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Maxima Private co-founder Jacqui Clarke says the sport is the only thing that engages her whole family on holidays. She answers our Time Out Q&A

Jacqui Clarke is co-founder of Maxima Private, a boutique accounting and advisory firm. She lives in Sydney.

Snowboarder or skier?Skier. My first ski trip was as a young adult, with a German friend who took me to the top of Thredbo and tried to teach me to ski down – I’m sure I cried. I’ve skied almost every year for the past 14 years. My husband, Michael, and I have a blended family with five sons, so skiing makes for the best family holiday by far – it’s the one activity that totally engages everyone.

Jacqui Clarke and her husband Michael Clarke at Aspen Snowmass.

Cross-country or alpine?I love alpine but could see myself progressing to cross-country for fitness and to see the beautiful countryside, maybe when I’m older.

Do you ever go back-country?Not me, I’m a chicken, but my sons love anything off-piste – preferably among trees, off cliffs, that kind of thing. I’m the one who skis around and waits at the bottom to grab a photo or video of something crazy they’re doing.

How often do you go skiing and where?In an ideal world, we would ski both the northern and southern hemispheres every year. Practically, northern is a once-a-year trip and southern – Perisher is our choice – is as many trips as the season permits, but at least one visit.

Clarke in front of Aspen Mountain’s Highland Bowl, an area renowned for its 3777-metre elevation above sea level and 762 metres-worth of black diamond runs.

Favourite ski resort?It’s way too hard to go past Aspen, Colorado: the vast expanse of mountains to ski, combined with the simplicity of transport (a bus between the four mountains), the variation in terrain, the après, of course... And no crowds.

How do you feel about travelling to ski in the future?My next trip is booked – does that answer your question? It has become a lot more expensive, that’s for sure.

Most memorable skiing experience?One funny and very memorable occasion was skiing in the deep Japanese powder in Hakuba. My youngest son was so little, he kept disappearing. My family all have such incredible memories of skiing, mainly provided by Mother Nature.

Ever been caught in a storm, whiteout or avalanche?Plenty of whiteouts and storms. I’ve arrived at the top of a mountain on the last chairlift to run and not been able to see one foot in front of me. It can be quite overwhelming.

Most like to go skiing with?I’m happy to ski on my own.

Tips that helped you to become a better skier?I’ve had plenty of advice, but the best was this year from Barb Hurwitz, a ski coach who runs the Women’s Edge program in Aspen. She wrote me a list. Here’s the piece of advice that was most impactful: look to your next turn, not right in front of you.

When not in the northern hemisphere, Clarke and her family like to ski at Perisher in NSW.

Ever been scared on a mountain?Skiing is like scaring yourself every day. It comes with challenges, and so much unknown, so yes, I get scared often.

Any serious injuries or catastrophes?Who hasn’t had one? In Aspen in January 2018, I was on my way down a cat track [a flat, narrow access road for all-terrain vehicles] and a lady from Rockhampton (of all the places to find an Aussie) used me as a personal body-stop so she didn’t go off the cliff edge. She managed to take my skis out in the process and tore my ACL. It wasn’t pretty being taken from the top of the mountain in a rescue toboggan.

Favourite gear?I’m a real creature of habit and have been wearing a combo of Helly Hansen and Burton gear for years, plus Oakley goggles and a Smith helmet. I did invest in a whole new Stio ski outfit this year. It’s got some nice popping colours – so those speed demons coming down the mountain see me!

Dislike about skiing?I sometimes feel like the Abominable Snowman with all my gear on, and it can be tiring lugging it all around – or waiting in an airport for the oversize baggage, aka skis, to arrive.

How important is the après-ski?There is something special about a little après at the end of the ski day. You feel like you’ve earned it, and once those ski boots come off it feels like a celebration anyway. Sitting in front of an open fire with a glass of red or a fabulous cocktail, what more could you ask for? You just have to recognise the altitude impact – one drink equals two, two equals four – you get my drift.

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