Sölden isn’t the obvious family choice. It’s big, busy and known for its après-ski. But the snow is reliable from November to April, there’s childcare from 10 months and lessons from age 3, and there’s enough to do off the slopes to fill a week. The key is choosing a base away from the noise.
Is Sölden good for families?
Yes, with caveats. What works:
- Reliable snow. With two glaciers and slopes up to 3,340 m, there’s almost always good snow somewhere, which matters when you’ve booked school-holiday weeks months ahead.
- Childcare from 10 months and ski school from age 3.
- Cheap passes for small children: the Snowkids pass for children born 2019 to 2022.
- Hochsölden, where you can ski from the hotel door.
What doesn’t: the village centre is loud late into the night, the main slopes are busy in peak weeks, and the valley runs can be steep, icy or slushy for small children.
Ski schools and kids’ lessons in Sölden
- Children’s ski schools take children from age 3. Courses usually run for six days, with morning and afternoon lessons, and some schools offer supervised lunches.
- The Ski and Snowboard School Sölden-Hochsölden runs the Bobo Kids Club, with ski instructors and childcare staff. Check minimum ages and meeting points with the school.
- Kids on Ski is a package for children aged 3 to 5 that bundles the ski pass, lessons and ski hire. Ask the tourist office or your hotel which dates it covers.
- Book early for school holidays. Children’s groups fill up at Christmas and in February.
Childcare and nurseries in Sölden
The tourist office says ski kindergartens look after children from 10 months while parents ski. Places and hours vary by provider, so book ahead and confirm what’s included, such as lunch.
Some hotels also have their own childcare. Das Central has a kids’ club for children aged 3 and over.
Best beginner areas for children in Sölden
Sölden sells cheaper beginner tickets for three beginner-friendly areas in the ski area, so you don’t need a full pass on day one. The ski schools also have their own children’s areas, with gentle terrain away from the main runs.
For 2026/27, the lift company has widened and flattened the merged pistes at Wasserkar to make them clearer and safer for beginners. Once children are confident, the glaciers are a good next step: almost all the glacier pistes are blue. Save them for calm, clear days, though, because they’re cold and exposed.
Sölden lift passes for families
- Snowkids, born 2019 to 2022: a reduced daily rate.
- Children, born 2012 to 2018, and youth, born 2007 to 2011, have their own rates.
- Buy online and early: online prices are lower than at the ticket office, until 5 days before your first ski day.
- Passes of 6 days or more include entry to 007 ELEMENTS, which older children love.
Things to do with kids in Sölden off the slopes
- Tobogganing: the Gaislachkogl run is 7.3 km long, from the middle station at 2,170 m down to the valley. It’s graded red and suits families with older children. It’s floodlit on Wednesday evenings, and you can hire sledges from shops near the Gaislachkogl base station. There’s also a 3.2 km natural run down from the Lenzenalm at Zwieselstein.
- Freizeit Arena: an indoor leisure centre in the village, with a children’s pool and slide, saunas, indoor tennis and a sports hall.
- 007 ELEMENTS: an interactive James Bond installation at the top of the Gaislachkogl. Best for older children and teenagers.
Best family hotels in Sölden
Das Central has a kids’ club, family suites and a private ski shuttle to the gondolas. Skihotel Edelweiss in Hochsölden has a children’s playroom and sits right on the slope. For bigger groups, Haus Maria in Hochsölden is self-catering for up to 24. See where to stay in Sölden for the full list.
Tips for skiing in Sölden with kids
- Avoid the après noise. Choose a hotel away from the busiest bars, or stay up in Hochsölden.
- Ride the gondola down. The village is at about 1,350 m, and in a warm spell or late in the day the valley runs can be slushy or icy. Tired children are better off on the lift.
- It’s cold up high. The glaciers reach over 3,200 m. Pack proper layers, mittens and face protection, and keep glacier trips for calm, clear days.
- Think about early or late season. The pre-season from 12 November to 4 December 2026, and late March and April, are quieter than school-holiday peaks, with snow-sure skiing higher up.
For the full picture of the ski area, see the Sölden ski resort guide.
