Travel challenge: A family skiing holiday in February half term

Every week we invite competing companies to give us their best deal for a specified holiday. Today: a family skiing holiday in February half term. Prices are for two adults and two children...

Thomson Ski

3,872: Formigal, Spanish Pyrenees

Includes flights from Gatwick to Huesca, transfers and a week's half board in a quadruple room at the four-star Hotel Abba. A free lift pass and ski hire for one child (aged under 12 years) is offered when one adult books a lift pass and hire (saving of 418 per family). "The hotel has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, restaurant with valley views, Wi-Fi and a children's play room. Formigal is a short transfer from the airport and is Spain's largest ski resort, extending into four valleys (137km of groomed slopes); it is a well-planned resort with runs for all levels of skiers. There are no lift queues even at half term plus childcare and a children's afternoon programme in the resort," says Sue Livsey of Thomson Ski. (0871 971 0578; thomsonski.co.uk )

Esprit

4,042: Chamonix, France

Includes flights from Gatwick to Geneva, transfers and a week's catered accommodation at the Chalet Hotel Sapinire. "This is an ideal family choice with Esprit-only childcare and ski classes available in this spectacular ski area," says Esprit's Melvin Westlake. (01252 618300; espritski.com )

Headwater

4,552: cross-country skiing in Leutasch and Seefeld, Austrian Tyrol

Includes flights from Gatwick to Innsbruck, transfers, a week's half-board accommodation at the four-star Hotel Xander and five days' guided cross-country skiing with equipment. Leutasch and Seefeld also offer horse-drawn sleigh rides, tobogganing, ice-skating and alpine skiing. "This holiday offers a mix in the mountains, staying at the quieter base of Leutasch, which is a short transfer from Innsbruck. Lift passes and rental of expensive equipment do not come into the equation with cross-country, as opposed to downhill skiing. All the costs are included in our package," says Catherine Crone of Headwater. (01606 720199; headwater.com )

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