From children’s ski courses to wide, gentle slopes and cosy hut stops – these eight small ski resorts between the Fichtelgebirge mountains and Balderschwang are especially family-friendly.
8 Child-Friendly Ski Resorts in Bavaria
Winter. Snow-covered mountains. Blue Skies. Into the ski boots and out into the biting cold. Sweeping turns down the mountain. The clatter of the lift. Run after run. Thighs burning. Hot tea in a mountain hut with Kaiserschmarrn. Down at the valley station the “little ones” squeal and tumble...
Memories of your first skiing holiday come flooding back. The first fall, standing up again and skiing on. The first time mastering a black run, spraying through deep snow. Winter only becomes true fun in the snow. That goes especially for children, both young and older. On skis, on a sledge or with snowshoes. Here are eight family-friendly ski resorts for wonderful winter days with children. Complete with lifts and mountain huts – and full of memory-making potential.
Freyung-Mitterdorf
- 3 Ski Schools
- 8 Lift Facilities
- 23 Kilometres of Classic Cross-Country Trails
- Ski Hire
- 5 Dining Options
- Winter Hiking
The quiet Annathaler Forest surrounds the ski area near the district town of Freyung. The ski area can easily be reached by car. In the rural region of the Bavarian Forest you can not only go hiking, but also skiing and cross-country skiing. The mountains are not very steep or high, making them suitable for those who prefer a quieter pace.
The Mitterdorf ski area offers everything: ski lifts, eight different runs, and the on-site rental service provides both snowboards and skis. The local ski schools help children take their first steps in their skiing careers.
Of course, there is also a mountain hut for warming up and enjoying a hearty meal. Added to this is the enjoyment of nature: in the protected and species-rich Bavarian Forest you can experience winter in all its glory. On skis, on foot, on cross-country trails or from the window of a hut with a cup of tea in hand. The main thing is being with the family!
Families are particularly well looked after here. Together with their children, parents can experience their very first metres on skis. And all of this in the natural idyll of the Bavarian Forest.
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Bodenmais
- 3 Ski Schools
- 3 Lift Facilities
- 30 Kilometres of Cross-Country Trails and Ski Pistes
- 1 Ski Hire
- 3 Dining Options
- Toboggan run
- Snowshoeing
Bodenmais in the Bavarian Forest is a popular spa town at the Silberberg. In the past, ores were mined here, and today the Bodenmais ski area is located on the same site. The ski area, like the town itself, has a relaxed and tranquil feel. Bodenmais can easily be reached by train, and once you arrive you can travel to the ski area free of charge by bus or the local Waldbahn railway with your guest card. The family-friendly slopes and the children’s ski park invite the youngest “ski dwarfs” to enjoy their first attempts on the snow with their families.
And anyone who needs guidance can take part in courses at a ski school. Skis as well as ski boots, poles and helmets are available for hire in the town. Food and drink are well provided: with the Silberberg-Alm, the Bergmann-Schänke and Herbert’s Bar spread across the ski area, there is always somewhere to stop off for refreshment. Cross-country trails, toboggan runs, hiking paths and ski tours round off the winter programme.
Bodenmais is a great choice for families who want a relaxed yet varied skiing holiday. Children get their money’s worth and learn the basics of skiing in a playful way.
Skigebiet Bodenmais
Spitzingsee
- 4 Ski Schools
- 10 Lift Facilities
- 14.2 kilometres of pistes
- 25 Kilometres of Cross-Country Trails
- 3 Ski Hire Shops
- 7 Dining Options
- Ice Skating
- Night Skiing
In the Tegernsee-Schliersee alpine region, about an hour’s drive south of Munich, lies the Spitzingsee ski area. After parking in one of the 2,500 free spaces the winter fun begins. By train it takes about 1.5 hours from Munich to the centre of Spitzingsee. From Schliersee railway station buses then run to the ski area.
Tobogganing? Snowboarding? Cross-country skiing? A ski course for the children? Anything is possible! At Spitzingsee you can even go ice skating when the weather allows. The right equipment for your chosen winter sport can easily be hired on site.
For beginners there are 1.7 kilometres of pistes. But experienced skiers are also well catered for: 12.5 kilometres of red and black pistes. And all of that is served by a total of ten lifts. Nobody goes hungry at Spitzingsee: there are seven inns and mountain huts along the pistes.
The ski area is suitable for everyone, whether experienced skiers, small children or other winter sports enthusiasts.
Spitzingsee Ski Area
Bayrischzell/Sudelfeld
- 5 Ski Schools
- 14 Lift Facilities
- 31 kilometres of pistes
- 100 Kilometres of Cross-Country Trails
- 4 Ski Hire Shops
- 13 Dining Options
- Ski tours
- Tobogganing
- Snowshoeing
- Winter Adventure Park
- Ice Skating, Bavarian Curling
Nestled in the beautiful Wendelstein mountain region lies the spa town of Bayrischzell. A few kilometres away is the Sudelfeld ski area, Bavaria’s largest by surface. The journey by car from Munich takes about an hour, by train about 1.5 hours to Bayrischzell. From there, free ski buses run to the ski area. For drivers there is a paid car park at Sudelfeld, free only for all mountain lift customers.
