Austria’s Alps have perfected the art of winter with well-groomed pistes, cozy mountain huts, and villages that seem built for families. This 7-day itinerary focuses on two superb, good-value bases with easy access to lifts and ski schools: Söll in the vast SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser–Brixental, and Zell am See-Kaprun with its lake views and glacier backup. Both offer wide beginner runs, reliable snow management, and plenty to do off the slopes.

Fun fact: Söll lights up one of Austria’s largest night-ski and sled runs, while Zell am See pairs lake panoramas with the snow-sure Kitzsteinhorn Glacier just up the valley in Kaprun. Expect hearty Tyrolean and Pinzgauer cuisine—think kaiserschmarrn, käsespätzle, and schnitzel—served in friendly, family-run spots where kids are welcome.

Practicalities: Book ski school and rentals ahead for peak weeks (especially Christmas/New Year and February). Helmets for kids are highly recommended, and some regions mandate them. Carry some euros—most places take cards, but small huts sometimes prefer cash. If you drive, you’ll need an Autobahn vignette; public transport is easy and efficient.

Söll (SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser – Brixental)

Set beneath the Wilder Kaiser peaks, Söll brings big-mountain skiing with a down-to-earth price tag. The SkiWelt links nine villages by lift, so confident parents can roam while kids thrive in dedicated Kinderlands near the gondola. Söll’s calling cards: excellent ski schools, gentle valley runs, and famous night sledding right back to the village.

• Top on-mountain stops: Stöcklalm (Hochsöll) for soup in a bread bowl; Jochstub’n above Scheffau for panoramic lunches; Hexenalm at the base for lively post-ski hot chocolates.
• Family perks: wide blue pistes to and from Hochsöll, easy meeting points, and evening activities (night-ski/rodel). In-village playgrounds and short walks for rest days.
• Where to stay: Look for apartments/chalets within a 10–15-minute walk or shuttle of the Söll gondola for smooth mornings with kids.

Where to book lodging: Browse family apartments and chalets on VRBO in Söll and compare hotels/guesthouses on Hotels.com in Söll.

Getting to Söll: Fly into Munich (MUC), Salzburg (SZG), or Innsbruck (INN). Check options on Omio Flights (Europe). From the airport, trains to Wörgl are frequent (Munich Airport–Wörgl ~2.5–3 h; Innsbruck–Wörgl ~40 min; Salzburg–Wörgl ~2 h). Continue by regional bus/taxi to Söll (~20–30 min). Plan rail/bus legs with Omio Trains and Omio Buses. Expect €25–45 per adult for longer train segments, kids discounted.

Day 1 — Arrival in Tyrol, Gear Up, and Village Stroll

Morning: Fly into MUC/SZG/INN and ride the train toward Wörgl; bus/taxi up to Söll. Grab snacks for the kids on board—it makes connections easier.

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs on the village loop to the church square. Pick up rentals near the gondola (ask for junior boots and helmet fit checks). Warm up with hot cocoa and apple strudel at Café Mirabell—cozy seating and quick service for families.

Evening: Dinner at Gasthof Postwirt for käsespätzle, roast pork, and kids’ portions. Early night—tomorrow’s the first ski day.

Day 2 — First Turns: Hochsöll Kinderland and Blue Cruising

Morning: Breakfast pastries from a local bakery; be at the Söll gondola 20 minutes before lessons. Enroll kids in a half- or full-day group at Skischule Söll (meeting by the beginner area). Parents: cruise the blue 40/40a toward Hochsöll for confidence-building laps.

Afternoon: Lunch at Stöcklalm (try the speckknödel soup). Reunite with the kids for a family lap on the gentle valley run if conditions allow; leave time for photo stops.

Evening: Night sledding on the Hexenritt or Mondrodelbahn (rent sleds by the lift; helmets on). Post-sled pizza at Ristorante Giovanni—fast, crowd-pleasing, and budget-friendly.

Day 3 — Explore the SkiWelt: Parents Roam, Kids Progress

Morning: Coffee to go and a quick ride up. Kids continue lessons (ask about the magic carpet and practice lift). Parents link Söll–Scheffau for scenic blues to Jochstub’n; advanced skiers can dip onto easier reds, checking grooming reports first.

Afternoon: Lunch at Jochstub’n: schnitzel, salads, and terrace views. Rejoin in Hochsöll for the “witch” theme areas—fun photo ops. Stop at Hexenalm for hot chocolate or a radler before downloading to save little legs.

Evening: Hearty Tyrolean at Dorfstube (cheese fondue on request; reserve for groups of eight). If energy allows, a short lantern-lit walk through the village streets is magical for kids.

Day 4 — Choose: More Skiing, Winter Hike, or Kufstein Old Town

Morning: Option A: Free ski with the kids on the nursery slopes to cement skills. Option B: Winter hike from Söll to the Moorsee trail (flat, stroller-friendly with sleds). Option C: Culture break—train to Kufstein’s medieval old town (~20 min to Kufstein from Wörgl; plan via Omio Trains).

