We are planning a last minute ski trip in Feb. and most places that people have recommended are all booked at this point. We are new to Geneva and haven't really been anywhere yet, and also have friends from the US coming to visit. Anyone been to these places mentioned? We will have 4 very young children with us, one beginner skier, no dare devil skiers in this crowd. Advice?? Looking to be somewhat near Geneva.

So difficult to advise anybody without knowing more about your level, style, etc. Haute Nendaz has always been one of our favourites. You can choose your pass to suit your ability- the local pass is great for beginners and good intermediates, or you can take the 4 Valleys pass which will include Super-Nendaz, Veysonnaz, Thyon 2000 and Verbier- then take a 1 or 2 day supplement to go to the Mont Fort Glacier for the bumps if you are up to it.
Please do not attempt Tortin/the Wall unless you are excellent skiers. So many try it just to say they've done it- and injur themsleves seriously. NOT worth it. The childrens'/beginners area at the top of the main bubble up from Nendaz is great, with a travellator, and a great ski school'kindergarten for little ones, with a restaurant right there, so perfect if one or two parents have to keep warm with little ones, whilst others go for a ski. Look at www.interhome.ch perhaps to find a chalet/appartment. Or perhaps the Hotel Mont d'Or (ex Le Sourire) - and make sure you have an adult meal at the Mont Rouge, the best restau there.

BTW it won't apply to you as the kids are so young, but all the resorts in the 4 Valleys, including Verbier, have great offers for families. We only ever paid for 2 adult passes for a family of four- 1 parent pays full price, the other 50% and the kids 25%- this can really make the difference between skiing in a French resort or in the 4 Valleys.

Champery's skiing is up in the bowl above, called Les Crozets. It's a great ski area. It links with the French resort of Avoriaz - again do not attempt the Wall returning from the French side unless you know what you are doing. Same as above. The resort also links with the smaller resort of Champoussin and then with Morgins and Chatel/Chappelle d'abondance and Torgon- all in the Portes du Soleil area.
And for a rest there is a nice spa in Val d'Illiez a bit below.

Les Housches will suit you fine, this year is part of 'Chamonix' some years not! It's actually the biggest single resort on the area.

It is looking like the option at Nendaz might work out best with our timing. Our ski level is mostly beginner, and easy intermediate. The 'wall' sounds deathly frightening at these levels - believe me we won't be attempting it. Is there more than just a bunny slope at Nendaz for beginners?

Loads for beginners / Intermediate in Nendaz, there are only a few things to avoid & they will be marked black or itinery!

Perfect, just get the Tracouet local pass. Lots of small easy runs at the top, and then by the end of the week you can go down the back to the lovely wooden chalet restaurant- or do the nice wide piste down towards the resort, and up the ski lift half way- or all the way down and up again on the bubble. Enjoy.