Half term weeks are fast approaching and if you're setting off soon we thought you might like our top tips to help you get the best from your trip!

Weather: 

Keep an eye on the weather forecasts for your resort before you go so that you have an idea of what the temperatures will be like during your stay and whether there is snow on the way. Generally forecasts up to 3 days in advance will be the most reliable and beyond that you can at least get an indication of how things will pan out.

Good weather sites include Snow-Forecast.com, Meteoblue, Netweather – and you can also check the resort website for weather updates.

Layer up:

If you know you're expecting snow and cold weather then you can prepare for it by packing some extra layers. 

Temperatures can vary enormously in the mountains during the day and at different altitudes so be aware of that. Whilst it may be a pleasant 5 degrees at 1500m for example it can easily be a lot colder at 3000m with wind chill. 

Make sure you're prepared – and layer up. Base layers are a must and will often make the all the difference. If the weather is going to be very cold, or if you suffer from cold hands, a thin pair of inner gloves is also a good idea for both adults and children.

Tips for Families:

If you have children in ski school then it's a good idea to have a morning checklist written up somewhere visible in your accommodation so that nothing is forgotten – both for yourself and the kids. It's too easy to leave behind those all important items such as gloves, goggles/glasses etc.

There are other small items it's worth slipping into their pockets too; small change should the instructor take them inside for a hot chocolate mid-lesson, mini snack bars to keep them going, tissues.

If ski school starts on Sunday then get as much done on the Saturday evening as you can. Many ski shops will stay open late on the Saturday to give new arrivals time to get organised and you'll feel happier on Sunday morning knowing that at least the gear is sorted and you just need to get to the ski school rendezvous.

Non Ski-Schoolers:

If you are not tied to the ski school timetable then make the most of it to get some quieter time on the piste. Most ski schools will start around 9-9.30am, when the pistes suddenly get a lot busier. Aim to get out as soon as the lifts open so that you can get at least a couple of runs under your belt before the classes get underway. 

Similarly morning sessions will usually finish around midday – when most families will reconvene to get lunch. Lunchtime can therefore be a great time to ski. Either have your lunch early or late so you can avoid both the restaurant crowds and the lift queues!

Check out what else is going on:

Even the most diehard skiers and snowboarders will come to a point when they need to take some time out during the week.

Check out what's happening in your resort over the week so you can plan for it and make it part of your holiday. There's usually a lot of resort happenings taking place over the February weeks – torchlight descents, shows for children, competitions, live music etc. 

There's also the opportunity to try out activities which may not be so accessible at home – ice skating, snow shoeing, ice driving, tobogganing, even snowman-building. 

The good news is that the Alps, Pyrenees and North America have all recently had good, substantial dumps of snow – so conditions for February are looking great! If you're looking for a half-term break then you've left it a bit late but there may still be some availability – check out the half term promotions or try the Solutions Room.