My tips and guide to having the best value family ski holiday

If you’re stuck to school holidays, think about visiting the Alps at Easter. It’s quieter and much cheaper than travelling at February half term or over Christmas and New Year and while the snow conditions aren’t as reliable as at the height of the season in February, there is still more than enough snow for an enjoyable family holiday.

Because it’s Easter, the days are warmer than earlier in the season and because we’re not at such a high altitude, the climate in the middle of the afternoon is more spring-like so makes for a great two-in-one winter and summer holiday. In the main village of Le Grand Bornand, there’s a fun playground down by the river, and the river itself is excellent for paddling in. There’s also an outdoor art trail around the two villages, dedicated to the local hero - the cow! Funny sculptures, contemporary street art and paintings with unusual twists are spread around, some in plain sight others tucked away, waiting to be discovered, and it makes for an entertaining afternoon.

Another afternoon we drive 30 minutes down the valley to Annecy, a beautiful old city on the shores of the lake of the same name, which is one of the prettiest and cleanest in France, thanks to its surrounding mountains which feed it with fresh alpine water. The pedestrianised streets meander across narrow canals (it’s known as the Venice of the Alps), and there’s a large lake-side park and another inviting playground. But we’re really here to stretch our legs away from the slopes and hire bikes to cycle along the waterfront. There’s a 42km loop that encircles the lake but that feels a bit ambitious, so we cycle for about 18km, along to Sevrier, Saint Jorioz and back, passing enviable century-old lakeshore houses with their own moorings, beaches and perfect views. We’re on e-bikes, so it’s not too tiring after a morning’s skiing, and because we’re by the water the path is flat all the way. We return to Annecy and head to La Bar Roux d’Heure for tea and cake. The owner’s mother is Scottish and the decor is really quirky – it’s considered wonderfully British – and we polish off huge hot chocolates with marshmallows and giant cookies.

When we’re not hunting for cow art or cycling round Annecy of an afternoon we’re in the swimming pool. Le Roc des Tours has its own smart indoor pool (plus steam room and sauna) but there’s also an aquatic centre in the neighbouring village of La Clusaz, 10 minutes drive away. By all accounts it’s brilliant, with an indoor and outdoor pool, slides and spa, but the convenience of our own pool proves too enticing (plus there is a Pure Altitude Spa in Le Roc des Tours, which uses restorative products made from Alpine plants).

Dinners in Le Grand Bornand are as easy-going as the rest of the village. We eat out a couple of places – La Cozna and Le Dérapage – that nail that fine balance of being family-friendly not just for the children but the adults too, and also discover the best local takeaway pizzas from Pizza Toni that are so popular they need ordering a good hour in advance.