Schladming-Dachstein
Ski Vacations for the Whole Family
Skiing is a piece of cake
Family Vacation in Austria
No one is born a skiing ace—but there’s hardly any other place where learning is as easy and fun as in Schladming-Dachstein in Styria.
Here you’ll find family-friendly ski pass deals, lovingly designed children’s slopes, and ski schools where tomorrow’s pros take their first turns.
What awaits you here:
- 92 km of blue runs offering plenty of space for beginners and families
- 9 ski resorts with a wide variety of activities for ski fans of all ages
- Numerous kids’ zones and adventure areas with practice slopes and magic carpets: 7 kids’ zones in the valley and 4 kids’ zones on the mountain
- 14 ski and snowboard schools with around 400 ski and snowboard instructors make it easy to get started in winter sports
- Children up to age 6 ski for free in several ski resorts
- Activities for advanced skiers and snowboarders, such asthe XXL Fun Slope, Skimovie Slalom, fun parks, and much more
The Three Learning Levels: Learning to Ski in Schladming-Dachstein
From taking your first steps on skis to skiing down the blue run together
In Schladming-Dachstein, young beginners will find the right terrain for every stage of their learning journey. After all, not every ski resort and every slope is equally suitable for every skill level.
To help you and your child get off to the right start, we’ve put together three learning levels. They’ll help you assess what your child can already do and which practice areas or runs are suitable for the next steps.
Level 1
First Steps on Skis in the Valley
First attempts on two boards
Is your child skiing for the first time or just starting to get the hang of it in the snow? Then a protected, preferably flat practice area is just the thing. Here, your child can learn to stand and glide on skis in a playful way, make their first attempts at braking, and slowly develop a feel for steering.
What your child can already do:
Your child has little or no experience on skis yet. They can’t yet brake or turn reliably on their own.
Here’s the next learning goal:
Standing securely, gliding, braking, and trying out their first changes in direction.
You’ve come to the right place:
For those first steps on skis, we recommend a ski course and a protected children’s or practice area with gentle slopes, short runs, and child-friendly lifts.
Level 2
Safe on the training grounds
Braking, cornering, and becoming more independent
Can your child already brake on their own and make their first turns? Then it’s time to reinforce what they’ve learned. On easy-to-navigate practice slopes, they can cover longer distances, try out different turns, and gain more confidence on skis.
Riding the lifts is also getting more interesting now: magic carpets are already no problem, while larger lifts often still require a bit of practice.
Here’s what your child can already do:
Braking on their own and making their first turns. Your child has already mastered simple practice slopes and magic carpets.
Here’s the next learning goal:
Turning confidently, tackling longer practice slopes, and becoming more independent step by step.
You’ve come to the right place:
In Schladming-Dachstein, there are various publicly accessible practice areas where you can continue practicing with your child. Conveyor belts, simple lifts, and clearly laid-out slopes provide excellent conditions for the next steps.
Level 3
Ready for the blue run
The First Runs Together
Is your child already braking safely, making controlled turns, and able to use a simple lift on their own? Then nothing stands in the way of the next step: your first runs together on a blue run.
It’s not just the slope’s color that matters. The length, width, steepness, and the required lift also play an important role. A short, easy-to-navigate blue run is often better suited for beginners than a long valley run.
Here’s what your child can already do:
Brake safely, make controlled turns, and use simple ski lifts.
Here’s the next learning goal:
Tackle your first easy blue runs together and gain confidence outside the practice area.
You’ve come to the right place:
For your first runs together, choose a clear, preferably short blue run with a lift that your child can already use safely. This way, the transition from the practice area to the ski slope happens step by step.
Ski Schools
in Schladming-Dachstein
Our ski schools offer children and adults the perfect introduction to winter sports. Professional ski instructors will guide you through your first turns and help you improve your technique and safety on the mountain. With child-friendly courses, modern practice lifts, and varied programs, learning to ski in Schladming-Dachstein is a true experience for the whole family.
Ski Rental
in Schladming-Dachstein
At the region’s ski rental shops, you’ll find the latest ski and snowboard gear for the whole family. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro—modern models, perfectly groomed skis, and the right safety gear ensure a worry-free winter sports experience. Many rental shops are located right at the base stations and also offer additional services and advice to ensure you’re fully equipped when you hit the slopes.
