As I said some time back. Flying an A330 at height is not that easy, it is very sensitive. Someone said treat the side stick as if it has Dog Sh*t on it, that may give you some idea.
As for practice in the SIM. Well up to now I have not flown any simulator that has the correct algorithms ,to give the correct feel at height. The sims fly the same at 5000ft as they do at 40000ft so until they are modified IMHO practice in the sim is pointless in terms of handling characteristic at height.