Of the 31 kilometres of pistes, 9.8 kilometres are easy (blue), 16.6 kilometres intermediate (red) and 4.7 kilometres difficult (black). Special offers are available for young skiers. Ski schools and two children’s areas ensure a relaxed and safe start in skiing. All runs can easily be reached by lifts. Thirteen inns, huts and mountain pastures across the mountain invite you to stop for refreshments. Anyone without skis can hire them in the ski area. At Sudelfeld there is something for everyone, whatever their age or level of experience.
Sudelfeld Ski Area (only in German)
Ochsenkopf in the Fichtelgebirge Mountains
- 3 Ski Schools
- 2 Cable Cars
- 10 Kilometres of Pistes
- 100 Kilometres of Cross-Country Trails
- 1 Ski Hire
- 20 Dining Options (around the mountain)
- Tobogganing
- Pistes with Snowmaking Facilities
- Ice Skating (weather permitting)
- Snowshoeing
The Ochsenkopf ski area in the Fichtelgebirge mountains is an ideal destination for families with children looking for an unforgettable winter adventure. With its gentle slopes and varied runs it provides perfect conditions for teaching children how to ski. Those wanting extra guidance can book ski lessons for their children at the ski school. A family-friendly atmosphere and well-developed facilities.
Arrival is either by car or by train to Bayreuth, then buses to the valley station in Bischofsgrün. For little adventurers there is a ski school where qualified instructors teach the basics of skiing in a playful and safe way. A toboggan run and snowtubing provide further fun for children who want to enjoy themselves away from the pistes.
There are huts and restaurants where the whole family can refuel after a day on the piste. Parents can enjoy the mountain scenery or head out on the well-kept trails and pistes themselves.
Tettau Wildberg
- 2 Ski Schools
- 2 Lift Facilities
- 3.5 Kilometres of Pistes (2 km easy, 1 km intermediate, 0.5 km difficult)
- 30 Kilometres of Cross-Country Trails
- 1 Ski Hire
- 1 Dining Option
The family-friendly and varied ski area of Tettau offers children in particular a great opportunity to take their first steps on skis. Well-developed roads lead directly to the car park at the ski area.
The ski school provides the “ski dwarfs” with a good start on safe terrain. Snowboarding can also be learned here. Cross-country enthusiasts will find 30 kilometres of trails with varying levels of difficulty. With the two drag lifts, the ascent is straightforward. From the summit, pistes of different levels lead back down. There are plenty of easier pistes at Wildberg, while athletes with more advanced skills can choose more challenging alternatives. This appeals to “ski starters” who either have no experience yet or want to gradually improve their abilities.
The family-oriented and peaceful setting makes it possible for even the youngest to get a strong start. After an exhausting day on the pistes there is a ski hut at Tettau Wildberg, the “Skilift-Hütte,” where the whole family can refuel.
Tettau Wildberg Ski Area (only in German)
Nesselwang
- 1 Ski School
- 6 Lift Facilities
- 8 Kilometres of Pistes
- 17.6 Kilometres of Cross-Country Trails
- 3 Ski Hire Shops
- 6 Dining Options
- Snowshoeing
- Snowpark
- Floodlit Piste in the Evening
- Pistes with Snowmaking Facilities
Winter in Nesselwang is something special, whether on winter hiking trails, in huts, on toboggan runs or while snowshoeing. Since the beginning of the last century, Nesselwang has been considered the Allgäu’s number one ski village. The long tradition as a “ski village” has produced several champions – German champions, world champions and Olympic medallists have all started their careers on Nesselwang’s pistes.
Even today, children receive excellent support in the ski area, which is conveniently accessible via the A7 motorway. The town is also easily reached by train. The ski area offers highly trained instructors who teach children safety and technique, either in private lessons or in groups. In a separate area called “Kinderland,” the little ones learn the basics of skiing in a playful way, with small jumps, waves and tunnels.
Pistes with snowmaking facilities ensure reliable snow conditions on the varied runs (five blue, two red). Views of the Allgäu and Tyrolean mountains, a hut stop after a demanding day on the pistes, and floodlighting from 6 to 9 pm complete the experience.
The different levels of difficulty and the wide variety of options offer something for everyone, whether young or old.
Skigebiet Nesselwang (only in German)
Balderschwang
- 4 Ski Schools
- 13 Lift Facilities
- 40.9 Kilometres of Pistes
- 2 Ski Hire Shops
- 9 Dining Options
- Tobogganing
- Funpark
- Pistes with Snowmaking Facilities
- Free Car Park
- Ski Kindergarten
- Race Track with Timing
“In Balderschwang it is ¾ of the year winter and ¼ cold,” wrote a priest about the village in 1836. The tranquil community lies in the Oberallgäu border region with Austria, surrounded by mountains in the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park. Arrival by car ends conveniently right at the ski area. Balderschwang is also accessible by bus. From Balderschwang the entry into the ski area is straightforward.
The ski day starts directly at the free car parks. Skis can easily be hired. Children can enjoy themselves in the ski kindergarten or take part in a ski course. Gentle pistes, practice lifts and magic carpets make it easy for beginners to get started.
More advanced skiers also have plenty of options: more than 40 kilometres of pistes, including 14.2 kilometres of red and 5 kilometres of black runs, 13 mountain lifts and ski facilities, and varied activities such as tobogganing, snowtubing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing challenge every winter sports fan. And in one of the nine huts in the ski area you will find just what you need after a day on the pistes.
Should it not snow in Balderschwang, 80 percent of the pistes can be covered with artificial snow. The village’s high snow reliability makes it attractive and leaves no winter sports wish unfulfilled.
Balderschwang Ski Area (only in German)
