All parents of young skiers know the issue: the older the kids get, the more expensive their ski pass becomes. While there are often discounts that allow little snow lovers to enjoy the slopes at a lower price than their parents, it’s usually not entirely free. But there are exceptions and SnowTrex has tracked them down. The result: a list of over 65 ski resorts in Austria, Italy, France, Switzerland, and Germany that offer free ski passes for children.
Ski Resorts in Austria offering free Ski Passes for Children
| Ski resort | Conditions for Free Ski Passes for Children | kilometres of slopes | Highest point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ski area Stubai Gletscher | Children under 11 years | 65 km | 3.212 m |
| Ski area Weißsee Glaier World | Children under 13 years | 23 km | 2.600 m |
| Ski area Almenwelt Lofer | Children and teenager under 18 years, always on Saturdays | 46 km | 1.670 m |
| Ski area Kaunertaler Glacier - Fendels | Children under 6 years | 63 km | 3.113 m |
| Ski area Silvretta Arena | Children under 11 years | 239 km | 2.872 m |
| Ski area Wildkogel Arena | Children under 6 years in company of an adult | 75 km | 2.100 m |
| Ski area Hochzeiger | Children under 6 years - Children under 10 accompanied by a parent with a valid full-price ski pass | 40 km | 2.488 m |
| Ski area Pitztaler Glacier & Rifflsee | Children under 6 years - children under 10 accompanied by a parent with a valid full-price ski pass | 66 km | 3.440 m |
| Ski region Achensee | Children under 7 years | 53 km | 1.840 m |
| Ski area Goldeck Sportberg | Children under 7 years | 25 km | 2.142 m |
| Ski area SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser - Brixental | Children under 16 years during the "Family Ski Weeks" when a parent purchases a 3-day ski pass | 270 km | 1.869 m |
| Ski area Salzburger Sportwelt | Children under 10 accompanied by an adult | 250 km | 2.188 m |
| Ski area Ski Lungau | Children under 6 years, provided they can sit on a parent's lap on the lift | 150 km | 2.400 m |
| Ski area Fanningberg | Children under 6 years, provided they can sit on a parent's lap on the lift | 30 km | 2.115 m |
| Ski area Katschberg-Aineck | Children under 6 years, provided they can sit on a parent's lap on the lift | 70 km | 2.220 m |
| Ski area Grosseck-Speiereck | Children under 6 years, provided they can sit on a parent's lap on the lift | 50 km | 2.400 m |
| Ski area Nassfeld - Lake Pressegger See | Children under 6 accompanied by an adult | 110 km | 2.002 m |
| Ski area Bad Kleinkirchheim - St. Oswald | Children under 4 years, provided they can sit on a parent's lap on the lift | 103 km | 2.055 m |
| Ski area Falkert - Heidi Alm | Children under 7 accompanied by a parent with a valid full-price ski pass | 11 km | 2.107 m |
| Ski area Turracher Höhe | Children under 6 accompanied by a parent | 42,5 km | 2.205 m |
| Ski area Feuerkogel | Children under 6 accompanied by an adult | 10 km | 1.625 m |
| Ski area Schneebären Card | Children under 6 accompanied by an adult | 128 km | 1.965 m |
| Ski area Schiland Voralpen | Children under 6 accompanied by an adult | 42 km | 1.626 m |
| Ski area Gerlitzen | Children under 6 accompanied by an adult | 45 km | 1.911 m |
| Ski area Obertauern | Children under 6 accompanied by an adult | 100 km | 2.313 m |
| Ski area Nauders am Reschenpass - Bergkastel | Children under 6 accompanied by an adult | 75 km | 2.750 m |
| Ski region Olympiaregion Seefeld | Children under 6 accompanied by an adult | 34,9 km | 2.064 m |
| Ski area Tirolina und Familien-Skizentrum Schneeberg-Mitterland | Children under 6 accompanied by an adult | 7 km | 1.077 m |
| Ski area Axamer Lizum | Children under 6 accompanied by an adult | 28,9 km | 2.340 m |
| Ski area Mountain world Hahnenkamm | Children under 6 accompanied by an adult | 44,6 km | 1.900 m |
| Ski area Silvretta Montafon | Children under 6 accompanied by an adult | 140 km | 2.430 m |
| Ski area Hochkönig | Children under 6 years | 120 km | 1.900 m |
| Ski area Gastein | Children under 6 years | 177 km | 2.686 m |
| Ski area Großarltal-Dorfgastein | Children under 6 years | 63,5 km | 2.033 m |
| Ski area Patscherkofel | Children under 10 accompanied by a parent | 19 km | 1.965 m |
| Ski area Glungezer | Children under 10 accompanied by a parent | 23,5 km | 2.304 m |
| Ski area Hochoetz-Kühtai | Children under 8 accompanied by a parent with a valid full-price ski pass | 84 km | 2.520 m |
