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Planning a family winter trip to Austria? Explore the top activities in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis with kids including ski schools, kids’ clubs and snowy adventures!
I am at the awkward stage of parenting where Cooper is old enough to get life, but definitely not old enough to get skiing. He’s not even three yet, so the chances of getting him on skis when we don’t live in the mountains is zero. However, I really want Cooper to love the mountains as much as I do, and I think that love for the mountains can start now.
That’s how I found myself in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, one of the best family ski resorts in Austria. My main aim for this trip was to play around in the snow and show Cooper how incredible the mountains are. I wanted to plant this little seed that winter holidays are just as much fun as summer holidays. I want Cooper to be a little adventurer growing up, and that starts right now, not when he’s five.
On the first morning in Fiss (the middle of the three alpine villages), we bundled up in our winter gear and left the hotel. Almost immediately Cooper stopped in the middle of the road and just stared at the mountains, completely transfixed and in awe. We hadn’t even got to snow yet and already I knew this was going to be a holiday to remember.
If you’re planning a family ski trip to Austria, I really can’t recommend Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. They really are trying to be the best family ski resort in Europe. In this article, I’ll tell you all about why I think that just might be the case. I’ll also give you the lowdown on the top things to do in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis with kids. I really hope this inspires you and helps plan your trip here!
Quick overview
Location: Tyrol, western Austria, around 1h10m by road from Innsbruck Airport
Winter season 2026/27: 4 December 2026 to 4 April 2027
Ski area: 214km of slopes and ski routes, served by 68 lifts
Children’s snow areas: 125,000 square metres
Day ski pass (high season, with guest card): €80.50 adults, €52 children
Kids born in 2021 or later: ski free
Walkers’ cable car pass: €36 adults, €25 children per day
Childcare: from three months old
Best for: families with young children, including non-skiers
Where is Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis?
Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is located to the west of Innsbruck in the Tyrolean Alps, and it is such a beautiful region in Austria. Made up of three alpine villages (Serfaus, Fiss and Ladis) at an altitude between 1,200m and 2,828m, it is a ski resort that can guarantee snow throughout winter.
The three historic mountain villages lie on a sunny plateau above the Upper Inntal valley in Tyrol, surrounded by the distinctive mountain peaks of the Samnuan mountain range and the Ötztal Alps. I say sunny because this is actually the sunniest place in Tyrol, so it’s an amazing place to visit in summer too.
One of the things I really recommend while here is you visit each village separately. They are all connected by cable cars, so getting to each one is easy. They are all slightly different though with their own character, so it’s worth checking each one out.
For example, one of my favourite spots was Laudeck Castle in Ladis, an old 12th century castle perched on a cliff with the mountains all around – it is in such a stunning location and it is the postcard for the region.
How to get to Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
Getting to Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is relatively easy. Coming from London, easyJet and British Airways fly direct from Gatwick to Innsbruck, and Jet2 flies direct from Birmingham and Manchester. The flight takes around two hours, so it’s short enough that travelling with kids is relatively simple.
From Innsbruck, I caught an airport transfer to my hotel which took 1h:10m, so it really isn’t too far to travel. If you are hiring a car or driving yourself, leave the Inntal motorway A12 at the Oberinntal junction. Continue on through the Landecker Tunnel, which connects the motorway to the Reschenbundesstrasse. Then take the ‘Ried im Oberinntal’ exit and follow the road signs all the way to Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis.
You can also catch the train to Landeck-Zams station where you can catch a bus to whichever village you’re staying at.
Flying into Innsbruck? It’s well worth adding a night in the city, so check out my guide to the best things to do in Innsbruck in winter.
