Finding a ski destination thats budget-friendly but still keeps kids happy gets harder every year.

But in northern Italy, Stratton Lawrence uncovers a few spots where families really can have it all.

On a whim, I checked availability inItalys Dolomites.

A family poses in skii gear on a snowy mountain

The Dolomites have emerged as the ideal place for a culinarily rich—and surprisingly affordable—ski vacation.Credit:Harald Wisthaler/Courtesy of Dolomiti Superski

I booked that very night.

The mountain, meanwhile, offered a mix of challenging and beginner slopes for our familys varied skill levels.

Skiing with new friends gave our daughter the confidence to make it down longer runs.

A person skis down a a snowy mountain

Skiing down Marmolada, a mountain in Italy’s Dolomites.@marmoladamovetothetop/Courtesy of Marmolada

“Skiing with new friends gave our daughter the confidence to make it down longer runs.”

We rounded out the adventure with two nights at Marmolada, the highest peak in the Dolomites.

The seemingly endless piste from the summit is groomed, but is not suited to beginners.

Children take skii lessons on a snowy mountain

The Kids' Safety Park on The Kronplatz.Skirama Kronplatz/Harald Wisthaler/Courtesy of Kronplatz

The ski lift on Marmolada mountain in the Dolomites.

Though it was March, we were in short sleeves in the 70-degree sun.

People skiing down a snowy mountain

Skiing the Kronplatz mountain of the Dolomites in northern Italy.Skirama Kronplatz/Harald Wisthaler/Courtesy of Kronplatz

A ski lift on a snowy mountain

@marmoladamovetothetop/Courtesy of Marmolada.The ski lift on Marmolada mountain in the Dolomites.