1. La Plagne, France
Small resorts are often hailed as family-friendly, but are limiting for those parents who really want to put some miles under their skis. Here, ski in, ski out villages sit on 265 miles of piste, linked to Les Arcs. There are Coolski beginner zones throughout the region and ski schools include Oxygene, which has British instructors. Attractions include a zip-wire and the chance to have a go on the Olympic bobsleigh run.
How to do it: Pierre & Vacances has seven nights at Residence Les Constellations, Belle Plagne (one bedroom, sleeps five), self-catering, from £399 excluding flights. British Airways, Jet2 and EasyJet fly to Geneva. pierreetvacances.co.uk
2. Levi, Finland
For fairytale skiing amid twinkling lights (slopes are illuminated on short midwinter days) wrapped in beautiful Lapland scenery with friendly English-speaking instructors. Levi Hotel Spa has Spa Water World, with 17 indoor/outdoor pools. Treats include reindeer sleigh rides and Northern Lights viewing by husky safari.
How to do it: Inghams has seven nights at Levi Hotel Spa, half-board, from £889 per person for a family of four, including flights, transfers and entrance to Spa Water World. inghams.co.uk
3. Alpe d’Huez, France
Mile upon mile of motorway-wide runs bring families together, skiing all day and barely touching the same piste twice. Learners will enjoy the two huge areas of green runs. The slope-side sports centre has a huge open-air heated swimming pool, ideal for apres-ski fun.
How to do it: Ski France has seven nights at on-slope Chalet Sophie, sleeping 12 in five bedrooms from £4,399 (£367 per person). Price includes ‘contactless catering’ (the delivery of ‘cook at home’ style restaurant food boxes). Flights to Lyon EasyJet and return transfers can be arranged from €80pp (£68). skifrance-classic.co.uk
4. Alpbach, Austria
One of Austria’s prettiest villages, Alpbach is small, quiet and perfect for children, with beginner runs at base level and the chance to progress higher up the mountain. It’s also set close to one end of the Ski Juwel circuit connecting Niederau, Oberau and Auffach: 68 miles of easy going, peak-leaping runs that offer parents and blossoming youngsters the chance to ski together. Other activities on offer include skating, tobogganing and sleigh rides.
How to do it: Crystal Ski has seven nights at Hotel Alphof, which has an indoor pool, half-board, from £625 per person (two adults and two children sharing), including flights and transfers. crystalski.co.uk
5. La Rosiere, France
Great for children and parents alike. The relaxed village is on the Italian border and the 95-mile Espace San Bernardo gives two-country skiing over to the resort of La Thuile. Youngsters can learn in peace (Ski Esprit, the operator listed below, runs small classes), then progress to the wider ski area, which reaches more than 9,000ft.
How to do it: Ski Esprit has seven nights from £679 per adult in a family suite at Chalet Arnica (sleeps up to four), with a child (aged between two and 10) from £364, including flights and transfers. Extra-cost childcare is available (from 17 months). espritski.com
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