FR 
DE Here’s our guide to the best resorts for teenagers in Europe that cater specifically to the 14–17-year-old segment of the market.
What to look out for in a Ski Resort
Here’s everything to keep an eye on to keep your teens raving about the trip well beyond the slopes:
- Exciting Terrain: Whether they’re beginners or seasoned pros, having a variety of slopes to try out different skills is a big draw.
- Snow Parks and Jump Areas: Snowboarders and skiers love the challenge of jumps, rails, and pipes. A solid snow park is a serious bonus.
- Après-Ski Activities: For those with energy surplus.
- Discounted Passes: For great savings on lift passes.
St Anton, Austria
Great for testing your skiing and for an active apres-ski
A popular ski destination in the Austrian Alps with an energetic atmosphere. Excellent for those who get bored on tamer slopes, with some of the best bump runs in the Alps.
If you want throwing in at the deep end, head to the Kandaha (52 Black). If this is still too tame, follow Itinerary 51 under the Galzigbahn lift line. You’ll find monster moguls just before it rejoins the 50 blue slope. When skiing, itineraries always take the precautions and due care that you would when skiing off-piste.
Rendl Black 5 and Red 6 are excellent slopes to test your carving turns and steep slope technique. Rendl is also home to a ski park for those wanting to get airborne.
Wanting to get miles under your skis? It’s possible to ski over to the historic town of Lech. Just be sure not to leave it too late. If you get stuck there, it might be expensive to get home.
There are also good beginner areas at the top of the Gampen Bahn and Nasserine Bahn. There’s a longer beginner slope towards the bottom of the Nasserine Bahn too.
St Anton has plenty to keep you engaged when you’re done skiing for the day. Regarded for its legendary apres scene, there’s much more to do than its reputation suggests.
The Arl.Rock Centre combines a variety of sporting experiences and activities under one roof, from climbing and trampolining to squash, tennis, bowling, and more.
Below are the teen lift pass discounts for St Anton compared to full price adult tickets
Discount rate ages 16-19: 7.69%
Discount rate ages 8-15: 39.74%
Discount rate ages 16-19 (6-day pass): 13.71%
Discount rate ages 8-15 (6-day pass): 39.95%
St Anton Highlights
- Austria’s largest ski area – over 305 km of pistes.
- Galzig Bahn Bumps
- Run of Fame – Can you ski the Arlberg in one day?
- Rendl Ski Park
- Great après-activities such as the Arl Rock Centre.
Avoriaz, France
Great for snow parks and independent skiing
A world-class family ski resort for families and teens with car-free streets and compact size. It’s an excellent resort for older teens who want to ski independently.
Avoriaz also features many reasonably priced self-catered ski-in/ski-out apartments. Accommodation with cooking facilities can save you money.
The stash is the ultimate playground for free-ride and park skiing lovers. Its treeline location and unique features, such as wooden ramps repurposed from benches and tree trunk rails, make it unique.
The snow park at Snowpark de la Chapelle offers another excellent but more conventional snow park experience just outside Avoriaz Town Centre.
Attempting to ski the Portes du Soleil is a great challenge. Starting in Avoriaz, take the Stade chair lift, then down the mellow Aller de Chavanette blue run to the Choucas chair lift. Traverse to your left from the lift towards the Swiss wall.
Dividing Switzerland and France, this is one of the steepest and most challenging runs in Europe, with moguls the size of cars. So there is no shame in taking the Chavanette lift down. In Switzerland, head towards Champoussin via Les Crosets. Return to France by skiing to Morgins, then into Chatel, then Avoriaz. If you’ve the time and energy, you can add a trip to Les Gets via Morzine.
Ensure you have the Portes du Soleil lift pass and plenty of time. Getting a taxi back will be long and expensive.
Aquariaz is just the place to fix your ski-weary legs. It’s a tropical-themed indoor water park in the village’s heart.