Afternoon: Light lunch back in Söll—soup and Tiroler gröstl at a village gasthaus. Return rentals for anyone not skiing the next base, or extend your package to cover both resorts.

Evening: If it’s a night-ski evening, sneak in a few illuminated laps while the kids enjoy a movie night at your apartment. Otherwise, casual dinner at Auf da Mühle—Austrian classics and wood-fired pizzas under one roof.

Zell am See (with Kaprun)

Zell am See pairs a postcard lake with family-friendly Schmittenhöhe skiing. Just up the valley, Kaprun’s Maiskogel and the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier offer all-weather reliability and the fun “Maisi Flitzer” alpine coaster—catnip for kids. The town itself is walkable, with bakeries, cozy cafés, and an indoor pool and ice rink for rest days.

• Highlights: wide KiDSlope areas, gondola access from town, and panoramic blues. Kaprun adds easy terrain on Maiskogel and high-alpine vistas on Kitzsteinhorn.
• Food finds: Deins & Meins for modern Austrian plates, Steinerwirt 1493 for heritage dining, and Kupferkessel for big, affordable portions.
• Wellness: Tauern Spa Kaprun—family pools, slides, toddler zones, and quiet saunas for adults.

Where to book lodging: Search lakeside apartments and multi-bedroom suites on VRBO in Zell am See and compare hotels/guesthouses on Hotels.com in Zell am See.

Travel Söll → Zell am See: By train, plan Söll (bus) → Wörgl → Zell am See via Kitzbühel (~2–2.5 h, ~€20–30 per adult; kids discounted). Door-to-door with the village bus, budget ~2.5 h. Check routes and fares on Omio Trains and Omio Buses. Driving is ~1.5 h over Pass Thurn, weather permitting.

Day 5 — Transfer, Lakeside Walk, and Old-Town Dinner

Morning: Depart Söll after breakfast; aim for a late-morning train via Wörgl. Bring snacks and activity books for the kids.

Afternoon: Check in near the cityXpress or AreitXpress for easy lift access. Stroll the lake promenade; if the indoor rink is open, rent skates for an hour of spins.

Evening: Dinner at Steinerwirt 1493—seasonal Austrian fare and a kids’ menu in a historic setting. End with vanilla custard or apricot dumplings to share.

Day 6 — Schmittenhöhe: Blues with a View, Tauern Spa Wind-Down

Morning: Breakfast at Bäckerei Bauer (pastries, pretzels, fruit yogurts). Ride cityXpress or AreitXpress. Enroll kids in Schmitten ski school; the KiDSlope and Dragon Park keep lessons playful. Parents: lap the panoramic blue 5/7 with lake views.

Afternoon: Lunch at AreitAlm—roast chicken, salads, kids’ pasta. After a few more family runs, download and bus to Kaprun for late-day relaxation.

Evening: Unwind at Tauern Spa Kaprun: family zones with slides and toddler pools plus quiet sauna worlds for adults (split shifts if needed). Dinner at Dorfstadl Kaprun—robust portions, alpine atmosphere, and speedy service for hungry skiers.

Day 7 — Maiskogel Family Mountain, Coaster Ride, and Departure

Morning: Head to Kaprun’s Maiskogel for mellow, confidence-building pistes. Ride the “Maisi Flitzer” alpine coaster—kids will want a second go. If conditions are stellar and time allows, parents can tag-team a quick Kitzsteinhorn lap for glacier vistas.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Maisi Alm (gröstl, goulash, and kids’ schnitzel). Return rentals, pick up luggage, and take the train or airport transfer for an afternoon departure—check Omio Trains or Omio Flights for best connections.

Evening: Homebound with tired legs and full camera rolls. If overnighting, celebrate with dinner at Deins & Meins—market-fresh dishes and a relaxed vibe.

Family Budget & Practical Tips

• Lift passes: Expect ~€70–85 per adult/day in peak season, with generous child discounts and family bundles; multi-day passes lower the per-day cost.
• Rentals: Reserve kids’ kits in advance; bundle helmets. Many shops offer 6=7-day deals and free swaps for growing feet.
• Lessons: Half-days keep younger kids energized. Ask about lunch supervision for full-day programs.
• Food savings: Big alpine lunches, lighter dinners in your apartment. Pick up breakfast items from local bakeries to streamline mornings.
• Weather backups: Indoor pool/ice rink in Zell am See; winter hikes and toboggan runs in Söll; spa time in Kaprun.

Transport booking quick links: Omio Flights (Europe) • Omio Trains • Omio Buses. Lodging: VRBO Söll • Hotels.com Söll • VRBO Zell am See • Hotels.com Zell am See.

In one week you’ll sample two of Austria’s best family ski destinations, from Söll’s night sledding to Zell am See’s glacier views. Expect easy logistics, satisfying mountain food, and lots of smiles from four kids and four adults who all get what they want from the mountains.