This year out Feb half term trip for 3 cost us around £1200 for flights, car hire and accommodation. Ski hire, lift passes and some lessons on top probably added around another £1500. We ate out most nights and this was fairly inexpensive despite the exchange rate as most places were pizza or crepes.
However this was because I was incredibly lucky and managed to get the flights the minute they came out and found a super cheap but lovely apartment.
Next year we're looking at Easter because it's so early and hopefully the slopes will be slightly less congested.
If you're booking yourself I'd advise to try and opt for a resort that has shuttle bus transfers unless you're confident about driving through snowy conditions. Luckily there are loads of resorts within easy travelling distance of airports.
Also somethings that caught us out the first time we went. Car hire from the ski resort airports seems to be fairly pricey as do transfers so even though a package holiday may not seem like good value, it does have those thrown in.
If you rent a French apartment through an agency the base price quoted will be much increased by sheet hire, towel hire and final cleaning. There will also be literally nothing - no salt, no sugar, zilch - in the apartment. Oh and I found them to be really inflexible about the check out process as they have to come and check the apartment before you leave - even if you've paid the exorbitant cleaning fee - which is stressful when you're trying to leave to get to the airport, then they tut at you if the apartment is not spotless - even though you've paid the exorbitant cleaning fee.
Sorry xenophobic rant over 
- we made sure to rent from an English couple this time and the experience couldn't have been more different. We even had a kettle and toaster !
Also if you are first time skiers it is nice to be able to talk to others about their ski experiences - I think DH missed out on this by us going s/c on our two trips.
Enjoy - it's a fabulous family holiday.