While the rest of Europe lacks the white stuff - and some Italian resorts are relying entirely on artificial snow - some of the best conditions are reported in Andorra.

This is good news for the tiny Pyrenean principality which is trying to shrug off its cheap and cheerful image and establish itself as a fully fledged winter sports destination ideal for families.

'They got really good early season snow,' said a spokeswoman from the Ski Club of Great Britain, adding that the Pyrenees and Austria had the best in Europe this winter.

'Though they had a similar dry spell to everyone else, that early snow carried them through. They got more snow last weekend.'

While early ski bookings to continental Europe as a whole have been strong, gaining from the reluctance of some skiers to cross the Atlantic after the terrorist attacks on 11 September, Andorra's snow record means it is doing particularly well. Good snow reports have resulted in holidays being snapped up, leaving few still available.

This destination 'has been selling like hot cakes', said a spokeswoman from tour operator Inghams.

The snow is hammering home what Andorra has been working on for years: gaining a good name for itself among skiers who are not just interested in the cheap booze of the tax-free principality. By investing heavily in ski lifts and four-star hotels, it has been positioning itself to attract a different type of skier.

'Andorra is changing its image from a lager-lout, cheap-and-cheerful destina tion to a quality family destination which is really good value for money,' said Stevan Popovich, head of product at Crystal Holidays and Thomson Ski.

A growing emphasis on high-quality hotels rather than self-catering apartments has started to attract more couples and families rather than the young clubbers lured by the lively après-ski. The hotels, however, still represent good value for money, as does the rest of Andorra, where a six-day unlimited ski pass costs £74, a six-pack of beer £1.05 and a pizza £2.70.

An added lure for families is good childcare facilities, with English-speaking staff. Around 40 per cent of its ski instructors, too, speak English, and standards of training are generally high. 'Anyone taking instruction is going to benefit massively as the quality is much better there than elsewhere,' said a First Choice spokeswoman.

For a destination traditionally seen as a beginners' resort, Andorra has a surprising number of difficult runs; 13 blacks and 23 reds in Pas de la Casa, and 11 blacks and 12 reds in Soldeu. Over the past two years, more than £50 million has been invested in the network of ski lifts and gondolas over the 277 kilometres of pistes, adding a new four-person chairlift in Grau Roig and a link between the resorts of Arinsal and Pal.

That, according to Panorama Holidays' marketing manager, Owen Whitehead, means Andorra is now geared up for intermediate and advanced skiers.

The black runs may not be as challenging as those in the Alps, but travel representatives say there is cheap helicopter skiing and a lot of value in the off-piste powder snow.

With powder reported off piste in all the four major resorts of Andorra this week, what are you waiting for?

Prices slide

Inghams (020 8780 4433) has one week's self catering in Arinsal for £270, leaving 24 February from Gatwick. A week's half board in a three-star hotel at the same resort, leaving 17 February from Manchester or Gatwick is £470.

First Choice (0870 754 3477) has one week from 17 March in a three-star hotel in Soldeu on a half-board basis for £279, with flights from Manchester, Gatwick, Birmingham and Bristol.

The Ski Club of Great Britain (020 8410 2000) advertises late deals on its website, bookable through Igluski (020 8544 6411). One week in Soldeu, leaving on 24 February, costs £675 for half board in a four-star hotel.

· For general information, call Ski Andorra on 00 37 6 864389.