Family Activities
in Ski amadé
Great prices* for kids and teens on the weekend! In Ski amadé, kids and teens can ski at especially low prices every weekend (Saturday and Sunday).
* The exact amount of the discount depends on the respective regular price, the respective season, and the respective ski resort.
Offer for families with a non-skiing toddler under the age of three. The ticket can be used alternately by either parent.
Please note that the Young Family Ticket cannot be combined with the online early-bird discount.
When purchasing a ski pass, the third and all younger siblings (children*and teens*) receive a free ski pass if at least one parent and the two older siblings (children* or teens*) purchase a ski pass for the same validity period.
With the Ski amadé Family Spring Deals, children up to and including age 15 can ski for free at when a parent purchases a 4-day ski pass—valid from March 13, 2027, through the end of the season.
"Mini's Week" is designed for families with young children, includes a comprehensive program from the ski schools, and canbe booked betweenJanuary 10 and 24, 2026.
The package costs just 189 euros per childand includes seven nights’ lodging in the parents’ room, a children’s ski lesson, children’s ski rental, and a children’s ski pass. Depending on the region and ski school, the ski lessons take place either 3 sessions of 4 hours each or 5 sessions of 2 hours each.
PSO Leisure Activities
Sports for People with Disabilities
The goal is to integrate all people into society on an equal footing and to make exciting vacations possible at a fair price. A particular focus is placed on inclusive vacations spent with friends and family. All programs are accessible.
Questions & Answers
Yes! Schladming-Dachstein offers the perfect setting for a ski vacation with the whole family. Across nine ski mountains, you’ll find 92 kilometers of blue runs, numerous kids’ areas, family-friendly practice slopes, and a variety of adventure zones. Whether your child is just learning to ski or is already confident on the slopes—there’s something for everyone here.
In Schladming-Dachstein, you’ll find both large ski resorts and smaller, more manageable family-friendly ski hills. Particularly popular are the Hauser Kaibling with Wollis Kids Park, the Planai with Hopsi Winter Children’s Land, the Riesneralm with its children’s ski area, as well as the Galsterberg, the Fageralm, the Rittisberg, and the Planneralm. The Reiteralm also offers special children’s areas and family-friendly slopes.
The region offers numerous children's areas with gentle practice slopes, magic carpets, and child-friendly learning zones. Here, children can have fun while gaining their first experiences on skis.
Many ski schools in Schladming-Dachstein offer introductory ski lessons for children as young as three or four years old. The exact minimum age depends on the specific ski school and the courses offered. In special children’s areas, the youngest children learn to move around on skis and make their first turns in a playful way.
In Schladming-Dachstein, there are 14 ski and snowboard schools with about 400 ski and snowboard instructors. Many offer special children’s courses for different age groups and skill levels. Whether your child is taking their first steps on skis or looking to improve their technique, certified ski instructors will guide them step by step as they learn.
Yes! During the 2026/27 winter season, children up to age six (born in 2021 or later) can ski for free in many ski areas in the region. This offer applies, among other places, to the 4-Berge Ski Area, Galsterberg, and Fageralm. The round-trip lift ride to and from the Dachstein Glacier is also included. The Ramsau ski region is excluded from this offer. A free keycard is required for access, and a deposit is required for the keycard.
Families in Ski amadé can take advantage of various offers, such as the Family Bonus, the Junior Weekend Bonus, the Young Family Ticket, and seasonal promotions. With the Family Bonus, for example, the third child and all younger siblings receive a free ski pass under certain conditions. These offers are subject to various conditions and validity periods.
Yes, with a total of 92 kilometers of blue runs, Schladming-Dachstein offers plenty of options for beginners and families. In addition to flat practice slopes, you’ll find easy runs where children can practice their first independent turns and gain confidence on skis. Which runs are suitable depends on each child’s skill level.
Yes, there are numerous ski rental shops in the region that offer skis, ski boots, poles, and helmets suitable for children. Many rental shops are located right at the base stations of the ski resorts. This makes it easy to rent equipment on-site and adjust it to your child’s size and skill level.