(photo: www.lipnoservis.cz)

Ski resorts are paying increasing attention to looking after the smallest skiers as well, meaning that families with children will find bunny slopes, instructors trained to work with children, small-scale rope tows and family prices. The largest children's ski area can be found at Lipno, in the Bohemian Forest (Šumava mountains).

New ski areas opening this year include Kašperky in the Kašperský Mountains and Herlíkovice near Vrchlabi. Also workth visiting are Harrachov, Rokytnice nad Jizerou, and Špindlerův Mlýn. Snowboarders will not be disappointed by the Czech mountains either.

This season, several new snowparks were fitted with racing courses, including slalom with professional timekeeping. One benefit of Czech ski areas is their excellent price-performance ratio. Despite the fact that many ski areas are being renovated and the price of electricity is on the rise, prices for ski passes have barely changed since last year.

For instance, at most ski areas a one-day pass costs approximately CZK 500 (i.e. EUR 20). Family passes vary from resort to resort. Špičák in Šumav, for example, offers a one-day family pass for CZK 840, with an unlimited number of children.

See also:

• Sledging, snow-tubing and bob-sled runs
• Snowboarding
• A family holiday in the mountains
• It's November 1 - Do you have your winter tires on?