🗺️ Where to go in winter with kids without skis: sledding, farms and fairs instead of slopes

A winter family getaway doesn’t have to revolve around skiing. Sleds, pools, fairs, and horse-drawn sleighs are available in the same places as ski lifts.

Germany and Austria have six regions where a winter itinerary with kids comes together without ski slopes. There’s plenty to do on foot or by sled near your lodging, and the hotels themselves are designed for families.

Below, we’ll break down why this kind of trip works, highlight six regions with specific places to stay, and give you a table for quick comparison.

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Why a winter family trip without skiing works

Winter vacations are no longer limited to the "lift, lunch, lift, sleep" routine. Families are increasingly asking hotels for a different mix: a pool, kids’ programming, new experiences in the snow, and flexibility when the weather is unpredictable.

Snow in the mid-altitude mountains is inconsistent, and some days you’ll end up not skiing anyway. It’s better to plan for that in advance rather than scramble for something to do on the spot.

Hotels respond with programming: snowshoeing, lantern walks, sledding, animal care, ponies. You don’t need a lift pass to keep a child entertained all day.

We selected six regions where this kind of programming isn’t an add-on to the slopes but the very reason to go: Allgäu, Harz, Chiemgau, Bavarian Forest, Wolfgangsee, and Tyrol.

💡 In short:

Look not at the resort’s elevation but at what’s near the hotel: sleds, cross-country trails, a pool, a kids’ club.
Check the dates: Das Franzl at Wolfgangsee only welcomes guests during the Christmas period.
Set aside one day for a fair and one for sledding. That way, a lack of snow on the slopes won’t ruin anything.
Seasons, opening hours, and kids’ programs: 09/2026, verified on tourism office websites.

Table: which region to choose for a winter trip with kids

Region	Main activity without skiing	Lodging from this article	Best for
Allgäu	sledding from mountain huts, fairs, horse-drawn sleigh rides	Ferienhof und Baumhaushotel	school-age and preschool kids
Harz	cross-country trails and a sledding hill right outside	Ferienhaus tomGalme	those who want peace and quiet
Chiemgau	cross-country trails around the lake, a fair on the island	Chiemseebauern	animal lovers and village enthusiasts
Bavarian Forest	pools, kids’ club, cross-country trails from the hotel	Ulrichshof	families with toddlers
Wolfgangsee	Advent, boat shuttle, alpaca walks	Das Franzl	those traveling for Christmas
Tyrol	natural sledding run, snowshoeing, ponies	Landhotel Stern	families who want a little skiing

The table helps you choose in a couple of minutes. Below, each region comes with details, lodging, and honest catches.

Allgäu: sleds, fairs, and horse-drawn sleigh rides

Allgäu is usually associated with Oberstdorf and Oberjoch. But in winter without skiing, the region is just as rich: the western, eastern, and lower parts of Allgäu each have their own set of winter activities.

Grünten mountain above Allgäu hamlets and meadows

Some mountain huts are reachable on foot even with snow on the ground. You hike up to Rohrkopfhütte, have lunch, and sled back down. At Breitenberg, a gondola takes you up, and you make the descent on a sled. Bring warm gloves and a reliable sled.

For younger kids, there’s another option: horse-drawn sleigh rides. In Bad Hindelang, several providers offer rides through the winter forest and fields, away from the slopes.

In the weeks before Christmas, the Isnyer Schlossweihnacht opens in the castle courtyard. Local vendors sell handmade goods and regional products. If you recite a poem or compliment the Christmas tree, you’ll be offered schnapps or chocolate. This custom in western Allgäu is called Christbaumloba.

Cross-country trails in Allgäu are well marked, but snow isn’t guaranteed in every valley. For those cases, there’s a plan B: a glassblowing workshop in Schmidsfelsen, the "Allgäu Escape" escape room, and a cheese-making workshop at Hofgut Ratznburg.

The catch: not all parts of Allgäu get reliable snow. Plan sledding and cross-country skiing with flexible dates.

Where to stay in Allgäu

A good base for this kind of trip: Ferienhof und Baumhaushotel near Kempten. In Betzigau, suspended capsule houses hang among the beech trees; they’re called "Landeier."