If you’re still unsure where to spend your next winter holiday with the whole family, it’s time to take a closer look at the ultimate ski destination: Austria. The Austrian Alps are the perfect place to escape the stress of everyday life. Countless ski resorts await winter sports enthusiasts of all ages, with slopes as far as the eye can see and ski schools that make learning to ski easy and approachable. Many resorts also offer free childcare facilities where kids can have fun together, along with a wide range of off-slope activities. For example, children up to 10 years old ski for free on the Stubai Glacier and that’s just one of many family-friendly highlights the resort has to offer:
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Austria also has the advantage of offering more special ski pass deals for children than any other Alpine winter sports destination. In addition to the Stubai Valley, SnowTrex recommends several other Austrian ski resorts where kids can hit the slopes for free. One standout is the Silvretta Arena in Ischgl, which boasts 239 kilometres of pistes reaching up to 2,872 metres in altitude. Families can explore the area worry-free, as children under 11 years of age ski for free in the Paznaun Valley!
And just 20 kilometres away as the crow flies, another of Austria’s most child-friendly ski resorts awaits in Vorarlberg. The villages of Gaschurn and its neighbours are connected to the Silvretta Montafon ski area, which offers 140 kilometres of slopes – 60 of them blue and ideal for beginners. Here, too, a free ski pass can be issued for all children under 6 years old who come to the ticket office accompanied by an adult. A family-friendly offer that matches what’s available in the Hochkönig ski area (120 kilometres of slopes), where families skiing around Maria Alm in the Salzburg region can also save money, children under 6 years old ski for free here as well.
Ski Resorts in Italy offering free Ski Passes for Children
| Ski area | Conditions for Free Ski Passes for Children | kilometres of slopes | Highest point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ski region Dolomiti Superski | Children under 9 years | 1.200 km | 3.269 m |
| Ski region South Tyrolean Wipptal | Children under 10 years | 65 km | 2.120 m |
| Ski area Madonna di Campiglio | Children under 10 years for one day | 60 km | 2.504 m |
| Ski area Monterosa Ski | Children under 8 years when parents purchase a family ski pass on the Italian side of the ski area | 205 km | 3.275 m |
| Ski area Breuil-Cervinia - Valtournenche | One child under 8 years per full-paying parent | 150 km | 3.883 m |
| Ski area Bormio | One child under 9 years (with proof of age) per full-paying parent | 50 km | 3.012 m |
| Ski area Paganella | One child under 9 years (with proof of age) per full-paying parent | 40 km | 2.125 m |
| Ski area Folgaria-Lavarone | One child under 9 years (with proof of age) per full-paying parent | 100 km | 1.824 m |
| Ski area Monte Bondone | One child under 9 years (with proof of age) per full-paying parent | 19 km | 2.090 m |
| Ski area Livigno | One child under 8 years (with proof of age) per full-paying parent | 115 km | 2.798 m |
| Ski area Rittner Horn | One child under 8 years (with proof of age) per full-paying parent | 13 km | 2.260 m |
| Ski area Merano 2000 | Children under 8 years when accompanied by full-paying parents | 40 km | 2.350 m |
| Ski area Pfelders | Children under 8 years when accompanied by full-paying parents | 18 km | 2.502 m |
| Ski area Solda | One child under 6 years per full-paying parent | 44 km | 3.250 m |
| Ski area Watles - Mals | One child under 6 years per full-paying parent | 10 km | 2.520 m |
| Ski area Folgarida - Marilleva | One child under 9 years (with proof of age) per full-paying parent | 63 km | 2.180 m |
| Ski area Pontedilegno Tonale | One child under 9 years (with proof of age) per full-paying parent | 62 km | 3.016 m |
| Ski area Pejo | One child under 9 years (with proof of age) per full-paying parent | 20 km | 3.000 m |
Italian ski resorts also offer slope fun for all ages, with qualified ski schools and a wide variety of runs. Families can choose between large and small ski areas, many family-friendly accommodations, and a diverse off-slope programme. Special offers for children are available too, such as in the Dolomiti Superski region. In Europe’s largest ski network, with 1,200 kilometres of slopes, families can receive a free ski pass for children under the age of 9 at 40 different resorts, all bookable through SnowTrex.