3 day itinerary for Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
| Three days with a toddler | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1: Fiss | Schönjochbahn to the Kinder-Bergwerk and the panorama platform | Hot chocolate at BergDiamant, then the Witches’ toboggan run from Steinegg | Nightflow (Tuesdays) |
| Day 2: Fiss to Ladis | Walk past Wolfsee to Berta’s Indianerland | Laudeck Castle, then the Sonnenbahn back to Fiss | Night tobogganing in Fiss (Thursdays) |
| Day 3: Panorama trail and Serfaus | Möseralmbahn up for the Panorama-Genussweg | PlayIN, the best bet if the weather turns | Adventure Night (Wednesdays) |
Map of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
To help you plan your trip, I’ve put together an interactive map of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis with all the best places featured in this article highlighted. From toboggan runs and snowy playgrounds to night shows and family-friendly restaurants, just click on any of the pins to find out more about each spot.
Things to do in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis with kids in winter
Skiing in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
I could easily write an entire article just about the skiing in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. I’m certainly not going to cover everything here because there’s a lot that can be said. However, I will say this is one of the best ski regions I’ve ever been to, especially for families. It genuinely feels like everything is designed with children in mind, and I absolutely loved that kids aren’t treated as an afterthought, but as a core part of the experience.
The ski area has 214 kilometres of slopes and ski routes catering to all abilities. That’s around 47km of easy (blue), 112km of intermediate (red) and 27km of difficult (black) runs, plus 28km of ski routes for anyone who wants to head off the groomed pistes. Whether you’re learning to ski, cruising mellow reds, or looking for something more challenging, there’s plenty of variety to keep everyone happy. In total there are 68 lifts, from gondolas and chairlifts to the magic carpets kids learn on.
In terms of individual marked runs, there are around 89 separate ski runs crisscrossing the terrain, giving skiers and snowboarders a huge choice of descents on any given day.
One of the standout features of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is the sheer scale of its family facilities. There are 125,000 square metres of specially reserved snow areas for children and teens, including Murmli’s Kinderalm and Murmlipark, as well as Berta’s Kinderland between Fiss and Ladis. These purpose-built zones are where kids can attend ski school, play in snow parks, ride magic carpets, or even stop for lunch at child-friendly mountain restaurants. You can even drop your kids off at kindergarten while you go off and ski – I feel like there aren’t many resorts where you can do that!
If you’re comparing ski resorts in Tyrol, have a read of my guide to skiing in Fügen in the Zillertal too.
Go tobogganing
As Cooper was a little too young to ski, we went tobogganing instead. There are two main tobogganing runs here – one in Fiss, and one in Serfaus, both 4km long. Cooper and I took on the one in Fiss and it was awesome. Most hotels will supply toboggans, but if not you can hire them from all the ski rental shops beside the slopes.
We caught the cable car to Steinegg, then took on the Witches Run back down to Fiss. Cooper got pelted with snow as we zoomed down the slope, and he still loved it. We were going pretty fast too! This is one of those activities that all ages will love, so I would really recommend this one.
Enjoy the playgrounds dotted around the slopes
I can tell you this, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis know how to do a good playground; they beat anything we have here in the UK. Just add a sprinkling of snow, and it’s paradise for kids.
There are a number of playgrounds dotted all around the slopes across Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. One of the most accessible is Kinder-Bergwerk, an old gold mine-themed playground. To get here, we caught the red cable car (Schönjochbahn) to the top of Schönjoch. Just next to the cable car station and BergDiamant Panoramic Restaurant is the playground.
We played in the snow for a good hour, and Cooper absolutely loved going in and out of the old mine. We also tried to fill up an old mine cart with snow (which is why we were there for an hour!) It’s the simple things, isn’t it?
Hike through the forest
If you’re not skiing but you still want to explore the mountains, then there are 100kms of cleared winter hiking trails just for you. The one we took on was the Panorama-Genussweg (Panorama Enjoyment Trail). This is essentially a trail that links Fiss to Serfaus across the mountains. The total trail covers 5km, but there is a shorter 1.5km section which is easier with kids in deep snow.
To get to the Panorama-Genussweg, we caught the blue cable car (Möseralmbahn) up to Möseralm. Aim for the Skyswing and the hiking trail is just across the other side of the piste. Just follow the pink markers and you can’t go wrong. I managed to do the section to Waldbahn with Cooper who’s not even three yet, so I would say this is an activity for all ages.
