GREAT SKIING RESORTS: EASTER

With a large bowl of green runs above the town, and served by the DCM gondola, pretty Alp d’Huez is one of the most functional resorts for beginners (both kids and adults!). It offers wide pisted runs, and plenty of blues for confident kids to progress onto. Moreover, there is a selection of more challenging terrain at higher altitudes, for adults looking for some fresh tracks of their own. Alp d’Huez also has a large variety of ski-in ski-out hotels and chalets, which can make life much easier when getting little ones to the lifts!

How to get there: Smaller airport Grenoble is the most accessible, with the 105km transfer taking approximately 1h45. Other airport options include Lyon (150km) and Geneva (210km).

Recognised as one of Switzerland’s more family friendly resorts, Saas Fee has plenty of flat sunny slopes for beginners and activities for small children, as well as extensive pistes for more confident skiers/snowboarders. Saas Fee also has two terrain parks, great if you have older children, and endless off-piste routes to discover. The resorts impressive surroundings and high altitude provide a long ski season, perfect for snow-sure Easter skiing. The quaint, traditional village which is car-free except for a few service vehicles, also offers plenty of activities besides skiing and there’s a whole mountain dedicated to sledging!

How to get there: Sion (75km) and Geneva (227km) airports are closest to resort and train/bus transfers run regularly to get you to resort. Car transfers from the airports take around 1h30 and 2h30 respectively.

Voted Austria’s most beautiful village, quiet Alpbach has long been a firm favourite with British families. Boasting access to 145km of pistes, Alpbach links to resorts Reith, Oberau and Niederau through the Ski Juwel area, one of the largest ski areas in the Tyrol. Best suited for beginner and intermediate skiers/snowboarders, the resort offers an abundance of well-groomed pistes, with plenty of wide, family-friendly slopes including good nursery slopes for novices and young children. For the more adventurous there is 20km of cross-country skiing trails to explore, as well as great off-piste powder to be found with the help of a local guide.

How to get there: Located a short 50 minute drive from Innsbruck airport (50km), and less than two from Munich and Salzberg (150km).

Part of the 200km Monterosa ski area, Champoluc village provides visitors with a laid-back charm and beautiful Italian scenery. Fairly quiet, and with minimal traffic, the resort is great for families with a long standing British ski school and gentle beginner slopes. Campoluc also offers plenty of challenging runs for adults and extensive pistes for those looking to go the distance. Childcare for young children can be limited in Italy as Italian families are likely to reply on grandparents to care for little ones, so if you’re travelling with tots go with a British tour op that can provide the necessary childcare.

How to get there: Fly to Turin (85km) for a 1h30 transfer, or Milan Malpensa for a 2h transfer.