Skiing - Christmas or February half-term?

We've done both. Christmas is great with all the snow for the kids to play in but it's best if you can arrange for family or friends to stay in the same resort - the same villa, if possible, otherwise another apartment in the same block. The first time we stayed in La Plagne  (French Alps) with a bunch of friends, all on a tight budget, and we shared a two-room apartment which slept six when using a sofa-bed. 

The last time, we were in a large apartment with three bedrooms; ourselves and our friends, each family having one child at primary school. We spent Christmas there, plenty of snow! After dark, there were candlelight events which looked spectacular. 

In February, there is more likelihood of snow and, being higher up than the clouds (sometimes) means that there is plenty of sunshine so don't forget the factor 50 - especially for the children's fair skin. It is still quite expensive, too, as school holidays always are. La Plagne is a great choice.

Updated, 2018: An alternative to the Alps is the Pyrenees. More recently, we flew to Lourdes and stayed in a rented house in the village, taking the cable car to the ski area. It was only a long weekend but it was packed with things to see and do. Very enjoyable! As well as other European resorts, we've also skied in the USA.