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5 of the best family ski resorts in Italy
Looking for a truly magical family ski holiday in Italy? Tired of countless tabs full of resort options and looking for the right one? Well, sit back and sip an espresso, because we've done the hard work for you. Family ski trips to Italy offer heaps for your ‘bambini’ to get stuck into. Think fantastic ski schools for their first lessons, cruisy slopes to strut their stuff, and a whole host of snow-spun winter activities to tire them out on. Not to mention those incredible kid-friendly Italian eats. Pizza, pasta and gelato? Don't get us started!
Family ski breaks in Italy offer something you can't find anywhere else: half-term ski holiday freedom. With Italian kids still at school and most people flocking to the nearby slopes of France and Austria, Italy offers uncrowded, peaceful pistes for a one-of-a-kind, stress-free skiing experience. Long story short, it's the perfect place for those looking for where to go on a first family skiing holiday.
So, whether you're just getting started or your family is looking for new slopes to explore, here are the top family ski resorts in Italy, perfect for mini mountain goats in the making.
1. La Thuile
Encapsulating a truly ‘dolce vita’ feeling of freedom in the mountains, family ski holidays to La Thuile provide a relaxed atmosphere for those looking to make the most of the slopes. Packed full of alpine charm with the convenience of modern amenities, La Thuile offers plenty for kids to sink their teeth into for a fraction of the price of more extensive, neighbouring resorts in France.
The easy-to-access beginners' slopes and modern lift systems are perfect for first-time skiers. Affectionately nicknamed "little Siberia", snowy slopes and bluebird days are commonplace all season, and links to La Rosière in France offer 82 additional runs for well-seasoned intermediates and experts. Spend your first day warming up on the resort's wide-open nursery runs before grabbing your first lift up the mountain to ski cruisy blues back down. With spectacular panoramics of the mighty Matterhorn and Mont Blanc, you'll learn why people always answer the mountain's call at La Thuile!
Off the ski slopes, round up the kids for epic days of tobogganing, snowkiting, and dog sledging. Evenings here are all about good food and company, so end your first day sampling the best of the rustic Italian tavernas while hearing about your kids' first runs - magic!
2. Livigno
Looking for cheap family ski holidays in Italy? You’ve found your answer in Livigno. With reliable snow-sure slopes, Livigno sits just the other side of Switzerland’s plush Engadine valley but with an inviting tax-free status that won’t break the bank.
Nestled at 1,800m, this beautifully traditional ski resort has something for the whole family. Livigno is the next host of the 2026 Olympics freestyle events and the GB Park & Pipe winter training base, bringing home the gold for great slopes. Come here to explore a generous mix of speedy reds, cruisy blues, and three excellent beginner zones across the sunny and gentle slopes on the western edge of town. And there’s never a need to worry about the white stuff, as slopes up to 2800m provide some seriously snow-sure, high-altitude skiing and boarding for beginners and intermediates.
Family ski holidays in Livigno are perfect for all ages - including teenagers, with a fantastic combo of authentic Italian food, music events, and live DJ parties. If partying isn’t quite their thing (yet), there are speedy Fat E-bike trails in the forest, incredible paragliding over the mountains, and a whole host of tax-free shopping to enjoy.
When to go: A great place to celebrate a New Year family ski holiday, Livigno offers lively aprés bars, street bonfires, and fantastic food to keep the whole tribe up and partying until that midnight countdown.
3. Bardonecchia
Bardonecchia is the ideal family escape for relaxed winter fun amongst snow-dusted forests and majestic mountain views. A true hidden gem in the Alps, this wallet-friendly resort offers one of the best family ski weekend options in Europe, just an hour from Turin. You can even take the train from the airport!
Bardonecchia is the perfect place for first-timers to escape the hustle and bustle. With two ski areas and plenty of gentle slopes, learning to ski here is a breeze. Start your kids off at the spacious nursery slopes and magic carpet lifts at Campo Smith and Melezet, or book them for their first lesson at the B.Foxes ski school. After a warm-up, the whole family can showcase their newfound skills on the peaceful beginner runs that wind through this quiet, forest-lined resort.
Looking to experience a variety of winter activities? Bardonecchia has it all. Renowned for its beginner-friendly cross-country skiing, the resort offers a plethora of well-marked loops perfect for first-timers. Enjoy frosty snowshoe hikes, outdoor ice skating, E-Fat biking, and exhilarating snow tubing. The options are endless, and the fun is always guaranteed. It’s time to get ready for an unforgettable winter adventure at Bardonecchia!
When to go: Bardonecchia family ski holidays are ideal for a February half-term escape. Take advantage of the peaceful pistes away from France and Switzerland while local kids are still in school.
4. Madonna di Campiglio
Looking for something a little more chic? A beloved retreat of the Italian elite, Madonna di Campiglio offers families an authentic taste of la bella vita. Opt for a family ski holiday in Madonna di Campiglio to experience its traditional alpine charm, jaw-dropping mountain views, exquisite gourmet eats, and abundant top-tier skiing and snowboarding.
Madonna di Campiglio is one of the best resorts in Italy for beginner snowboarders. We recommend starting your first day with a private lesson or dropping the kids off at a snowboard school to learn the ropes. Later, build confidence together on the gentle bunny slopes of Campo Carlo Magno before gliding down wide, tree-lined blues amongst the majestic UNESCO Brenta Dolomites. If your family is used to snowboarding, Madonna di Campiglio has plenty for intermediates and advanced snowboarders, too, with the ability to test your skills on the legendary 3-Tre World Cup run. Epic!
If you're after some genuinely out-of-this-world Italian eats, you’re in luck. Madonna di Campiglio is a culinary paradise. Boasting not one, not two, but three Michelin-star restaurants, alongside chic wine and cocktail bars, and a multitude of authentic Italian tavernas- there's a world of flavours to explore at Madonna di Campiglio.
When to go: A winter wonderland in December, family Christmas ski holidays at Madonna di Campiglio bring the festive fun in spades.
5. Campitello di Fassa
Campitello di Fassa offers the perfect playground for families keen to embark on their first trip to the slopes—one of seven villages making up the incredible Val di Fassa ski area. Think traditional alpine vibes, with wooden verandas, narrow, twisting streets, and family-sized accommodation options, including self-catered apartments and large hotel rooms.
Book the whole family in for lessons at ski school or drop the kids off for their first lessons while you take on the Sella Ronda Circuit, one of the Alps' best intermediate ski areas. In the afternoons, gather the whole brood to show off their new skills in the small, sheltered, designated beginner ski area. Mini thrill-seekers will be spoiled with the fantastic Family Park Capitel in the "Pians da l'Ancona" area. Here, kids can take to the unique 300m fun slope with bumps, tunnels, a dance floor, and an interactive xylophone.
On days off the slopes, let kids challenge themselves on the outdoor climbing wall or wrap them up warm for frosty snowshoe hikes before gathering for big slices of authentic, cheesy, wood-fired Italian pizza at Pizzeria Agnello. Bellissima!
When to go: We recommend March for young families booking a Campitello di Fassa ski holiday. The pistes will be quiet, and hotels and flights will be cheaper
New to Heidi? If you're frustrated with typical package holiday restrictions, then we might just be what you're looking for.
You’ll find our ski holidays more customisable than your typical ski package provider, but a lot easier to put together than doing it all yourself. Choose where you want to go from 300+ ski resorts, travel the day you want, stay as long as you like.
For help finding a ski holiday, WhatsApp us, call us on 0117 457 6000, or simply start a search.
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