Hoteliers cottoned onto pre-ski pilfering from the breakfast buffet long ago. Our 1980s spag-bol diets have steadily broadened and, in some cases, skiing has become a means of transport to a serious lunch. Elevated alpine fare now ranges from huts serving artisanal cheese and locally cured meats, to full-on ski-in/ski-out Michelin-star gastronomic restaurants. Les Trois Vallées alone has 16 stars and why would you pack a lunch in the Dolomites when Alta Badia’s Gourmet Ski Safari features a different, affordable Michelin dish in half a dozen pretty mountain huts?

4. Working on a goggle tan

Honey bronzed and very, very desirable? The shoe-leather chic promoted by the 1970s Snik tanning cream has given over to hopes of an alabaster glow. Concerns about skin cancer and premature skin ageing mean we’re creaming up and covering up. Dr Rozina Ali, one of London’s toniest plastic surgeons and presenter of the BBC’s The Truth About Looking Young, is a keen skier who recommends wearing a minimum SPF 50 with both UVA and UVB protection.

5. Only going to France

Ok, it’s true France is still the number one destination for British skiers. But in recent years we’ve also experimented with ski holidays that combine turns with a variety of fascinating cultures and rich heritage. From double-dipping into Japan’s light powder and steamy onsen baths, to skiing under the midnight sun in Riksgransen, Sweden, there’s a world of skiing beyond Méribel.

6. Breaking our tibias

A broken leg is so 1970. It’s all about soft tissue now, baby. The knee is the most common joint to injure, accounting for up to a third of ski injuries. ACL and MCL ligament tears are top of the podium, and the shock-absorbing meniscus is another biggie. The pressure exerted by modern ski shapes may contribute to injury; muscle strength and fitness can improve your chances.

7. Riding T-bars

Many a romance was sparked in these tracks, ideally between those of similar height. Though the thigh-busting contraptions, for which we have Davos à la 1934 to thank, are still the flexible workhorse of choice for glacier ascent, most have been consigned to the alpine graveyard – alongside J-bars, button lifts and one-person chairlifts – in favour of monster gondola projects like Zermatt’s CHF60million Matterhorn Alpine Crossing. 

8. Skiing in jeans