According to the Ski Club of Great Britain, there has been an increase in British families taking their kids skiing as soon as they can walk. "British families increasingly want to take their youngsters with them when they go on skiing holidays rather than leave them at home with the grandparents," says Arnie Wilson, editor of the organisation's magazine Ski And Board.

"Four is a realistic age to start them on the slopes if you can. They have no fear at that age. And it's important for the first experience to be a good one; an experience that will give them confidence and instil enthusiasm. If the first experience is bad, they won't want to go again and it may take years, even decades, before they regain enough confidence to take to the slopes again."

Like a young seal pup, my four-year-old, Tom, can look decidedly ungainly on dry land, but on snow and skis, he glides effortlessly, fearless and graceful, following the instructor's every move. This was especially impressive as it was his first time on skis, but by the end of the week, he was a more confident and competent skier than his mum.

For Tom's first ski holiday, I had chosen the resort of La Plagne 2100, in France. A one-and-a-half hour flight from London, and under two hours' transfer time from Geneva airport, the resort allows skiers immediate access to the beginner's pistes from their hotel, saving young and old a long walk or bus ride laden down with equipment.

The child-friendly treatment doesn't stop there: all the instructors at La Plagne speak fluent English and, as with some other Club Med resorts, there are kids' clubs that cater for children from three months to 13 years, the Mini Club being the first category to provide ski instruction (from three years and upwards).

The children are entertained from 9am in the morning, (parents drop them off in a central hall after breakfast) until 5pm, when they are collected. At 6.30pm there is an option for parents to return their children to the club, so they can enjoy supper and more playtime with their new friends until 9pm. But there is no pressure to do so, and you can eat with your children in the evening, as the atmosphere is relaxed.

Although the Mini Club day is long, the children are not skiing for the duration. "In the Mini Club, they usually ski for about four to four-and-a-half hours a day, depending on weather and ability," says Max Devoldere, Mini Club Med manager. "They're like sponges and will watch and copy the instructor without question. We have no trouble with the children here, only the parents. Each evening, they will ask if their child has been happy on the skis and if they are learning quickly, have learnt to parallel turn, or gone on a red run yet.

"We only allow them to do what we think they are capable of doing; very much like the adult classes. But we find the children are much better listeners and are completely fearless at this age. And they do as they are told. We are strict because we are aware of the dangers, even if they are not. The children love it. Absolutely love it."

At the resort, there is no need to spend money on boots and skis for your child. Tom was kitted out in helmet, skis and boots on arrival, and all Mini Club equipment is kept separate from that of the grown-ups. So there is no fear of children getting crushed in the morning rush to the slopes.

Tom and I were lucky. The conditions were excellent during the week we were there - blue skies, great snow, clear pistes - and Tom managed to ski for about two hours in the morning, and two-and-a-half in the afternoon each day. At the weekend, medals are awarded for achievements. And four year olds learn fast. By day two, Tom could snow plough, turn and stop with ease. By day seven, he could parallel turn and insisted on wearing his gold medal to bed.

As well as ski instruction, there is story time and face-painting, toboganning, cartoons, dressing up, dancing and singing. The instructors are extremely patient, and the Mini Club staff - all of whom are qualified child carers - are very friendly. Tom felt immediately at ease with all of them.

Although Tom didn't leave the nursery slope - which resembled a large snow playground ring-fenced off and dotted with cartoon characters and rope pullies, he had several excursions on gondola ski lifts to explore the mountains. According to him, this trip was the highlight of the week.

Each evening at 9.30pm, there is a show suitable for all the family - performed by the staff members and the children, and parents are encouraged to take part. Usually, the grown-ups need more encouragement than the children, and it's not unusual for most children to be awake at 10pm, dancing with their parents in the central hall.

Each night, Tom went to bed at 10pm, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. He woke each morning eager to get to the snow and his skis. I found the holiday faultless, as did Tom. His only disappointment was that he could not ski in the dark.

Way to go

Getting there: One week all-inclusive at Club Med La Plagne 2100 (0845 367 6767, clubmed.co.uk) starts from £669 per adult and £566 per child (age 4 -11) and includes return flights from London. Other operators offering ski packages for children include Mark Warner (0870 7704222, markwarner.co.uk) and Powder Byrne (020-8246 5300, powderbyrne.com).

Further information:
Country code: 00 33.
Flight time London-Geneva: 1hr, 30mins.
Time difference: +1hr.
£1 = 1.44 euros.