It’s the season to push that suitcase to its limits and head to snowy lands. The thought of gulping down warm beverages with your gloves on and just enjoy the whole atmosphere is probably putting you in a frenzy.

Amongst all that buzz and online reviews, you’ll soon realise that there are things you might have overlooked before setting foot in a country where a -2 degrees Celsius morning is “a good day”. Blame it on the jolly season… we’ve got some good advice coming up you wouldn’t want to miss out on!​

NON-SLIP BOOTS ARE A MUST

You already knew this, but… don’t make the mistake of taking a “normal” shoe pair for your fancy evening outings. Those non-slip boots will be promoted to best friend status during the trip. Once the snow turns slushy, you wouldn’t appreciate hitting the ground like a sack of potatoes. Trust us, we know how it feels – painful and embarrassing.

LAYER UP – IT’S HOT INSIDE

The outside temperature is one that requires thermal clothing to keep your body temperature stable, however inside, it’s a whole different story. Humidity doesn’t seep through the stone and heating is on all the time. The secret is to layer up – put on a thin vest, a sweater and a scarf. Should you feel the heat rising up you neck, taking off a couple of things will come in easy.

YOU’LL PROBABLY GET SICK

It’s a hard truth, but the abrupt change in weather conditions can tickle your nostrils and require an extra supply of tissue packets. Double-check your store of cold and flu tablets. Should you be in a remote location without a pharmacy nearby, they will save the day.

RELIABLE TRAVEL INSURANCE IS A MUST

If the mountain resort closes because of harsh weather or should you break a leg after a nasty slip, getting a winter extension to your travel policy will help you get back on your steady feet. With all kinds of hazards that come with a descent of snow, travel insurance is a god send.

THE DAYS ARE SHORT – PLAN THEM WELL

Darkness should not keep you back from making the most of your holiday; however, some activities are best done during natural light hours. Do some online research on the sunrise and sunset times and adapt based on your preferred activities. You might not want to go 1000 metres up the ground on a snow cable car in pitch darkness.