A ski trip can be a mogul field of disasters waiting to happen depending how Mother Nature is feeling on any particular day. Over the past 35 years, I’ve been caught out a few times. I’ve had my toes all but frostbitten in Norway, my Valentine’s weekend in Gstaad royally rained all over and one Easter, I had the luxury of skiing in a T-shirt and jeans in Val d’Isère – not that there was enough snow left to ski back to the chalet. The number one lesson I learned is always to overpack with every whimsical weather condition in mind.

I have seen many a city boy smugly wheeling his carry-on suitcase on the Thursday evening flight from Heathrow to Geneva. More fool him, I say. Particularly during snowfall, when hats and gloves need longer to dry off than the hour between the last apres-ski Apérol spritz and heading out for some tartiflette. And there’s nothing worse, or more sickness-inducing, than going out damp into the cold.

On the plus side, skiwear and accessories have improved immeasurably since the days of Eddie the Eagle’s lurid all-in-ones. Thanks to a clutch of snow sports brands, technical fabrics of immense durability are geared up for every change in conditions, with innovative touches such as powder skirts, sealed zips and extra-long cuffs that keep you warm in a white-out or dry and ventilated in the blazing sun.

Here are five ways to make any trip up a mountain a pleasure and not a teeth-chattering chore.

I was a late convert to helmets, but accident statistics convinced me of the stupidity in resisting. Oakley’s Mod 3 durable helmet, with removable ear pads and air vents via the sporty brim, is designed to reduce fogging in the goggles, a great help if your eyes stream in the wind like mine.

After years of suffering to avoid the dreaded panda tan, I now swear by goggles in all conditions, especially pairs with interchangeable lenses. They’re a bit like Instagram filters. A blue-tinted lens will add definition during overcast days while a warmer tone will absorb the harsh sunlight, not to mention protect your retina from the glare. Anon’s Sync goggles are remarkably non-fiddly and allow for quick changes – a godsend on a chairlift or a busy gondola. Don’t forget you need sunglasses, too. Keep a pair in your pocket for when you unzip for a leisurely fondue.

Not all skiers are made alike and neither are ski suits. Modern brands, such as Colorado-based Aztech Mountain, are leading the way by working with real athletes. It has Olympic gold medallist Mr Bode Miller as its co-owner and chief innovation officer. I tested out the brand’s jackets at the very highest points in Verbier (at the 3,300m high Mont Fort to drink in the view of Mont Blanc) and on Méribel’s majestic Mont du Vallon. The Nuke Suit jacket not only has a down layer for insulation, its shell fabric offers much-needed wind resistance on those high peaks. Plus, it stretches in four directions, which allows for the full range of movement required when you’re carving on the descent.

If aerodynamism is not your top priority but warmth at all costs is, perhaps opt for some extra padding. This quilted jacket from Moncler should do the trick. Don’t be fooled by its fuller appearance, though. It is still lightweight and breathable.

A rookie error when packing for skiing is thinking more layers mean extra warmth. Skiing is a damp and sweaty sport. Too many layers and not enough ventilation mean the sweat will cling to your clothes and ultimately make you colder, risking hypothermia at the very extreme. With the right material, however, just a single layer of thermals under a properly lined jacket is all you need to wick away sweat. This merino wool-blend long-sleeved thermal top from Falke hugs the skin, but is stretchy enough to allow for unrestricted movement. The double-layer structure provides added warmth and still manages to wick away sweat while keeping the body dry. The half-zip high-neck collar gives extra protection in biting winds and acts as a manual temperature regulator of sorts.

Perhaps the biggest error of all is believing you can recycle your socks on a ski trip. Locked in ski boots, your feet sweat buckets and, once socks are left to dry, any bacteria not only smell, but can lead to athlete’s foot and all sorts. You’d never wear the same socks during seven days of Hell Week at Barry’s Bootcamp and the same logic should apply on the slopes. At the very least, take a used pair into the shower with you and dry them on a radiator overnight. Falke’s SK2 socks have padding in all the right places such as the toes and foot arches. This stretch-knit pair is a soft wool blend that gives extra warmth while the neat air channels offer some ventilation.

Call me old-fashioned, but ski jackets are for ski slopes and I prefer to head out to dinner in something altogether different. One of the best purchases you can make is a featherlight Moncler gilet or jacket, which all but disappears when it’s packed in a suitcase and slips effortlessly over a chunky sweater. It also makes a good impression at the dinner table as you’re dunking bread in a fondue. Gloves are always a pain to dry because the hard-to-reach lining tends to absorb both sweat and melted snow. There’s nothing worse than putting soggy gloves back on, so I always carry a second pair for the evenings, such as these from Hestra, the Swedish brand that makes gloves for sub-zero temperatures. Add a bright beanie from Moncler Grenoble for good measure.