Anyone who has taken children on a ski holiday knows the challenge: skiing is not the exhausting part – everything around it is. Putting on ski boots in the car, missing the ski bus, losing a child in the lift queue or rushing across the resort to meet them after class. At Hochrindl, that whole part disappears.
Why Hochrindl works so well for families with children
The ski resort is deliberately compact: 20 kilometres of slopes, five drag lifts, a connecting lift and a four-seat chairlift – awarded the Carinthian quality seal. That may sound small compared with the major ski areas, but for families it is exactly right. Distances are short, children can hardly get lost, and you spend your time on the slope instead of in the car.
Berglodge sits at 1,630 metres directly in the ski area. The Zirbenlift is only a few steps away and Hochrindl Ski School is about 50 metres away. You walk your child to the lesson in the morning, ski yourself or head back for a coffee, and collect them at lunchtime – without using the car once.
Hochrindl Ski School – 50 metres from Berglodge
Hochrindl Ski School (Skischule Zarre) is right next to Berglodge. It is open daily from 7:30 am to 5 pm and offers ski and snowboard lessons, equipment rental and a small MiniMarkt.
For beginners, the heart of the operation is the children's ski area next to the school. Here the youngest skiers make their first turns on the magic carpet – a conveyor belt that takes them uphill without any drag-lift stress. More advanced groups meet at the collection point by the Zirbenlift valley station; they need a valid lift pass.
Which ski lesson suits which age?
For children up to the age of four, there is a Bambini course. Each session takes one and a half hours, either from 10:00 to 11:30 am or from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. With no more than three children per session and day-by-day booking, it is an easy way to find out whether your child already enjoys skiing.
From the age of four, children can join the regular ski course, daily from 9:45 am to 12:45 pm including a half-hour break. Green is for first-time skiers, Blue for children confident on blue to red slopes, and Red for parallel skiers who use poles and also ski red to black runs. The final classification happens in the lesson. Friday's race comes with a certificate and medal; taster days and extensions are possible.
The best slopes for children at Hochrindl
For children and beginners, the Zirben lifts are the ideal start. Blue runs begin at the large car park, the ski school is next door and the forest run is especially popular with younger skiers. Herzlhütte is directly on the slope for a break.
The Sonnenlift, a four-seat chairlift, is the next step. Its three runs receive sunshine into the late afternoon and are ideal for children, beginners and anyone who enjoys relaxed turns. The forest run from the Zirbenlift leads to the Kegellift, where a wooden viewing platform offers a superb view across Carinthia.
For more athletic parents, the Krucken lift and the final section of the Stoichart lift are more challenging. Krucken is a FIS slope, so they are best saved for your own run while the children are in lessons.
What does a ski day with children at Hochrindl cost?
Hochrindl is noticeably more affordable than larger ski resorts, especially for families. The following figures are from the official 2025/26 list; Hochrindl publishes 2026/27 prices on hochrindl.at and in its online shop. In 2025/26, a day pass cost €29 for children born from 2011 to 2019 and €52 for adults; the six-day pass was €132 for children and €251 for adults. Younger children skied free. From the fourth child in the same household, the youngest child skied free. All passes use KeyCards with a €5 deposit.
The ski-school rental shop is family-friendly too. A children's set for ages up to 7 costs €21 for one day or €65 for five days according to the current rental list. Children's helmets are included free with a ski set. If both parents rent ski or snowboard sets for the same period, the children's set up to age 7 receives a 50% discount; bring identification. Rental is open daily from 8:45 am to 4:30 pm. Parking is free across the ski area, and Berglodge has private parking at the house.
Afternoon fun: sledding, sliding and timing
For many children, the highlight is not skiing but sledding. There is a small sliding hill directly at the Zirbenlift, while a natural sled run starts below Hiasl Zirbenhütte when snow conditions allow.
The family highlight is the illuminated sled run by Hiasl Zirbenhütte from 4 pm, complete with free timing. Children love racing Mum and Dad for the fastest time. There is also an illuminated ski and sled route from Hiasl Zirbenhütte to Herzlhütte.
What a perfect family ski day from Berglodge looks like
If you organise rental equipment on arrival day, the next morning starts calmly. Shortly before lessons, walk the roughly 50 metres to the children's area. While the course is running, you can ski yourself; at lunchtime, pick up your child and eat at the lodge or one of the mountain huts.
After a break, head together to the blue runs at the Zirbenlift or Sonnenlift. From 4 pm the illuminated sled run awaits. In the evening, once the children are asleep, parents can enjoy the private barrel sauna with panoramic Nockberge views.
Practical tips for a ski holiday with children
Pack two pairs of gloves for every child – one pair is bound to be wet after sledding. In Carinthia, helmets are compulsory for skiers up to their 15th birthday, and goggles are strongly recommended. Children's helmets are included free with a rental ski set. High-SPF sunscreen matters at 1,600 metres because winter sun reflects strongly from the snow.
Use winter tyres and bring snow chains for winter driving. You can check current slope and snow conditions on Hochrindl's live webcams before travelling. And if the family dog is coming too: dogs stay at Berglodge at no extra charge, but they are not permitted on cross-country trails.
