pub and lounge bar plus an Apre-ski bar and soundproofed arena nightclub.
BOOK / Check Availability – Sport and Spa Hotel Strass
St Johann in Tyrol Ski Resort Austria
If you are looking for a family-friendly and traditional town then St Johann could be the one for you. There are long gentle runs, a kid’s only area and a top-rated ski school. The compact ski area has a big nursery area near the village plus a good mix of scenic blues and reds. Kids will love the snow park and fun slope with bumps, boxes and banked turns.
The village is very typical of the Tyrolean look with frescoed buildings and a domed church that overlooks the central square. It has a friendly atmosphere to it at the end of the day. You can have a go at bouldering and there is also a swimming pool with slides at the waterpark.
Sentido Alpenhotel Kaiserfels – St Johann in Tyrol, Austria
Another ski-in ski-out hotel on a blue run is the Sentido Alpenhotel Kaiserfels. It is in a quiet spot around from the town centre which is a 25 minute walk away. There is a ski bus stop outside the hotel and it is next to a gondola.
Rooms in the original wing are of a traditional style and in the newer wing of this 4* hotel, there are bright and spacious rooms. Their superior twin rooms can sleep up to 4 people. The hotel has a wellness centre with an indoor swimming pool, 2 saunas, a steam room, gym and relaxation areas.
There is a kids’ club for children aged 4-12 and a kids’ disco 6 evenings a week. You can book their babysitting service, for which there is a charge.
BOOK / Check Availability – Sentido Alpenhotel Kaiserfels
Hotel Park – St Johann in Tyrol, Austria
The Hotel Park is a great place for families to stay. It has comfy modern rooms and it is located at the top of the main street. You’ll never need to walk more than 5 minutes to a restaurant. The St Johann gondola is just a 2 minutes walk away plus a ski bus stop, nursery slopes and the ski school meeting point.
There is a lounge and bar with weekly live music. Plus a sauna, steam room and an infrared cabin. You also have free entry to the Panoramabad public swimming complex. For children, there is a playroom with toys.
You have a wide range of rooms to choose from including twin rooms and superior twin rooms that can sleep up to 4 people.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Park
Saalbach Ski Resort Austria
Another option that is perfect for families is Saalbach. This is a charming Austrian village with a lively atmosphere and skiing for all abilities. It has a fast and modern lift system which is one of the best in Austria.
From Saalbach, there are easy-to-reach nursery areas plus gentle tree-lined blues and steeper north-facing runs making it ideal for mixed-ability groups. It is exactly how you picture an Austrian village to look with timber buildings and a small river that runs alongside the main street.
Alpin Resort Sport and Spa – Saalbach, Austria
Located just a 3-minute walk to the lift and ski bus stop is the Alpin Resort Sport and Spa. It is a great hotel for families and location-wise you are right in the heart of the village. The nursery slopes and resort centre are just a 1 minute walk away.
The on-site AlpinSpa has saunas and steam rooms plus panoramic hot tubs and four separate swimming pools. You can enjoy fine dining in the restaurant and there is a bar and lounge. For skiers, there is a boot room with lockers and a boot rack. There is even an in-house ski shop.
BOOK / Check Availability – Alpin Resort Sport and Spa
Die Sonne – Saalbach, Austria
At the foot of the Barenbach mountain is the Die Sonne hotel. It is picture-perfect with its timber cladding, balconies and brightly painted shutters. The hotel is just outside the resort centre and the hotel’s private shuttle can take you straight to the slopes.
There are first-class on-site facilities, especially for little ones. The hotel runs a kids’ club for ages 2 and over. There is also a play area and a games room perfect for older kids and teens.
Adults will love the luxurious spa and there is a swimming pool for all the family. The hotel is all-inclusive so your mealtimes are sorted. Bedrooms are bright and spacious and their twin rooms can sleep up to 4 people.
BOOK / Check Availability – Die Sonne
Zell Am See Ski Resort Austria
Zell Am See with its gentle ski slopes and an excellent ski school is a favourite for families and first-timers. There are some great kids’ ski areas dotted around and intermediates can take the bus to nearby Kaprun for skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier.
The town has a beautiful lake which many hotels enjoy views of. It has a picture-postcard feel to it and the centre is lined with shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. There is also a great range of accommodation. Other fun activities include an alpine coaster in neighbouring Kaprun and there is a leisure centre with a climbing wall. Plus there is a swimming pool, bowling, indoor ice skating, hockey matches and more.
Sportresort Alpenblick – Zell am See, Austria
The Sportresort Alpenblick is located on the edge of town in more peaceful surroundings. It is just a 2-minute bus ride to the Areitxpress gondola, the nursery slopes and the nearest supermarket with the bus stop right outside the hotel.
From the heated outdoor pool, you can enjoy views of snowy peaks and you can swim into the indoor pool. There is an excellent spa with a sauna, steam room and a range of treatments.
For children aged 3-8, there is a hotel-run kid’s club and there is also a children’s play area. Families will love the games room with pool, table football, board games and darts. For skiers, there is a boot room with a heated boot rack and a ski shop.
BOOK / Check Availability – Sportresort Alpenblick
Hotel Tirolerhof – Zell am See, Austria
Located in the centre of town close to the lifts and the lake is the Hotel Tirolerhof. The City Express gondola is a 6-minute walk away and there is a free shuttle to the lifts.
There are three spas to choose from which includes one on the rooftop. At the Aquarena Vital World Spa there is a swimming pool, a sauna, a steam bath and a hot tub. The third spa is a private VIP spa.
Other facilities include a restaurant, bar, lounges and a library. For skiers, there is a boot room with a locker for each room and a heated boot rack. Rooms include twin rooms, junior suites and deluxe twin rooms.
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Tirolerhof
Hotel Stadt Wein – Zell am See, Austria
Another ski-in ski-out hotel on our list is the Hotel Stadt Wein. It’s located just a 3-minute walk to the City Express gondola, a 6-minute walk to the resort centre and less than a minute walk to the ski bus stop.
The hotel is on a hill overlooking Zell am See and it has a modern feel to it with traditional touches. You can relax in the spa with a sauna and steam room plus there is a heated outdoor pool.
Also at the Stadt Wein, there is a games room, a restaurant, a bar and a small petting zoo with rabbits, chickens, sheep, goats and donkeys. You can even hire a sledge for free!
BOOK / Check Availability – Hotel Stadt Wein
CRYSTAL SKI
Crystal Ski is an excellent company to book through. They offer packages with flights, transfers, accommodation and ski essentials included. You can book with low deposits and they are ABTA and ATOL protected. Plus when you book with them you get the Crystal Snow Promise – You can change your holiday fee-free if the show lets you down with the option to upgrade for even more flexibility. T&Cs apply. You can make savings on your ski holiday by taking a look at their deals with free child places.
All photos are credited to Crystal Ski
For more inspiration why not check out the following posts?
Best Ski Resorts for Families in Europe
The Best Beginners Ski Resorts in France
Best Family Friendly Ski In Ski Out Hotels in Europe
Best Family Friendly Ski Resorts in Switzerland
14 Best Winter Ski Holiday Resorts in Canada for Families
Best Family Ski Resorts in France
Best Family Friendly Ski Resorts in Switzerland