Enjoy the walking trails
If you’re looking for more of a walking trail, then I’d really recommend the walk from Fiss to Ladis. This is a relatively flat walk. In fact, most of it is downhill, so it’s very easy. Starting in Fiss, if you head east out of the village, you’ll make it to Wolfsee Lake. Even though it was -18 and covered in snow, the lake still wasn’t frozen and gleamed in the morning light.
In total, the walk from Fiss to Ladis takes around an hour in winter. We even managed it with a buggy which we got from our hotel. Most hotels like Hotel Laurentius cater for kids and will provide things like buggies and toboggans for free. I told you this was a very family friendly ski resort!
Play around in the snow at Berta’s Indianerland
Along the walk from Fiss to Ladis, you’ll pass through Berta’s Indianerland. This is an Wild West themed play area complete with western saloon and bank that you can explore. It is in such a stunning location too with the mountains all around.
Cooper had a great time here. There was a little tunnel at the back linking the two rooms, and he kept going back and forth. One of the rooms has some fun carnival games too like knock the bottles off with snowballs. Again, if you’re looking for the top things to do in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis for kids, make sure you add this to the list.
Watch the night shows in Serfaus and Fiss
| Night | Where | What’s on |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Fiss | Nightflow at 8.30pm, plus Kids Night |
| Wednesday | Serfaus | Adventure Night at 9pm, night skiing and a floodlit toboggan run from 6pm to 11pm |
| Thursday | Fiss | Night tobogganing on the Witches’ run from 5.45pm to 9.30pm |
Another highlight for families in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is the evening mountain shows, which add a bit of magic beyond the skiing. There are two of them, and each one gets a brand new theme every winter.
In Serfaus, Adventure Night takes place every Wednesday at 9pm at Komperdell. Ski instructors, snowboarders and freestylers perform alongside drones, fireworks and a laser show. This winter’s theme is ‘SMILE’, and the shows run from 16 December 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Over in Fiss, Nightflow lights up the slopes at the top of the Möseralmbahn every Tuesday at 8.30pm. The 2026/27 theme is ‘Disco Disco’, with dancers, acrobats, a big jump and a drone show. The first show is on 22 December 2026 and the last is on 30 March 2027.
Both shows are up the mountain, so you’ll need an evening cable car ticket or a dinner package that includes one. Prices for this winter haven’t been released yet. In 2025/26, an Adventure Night show ticket cost €23 for adults and €15 for children, including the cable car up and down. They make for a brilliant après-ski activity, especially if your kids still have energy to burn once the lifts close.
Make use of the play areas attached to most restaurants
I know I keep going on about how family friendly it is here, but it is what the resort is famous for. There are three restaurants just for children: Murmlirest and Starrest in Serfaus, and Berta’s Kinderplanet in Fiss-Ladis. These are for kids in ski school, who have lunch there with their groups.
If your little ones aren’t in ski school, head to Familienrestaurant Sonnenburg in Berta’s Kinderland. It has its own children’s play area, space to park buggies and baby changing facilities, so you can grab a bite to eat while your kid plays. Also, I think you’ll agree with me, the views are pretty special too.
Enjoy the views out of the cable cars
You should’ve seen Cooper’s face light up the first time he rode a cable car. It was like going on a rollercoaster ride, and he squealed with excitement when we left the cable car station. What I liked about riding all the different cable cars was it was contained fun. If you get a cable car all to yourself, you can just enjoy the views out the window. Also, if the weather is blowing a blizzard or it’s particularly cold, then it is a little respite from the elements.
Another thing that I really liked about the cable cars is all the people working at the cable car stations will help you on and off the cable car if you’ve got a buggy with you. Most of the time they just stepped in and made sure Cooper got off safely.
One cable car we loved was the yellow cable car Sonnenbahn Ladis-Fiss connecting the two villages.
