Skiing is a great activity to enjoy on a family holiday; if you want to find out which destinations are ideal for a winter sports break with your loved ones, read on.

Megeve

The large town of Megeve is a charming settlement in the Haute Savoie region of the French Alps boasting a huge ski area. Beginners, intermediate skiers and experts all have plenty of runs to choose from here, but if you have non-skiers in your party they will be well looked after too.

If grandparents are travelling with you, they might not want to spend as much time on the slopes as you do, and if you book your break in Megeve they'll be able to have a game of bowling, explore the medieval town centre, try their luck at the casino or have a friendly game of bridge, among many other activities on offer at the resort.

Zermatt

Situated in the foothills of the Swiss Alps, the resort of Zermatt is among Switzerland's most popular for family skiing holidays. The many runs to be found here cater for all ability levels, with 19 for beginners, 33 for intermediate skiers and 15 for those with advanced skills.

Families visiting the resort might be pleased to discover it is largely car-free and also offers a raft of activities during the day, so non-skiers and youngsters will haveplenty to keep them busy. A snowboard park, the chance to hire a skidoo and numerous picturesque walking trails make the destination particularly action-packed, while there's also a health spa, heated outdoor pool and parapenting (gliding down mountainsides with a parachute-cum-canopy) activities to try out.

La Tania

The French resort of La Tania is a favourite among families with small children as the atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly. Boasting excellent nursery slopes and a free lift, the resort is a haven for novices, although those after a little more excitement are within easy reach of the renowned resorts of Meribel and Courchevel.

Also a car-free zone, La Tania is a compact, quiet spot, although you will find a good selection of bistros and bars in the area. Other amenities include an indoor pool and a gym.

Val Thorens

If you're travelling with older children, Val Thorens in France is a great destination for a family ski trip, as the location has much to offer older kids and teenagers. The range of slopes to be found here is world-renowned, comprising challenging mogul fields and gentle blue runs, so everyone is well catered for regardless of their ability levels.

Away from the slopes, there is a sports centre where you can have a go at squash or take a dip in the swimming pool. Rent a skidoo for an exhilarating ride through the snow, enjoy a film at the cinema, have a game of bowling, or head to one of the late-night discos if you've still got energy to burn.

Geilo

The modern resort of Geilo in Norway is quiet and welcoming, despite being one of the country's largest skiing centres. There are plenty of runs for novices and intermediate skiers at the family-friendly resort, while advanced skiers can choose from 15 trails suitable for their abilities.

A dozen restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, ice rinks and a cinema are among the amenities you'll find here, and if you want to spend some time without the kids there are excellent childcare facilities to make use of.