(copyright: TVB St Anton am Arlberg)

Many resorts offer a variety of special ski pass rates for young guests.  Thankfully, infants ski for free in most European resorts!  But take note!… The age of an ‘infant’ varies from country to country – typically, in France, it means under 5s; in Austria, it’s under 6s; and in Italy, under 8s.  If you have little ones within these age brackets, this makes a huge difference to your holiday bill. 

According to FamilySkiNews.com’s financial advisor, Peter Derrick, skiing with children is especially good value in the Tirol this season.  Here are just some of the special kids’ deals on offer there at the moment:    

Under 6: In most Tirolean ski areas, children under 6 ski/board free of charge, without even needing a ticket. 

Under 8: For kids up to 8 years, St Anton am Arlberg offers a €10 snowman card, valid all season.

Learning to ski in St Anton (copyright TVB St Anton am Arlberg)

Under 10: On the Pitztal Glacier, Rifflsee, Hochzeiger, the Kaunertal Glacier and Fendels, the Bambini pass offers free skiing for children up to 10 years. Also on the Stubai Glacier, and at Stubai Schlick 2000, it’s free for children up to 10 years.

Under 15: Kids up to 15 years of age ski for free during off-peak season in the ski areas of the Alpbachtal, when accompanied by a full-paying adult.

Under 18: In the East Tirol’s Hochpustertal, ski area, the Ski Zentrum St Jakob and the Grossglockner Resort, children under 18 pay child rates – meaning your teenage kids can ski for mere pocket money.

Family tickets: Some Tirolean resorts offer superb savings on their family passes.  On the Imster Bergbahnen, parents and one child pay, but all further kids go free of charge; Bergbahnen Pillersee offers reduced day passes for families with 2 or more kids.  Many other ski areas have cheap family tickets and deals, including Tannheimer Tal/Grän, SkiWelt WilderKaiser-Brixental and Galtür.   

Off-peak offers:

Youth ski fun at Stubai

Special Saturday and Sunday day tickets (€9.50) are available in Kappl/Paznaun for kids up to 17 years.  

This offer is correct at the time of going to press but are subject to change.  Contact the local tourist boards for further information.