In the South Tyrolean Wipptal ski region, the offer for families is even more attractive: children under 10 can hit the slopes for free. While the total of 65 kilometres of pistes makes the ski area smaller than the massive Dolomiti network, its quieter and more relaxed atmosphere makes it an ideal place for kids to learn to ski in a calmer setting.
Ski Resorts in France offering free Ski Passes for Children
| Ski area | Conditions for Free Ski Passes for Children | kilometres of slopes | Highest point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ski area Tignes/Val d'Isère | Children under 9 years | 300 km | 3.456 m |
| Ski area SuperDévoluy & La Joue du Loup | Children under 5 years (with proof of age) when accompanied by parents | 100 km | 2.500 m |
| Ski area Espace San Bernardo – La Rosière/La Thuile | Children under 5 years, just in the french part of the ski area | 143 km | 2.800 m |
| Ski area Les Sybelles | Children under 5 years | 310 km | 2.620 m |
| Ski area Les 3 Vallées | Children under 5 years | 600 km | 3.230 m |
Especially for families looking for an affordable ski trip, the winter sports resorts in France are an ideal destination. The reason for the lower prices is that ski accommodations here are typically apartments or studios. This allows guests to stay outside of traditional hotels and decide for themselves how much they want to spend on food and dining.
In many French ski resorts, accommodations are located right next to the slopes, eliminating the hassle of crowded ski buses. On the pistes of France, ski and snowboard fans can look forward to vast ski areas featuring countless ski schools offering lessons for both children and adults, as well as snow parks and dedicated children’s zones.
And in some of the largest ski resorts in the country, families can easily benefit from free ski passes for children. A prime example is the Les 3 Vallées region, the largest interconnected ski area in the world with 600 kilometres of slopes, an absolute SnowTrex top recommendation for families! Here, young skiers under the age of 5 not only enjoy guaranteed snow up to an altitude of 3,230 metres but also get to ski for free. Free ski passes for all children under 5 are also available in the Les Sybelles ski area (310 kilometres of slopes), while in the Tignes/Val d’Isère ski area (300 kilometres of slopes), children under 9 can even ride the lifts free of charge.
Ski Resorts in Switzerland offering free Ski Passes for Children
| Ski area | Conditions for Free Ski Passes for Children | kilometres of slopes | Highest point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ski area Zermatt | Children under 10 years | 200 km | 3.883 m |
| Ski area Jungfrau Region | Children under 6 years when accompanied by a parent | 206 km | 2.970 m |
| Ski area Davos Klosters Mountains | Children under 6 years | 211 km | 2.844 m |
| Ski region ENGADIN St. Moritz Mountain Pool | Children under 6 years, except in the ski areas of Aela, Cristins, Celerina Provulèr, San Spiert, Survih, Müsella, and Bügls | 325 km | 3.303 m |
The Swiss Alps are a stunning place to go skiing with children. Many ski resorts across the various regions of the country are known for their family-friendly atmosphere, offering not only snow reliability but also unique accommodation options.
Up in the mountains, Switzerland’s family-friendly ski resorts shine with ski passes, ski schools, children’s areas, snow parks, and a wide variety of runs ranging from easy to challenging, offering everything young and seasoned skiers could wish for. Beyond the snowy alpine slopes, there are plenty of additional activities, such as toboggan runs, indoor play areas, family-friendly restaurants, and even free childcare services in some resorts, all warmly welcoming families.