Avoriaz Lift Pass Discounts
Below are the teen lift pass discounts for Avoriaz compared to full price adult tickets
Avoriaz Lift Pass
Discount rate for ages 16 and over: 7.69% discount
Discount rate for ages 15 and under: 21.15% discount
Ported du Soleil Lift Pass
Discount rate for ages 16 and over: 10.6% discount
Discount rate for ages 15 and under: 24.24% discount
Avoriaz Highlights
- The Stash – A unique eco-themed snow park filled with wooden rails and features.
- Portes du Soleil skiing loop – Ski two countries in one day.
- Aquariaz – A tropical-style water park with slides, pools and hot tubs.
Verbier, Switzerland
Great for off-piste pursuits and scenic views
Verbier is the perfect mix of luxury and outdoor adventure, making it a top pick for families with older teens. The ski terrain is challenging and varied, with impressive off-piste opportunities for more advanced skiers. Verbier also boasts one of Europe’s most creative snow parks, equipped with jumps and features tailored to freestyle fanatics.
Ascending Mont Fort (3330m) by cable car, you’ll be treated to views reaching as far as the Matterhorn on a clear day. The Mont 4 Zipline also starts at the summit of Mont Fort. An exhilarating 1.5km descent from Mont Fort to Col de Gentianes over the Tortin glacier at speeds of 130km/h
Take to the skies and witness stunning Alpine views with a tandem paragliding flight from Les Ruinettes. Flights start at approximately CHF 170. A specific lift pass is available for travel from Le Châble to Verbier and onward to Les Ruinettes.
If you want to try paragliding, we highly recommend Verbier Summits. For the best experience, check the weather forecast when booking your flight.
Verbier Lift Pass Discounts
Below are the teen lift pass discounts for Verbier compared to full price adult tickets
Verbier Lift Pass
Discount rate for ages 15-24: 15.65%
Discount rate for ages 7-14: 49.56%
Les 4 Vallees Lift Pass
Discount rate for ages 15-24: 15.19%
Discount rate for ages 7-14: 49.37%
Verbier Highlights
- Mont 4 Zipline.
- Aerial tour of the valley with Verbier Summits.
Tignes, France
An excellent option for late- or early-season skiing, with some of the strongest snow conditions in the Alps. If your teen is still new to skiing, these excellent snow conditions can be helpful.
Tignes also has an exceptional beginner area located centrally in Tignes Le Lac. A free local bus stops very close to the Magic Carpet. This gentle slope is the ideal starting point for beginners. Our meeting point is conveniently located nearby.
After mastering the basics, the next step is the Lavachet drag lift, which provides an easy green run. The Rosset beginner’s chairlift and accompanying blue run offer a first experience of cruising blues.
These beginner zones are groomed daily, ensuring optimal snow conditions for newcomers. Previous experience on dry slopes or in snow domes will make the transition to real snow much easier.
The three beginner lifts are free. Your instructor will guide you when you’re ready to advance to Tignes’ longer green and blue runs higher up the mountain. It’s at this stage that purchasing a lift pass becomes necessary.
Tignes’ world-class skiing isn’t limited to newcomers. La Sache, is a 10 kilometer long juggernaut of a black run. Starting below the Aguille de Percee summit, La Sache runs down towards Tignes 1550 and 1800. It is often bumpy and always steep.
The town centre cinema, showing English and French films, is excellent for a chilled evening. Tignes Space has a brilliant climbing wall, a golf simulator, racquet sports, and a mini skatepark for those who still have energy to burn.
Across the road is La Lagon Aquacentre, which has a 25-meter pool, a fun pool waterslide, and a bubble bath cave. There’s also a wellness centre with three saunas, a steam room, and four Jacuzzis—perfect for recovering from the slopes.
Tignes Lift Pass Discount
Below are the teen lift pass discounts for Tignes compared to full price adult tickets
Discount rate for ages Tignes ski area: 25.75%
Discount rate for ages Espace Killy ski area: 16.9%
Tignes Highlights
- Bumps fields – Le Sache.
- Mastering Le Lac Beginner area and Rosset beginner’s chairlift.
- La Lagon and Tignes Space.
