Getting away from it all and hitting the slopes with the kids can be a great experience for the whole family, young and old. Although the thought of organising such a trip may leave some parents with a bit of a head ache, the process needn't be stressful at all.

The key thing is to seek out a resort that boasts itself as being family friendly, this will mean that they are able to provide visitors with good childcare facilities, ski schools and a good range of off slope activities to keep even the most energetic of families engaged.

If you're looking for a family friendly resort, why not check out what France has to offer. The French Ministry of Tourism has created the Family Plus label, this is awarded to resorts which demonstrate that they can offer a good standard of services adapted to the different needs of children and their parents.

Many resorts offer a wide variety of off slope activities, including tobogganing, husky dog sleighing, ice-skating, sports such as tennis and football, cinema and swimming. Picking a resort with a wide range of activities will eradicate any hint of boredom for the kids once the skiing is done for the day.

Recommended resorts

Flaine, France

This family friendly resort boasts a great traffic free centre, creating a safe and relaxed environment for young families. The resort holds the Family Plus label and is home to an abundance of great childcare facilities, catering for babies as young as six months old. Activities on offer include bowling, husky dog sleighing, ice skating and a cinema.

Beaver Creek, US

Purpose built, this stateside resort is full of quaint shops, art galleries, bars and restaurants, all conveniently linked by heated walkways and escalators. The local childcare facilities cater for children as young as two months old. The Children's Ski and Snowboard school ensures that students take part in terrain park fun, mountain adventures and treasure hunts - sure to keep children of all ages occupied. The Black Family Ice Rink puts on a disco skate on Friday and Sunday evenings and the designated kids adventure zones make it easy for kids to enjoy themselves in a safe environment.

La Rosiere, France

Boasting fantastic snow conditions, this traditional alpine village offers skiers of all abilities a great variety of runs. Family Plus certified, the children's facilities and ski schools have a particularly good reputation. The Les Club Des Galopins offers a huge range of activities suitable for both toddlers and older children alike. The resort's children's garden, sledge runs and forest trails are also a big draw for adventurous families.

Whistler, Canada

The pedestrian only village of Whistler is the perfect place for a family ski trip. Featuring a children-only beginner teaching zone, the Canadian resort is blessed with copious amounts of snow throughout the season. Children of all ages can take part in a wide range of non ski activities including, the cinema, climbing, tennis, sleigh rides and tubing. With so much to offer, it's no wonder that Whistler is regularly voted the number one resort in Canada.

Megan is a content writer for last minute ski deals, which is part of Interactive Resorts, the UK's biggest ski travel agent. Image by TRAILSOURCE.COM