Things are particularly straightforward and family-friendly on the slopes of some of Switzerland’s best-known ski resorts. In the canton of Valais, at the foot of the world-famous Matterhorn (4,478 m), lies the Zermatt ski area. With 200 kilometres of slopes reaching up to an unmatched 3,883 metres in altitude, Zermatt offers free ski passes for all children under the age of 10. A little further east, the Davos Klosters Mountains in the canton of Graubünden boast 211 kilometres of pistes. Why does SnowTrex recommend this area for families? While Switzerland is certainly not a budget destination, children under 6 years of age can ski for free in the mountains above Davos—saving families a considerable amount of money.
Ski Resorts in Germany offering free Ski Passes for Children
| Ski area | Conditions for Free Ski Passes for Children | kilometres of slopes | Highest point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ski area Garmisch-Classic, Zugspitze | Children under 6 years when accompanied by a full-paying parent | 60 km | 2.720 m |
| Ski area Mittenwald | Children under 7 years when accompanied by a parent | 15 km | 1.350 m |
| Ski area Spitzingsee-Tegernsee | Children under 6 years when accompanied by a parent | 14,2 km | 1.580 m |
Germany is home to numerous ski resorts that warmly welcome families. These resorts often stand out with their ski schools, child-friendly slopes, and a variety of family activities beyond the snowy runs. Many ski areas also offer free ski passes for children, providing cost-free access to Germany’s winter wonderland.
SnowTrex knows that families choosing to ski in Germany’s highest-altitude ski area at the Zugspitze (2,962 m) can save real money here. The Garmisch-Classic and Zugspitze ski area not only offers 60 kilometres of slopes but also free ski passes for children under the age of 6 when accompanied by a fully paying parent.
FAQ’s about free lift passes for children
How do families benefit from free ski passes in the Alps?
Families benefit from significant savings on their winter holiday thanks to free ski passes for children. Ski areas like the Stubai Glacier, Zermatt, or the Dolomiti Superski region allow kids to ski for free and also offer family-friendly accommodations, ski schools, and off-slope activities.
Which ski resorts in Austria offer free ski passes for children?
Austria features many family-friendly ski resorts with free ski pass offers for kids. At the Stubai Glacier, children up to 10 years old ski for free. Other examples include Weißsee Gletscherwelt (free for children under 13) and Almenwelt Lofer, where minors ski for free on Saturdays. The Silvretta Arena in Ischgl also offers free ski passes for children up to 10 years old.
What are the requirements for free ski passes for children in Austria?
The requirements vary by ski resort. Age limits are often the deciding factor – for example, at the Hochzeiger ski area, passes are free for children under 6. In the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental, kids up to 15 years of age ski for free during the low season when a parent purchases a 3-day ski pass.
What are the age limits for free ski passes for children in Italy?
In Italy, age limits vary by resort. In the Dolomiti Superski network, children under 9 receive a free ski pass. At Madonna di Campiglio, children up to 10 ski free on certain days. In Bormio and Livigno, children under 8 ski for free when accompanied by a paying parent.
Are there ski resorts in France with free ski passes for children?
Yes, France has many ski resorts offering free ski passes for kids. For instance, children under 9 ski for free in Tignes – Val d’Isère. In Les Sybelles and La Rosière, ski passes are free for children under 5. Many French resorts also offer family-friendly accommodations right next to the slopes.
Where can children ski for free in Switzerland?
Switzerland has several well-known ski resorts with free ski passes for children, helping to make family holidays more affordable. In Zermatt, children up to 9 years ski for free. In the Jungfrau Region and in Davos Klosters, children under 6 receive a free ski pass when accompanied by a paying parent.
Which ski resorts in Germany offer free ski passes for children?
Germany also has family-friendly ski areas with free ski passes for kids. In Garmisch-Classic and on the Zugspitze, children under 6 ski for free when accompanied by a parent. Similar offers are available in Mittenwald and the Spitzingsee-Tegernsee ski area.
