Six of the best family operators

For many British parents who don't want to spend their entire ski holiday with the children, the best arrangement is to go with a British tour operator that lays on childcare. The possibilities range from the provision of a nanny to organised "clubs", which provide entertaining group activities, especially for older children. There are now dozens of operators who provide childcare in at least some of their resorts. Here we look mainly at smaller operators of catered chalets selling direct.

Club Med

Holidays in Club Med's "village" (ie mega-hotels) include everything but equipment, and this usually includes childcare. Wide range of resorts, mainly in France and Switzerland. 0171 581 1161

Crystal

Of the big mainstream operators, Crystal has the most wide-ranging childcare, with creches or nanny service in over two dozen resorts. 0181 399 5144

Mark Warner

Nine-to-five childcare in half-a-dozen, big-name resorts is offered by this specialist in catered chalet-hotels. 0171 393 3131

Simply Ski

This increasingly impressive chalet operator concentrates its childcare in two resorts: Montchavin and Courchevel 1300. 0181 742 2541

Ski Esprit

This mid-sized chalet operator has long been the leading exponent of the chalet holiday for families, and is constantly developing its services. Resorts include big- name macho places and low- altitude charmers. 01252 616789

Ski La Vie

A small, upmarket operator with creche facilities in its chalets in Champery, Meribel and Zermatt. 0171 736 5611