Family-friendly ski resorts in Steiermark
Small, but charming ski resorts for the whole family
Off to the snow we go! In Styria, it's not just the big ski areas that have a lot to offer.
In addition to well-known ski resorts such as the 4-mountain ski area Schladming, Styria scores with its special diversity: around 70 ski resorts invite you to enjoy winter sports – many of them small, charming and often right on your doorstep. They are ideal for families who want to experience their first day of skiing with their children, or for anyone who wants to ease themselves gently into the season. Here you can practise your first turns without crowds, in a manageable setting and with personalised instruction – a true winter idyll.
If you take a closer look, you will discover many small ski resorts that score with affordable family prices, practice lifts and cosy ski huts with sun terraces. They often have many gentle and wide slopes that are ideal for children and beginners to take their first turns. The small, charming ski resorts are compact, family-friendly and inexpensive. They have a ski school, ski hire, 2-6 ski lifts and at least 3 and at most 20 kilometres of slopes.
And what would a day on the slopes be without a stop for refreshments! Families can recharge their batteries in one of the many child-friendly huts while enjoying a variety of Styrian delicacies.
Galstiland | © Galsterberg / Christine Höflehner
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Foxi Express for snow pleasure at Präbichl, Erzberg Leoben | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
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Familienski | © Schladming-Dachstein / Peter Burgstaller
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© Steiermark Tourismus | photo-austria.at
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Foxi Express for snow pleasure at Präbichl, Erzberg Leoben | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
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Ski youngsters at Tauplitz | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
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Family with young skier | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
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Ski youngster at Präbichl | © Steiermark Tourismus | Tom Lamm
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Skiing with children in Styria
Optimal conditions for all family members
Easy, safe and, above all, spacious slopes – these are the merits of the family-friendly ski resorts in Styria. Lift attendants know their guests by name right from the start and ensure the safety of your children when they use the lifts and practice their first turns. But that's not all: The resorts hold lots of surprises in store for young visitors, making skiing even more fun. Care for some examples?
- The Kaliland in Ramsau am Dachstein provides unforgettable memories with its lovingly designed adventure village.
- In St. Jakob im Walde, you can find the world's first drive-through toilet and the Rumpel-die-Pumpel-Bahn. Uphill tobogganing provides variety and is an enjoyable, new experience for the whole family.
- At the ski region Riesneralm, Austria's first children's ski area covers 5 hectares – comparable to the size of 7 football stadiums – with 5 slopes and lifts, a 168-metre-long conveyor belt, a wave track, a tunnel slope, a race track and much more, including a new ski school centre for skiing fun.
- Little visitors can also have plenty of fun on Galsterberg. On a ride through the "Gallic Ski Village" children meet Gauls, Romans as well as talking, barking or oinking animals – a truly unforgettable experience.
- At Salzstiegl ski resort, very young children and beginners feel particularly at home on the Lupowiese and on the Zwergenlift downhill run. There is also a speed-measurement course on the Buchenwald downhill run, where everyone can check and improve their downhill speed. Additional entertainment is provided by the new Boulderwand climbing hall at Moasterhaus ski inn, right next to the slope.
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Skiing holidays for the whole family
Numerous certified family hotels have dedicated themselves to fulfilling the needs and wishes of families during their skiiing holidays.
Tip away from the slopes: Christmas markets
The pre-Christmas period means Advent. Advent markets in the most beautiful places in Styria invite you to discover the pre-Christmas side of Austria's Green Heart.
FAQ - Family Ski Holidays in Austria: Tips on Ski Resorts, Ski Schools, and Family Hotels
Is there a ski school? Are there discounts for families?
When the most important questions about a family ski holiday are clarified in advance, the anticipation of the holiday is all the greater. We have summarised the key answers for a family ski holiday.
What makes a ski resort family-friendly?
A good family ski resort is easy to navigate, safe, and ideal for a day on the slopes or a full ski holiday with children – especially beginners. Wide runs, short walking distances, dedicated children’s areas and great value for money make these small but charming ski resorts perfect for families and those new to skiing.
The “small but charming” ski resorts listed here feature between 2 and 6 lifts and 3 to 20 kilometres of slopes. This compact size ensures that children and parents can easily keep track of everything and practise their first turns without any stress – a big advantage for a relaxed family ski holiday.
Small ski resorts stand out for their smaller crowds, short waiting times, peaceful atmosphere, and more affordable prices for lift passes, lessons, and usually accommodation as well. Especially for families with young children or beginners, this environment—with beginner slopes, practice areas and magic carpet lifts—often offers the best overall package. The next step is then to move on to slightly larger resorts, which feature longer and more challenging runs. These resorts also offer a wide range of children’s activities such as funslopes and kids’ race tracks.
Facilities for children & beginners
Many ski resorts for families and beginners offer a children’s area, dedicated practice zones, and special beginner slopes. These areas are perfect for making those first turns without any pressure and are often supervised by ski schools. From there, it’s not long before young skiers head off to the fun parks in Steiermark to put their new skills to the test – and have endless fun along the way.
Yes. These ski resorts offer ski schools, ski kindergartens, and equipment hire on site. This makes organising a day on the slopes or an entire ski holiday much easier.
What if one child in the family wants to ski and another doesn’t yet? In addition to ski kindergartens, many resorts also offer toboggan runs, areas for sledging, or small adventure zones where children can build snow castles and snowmen. That way, winter fun isn’t limited to skiing alone.
Very safe. Clear slope layouts, dedicated children’s areas, practice lifts and wide beginner slopes create the ideal environment for safe skiing with children.
Prices & budget
Small ski resorts often offer particularly good value for money. Lift passes, ski lessons, equipment hire and food are usually more affordable than in larger areas.
Yes. Many resorts also offer family discounts – and in some places, such as Niederalpl, children receive free day, multi-day or season passes when accompanied by a parent or grandparent.
Accommodation & infrastructure
Yes. Many family ski resorts in Steiermark offer accommodation right next to the lifts – ideal for short distances and relaxed days on the slopes with children.