Activities
Winter Sports Travel Insurance: Skiing, Snowboarding & Off-Piste Cover
Standard travel insurance won't help you on the slopes. Here's what proper winter sports cover looks like and what to look for in the small print.
Hospital costs in alpine resorts are eye-watering. A single helicopter rescue from a French ski resort can cost €5,000 before you even reach a hospital. If you're heading to the slopes, winter sports cover is non-negotiable.
What winter sports cover adds to a standard policy
- Medical and rescue cover for ski-related injuries
- Mountain rescue and helicopter evacuation
- Ski equipment cover (your own or hired)
- Lift pass cover if you can't ski due to injury
- Piste closure benefit if your resort can't open
- Avalanche delay cover for travel disruption
On-piste vs off-piste
Standard winter sports cover usually applies on marked, open pistes only. Off-piste skiing is covered on most policies only if you ski with a qualified guide. Backcountry, heli-skiing and ski touring almost always require an upgrade or specialist policy.
What's typically excluded
- Skiing while under the influence of alcohol
- Skiing on closed runs or against resort warnings
- Racing and competitive events
- Equipment left unattended outside lockers
Equipment cover details
Equipment is usually covered up to about £500–£1,000 with a single-item limit similar to baggage. If you own high-end skis or a snowboard, check the single-item limit carefully.
Single trip vs annual winter sports
A 7-day winter sports trip to the Alps is typically £25–£40 to insure. Annual winter sports cover is around £70–£110 — easily worth it if you ski twice or take a Christmas + Easter trip.
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