Anna's list of top tips for first-time skiers

• Book All Inclusive or Half Board (Breakfast & Dinner). You will save a lot of money as drinks and food can be pricey in the mountains.

• Budget for lunch, snacks, and plenty of Apres Ski (evening entertainment) if you are not going All Inclusive. 

• You MUST have ski lessons. Skiing is a lot harder than it looks. I still ski with an instructor over 40 years after I first started! Make sure you add lessons to your package. Club Med has a brilliant All Inclusive option that includes ski lessons. 

• Choose a company that has representation in the resorts. They help with ski passes and equipment hire. Don't try to figure it out by yourself.

• Ski boots need to be tight and are not the most comfortable things to wear. An expert must help you find the right fit. 

• If you’re traveling during the Easter holidays or earlier in December, pick the highest-located resort you can. The snow will be much more reliable at higher altitudes – and lower-positioned resorts can get heavy and slushy snow around Easter, which makes skiing harder.

• You never know how cold it can get in the mountains. This is a family joke, as my Mum always said this to us – and still does. It might be blue sky and sunshine, but it can be seriously cold. Warm, waterproof and windproof clothes are essential.

• You must have a good kit.

• • • A good waterproof and windproof jacket, ski pants, and gloves are invaluable. Top it off with good waterproof outdoor boots. The boots are less important if you're staying in a resort where you can ski in and ski out without needing to walk or take transport to the slopes. If you want to explore the village, a good pair of waterproof boots is a necessity. 

    • A waterproof kit is important when skiing with kids. They love playing in the snow. Cold hands and feet will make them miserable. 

    • Buffs are great as they keep your neck warm, and you can pull them over your nose and mouth if necessary. 

    • Thankfully the helmets not only protect your head but also keeps it warm! Always wear a helmet.  

    • Layering is the best way to dress. Use thermal undergarments, thin T-shirts, and thin sweaters/tops to layer. Don’t be tempted to get one thick sweater or top. Rather have a few thin sweaters and remove them (or put them on) if necessary. 

• Everyone loves a good bit of Apres Ski (the social activities and entertainment after skiing). Having a few beers or gluhweins after a full day of skiing is magic, but remember, drinking at a high altitude is different from drinking at a low altitude. Your tolerance is lower - the higher the altitude. I will leave it there! 

• Many hotels and resorts have swimming pools and saunas, so remember to pack swimming cossies – it is a great way to relax after a long day on the slopes.

• Get up early and get to the slopes. It is well worth the effort. Early morning is the best time of the day, and the slopes are often quieter.

• Book afternoon or evening flights, where possible, so that you have enough time to get from the resort to the airport.  

• There is no need to pack a lot of regular clothes. You wear your ski kit during the day and civvies for a few hours in the evening. You must be mindful of your 23kg luggage limit - the ski kit takes up a lot of room.