We¹ve never skied before, and want to give it a go this winter, maybe in France or Switzerland. We have two boys, aged 5 and 8 ­ are they too young to learn, and where should we go? Jean and Mike Simmons, Salisbury

Sunday Times travel writer Jeremy Lazell responds:

The first thing to say is that in skiing terms, your boys are far from young ­ French kids hit the slopes from the age of about three, so your boys are virtually over the mogul.

The second point is that where to go is largely dependent on when you go.

Over February half-term, when French schools are on holiday, a small, friendly resort such as Sainte-Foy in the Tarenteise is an absolute belter for beginners, with lift-passes and queues a fraction of what they¹d be 20 minutes up the valley in Val d¹Isere and Tignes.

With only a handful of lifts and 20-odd miles of pistes, Sainte-Foy might frustrate even an intermediate skier, but as a beginner, why pay a premium for a resort with endless runs (and queues), when all you¹re going to do is snowplough down the same two or three slopes all week? Luxury chalet operator, Venture Ski (0870 242 4881, www.ventureski.co.uk) has one week in February half-term for £1,238 per adult, £928 for under-13s, under-3s free, breakfast, tea, dinner, wine, ski-hosting included. Childcare, all ages, £235 per child per week, 9am-5pm.

By Easter, however, when low-lying nursery slopes are particularly vulnerable to global warming, it pays to go somewhere high. At 6,500ft Reberty in the Three Valleys, Family Ski (01684 540333, www.familyski.co.uk) has one week in a shared chalet (sleeps 22) for £729 per adult, £605 for under-13s, including breakfast, tea and dinner; childcare (9am-4.30pm) from £210 per week.

Also consider 6,000ft Saas Fee in Switzerland, where Esprit (01252 618300, www.esprit-holidays.co.uk) has one week in a chalet hotel from £749 per adult, half-board, with various child discounts, including flights and transfers; childcare from £195 per week.