winter tyres will help massively
yep, thats the first big thing id say too. make sure you get some decent ones. i have yokohama W Drives (£135 each at the mo) and are very good. i hear continental winters and pirellis are good too.
just keep low revs if your trying to move off. traction control will kick in anyway, but i havent had a problem yet.
i was on my way back from BCS (in St Helens) in February last year with these on and was doing 60+ on the motorway in snowy conditions and snowing too without issue. if anything i think winter tyres kinda make you over confident!
i only usually play with the dsg paddles or put it in manual in the summer or on dry roads, so i would just let the DSG Box do all the thinking for you in that regard
have fun bud. im still planning a trip to the nurburg ring and driving holiday for next year from england to germany to south of portugal.......