The houses are made entirely of wood and anchored around the beech trees. A separate apartment for six is also available nearby: a good option for a large family or two families traveling together.

The farm sits away from the slopes, so you only need a car for trips to the lift and the fair. For prices and availability, it’s easiest to browse the selection: Allgäu hotel selection on Trip.com.

Harz: cross-country trails and a sledding hill in Buntenbock

Buntenbock: a small village in the Upper Harz, inside the Oberharzer Wasserwirtschaft World Heritage site. People come here for quiet and snow, not for resort life.

Panorama of Prinzenreich Lake in the Harz forest

In winter, the village turns into a cross-country skiing and sledding spot. Some trails are lit, a ski school operates nearby, and the sledding hill has a safe run-out (according to Harzer Tourismusverband).

The Ziegenberg sledding hill is short: about 300 m (as of 09/2026, harzinfo.de). For kids, that is a plus: you get plenty of runs in and nobody is exhausted by evening.

If you want a town, Goslar with its historic center is half an hour away. The former imperial residence covers your culture needs for a full day.

Where to stay in the Harz

Ferienhaus tomGalme sits on a mountain meadow in Buntenbock. The house is several centuries old, renovated and split into two identical family apartments.

Autumn forests of the Harz and the Brocken massif in the distance

After a walk, you retreat to the fireplace, and there is a barrel sauna in the garden. The cross-country trail runs right by the house, so you can get on it without a car.

The catch: the village is small. There are almost no shops or evening entertainment; for that you have to drive to Goslar.

For lodging in Buntenbock and across the Harz, see this roundup: Harz accommodation options on Trip.com.

Chiemgau: winter at Lake Chiemsee

There is no ski area right at Chiemsee itself. The nearest slopes, Winklmoosalm and Steinplatte, are half an hour away, so you can fit in one ski day if you want.

Herreninsel Island on Lake Chiemsee from above

The region's real strength is different: cross-country skiing. Chiemsee-Alpenland has more than 40 marked trails, including routes around the lake (as of 09/2026, chiemsee-alpenland.de).

Some trails are lit. In Inzell, the lights come on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. In Adlgaß there is a natural sledding run with lighting; sleds are rented on site.

Before Christmas, it is worth stopping by the Christkindlmarkt on Fraueninsel: a boat takes you to the island. In Halsbach they put on a Waldweihnacht, a forest Christmas with music and candles.

Where to stay at Chiemsee

Chiemseebauern brings together seven farms around the lake. You stay in modern family apartments, while your days unfold in the yard and the barn.

At Moierhof, when the snow is good, host Matthias takes kids out on a "flying carpet" pulled by a tractor. In the evening, there is a party for all guests in the hay barn.

This format suits families who want animals and village life instead of a hotel lobby. For open dates at the farms, see here: Chiemsee lodging on Trip.com.

Bavarian Forest: wellness instead of ski slopes

If a pool and kids' club matter more to you than slopes, look at family hotels in the Bavarian Forest. Here winter is built around the hotel, not around the lift.

Rachel Chapel above snow-covered Rachelsee Lake

Baby- und Kinderhotel Ulrichshof puts its children's program first: kids are looked after in groups, and parents have a separate relaxation area (according to the hotel).

During the day, kids build igloos and sit by the fire, while older ones head out on the cross-country trail that starts at the hotel. There is a sledding hill for little ones nearby.

The water area is large: several pools, a spa for parents and kids, indoor and outdoor play areas, and a separate fairy-tale world. Your child is covered for the whole day, even if the snow has melted.

Where to stay in the Bavarian Forest

Ulrichshof is located in Rimbach and suits families who want one hotel for the whole week: with meals, a pool and a program for children of different ages.

If someone in the family still wants to ski, the small Hohenbogen ski area is nearby: quiet and compact, good for first turns. Bavarian Forest hotels on Trip.com

Wolfgangsee: Advent and the boat shuttle

In winter, the resort at Wolfgangsee runs on two things: the Christmas market and the lake. That combination suits families who do not like skiing at all.

Lake Wolfgangsee and St. Gilgen from above

Wolfgangseer Advent 2026 runs from November 20 to December 20, admission is free, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (as of 09/2026, wolfgangseer-advent.at). Plan your trip for a weekday evening when the market is open.