Burn off some energy at PlayIN soft play in Serfaus
So I know I’ve already mentioned playgrounds and playing in the snow, but if the weather is truly horrendous or you just want to be inside for a bit, then check out PlayIN in Serfaus. This is right next to the cable car station, so it is very easy to get to.
Now, I’ve been to a fair few soft plays in my time as a dad, and this one is right up there. Firstly, the soft play area is over six floors with loads of things to do for kids. They even had some air guns where you could fire foam balls at each other – I’ve never seen that at a soft play before.
Also at PlayIN, they have a Clip ’n Climb with a number of walls to choose from. One of the walls was a glow-in-the-dark wall in a chute which looked great fun. And if that wasn’t enough entertainment, they also have a laser room. This is where you have to navigate through a laser course without touching the lasers. All very James Bond.
An hour costs €7.50 for toddlers, €12 for kids and €5 for parents, plus a €5 wristband deposit. Socks are compulsory, and under-eights need to be with an adult.
Take in the views at Panorama Schönjoch
No matter where you go in the Austrian Alps, you know you’re going to be treated to some incredible views wherever you look. One panorama I really enjoyed is Schönjoch. To get here, we caught the red cable car (Schönjochbahn) to the top. Just in front of the cable car station is the panorama viewing platform. There’s even a map to explain what you’re looking at.
There are several photo points dotted around the ski area too. Look out for the oversized triangles at the top of the Pezidbahn and Obere Scheidbahn, and the ‘I Love SFL’ sign by the Schönjoch umbrella bar. This winter there’s also a new triangle at the Alpkopf top station, with Murmli and his friends in the frame.
Warm up with a hot chocolate afterwards
Sometimes you’ve just got to get out the cold and have a hot chocolate. We hit that moment at the top of Schönjoch when we were playing around in the snow for a good hour. All of a sudden, Cooper got very cold, so we popped into BergDiamant Panoramic Restaurant (which has just the most beautiful views by the way) and shared a hot chocolate.
There are around 30 different mountain restaurants and huts, from big panoramic terrace restaurants to cosy traditional huts tucked above the pistes.
Admire Laudeck Castle in Ladis
One of my favourite spots on the whole trip was Laudeck Castle in Ladis. It’s an old 12th century castle perched on a cliff with the mountains all around, and it really is the postcard for the region. As it’s right in Ladis, it’s easy to tie in with the walk from Fiss.
As you’re walking into Ladis, you can’t help but see the castle as you come into town – it’s an awesome sight. The view from the castle is one of the best in the region too, so I really recommend you visit Laudeck Castle.
Snow ploughs. Because kids just love snow ploughs
When it starts snowing, what does that mean? Snow plough! And this isn’t snow ploughing on a ski slope, but real big bright yellow snow ploughs moving mounds of snow off the roads. Cooper is very much in his tractor/truck/fire engine era, so he was buzzing every time he saw a snow plough. Genuinely one of the highlights of his trip.
What’s new in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis for 2027?
There’s plenty that’s new for families this winter, especially in Serfaus. The biggest changes are at Komperdell, the mountain above the village. The largest project is a new chairlift costing around €30 million, but there’s also a revamped area for first-time skiers, a themed family run and a renovated restaurant. Serfaus is adding 35 snow cannons as well, with snowmaking upgraded on several runs and along the toboggan run.
- Murmli’s Kinderalm – The Kinderschneealm at Komperdell has been redesigned and renamed Murmli’s Kinderalm. Murmli and his friends Fiona, Bruno and Ingo now feature right across the area, and even the conveyor belts are themed. It’s where lots of kids in Serfaus take their very first turns on skis.
- Murmli’s Family Run – There’s also a new themed run for young skiers. It starts at the end of the Gampen descent and heads towards the Komperdellbahn mid station, partly along the piste and partly through the forest. At the finish there’s a photo point with Murmli and his friends.
