Winter vacations can be so exciting for kids. If, like most families, your summer vacation usually takes the form of sun and sand, then this is the perfect time to try a different experience. Winter family destinations can be your typical beach escape, but they can also be city breaks, ski resorts, cold weather getaways or cozy rural weekenders.
Here are some of our favorite winter family destinations for kids of all ages, with options for luxury family-friendly hotels and vacation rentals. Book for Christmas or find the perfect place to book for 2026.
Winter Family Destinations in USA
1. Florida
The perfect spot to keep kids of all ages happy on a winter vacation. They have great weather all year round, a choice of theme parks in the Orlando region, nature reserves to explore in the Everglades and heaps of beautiful family rentals with pools so you can hide out and relax in the sun until weather improves.
Where to stay… Apartment Shoreline on Anna Maria Island, for beautiful beach-side views. Book now
2. Aspen, Colorado
Where to stay… Roaring Fork River – a surprisingly affordable family home in downtown Aspen, with excellent hiking trails from the doorstep and the ski slopes of Aspen Mountain within blissfully easy reach. Book now
Browse more luxury family rentals in Steamboat, Aspen and Breckenridge
3. Utah
Go to Utah in the winter for world-class skiing and snowboarding at Park City, plus family-friendly outdoor activities like dog sledding and snowmobiling. Utah’s winter also offers cultural events and opportunities for experiencing natural beauty, including unique winter scenes in the mountains national parks.
Where to stay… The Lodge at BlueSky, Auberge Collection. Situated on 4,000 acres just outside Park City, this is a design-led take on the traditional mountain getaway. Choose from creekside cabins to two-bedroom hillside suites, and get active with horseback rides and high-alpine hikes. Book Now
4. Upstate New York
Hit the Upstate ski destinations, including Hunter Mountain and Windham Mountain in the Catskills, and Gore Mountain and Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks. At Windham, you’ve also got Adventure Park with ice skating and snow tubing – the perfect winter family destination.
Where to stay… Luxury Condo @ Windham. Get two families together to stay at this epic mountain home, with bunk beds and access to a heated pool and hot tub, plus ski-in access to Windham mountain resort. Book now
Winter Family Destinations in Europe
1. France – Courchevel
Courchevel ski resort is an absolute dream for winter sports lovers Situated in the French Alps, Courchevel is part of the vast Three Valleys ski area – the largest interconnected ski domain in the world.
With a wide range of ski runs catering to beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers (plus ski schools for the youngest), everyone can find their perfect slope.
Where to stay… Apartment Lavergne in Courchevel, for bunk beds, an in-house Hammam and suprisingly affordable pricing. Sleeps up to 6. Book Now
2. Italy – Dolomites
Go for the scenery and world-class skiing, but also for a wide range of activities beyond the slopes, such as snowshoeing, winter hiking, cross-country skiing, ice climbing, and enjoying charming towns and cultural events. It’s a great destination for adventure, relaxation, and family fun like ice climbing on frozen waterfalls or ice skating.
Where to stay… SEELEITAN Lake Spa Hotel, for family-friendly-luxury, with heaps of kids activities, beautiful mountain backdrops and relaxing treatments for grown-ups. Book now
3. Iceland
Kids itching to see the Northern Lights? This is one of the best places to see it. Reykjavík is also one of the most fun capital cities in Europe, rivalling Copenhagen and Stockholm for cosmopolitan charm. Team a city break to Reykjavík with a rural trip to the coast of Iceland for some pretty spectacular winter scenes.
Where to stay… Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll, for an other-worldly escape to a family cabin in the mountains, where you can join the kids in stargazing, skiing, hiking or biking. Book now
4. Lapland
No, not a real country, but a real place, spanning Finland, Sweden and parts of Russia. Try husky sledging through silent snow-laden forests, exhilarating snowmobile safaris across icy terrains, or the tranquillity of cross-country skiing through serene landscapes. Lapland is also home to Santa Claus himself, making it the ultimate destination for families at Christmas time.
Where to stay… Villa Leevi, a stylish log retreat near Lake Levijärvi with a sauna, panoramic views, and stylish open-plan living just minutes from Levi’s slopes in Finnish Lapland. Book now
Plan a Winter Family Vacation
Meet Scout, a new family travel tool that helps parents plan trips quickly and easily, built by the team at Kid & Coe.