The markets are set up at several spots around the lake, with a boat running between them. You move from one site to another without a car, and the kids get a break from driving.

On Wednesdays in St. Wolfgang, the electric lights are switched off. Only candles burn at the market and in the shops. It is worth timing your trip around an evening like that.

Where to stay at Wolfgangsee

Das Franzl operates in a "Bett & Brot" format: vintage style, design, and breakfast instead of full restaurant service. In winter, alpacas come to stay here, and guests join them for a family walk in the snow.

The sledding hill is right in front of the house, so bring your own sleds from home or ask at reception.

The catch: you can only stay at Das Franzl during the Christmas period. The hotel is closed from January to Easter, so book your dates well in advance.

For dates and prices in the region, see: hotels near Wolfgangsee on Trip.com.

Tyrol: the quiet Mieminger Sonnenplateau

Obsteig on the Mieminger Sonnenplateau suits families who want peace and quiet. There are no crowds here, but there is snow, a view over the valley, and very few cars.

Snow-covered Mieming Plateau and Inn Valley from above

The ski area is small: enough for first runs, but not for long days of skiing. That is why the region attracts families who want a little skiing and a lot of walking.

The natural Lehnberg sledding run is considered the main winter activity on the plateau. The descent is gentle, so bring sleds and warm footwear.

Where to stay in Tyrol

Landhotel Stern has been welcoming families since 1509 (as of 09/2026, hotelstern.at). The hotel is located in Obsteig and runs on two things: food and nature.

The winter program takes place outdoors: snowshoeing with equipment and tips, a lantern walk, sledding, a pony walk, and animal feeding.

For parents, there is a kids' club and an indoor pool, so you can slip away for a couple of hours on your own.

The catch: snow cover on the plateau is unreliable, and the ski area is small. For long runs, you will have to drive further.

For a selection of hotels in Tyrol, see: choose a hotel in Tyrol on Trip.com.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which winter activities suit kids without skiing?

Sledding, building igloos, lantern and torch walks, Christmas markets, and farm life. In the Allgäu, you can add horse-drawn carriages and a glassblowing workshop; in Tyrol, the Lehnberg sledding run. All of this works without a ski pass and without any skiing skills.

Where in Germany is the best winter destination with kids without skiing?

Look at the Allgäu, the Harz, the Chiemgau, and the Bavarian Forest. In the Allgäu, you get sledding from mountain huts and fairs; in Buntenbock, a cross-country trail and a sledding hill right by the house; near Chiemsee, plenty of cross-country trails and farms; and in the Bavarian Forest, a hotel with pools and a kids' club.

Is a winter vacation without skiing cheaper?

Not necessarily. Good family hotels cost about the same as hotels near the lifts. The savings show up elsewhere: farm stays and apartments in regions with small ski areas cost less, and you do not need lift tickets at all.

When should you go to Wolfgangsee if the hotel is closed after Christmas?

Plan your trip for the Wolfgangseer Advent period; check the dates with the organizers. Das Franzl only accepts guests during the Christmas period. The hotel is closed from January to Easter, so it is best to lock in your dates early.

What can you do if there is no snow?

In the Allgäu, there is a glassblowing workshop, the "Allgäu Escape" escape room, and a cheese workshop. In the Bavarian Forest, the pools, kids' club, and the hotel's fairy-tale world will keep you busy.

In short: what to book

If you want one big hotel with pools and a kids' club, go with Ulrichshof in the Bavarian Forest. If you want sledding and a cross-country trail right outside your door, go with Ferienhaus tomGalme in Buntenbock.

If your family dreams of a farm and a tractor, go with one of the Chiemseebauern farms near Chiemsee. If you are coming for alpacas and a fair, go with Das Franzl during the Christmas period.

If you want a little skiing and a lot of quiet, go with Landhotel Stern on the Mieminger Sonnenplateau. And for sledding from mountain huts and fairs, the Allgäu with its farms and treehouses is a great fit.

Sledding and snowshoeing depend on snow, while the pool, kids' club, and fairs run all year round. Check dates and prices for your region in this selection: hotels for winter getaways on Trip.com.

Where to go in winter with kids without skis: six regions of Germany and Austria