- A new Planseggbahn – The Planseggbahn, which opened in 1997, has been replaced with an eight-seater chairlift. It has heated seats, weather hoods that close automatically and a child-safe safety bar. The ride now takes under five minutes.
- Somewhere new for lunch – The Komperdell Panorama Restaurant has been completely renovated, with more seats and a new espresso bar. Down at the Planseggbahn valley station, the new Gampenbar has around 90 seats inside and room for 150 more on the sun terrace.
Where to stay in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
Whether you’re looking for 5* luxury to small chalets to rent, there is something for all budgets in Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. In fact, there are over 16,000 guest beds in total between the three villages which goes to show you there is a lot of choice here.
As this was a family trip, I stayed at the Kinderhotel Hotel Laurentius. If you don’t know about them, a Kinderhotel is basically a dream hotel for families. It’s a place where kids are just as catered for as adults, if not more so. Think supervised kids’ clubs, playrooms, kids’ pools with slides, child-friendly buffets and family-sized rooms, so parents can actually relax while the little ones have the time of their lives.
I have to admit, I absolutely loved staying at Hotel Laurentius. From the moment you arrive, it feels as though the entire hotel has been designed with families in mind – there’s even a cool marble run to occupy the kids while you check in.
There are fantastic indoor and outdoor play areas, a brilliant kids’ club, and thoughtful touches everywhere that make life easier for parents. The family-friendly spa and swimming pools mean everyone can unwind after a day on the slopes, while the location makes getting to the ski lifts simple and stress-free.
Also, each night there was a 5-course dinner which was genuinely delicious, while Cooper helped himself to the kids’ buffet which made him very happy. Win-win there.
Tips for planning a winter trip with kids
Lift passes and cable car tickets
Stay at least one night and you’ll get the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis guest card, which gives you cheaper lift passes. With the guest card, a high season day pass for 2026/27 costs €80.50 for adults and €52 for children. A six-day pass is €403 for adults and €233 for children. High season covers most of the winter, from 19 December 2026 to 12 March 2027 and again from 20 to 29 March. Children born in 2021 or later ski for free with photo ID.
If you’re not skiing, you don’t need a full lift pass. There’s a separate pass for walkers, tobogganers and cross-country skiers that covers the main cable cars, including the Schönjochbahn, Möseralmbahn, Sonnenbahn and Komperdellbahn. With the guest card, a day pass costs €36 for adults and €25 for children.
Want to ski but have a child under three? The Young Family Ticket lets both parents share one adult pass, from three days upwards. You swap it over in the valley, so you can take turns on the slopes.
Childcare
If you want a few hours on the slopes by yourself, there’s childcare in both Serfaus and Fiss. The Murmlikrippe is at the cable car valley station in Serfaus, and you’ll need to reserve a place. Over in Fiss, Berta’s Kindergarten takes babies from three months old and has a climbing tower, a sleeping corner and a kids’ cinema.
Getting around
Serfaus is car-free, so you park on the edge of the village and hop on the free underground to reach the centre and the cable cars. It runs from 7.45am to 6.45pm, and until 11.30pm on Wednesdays for Adventure Night. Long-term parking costs €6 a day. During the day, the cable cars are the easiest way to hop between the three villages. If you don’t have your own buggy, you can hire one at Berta’s Kindergarten for €24 a day.
My final thoughts of visiting Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis
If you’re looking for one of the best family-friendly ski resorts in Europe, you’ll find it here. I really loved exploring everything this region has to offer, from the expansive, beautifully groomed ski area to the incredible facilities designed specifically for children.
Nothing about Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis feels half-hearted – it’s obvious that families come first here. Whether it’s the thoughtful accommodation, fantastic ski schools, or the endless things to do beyond the slopes, everything feels genuinely well planned. You can see exactly why families return year after year, and it’s definitely a winter destination I’d love to experience again.
If you have any questions about Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, especially about travelling here with kids, you can let me know in the comments below! I will help out as much as I can.
